"To whom much has been given, much will be expected."
This fundamental Biblical and Jesuit doctrine will be tested Saturday at the Al McGuire Center.
From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the men's basketball team will hold an open workout for the Marquette community.
In exchange for free admission, the Marquette basketball program hopes that all fans in attendance will donate items or money to help the victims struck by Hurricane Katrina.
"This is a very service-oriented, community-minded university," athletic director Bill Cords said. "We are trying to find as many outlets as possible to help out."
Joining Second Harvest of Wisconsin, the Marquette basketball program has identified acceptable items for donations.
These items include: canned soups, canned stews, canned chili, pasta in sauce, cases of bottled water, energy bars and drinks, granola and breakfast bars, beef jerky, peanut butter, disposable plates and utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, baby wipes, baby food, and baby formula.
All item donations will directly benefit Hurricane Katrina victims. Monetary donations will be accepted and sent to the American Red Cross or Catholic Charities.
According to Cords, everyone in the athletic department felt the need to do something to help with the tragedy in Louisiana.
"We all want to help," Cords said. "Marquette played a Final Four (in the Superdome in 2003), so we feel a connection to that area."
One player who feels an even deeper connection to New Orleans is sophomore forward Dan Fitzgerald. Before transferring to Marquette in June 2004, Fitzgerald spent a season playing for Tulane, one of the universities devastated by the hurricane.
"I've talked to a lot of my friends from the team. It was difficult at first because a lot of the phone lines were down, but they all seem to be doing OK now," Fitzgerald said. "They've lost a lot of material things, but everyone is OK."
Living 1,000 miles away from the destruction, Marquette students who began the school year in Milwaukee have not lost a single material item as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
Another thing Golden Eagles fans will not lose this season is the ability to see their team live at the Bradley Center, just a few miles away.
For Tulane basketball fans, the joy and relaxation that college basketball provides will not be available this year.
Tulane's basketball team has relocated to Texas A&M and does not plan to return to New Orleans any time soon.
Especially at a time like this, the advantage of playing in front of a home crowd is not lost on Fitzgerald and his teammates.
"All the guys are happy to do it," Fitzgerald said of his teammates' attitude toward the open workout. "It's a great cause, and I hope everyone comes out."
Saturday, the Marquette community will have a chance to give back to those in need.
"We are providing an opportunity for our people to help," Cords said, "And we know our people will help."
This article was published in The Marquette Tribune on September 15, 2005.