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Before Marquette met DePaul in the Bradley Center, a ceremony took place. It was both solemn and upbeat, if that mix can truly be achieved. The floor on which Marquette plays will, from this night forward, be known as “Al McGuire Court.”
It also was announced that Marquette’s eventual new practice facility will be named the “Al McGuire Center.” That will be fine, too. The more buildings, edifices, facilities and portions thereof in this metropolitan area that are named after Al McGuire, the better. He brought not only success, but joy to this university — to this entire community. The more he is honored, the more he is remembered, the better.
So it was “Al’s Night” at the Bradley Center. The crowd did not fill the building but this was no sign of disrespect. There was a larger-than-average throng on hand, and it certainly wasn’t there to see DePaul, the most glaring bunch of underachievers in all of Conference USA.
As for the ceremony itself, it turns out that George Thompson is not only Marquette University’s all-time leading scorer but he also may be one of the school’s finest orators.
Eloquent remarks.
Thompson, who supplies commentary on the radio broadcasts of Marquette games and who is otherwise a vice president of corporate communications for Briggs & Stratton Corp., was on hand to speak for McGuire’s players. He carried this banner particularly well.
“We have lost the ultimate Warrior, Coach Al,” Thompson said. “He taught us how to win, but he also taught us how to lose with grace, not only on the basketball floor but in life, as well.
“Death is a part of life. Let us keep his family in our prayers. Although he is no longer with us ... let the fond memories of Coach provide us with love. Every time you think of him, let it be followed by a smile.”
That is exactly the note that needed to be sounded. Congratulations to Mr. Thompson for striking it so eloquently. There were other highlights, including the new governor of our fair state, Scott McCallum, presenting Father Robert Wild, Marquette president, with a proclamation declaring this Al McGuire Day in all of Wisconsin. The Guv, carrying the plaque, looked vaguely like a waiter with a menu, but this was probably just the result of spectator shock, brought on by someone other than Tommy Thompson being introduced as governor.
A video tribute to the coach at halftime included everything from the 1977 national championship to Al’s Run to the man and the motorcycle.
Sinatra off-key.
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Using Frank Sinatra’s rendition of “My Way” as theme music was the most obvious sort of clichÇ, although the reference was there to be taken. McGuire had whimsy to Sinatra’s pomposity. If we were looking for a popular cultural figure to team with McGuire, the coach was probably much closer to John Lennon than he was to Frank Sinatra. And “In My Life” would have been fine for a theme.
Hank Raymonds, who was McGuire’s right-hand man and later head coach and athletic director at Marquette, described “13 wonderful years” with McGuire, during which “I learned many words that my mother never taught me. But I also learned what a super human being Al really was. He was a fierce competitor, a true showman and a sportswriter’s delight. ... His greatest asset was, when he faced adversity, when his back was to the wall, don’t ever fool with him, because that’s when he was at his best. We will always be indebted to Al for what he has taught us.”
Whatever tribute Marquette pays to Al McGuire is a good thing, although the notion remains that there can never be tributes enough. Playing on the “Al McGuire Court” is the right thing for Marquette basketball to be doing, now and forever.
