Wayne Mackie ’78 Honored with Street Co-Naming in Brooklyn

September 11, 2024

On Saturday, September 7th, 2024, the Brooklyn Tech community gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Wayne Scott Mackie, Class of 1978, at the street co-naming ceremony for "Wayne Mackie Way." The event took place at the intersection of Van Siclen and Wortman Avenues in East New York, Brooklyn, the very neighborhood where Mackie grew up. Organized by NYC Councilman Chris Banks, the ceremony was a tribute to Mackie’s remarkable achievements in his community and as an NFL referee and league executive.

Wayne Mackie, born and raised in NYCHA’s Linden Houses and Starrett City Development, attended P.S. 306 and George Gershwin J.H.S. before graduating from Brooklyn Tech in 1978. His passion for sports was evident from a young age, but after a football injury at Tech in 1976, Mackie pivoted to officiating. What began as refereeing PSAL junior varsity games in 1992 evolved into an illustrious career that saw him officiating in the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC), Big East, and NFL Europe before being invited to join the NFL in 2007 as Head Linesman #106.

Mackie’s NFL career included officiating Super Bowl 50, the Pro Bowl, two conference championships, and eight playoff games. He later became the NFL’s Vice President of Officiating Evaluation and Development in 2017, leaving a legacy as one of the league's most respected officials. His impact on the NFL was only matched by his dedication to his Brooklyn community, where he mentored young athletes and supported education initiatives.

At the street co-naming ceremony, familiar volunteers from the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation (BTAF) were in attendance to honor Mackie’s contributions. Among the Tech alumni were Eric (EJ) Smith ‘84 (Class of 1984 lead rep), Eric Windley ‘81 (principal of IS 318 and BTAF Future World Vision partner), Horace Davis ‘84 (BTAF board member), Stanley Ng ‘78 (Class Rep), and speakers Tomas Hernandez ‘73 (BTAF board member) and John W. (“Smitty”) Smith ‘78.

Mackie's journey from Brooklyn Tech to the NFL was a testament to his resilience and determination. His story serves as an inspiration to current and future students, showing that setbacks can be stepping stones to greater opportunities. As Mackie once said, “I just hope that my story will help people look at things on a different level and see those options.” The dedication of "Wayne Mackie Way" helps ensure that his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.