Prior to his senior season at Shaftsbury High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Todd MacCulloch was called into his coach's office and asked to outline his future aspirations regarding basketball.
Todd said he had one main goal, to get a scholarship, compete in college athletics and great a degree. He added that his ultimate goal, one which he knew would be extremely difficult to ever realize, was to someday play for the Canadian National Team in the Olympics. He never even gave serious consideration to playing in the National Basketball Association, passing it off as an absolutely unachievable dream.

After being intensely recruited by several Division I schools, Todd selected the University of Washington and headed to Seattle with that first main objective in plain view. Nobody could have predicted that four years later, he would join Ohio State legend Jerry Lucas as the only other player in history to finish as the nation's leader in field goal percentage three consecutive times.
Finishing third in Huskies history with 1,743 points and second with 142 blocks, the Honorable Mention All-American soon heard his name being called at the 1999 NBA Draft by commissioner David Stern. The most surprised people on that particular day were the Sixers, who never thought the 7-footer would fall anywhere near as far as their 47th spot in the second round.
With key injuries to several big men hampering Larry Brown's bench for most of the first month of the 1999-2000 season, Todd was thrown into the mix much sooner than anyone could have imagined.

By scoring 12 points and pulling down 10 rebounds in the home opener on Nov. 8, 1999 versus Seattle, "Big Mac" became an instant fan favorite in Philadelphia. He averaged 3.7 points in the 56 games he appeared in. Picking up right where he left off coming out of school, Todd shot over 55 percent from the field and would have led the league in field goal percentage, but fell just short of the minimum requirement for attempts.

The Sixers run into the second round of the playoffs and his own personal appearance in the Shick Rookie Game during All-Star Weekend capped unimaginable season for the Winnipeg native.
Todd was not satisfied just yet, though. It seemed to him that he had one more of those goals from long ago still left to accomplish. Never one to leave business unfinished, Todd accepted an invitation to play for the Canadian National Team in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

"It was a really amazing experience," Todd said. "Ever since I was young, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to get out of basketball. The Olympics were always in the back of my mind.
"Only twelve teams in the entire world get to go, and I had the opportunity to play for one of them representing my country. It was certainly a dream come true. Growing up, I never even thought about going to the NBA, playing in the Olympics seemed like a much better possibility."

On the shoulders of the phenomenal play of Mavericks guard Steve Nash and with great contributions from Todd himself, the Canadian team was able to finish first in Pool B and avoid a first round match-up with the Dream Team.
Todd averaged 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds for the most successful team in the history of Canadian Basketball. "Big Mac" contributed game highs of 23 points and 9 rebounds in a crushing defeat at the hands of an excellent French team that eventually took the United States to the wire in the gold medal game. Although the team played one more game, the loss ended their run for a medal.

"The team was just an incredibly cohesive group of guys, who got along really well. Everybody played defense, took charges, rebounded and just played hard. The greatest part was that we, as a team, were treated well wherever we went and were respected by Canadians at home."

Tired, but, as always, ready to work, Todd met the Sixers at training camp at State College and picked up right where he left off last season. This year, he already increased his offensive production by averaging 5.7 points per game while maintaining his intensity on the defensive end of the floor.

Todd, always a tenacious rebounder, collected a career-high 13 rebounds on Dec. 16 in a tough win at Chicago.
He remains grateful each day for being able to play in city that appreciates the effort he tries to give each night.
"I really don't know what I have ever done to receive such a great response from our crowd. Coming here, I had heard that this town likes guys who work hard. I try to do what coach asks and never let my level of energy come down.
"I used to wonder why the fans responded so positively to me because I don't dunk much or do anything flashy, but it is great to be received well. It makes me want to go out and play well for the fans of Philadelphia."
While his tenacious play on the court has endeared him to countless Sixers fans, it is his work in the community that gives him the most enjoyment. Todd has taken part in several of the Sixers' charity functions over the last few years, including the Team Up program, playing Bingo with elderly citizens in town, participating in the circus, and reading with Ronald McDonald. His latest iniative has been "Typing with Todd," an online pen pal relationship he shares with a local third grade class.
"Being active in community relations seems like something everyone should try to do. I don't feel I do enough of it to be honest. There are so many great charities the Sixers are involved with and so many great charities in town that get very little press coverage. It seems like if one of us players goes anywhere, though, there is always a camera and the possibility of exposure.
"If I can spend an afternoon with kids or with a disadvantaged group, it seems to brighten their day. Even if they don't know who I am as a player, I am the guy with the really big feet. People love to see us represent this town and I am glad to have the opportunity."

On his personal front, Todd loves to watch movies, chill in Fairmount Park, and spend time with his wife, Jana.
"My wife is great supporter and friend, in fact, she is my best friend. Whether we are playing video games at home or seeing a play in New York, everything is better when she is around."
Ironically, that is how Todd's teammates and fans feel about his involvement with the Sixers.
"The coaches, players, even the fans of this team, just seem like a great big family. This town cares more about sports than any town I have ever seen and I feel it is definitely better to play where people care about what you do and appreciate the effort you put forth everyday.

Times are good for "Big Mac," but with all the success he has had achieving his various goals, he feels why not try for one more.
In Winnipeg, hockey is the undisputed national pastime and thoughts of the NHL, not the NBA, consume the most far-reaching dreams of millions of Canada's youth. Growing up, Todd was no exception.
Recently the Flyers invited him to skate around after practice and take some shots on goalie Brian Boucher. Unfortunately, a scheduling conflict prevented him from lacing up his specially stretched, size 19 skates.
"I figure this is the closest I can ever get to the NHL, so I have been practicing. My wife bought me a stick the other day, so I am ready when they are."

Knowing "Big Mac" and his history of making dreams come true, perhaps the Flyers, and more importantly the Sixers, should do all they can to keep him away from the ice.

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