Who wears short shorts? Marquette Super Fan Joey Lehmann does, and he's proud of it.

Wearing a furry fox hat and basketball shorts circa 1977, College of Business Administration freshman Joey Lehmann cheers on Marquette at every men's basketball home game.

"The fox hat ties with the fact that the Jesuits first came to Wisconsin because of the fur trade," Lehmann jokes. "And I found the shorts in the basement of the Rec Center when I was putting equipment away one day."

"Joey sports a great outfit. He is so intense, as evidenced by his shorts and hat," said College of Business Administration freshman Nick Hansen, a friend of Lehmann's.

Lehmann, who grew up in Menomonie, Wis., has followed Marquette basketball since childhood. He even went to the Final Four game in 2003 when Marquette played Kansas at the Metrodome in New Orleans.

The marketing major admits the basketball program is one of the reasons he chose to come to Marquette.

"I wanted to stay in the Midwest and go to a really good school," Lehmann said. "It came down to Madison or Marquette, and I thought a smaller, private school fit me better.

Also, the basketball program was a pull."

Lehmann is very passionate about his duties as a Marquette Super Fan. He said he believes it's his duty to attend every game.

"We love Marquette and we go all out for every game," Lehmann said of his fellow members in the Super Fan Club, an official Marquette student organization that promotes student attendance at Marquette athletic events.

Lehmann's friends can attest to his vigor for the game.

"Joey definitely gets really excited," said College of Arts & Sciences freshman Rob Fafinski, who usually attends games with Lehmann. "He's always positive at every game. He is very knowledgeable and knows a lot about the game. He played basketball in high school so he notices the small things that the players do, not just who's scoring the most."

Hansen also attested to Lehmann's enthusiasm.

"He is nonstop at every game," Hansen said.

Sitting behind the basket and across from the university band in section 225, Lehmann and his friends have often been seen hamming it up on the Bradley Center's JumboTron.

"We're always there to support the team and give our best effort," Lehmann said. "We're the crazier side of the student body. We try to create that college atmosphere by riling the crowd up."

"It's a bonding experience for the six or seven of us that go with Joey to every game," Fafinski said.

When asked if the team's name should be changed from Golden Eagles back to Warriors, Lehmann referred to a similar situation at his high school.

"My high school went through the same thing," he said. "We were the Indians, but some people wanted that changed. Eventually we remained the Indians because we associated that with honor and bravery."

Lehmann said although he would prefer the Warriors, he would not object to keeping the Golden Eagles.

"I think the Warriors would be a better name because I think it has a positive connotation," he said. "However, if we're not allowed to have a different logo or mascot then I'll settle for Golden Eagles, even if that's not the toughest or coolest figure."

Lehmann said he is impressed with this year's team, but hopes that they can end the losing streak.

"I think (freshman Ryan) Amoroso has the most promise, and so I'm excited to see how he develops as a player these next four years," he said.

But like many Marquette fans, Lehmann admires senior point guard Travis Diener and considers Diener his favorite player.

"It's not necessarily only his numbers that make him a good player," Lehmann said of Diener. "He has a lot of leadership qualities that I admire. He seems to carry the team both on and off the court."

After the team lost at Louisville Wednesday, the worst loss in school history, the devoted fan expressed concern about Diener's absence — both now and in the future.

"I realized without our big gun it was going to be an uphill battle," Lehmann said of the 99-52 loss. "It makes me worry about next year when we aren't going to have him. The other guys are going to have to step up a lot."

But the team's three losses won't keep him from cheering Feb. 2, when the men take on the University of Alabama at home.

"I will still be there," he said.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Jan. 27 2005.