Has this been mentioned? Pretty cool that he was there.
"He is just a symbol of what Marquette stands for," James said. "When he is in the building he kind of makes you go a little harder. You just want to put on a nice show for somebody like that."
Dwyane is such a phenomenal guy. He stayed for the entire game, and was definitely into it in the second half. My favorite moments were seeing him get after the refs when Dominic got fouled on a shot he hit in the second half, and DW putting up three fingers when Cubillan took his first three and getting up cheering when it dropped.
He also stayed and talked with the team after the game, which has got to be great for the guys. Anyone know if Dominic's visitor from Richmond got to meet him? I'm almost positive if he knew the story he would have talked to her. Either way, what a quality guy... glad to have him as one of ours.
Dominic's visitor was on the court in her wheelchair with her parents and her dog during the national anthem. Dominic held her hand during it. She was still with the players during the intro of players.
Indeed, the biggest moment of the 1st half was at the 8 minute mark, when the Jumbotron showed Wade was in the house. While people recognized him, a standing ovation occurred.
Hey, Pitz, didn't know you had migrated over here. Welcome.
Here's a story on DJ's visitor:
http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061220/NEWS02/612200326/1004
One fan's special night
BY MIKE BENNETT
SPORTS EDITOR
Dominic James wears No. 1 on his jersey and points to No. 1 in the sky as he's introduced amid the glitz of Marquette basketball.
On Tuesday night, though, Natasha Snyder was treated like No. 1 in Bradley Center.
She was able to reach out from her wheelchair and touch hands again with her friend before a game.
Then, she was given more. A lot more.
"She was treated like royalty," said her father, Jim.
Natasha joined James and the Golden Eagles for the National Anthem.
She was brought to the floor again as Marquette closed out its 80-62 victory over Oakland University.
She then was presented the game ball -- which was signed by the players, by Coach Tom Crean and by NBA star Dwyane Wade, a former Marquette player.
"I'm very, very happy," Snyder said by cell phone after returning to her hotel room in Milwaukee. "That was a surprise to us. We got to see them up close."
James always has had a flair for stepping up at special times involving people from his hometown.
He did so again Tuesday -- scoring 20 points, making nine assists and grabbing six rebounds.
But, he knows who the real star of the night was.
"Oh, man: That was a blessing to have her in the building," James said.
"I wanted to put on a great show for her. I let her know how special it was."
He had talked to Crean before the game about what Snyder meant to him. "He did some extra things for Natasha," James said.
"It meant a lot for the team. It was an opportunity to impact someone's life."
He and Snyder touched hands as he took the floor before home games for Richmond High School in the 2004-05 season.
"It was fun to visit with him again," she said. "He was excited to see me."
Snyder uses a wheelchair because she has limited mobility as the result of her battle with cerebral palsy with tremors.
She had visited a doctor in Chicago on Tuesday.
Crean's assistant led Snyder, her parents and her guide dog, Checkers, down for the pregame ceremony.
"Tom's wife came to visit us. Everybody was so nice," Jim Snyder said.
"The players were all so nice. Coach Crean was so wonderful."
The visit drew attention from Milwaukee media. "The TV people came over and talked," Jim Snyder said.
The Snyders planned to start the drive back this morning to their home near Fountain City.
It will be a happy drive. "Oh, we've had a wonderful time," Jim Snyder said.
Sports editor Mike Bennett: (765) 973-4462 or mxbennett@pal-item.com.
http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061220/NEWS02/612200326/1004
when the jumbotron showed MUfan12 as the fanatic of the game. That was you wasn't it MUfan12?
it's stories like this that makes me believe that crean really does recruit for good kids as much as good athletes
http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061220/NEWS02/612200326/1004 (http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061220/NEWS02/612200326/1004)
merged the last post with this topic..
We commented that D. Wade probably found it to be more relaxing to be in "our house" as a spectator that anywhere he would go in the Miami area. No one bothered him (albeit there was security around the area) and his gleeming smile filled the court!
Thought one of the best moments was when McNeal made a particularly agressive block, landed on his backside sliding near where Wade was sitting, and McNeal immediately shot a right-sde over-the-shoulder glance at Wade as if to say: "Did ya see THAT?"
Understandably, D. Wade, being who he has become, spent some time on his blackberry during the game. And, his ring! From where we have seat.....it looked like a huge watch dial on his finger. He did look so cool and comfortable in his own skin - and dressed very fashionably. Stayed the entire game. Have no idea who the guys were that were seated on either side of him.
anyone take a pic of wade and/or of Natasha (the richmond girl)?
caught this wade interview recap (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=543704) off the yahoo ticker up above.
After the game the girl from Richmond was waiting right outside the team locker room with Leonard so she undoubtedly did get to meet not only Dom and Dwyane but the team as well.
Quote from: shaquilvaine on December 20, 2006, 08:02:27 AM
when the jumbotron showed MUfan12 as the fanatic of the game. That was you wasn't it MUfan12?
Haha yeah it was...the camera was on me forever though, which sucks because I do my best not to be "that guy" who goes nuts when he's on the screen. Still nice to be spotted though.
I have a photo taken with phone camera - saved to my computer - if someone wants to walk me thru the steps to post it here.
seriously dan, you know how much my face loves the camera...send it my way when you get on...i can try to take your face time (as you saw) but can only do so much ;)
Quote from: Warriorgal on December 20, 2006, 03:06:17 PM
I have a photo taken with phone camera - saved to my computer - if someone wants to walk me thru the steps to post it here.
Shoot it to me via e-mail: muscoop@muscoop.com
I liked it how the entire team huddled around DWADE after the game. It was pretty cool to see...wonder what they were talking about.
Thanks for the pic Warriorgal, it's attached to this message. A bit small, but I guess that's what you get from camera phones :)