Author Topic: Who is MU's "Most Famous" Alum? (Read 17455 times)

MUBurrow · « **Reply #25 on:** March 13, 2012, 09:02:50 PM »

Has to be McCarthy for the reasons mentioned. Also, he was infinitely more famous at his peak than Wade is/was, so if the metric is the "average person on the street" i think it has to be in their time since you're relying on people's short memories and small worlds.

ZiggysFryBoy · « **Reply #26 on:** March 13, 2012, 09:18:50 PM »

Quote from: MerrittsMustache on March 13, 2012, 09:02:00 PM

They do belong. It's "most famous." If you ask the average person on the street who Dwyane Wade or Chris Farley is, they're likely to know. If you ask them who Ralph Metcalfe is, they likely won't.

I'll ask this: Who is the most famous alum from U of North Carolina? Clue: It's not President James K. Polk.

B.S. I love me some James K Polk.

Skatastrophy · « **Reply #27 on:** March 13, 2012, 09:43:56 PM »

Joe McCarthy is only important to America. Wade is a global sports icon.

Get back to me when you have pics of people wearing wearing McCarthy brand shoes and shirts worldwide.

Hoopaloop · « **Reply #28 on:** March 13, 2012, 09:57:31 PM »

Quote from: AnotherMU84 on March 13, 2012, 08:20:26 PM

Because Wade and Chris Farley simply do not belong on this list. I was hestiant to put another athlete other than Ralph Metcalfe on the list (and if you don't know what Ralph did, shame on you).

How does Dwyane Wade not belong on the list. He is easily our most recognizable and famous alumnus. He is an international star. No one else comes close.

Coach Norman Dale · « **Reply #29 on:** March 14, 2012, 01:57:41 AM »

Go back about 10 years or so and the insomniacs amongst us would have voted for Matthew Lesko!

brewcity77 · « **Reply #30 on:** March 14, 2012, 05:44:00 AM »

I think this is two different questions. In terms of right now, it's obviously Wade. He's a visible global icon in a way that no other Marquette alum is. In terms of historically, it's probably McCarthy, who every high school kid in the country has to learn about. But if you put a picture of Joseph McCarthy in front of the entire population of the country or even the world, how many would have any idea who he was? I'd guess at most 1%, and that's probably very generous. If you put a picture of Wade in front of them, I'd guess maybe 20-25% at least.

Tugg Speedman · « **Reply #31 on:** March 14, 2012, 06:02:32 AM »

By your logic Georgetown's most famous alum will be Sandra Fluke when she graduates (she is the woman that Limbaugh slured).

I guess it all depends on what you think the words "most famous" means. Does it mean who wins a popularity poll today or who will stand the test of time? That's why I said Metcalfe is more famous as his accomplishment will stand the test of time more than Wade.

Litehouse · « **Reply #32 on:** March 14, 2012, 07:21:21 AM »

Quote from: AnotherMU84 on March 14, 2012, 06:02:32 AM

By your logic Georgetown's most famous alum will be Sandra Fluke when she graduates (she is the woman that Limbaugh slured).

Seriously? Who do you think more people have heard of, Sandra Fluke, or Bill Clinton?

MerrittsMustache · « **Reply #33 on:** March 14, 2012, 07:24:32 AM »

Quote from: AnotherMU84 on March 14, 2012, 06:02:32 AM

By your logic Georgetown's most famous alum will be Sandra Fluke when she graduates (she is the woman that Limbaugh slured).

I guess it all depends on what you think the words "most famous" means. Does it mean who wins a popularity poll today or who will stand the test of time? That's why I said Metcalfe is more famous as his accomplishment will stand the test of time more than Wade.

Metcalfe's accomplishment may stand the test of time but very, very few people have ever heard of him. That means he's not particularly famous. Not trying to downplay his place in history, but that's a fact. I don't know how else someone would define famous.

Hards Alumni · « **Reply #34 on:** March 14, 2012, 07:54:01 AM »

I would define famous as the most people knowing a given person.

And for Marquette, that is hands down Dwayne Wade.

How many Chinese people have heard of Joe McCarthy?

And now how many have heard of Wade?

This isn't even close.

MU Fan in Connecticut · « **Reply #35 on:** March 14, 2012, 07:59:33 AM »

Quote from: Coach Norman Dale on March 14, 2012, 01:57:41 AM

Go back about 10 years or so and the insomniacs amongst us would have voted for Matthew Lesko!

The free government money Riddler guy!!!

warriorchick · « **Reply #36 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:06:30 AM »

Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on March 14, 2012, 07:59:33 AM

The free government money Riddler guy!!!

Yeah, this dude:

DomJamesToTheBasket · « **Reply #37 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:10:26 AM »

Quote from: john31 on March 13, 2012, 08:24:06 PM

Upon further review I think the hands down winner is Ben L. Salomon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_L._Salomon although he didn't graduate from MU the guy sees like a Warrior to me.

WOW.....that could make for a great movie!

MU B2002 · « **Reply #38 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:13:48 AM »

Quote from: Hards_Alumni on March 14, 2012, 07:54:01 AM

I would define famous as the most people knowing a given person.

And for Marquette, that is hands down Dwayne Wade.

How many Chinese people have heard of Joe McCarthy?

And now how many have heard of Wade?

This isn't even close.

+3

I am surprised this is even a debate.

NavinRJohnson · « **Reply #39 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:14:22 AM »

Umm...duh...its Jerry the Dentist.

With a name like Peter Bonerz, he should win by default.

MUMac · « **Reply #40 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:17:05 AM »

Quote from: NavinRJohnson on March 14, 2012, 08:14:22 AM

Umm...duh...its Jerry the Dentist.

With a name like Peter Bonerz, he should win by default.

Frequent references in that show to Marquette and Loyola (Newhart's school). Always loved that.

warriorchick · « **Reply #41 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:26:02 AM »

Don't forget Rondell Sheridan, a/k/a the dad on "That's So Raven".

He shows up for alumni events all the time.

jaybilaswho? · « **Reply #42 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:38:57 AM »

this is EASY... Travis Deiner. DUH.

MU82 · « **Reply #43 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:43:54 AM »

McCarthy is the most relevant in U.S. history. Wade is the most famous, in that he is recognizable everywhere.

Scott Walker? While technically anybody who attends a college for even one day is an alum, the concept of "alumni" suggests those who have graduated from a school. Walker couldn't hack it at Marquette, and college dropouts do not belong on this list.

He also might be considered infamous rather than famous, depending upon one's political viewpoints.

patso · « **Reply #44 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:48:08 AM »

What abou the big guy who plays with Jeremy Lin?

KenoshaWarrior · « **Reply #45 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:48:47 AM »

Joseph Stiglitz

tower912 · « **Reply #46 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:49:40 AM »

I am as big a non-fan of Walker as they come ( I knew him peripherally at college and my opinion of him hasn't changed in 25 years), but if you say that he doesn't count as an MU alum, then Wade doesn't either.

Tugg Speedman · « **Reply #47 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:56:57 AM »

Quote from: Hards_Alumni on March 14, 2012, 07:54:01 AM

I would define famous as the most people knowing a given person.

And for Marquette, that is hands down Dwayne Wade.

How many Chinese people have heard of Joe McCarthy?

And now how many have heard of Wade?

This isn't even close.

So Michael Jordan is UNC most famous alum?

Is the answer to this question always the athlete or movie star that is the flavor of the moment and never people that do things of significance, good or bad (McCarthy)?

Skatastrophy · « **Reply #48 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:59:45 AM »

Quote from: AnotherMU84 on March 14, 2012, 08:56:57 AM

So Michael Jordan is UNC most famous alum?

Is the answer to this question always the athlete or movie star that is the flavor of the moment and never people that do things of significance, good or bad (McCarthy)?

It doesn't matter what the person did during their lifetime, it's how globally recognizable they are.

McCarthy is completely irrelevant outside of the USA. He's barely relevant outside of Wisconsin anymore.

MU Fan in Connecticut · « **Reply #49 on:** March 14, 2012, 09:12:41 AM »

Quote from: tower912 on March 14, 2012, 08:49:40 AM

I am as big a non-fan of Walker as they come ( I knew him pereipherally at college and my opinion of him hasn't changed in 25 years), but if you say that he doesn't count as an MU alum, then Wade doesn't either.

Ditto.

News:

'23-'24 SOTG Tally

Big East Standings

Recent Posts

Please Register - It's FREE!

Next up: The long cold summer

Author Topic: Who is MU's "Most Famous" Alum? (Read 17455 times)