In 1989 Ventnor Recreation wanted to create a summer basketball program to utilize the courts at Suffolk Ave and the Beach. Albie Battaglia suggested a basketball tournament in memory of Chuck Cakert, an avid school-yard player who had passed away that spring. Chuck's brother Buck created a 3 on 3 tournament. Robert Sutor, owner of Robert's Place, competed and purchased shirts for the 80 participants. And thus began Ventnor Rec's annual Chuck's 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament put on by the Cakert family, friends, and Robert's Place.

Chuck's 3 on 3 has attracted the area's best basketball players over its two decades of play. The vast majority of local high school stars have participated in this fun off-shoot of full court basketball. The school-yard style of play allows players to compete as if playing at the local courts, but in a more structured framework that is both highly competitive and a great deal of fun.