MUScoop
MUScoop => Hangin' at the Al => Topic started by: Tugg Speedman on March 13, 2012, 07:56:31 PM
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I'm watching the Western Kentucky/ Miss Valley State game. Jim Nance said Miss Valley State's "most famous" alumni is Jerry Rice. He sounded like he said, "most famous" by any criteria.
This got me thinking ... who is MU's most famous alum by any critieria?
Here is a list to get you started
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Marquette_University_alumni
If I had to give you a short list to work from, it would be (in no particular order)
Senator Joe McCarthy
Govenor Scott Walker
Ralph Metcalfe
Head Coach George Allen
Head Coach Doc Rivers
Maurice Lucas
Edward Brennan
Patrick Haggerty
Don Ameche
Chicos Bail Bonds
Discuss
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You left out Chris Farley and the "Naked beer slide guy" from the Avalanche...
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I'm a little too modest to self-nominate.
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Uh, Wade.
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Uh, Wade.
Yep. Definitely Wade if we're talking about globally recognizable names.
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There is a period of American History named after McCarthy...
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Clearly ... The Honorable Felix Perez Camacho, former Governor of Guam or maybe "Field of Dreams" Amy Madigan.
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How did we get 4 posts in before somebody said Wade?
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There is a period of American History named after McCarthy...
There's a whole line of ED drugs inspired by 4never.
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It would be Farley, but he's not really identified as being from MU. Wade is identified as being from MU, so I'd say Wade.
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How did we get 4 posts in before somebody said Wade?
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).
A hundred years from now shool kids will still learn about the McCarthy era, not about Wade's stats or watch Tommy Boy. A 100 years from now, they will learn about what Jesse Owens and Metcalfe did.
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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.
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I am older, so this may seem dated, but some pretty widely-exposed alumni include famous movie actors, Pat O'Brien and Amy (Madigan? I'm losin' it but she played opposite Kevin Costner in "Field of Dreams" and the female lead in a favorite Chicago movie, "Uncle Buck.")
y
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I am older, so this may seem dated, but some pretty widely-exposed alumni include famous movie actors, Pat O'Brien and Amy (Madigan? I'm losin' it but she played opposite Kevin Costner in "Field of Dreams" and the female lead in a favorite Chicago movie, "Uncle Buck.")
O'Brien played Knute Rockne opposite Ronald Reagan playing George Gipp in the 1940 movie "Knute Rockne, All American."
A MU alum might have done more than any other person on the planet to soldify ND's reputation
Also, little known fact ... in the 1920s O'Brien played football at MU and was on an MU team that beat a Rockne coached ND team
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Pretty much the only ones people not associated with the university know as alumni are Wade, Farley, and that guy from Community - Danny Pudi.
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It has to be McCarthy. It's not "most recognizable."
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I am going old school on you. I would have to vote for this guy.
O’Brien was born William Joseph Patrick O’Brien to an Irish-American Catholic family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1] He served as an altar boy at Gesu Church while growing up near 13th and Clybourn streets. O’Brien attended Marquette Academy with fellow actor Spencer Tracy, and later attended Marquette University. Reportedly, he also served with Jack Benny at Great Lakes Naval Station during World War I.[citation needed
O’Brien appeared with James Cagney in nine feature films, including Angels with Dirty Faces (1938) and Cagney’s last film, Ragtime (1981). The two originally met in 1926 and became lifelong friends. O'Brien began appearing in movies (many times playing Irish cops or priests) in the 1930s, starting with the role of ace reporter Hildy Johnson in the original version of The Front Page in 1931. He appeared in the successful 1946 suspense film, Crack-Up, and played the lead in the boxing film, The Personality Kid.
O’Brien may be best remembered for his role as a police detective opposite George Raft in Some Like It Hot and the title role of a football coach in Knute Rockne, All American (1940), where he gave the speech to “win just one for the Gipper,” referring to recently deceased football player, George Gipp, portrayed in the film by a young Ronald W. Reagan.
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I seem to remember Spencer Tracey as an MU alum
It is unclear from this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Tracy
Can anyone set the record straight?
(Who is Spencer Tracey? Arguably the greatest actor who ever lived. Take that Danny Pudi!)
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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).
A hundred years from now shool kids will still learn about the McCarthy era, not about Wade's stats or watch Tommy Boy. A 100 years from now, they will learn about what Jesse Owens and Metcalfe did.
Joe McCarthy is the most famous. No question. Wade and Farley are 2-3 in no particular order.
With all due respect to Metcalfe, if he really was the "most famous," you wouldn't have had to include the parenthetical.
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There is a period of American History named after McCarthy...
Agreed. 100 years from now Wade will be a footnote in the post-Jordan era of American sports.
McCarthyism will always have its own sorry and sad history.
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With all due respect to Metcalfe, if he really was the "most famous," you wouldn't have had to include the parenthetical.
The parenthetical was those that think Wade and Farley belong in this dicsussion.
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I seem to remember Spencer Tracey as an MU alum
It is unclear from this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Tracy
Can anyone set the record straight?
(Who is Spencer Tracey? Arguably the greatest actor who ever lived. Take that Danny Pudi!)
According to IMDB. he attended "Marquette Academy"(Marquette High, I presume?), joined the Navy afterwards, and later attended Ripon College.
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I'm a little too modest to self-nominate.
I'm not too modest.
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According to IMDB. he attended "Marquette Academy"(Marquette High, I presume?), joined the Navy afterwards, and later attended Ripon College.
Tracy attended Marquette Academy with Pat O'Brien (who did go to MU).
I stand corrected:
(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j144/mpiorko/3-13-20129-03-05PM.png)
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The parenthetical was those that think Wade and Farley belong in this dicsussion.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Go back about 10 years or so and the insomniacs amongst us would have voted for Matthew Lesko!
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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Go back about 10 years or so and the insomniacs amongst us would have voted for Matthew Lesko!
The free government money Riddler guy!!!
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The free government money Riddler guy!!!
Yeah, this dude:
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JK1WmVzbCkA/SuGwTC1cNtI/AAAAAAAAAUc/aUxJ2nM_qow/s320/photo)
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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!
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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.
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Umm...duh...its Jerry the Dentist.
(http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/archives/Bob-Newhart-Jerry-Bonerz.jpg)
With a name like Peter Bonerz, he should win by default.
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Umm...duh...its Jerry the Dentist.
(http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/archives/Bob-Newhart-Jerry-Bonerz.jpg)
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.
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Don't forget Rondell Sheridan, a/k/a the dad on "That's So Raven".
(http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjA0NzQwNTQxMl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwMzEwMTU0._V1._SY314_CR7,0,214,314_.jpg)
He shows up for alumni events all the time.
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this is EASY... Travis Deiner. DUH.
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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.
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What abou the big guy who plays with Jeremy Lin?
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Joseph Stiglitz
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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.
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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)?
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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.
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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.
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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)?
Yes, MJ is the most famous UNC alum. In the late 90s, it was estimated that ~95% of the people IN THE WORLD knew who Michael Jordan was. More people knew him than knew Bill Clinton.
The question you posed was not: "What MU alum has had the greatest impact on society?" The question was: "Who is the most famous?"
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Two more for the list. Don Ameche (well, he was for the old crooners and fans of the movie "Trading Places") and Tom Snyder.
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D. Wade. End of discussion.
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D Wade didn't graduate from Marquette so technically he can't be an alumnus. Sorry to burst the bubble here.
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D Wade didn't graduate from Marquette so technically he can't be an alumnus. Sorry to burst the bubble here.
How many times do we need to rehash this.
Alumni: graduate or former student of a school, college, or university.
Does not have to be a graduate.
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I am older, so this may seem dated, but some pretty widely-exposed alumni include famous movie actors, Pat O'Brien and Amy (Madigan? I'm losin' it but she played opposite Kevin Costner in "Field of Dreams" and the female lead in a favorite Chicago movie, "Uncle Buck.")
truly laughable that is a thread about most famous alumni you mention someone that you cannoy remeber there last name!!! ??? :o ::)
I think if you cannot remeber there last name they might not qualify...... :-[
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Agreed. 100 years from now Wade will be a footnote in the post-Jordan era of American sports.
McCarthyism will always have its own sorry and sad history.
Don't you mean awesome history. Take that commies.
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How many times do we need to rehash this.
Alumni: graduate or former student of a school, college, or university.
Does not have to be a graduate.
didn't know what we were going by. sorry. if that's the case then yes, my vote goes to D Wade.
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Scott Walker after he becomes POTUS
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Don't forget Rondell Sheridan, a/k/a the dad on "That's So Raven".
(http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjA0NzQwNTQxMl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwMzEwMTU0._V1._SY314_CR7,0,214,314_.jpg)
He shows up for alumni events all the time.
Rondell Sheridan was on my list of favorite stand-up comedians... he's now at the top of that list.
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Everyone is forgetting actor Pat O'Brien's most valuable contribution. He and Bing Crosby founded Del Mar Race Track (horse racing's most picturesque venue) along the Pacific just north of San Diego. Where the surf meets the turf in old Del Mar.
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Agreed. 100 years from now Wade will be a footnote in the post-Jordan era of American sports.
McCarthyism will always have its own sorry and sad history.
not sure what part about defending america from communism is a "sorry and sad history". But that's just me. I like America and recognize the evils of communism...
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It's really tough to decipher "Most Famous". I bet if Chris Farley was still alive it might be easier to make an argument for him. He'd still be relatively young and he would have been the voice of the Shrek series. ... Damn he was talented.
My hope is that in 10 years we'll be able to say Danny Pudi. Seriously Community is one of the best written shows on TV. It's probably too clever for it's own good, but I hope it's a good jumping off point for him.
Wade is probably the most recognizable MU alum, so I guess thats what most people will point to. But Wade, and Walker are currently at the height of their popularity, judging them in a decade or so may add perspective to how famous they are.
Scott Walker after he becomes POTUS
his lack of a degree will likely cap him at VPOTUS or a Cabinet position.
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Wade is probably the most recognizable MU alum, so I guess thats what most people will point to. But Wade, and Walker are currently at the height of their popularity, judging them in a decade or so may add perspective to how famous they are.
his lack of a degree will likely cap him at VPOTUS or a Cabinet position.
Father Pilarz should put the arm on him to finish up his degree.
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McCarthy is completely irrelevant outside of the USA. He's barely relevant outside of Wisconsin anymore.
Not true. A ton of ex-KGB officials and Russian insiders know McCarthy well. He was the most valuable Communist operative in the United States in the entire Cold War era.
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not sure what part about defending america from communism is a "sorry and sad history".
the hysterical paranoiac ruining innocent people's lives part?
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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.
You seem upset at how people are voting. You said famous which generally is termed to be widely known or notorious, celebrated. By that definition, Wade hands down.
Accomplishments is an entirely different matter. How many Americans could tell you today who cured Polio? I'd bet less than 20% and that number will continue to shrink. If you want a different answer, maybe your question should be what alumnus has made the biggest impact to society.
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You seem upset at how people are voting. You said famous which generally is termed to be widely known or notorious, celebrated. By that definition, Wade hands down.
Accomplishments is an entirely different matter. How many Americans could tell you today who cured Polio? I'd bet less than 20% and that number will continue to shrink. If you want a different answer, maybe your question should be what alumnus has made the biggest impact to society.
Jonas Salk FTW! Although I don't think he went to Marquette. Also, doesn't "cure" imply that someone had a disease and later did not due to some procedure or medication? I don't think Salk "cured" anyone who had polio although obviously he did develop the vaccine to prevent it.
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Jonas Salk FTW! Although I don't think he went to Marquette. Also, doesn't "cure" imply that someone had a disease and later did not due to some procedure or medication? I don't think Salk "cured" anyone who had polio although obviously he did develop the vaccine to prevent it.
Good point. Developed the vaccine.
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the hysterical paranoiac ruining innocent people's lives part?
Looks like he didn't succeed
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The question you posed was not: "What MU alum has had the greatest impact on society?" The question was: "Who is the most famous?"
When I think of "famous" I think of the test of time. Not who would win the popularity contest this afternoon.
I agree that Wade wins it now. 70 years from now I'll bet his level of "famous" is less than Metcalfe, O'Brien or McCarthy. So, I'm trying to look at "famous" from a bigger viewpoint than just now.
Incidentally I was emailing with an old MU buddy today and I brought up this thread and he (correctly) reminded me that this question came up in the early 1980s when we were in school. We think in the MU Trib and the winner was Tom Snyder (then host of the "Tomorrow Show") followed by McCarthy.
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When I think of "famous" I think of the test of time. Not who would win the popularity contest this afternoon.
I agree that Wade wins it now. 70 years from now I'll bet his level of "famous" is less than Metcalfe, O'Brien or McCarthy. So, I'm trying to look at "famous" from a bigger viewpoint than just now.
Incidentally I was emailing with an old MU buddy today and I brought up this thread and he (correctly) reminded me that this question came up in the early 1980s when we were in school. We think in the MU Trib and the winner was Tom Snyder (then host of the "Tomorrow Show") followed by McCarthy.
If Ed Brennan gets listed, than Jeff Joerres needs to be mentioned.
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D Wade didn't graduate from Marquette so technically he can't be an alumnus. Sorry to burst the bubble here.
Maybe I'm wrong, but didn't Wade end up getting a degree?
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How about the "Incomparable Hildegarde?"
Or maybe Don McNeil, host of the long-running "Don McNeil's Breakfast Club," based in Chicago?
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Can Walker be considered an alum without graduating...
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Can Walker be considered an alum without graduating...
Was thinking the same thing. Same with Wade. And Farley I believe.
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Webster says: a person who has attended or has graduated from a particular school, college, or university
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D. Wade. End of discussion.
Wade makes sense to people on this board, people in Miami-Dade and Lexington, KY. If you're not into basketball, though, he's just another guy who went to Marquette. Oh wait. My Dad (MU Grad) asked me about Wade when Wade's messy divorce was on the nightly news a few moons ago. So there is some added exposure. But it's nearsighted to think the current > past notables.
Now, I wasn't alive for McCarthy. But i'm led to believe that is someone everyone looked over their shoulder for.
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And that detracts from Wade how? Good on you for watching the news I guess.
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Nothing detracts from Wade. But Wade is only as popular as your interest in basketball allows. He doesn't transcend the sport... except when on the news for baby mama troubles.
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Nothing detracts from Wade. But Wade is only as popular as your interest in basketball allows. He doesn't transcend the sport... except when on the news for baby mama troubles.
Quite honestly...you're living in a sad bubble if you believe that. Here's a couple examples where a few non-basketball fans might have "seen" him.
(http://mediaoutrage.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Dwyane-Wade-monarch.jpg)
(http://www.menshealth.com/mhguys/images/apr06big.jpg)
(http://cdn.buzznet.com/media/jj1/2012/01/union-essence/gabrielle-union-dwyane-wade-essence-02.jpg)
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For some reason, I thought I had read that Wade went back and got his degree. (Not that it matters for his life, but just for discussion here.) I know Farley graduated. And I know Walker didn't.
I also know that most dictionary definitions say one only must be a former student to be considered an alum. In my esteemed view, however, there somehow is a difference between a guy who went to a school for one semester and one who got his/her degree.
And what could possibly be more authoritative than my esteemed view? After all, I have a Marquette degree!
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For some reason, I thought I had read that Wade went back and got his degree. (Not that it matters for his life, but just for discussion here.) I know Farley graduated. And I know Walker didn't.
I also know that most dictionary definitions say one only must be a former student to be considered an alum. In my esteemed view, however, there somehow is a difference between a guy who went to a school for one semester and one who got his/her degree.
And what could possibly be more authoritative than my esteemed view? After all, I have a Marquette degree!
Tom Snyder did not graduate either. Your definition is definitely different than what the actual definition of Alumni.
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his lack of a degree will likely cap him at VPOTUS or a Cabinet position.
I'm pretty sure he is capped at being a 1/2 term Governor of Wisconsin. The man is toxic right now.
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Reminder .. no politics.
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Reminder .. no politics.
YEAH! Stop mentioning McCarthy!
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Quite honestly...you're living in a sad bubble if you believe that. Here's a couple examples where a few non-basketball fans might have "seen" him.
(http://mediaoutrage.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Dwyane-Wade-monarch.jpg)
(http://www.menshealth.com/mhguys/images/apr06big.jpg)
(http://cdn.buzznet.com/media/jj1/2012/01/union-essence/gabrielle-union-dwyane-wade-essence-02.jpg)
Yep, D. Wade is a very stylish guy...and as such, he should do his buddy LeBron a favor and tell him the Amish beard is not working for him. He apparently wasted the opportunity last night to tell Joakim Noah to lose the Man Bun.