Former Marquette men’s basketball coach Al McGuire was famously quoted as saying, “The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores.”
As you will soon find out, when Al speaks, you listen. So perk up class of 2015. Put down the calculators and textbooks. There will be no need for them on syllabus day.
Being a student at Marquette places you in the family by default. But it by no means certifies your fanhood. Being a fan entails more than paying tuition or buying Fanatics tickets.
Don’t fret though. We want and need more fans.
Here are eight simple rules to help you gain a better understanding of what being a Golden Eagle is all about. (And yes, before you get on my case I understand none of these are rules but instead are pieces of information. Eight simple facts just doesn’t have the same flow.)
1) Al McGuire: If you remember one thing from the next 400 words, make it this one. Al is the patron saint of Marquette basketball, the head honcho, the big cheese. He’s the most successful coach in school history. His name graces not only the state-of-the-art practice facility, but the court both the men and women play on. Heck, his name is even prominently placed on each and every basketball jersey. Al passed away in 2001 but remains a symbol of the university.
2) 1977: If McGuire is the patron saint, then the 1977 campaign was his canonization. After starting the year announcing he would retire season’s end, his team snuck into the NCAA Tournament and went on to defeat mighty North Carolina 67-59 in the championship game. This was, and is, Marquette’s only NCAA title and remains the pinnacle of Marquette athletics.
3) Dwyane Wade: Known as Flash, D-Wade and 2006 Finals MVP, you can just call him ours. Wade pulled Marquette from six feet under and put it back on the national stage with a triple-double (29 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) against No. 1 ranked Kentucky in the 2003 Elite Eight. The win gave Marquette passage to its first Final Four in 26 years and reignited a program that is still reaping the benefits.
4) Free Stuff: Nothing goes together quite like college kids and free food. So do your research. Marquette treats its fans with Qdoba or pizza for attending certain soccer or volleyball games. It is your duty to go to these games. And oh, by the way, a t-shirt is thrown into the stands every time the women’s volleyball team records a block. Don’t say I didn’t tell you so.
5) Coach Roeders and the Family: It might surprise you to know the most successful team on campus does not wear baggy shorts or play with their hands. The women’s soccer team rolled into the Sweet 16 last year and is poised to go even farther this campaign.
6) Badgers are evil and must be destroyed: Our neighbors in Madison like to think they are the end-all-be-all of Wisconsin athletics. They are not. Learn to hate all of their teams.
7) Identity crisis: In our current incarnation we are Golden Eagles. For a few months we were the Gold. For our golden years, we were the Warriors. Yet you can’t forget we were also the Hilltoppers. Even then we couldn’t make up our mind, as the football team (yes, we used to have one) was called the Golden Avalanche. When it comes to mascots, we are afraid of commitment.
8 ) Football will go undefeated yet again (technically): It would be nice to have a football team to root for every fall. Unfortunately, we will have to settle for watching Notre Dame implode. Just know that for the 51st consecutive year, Marquette will hang a goose egg in the loss column.
