Eleven Years Ago........... (continued)

Back in fall '67, I was a freshman, and the bb team began practice at 4 in the Old Gym. Prior to 4, the gym was open to everybody else, and a lot of the players were there early, playing and shooting along with everyone else. I had already begun the art of skipping class

(mastered a little later when I discovered Lenny’s), so I was in the gym shooting hoops one afternoon. Just before 4, I went to the locker area to change clothes, and Al had one of the players, a black guy (I think Joe Thomas, but not sure) against a wall, his face about 2 inches away from the player, who was half a head taller than Al. I still remember Al had on a white t shirt with "Marquette Ath. Dept" on it in blue printing. Al was giving it to the player big time, with 90% of the words, cuss words of one form or another. I had never heard anyone swear that loud and that much at one time, but still manage to get his point across, as the player was listening to him intensely. Really, only a brilliant student of humanity could have pulled it off. Al was one in 10 million, and his picture should be next to the word "warrior" in every dictionary.... Kevin Hollaran

That was a normal halftime locker room routine as well. Ask Goose... Brian Fitzgerald

Over the last years MU Basketball was the only sport I have been really interested in. Marcia has always been much more of the passionate fan. However, at one of my warehouses and offices in the wine business, my sons set up a sport card retail shop. Well, it wasn't until we put up an outdoor sign about the sport's memorabilia shop , that I met our neighbor who had his office next door -- It was Al McGuire!. I hadn't been able to get near him, let alone speak to him during my years on campus, so he just dropped over at that time to say hello, I was figuratively shocked. All I could think of was to grab an American League Baseball from the shelf and ask him to sign it. --He did, and now I might have the only baseball he ever autographed. Afterwards, we spent many times together at my warehouse talking about BBall sportcards, sport memorabilia and his toy soldier collection.... Lou Bruno

I do not have a personal story to tell about Al, but I sure have been enjoying all of yours. He sure made Marquette Basketball an interesting experience.... Don Molter