Wade and Marquette Article

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Didn't see it posted anywhere else. I enjoyed the read.

http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/gift-giving-wade-marquette-is-in-my-heart-always-on-radar-120514

Gift-giving Wade: 'Marquette is in my heart, always on radar'
Andrew Gruman

FOX Sports Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE -- With the Miami Heat in town to face the Milwaukee Bucks, former Marquette star Dwyane Wade formally discussed the significant gift he recently gave to the university's Ralph C. Hartman Literacy and Learning Center.
Through his Wade's World Foundation, Wade is providing $65,000 a year for three years as the lead gift to launch the "Live to Dream" summer reading program. Marquette University matched the gift, meaning the program has funding through 2020.
Second- and third-graders from Milwaukee will be provided free transportation to and from the Hartman Literacy and Learning Center for the program.

"I was so excited to learn the focus of Wade's World is on literacy," Marquette president Dr. Michael Lovell said. "That happens to fall right into the sweet spot of the things we try to do at the university.

"The Hartman Center is something we are very proud of at Marquette University. The fact that Dwyane and Tragil (Wade's sister) wanted to invest in it makes us very excited about the opportunity it is going to give students in the Milwaukee area."

After enrolling at Marquette in 2000, Wade was deemed ineligible due to a violation the NCAA's proposition 48, a regulation requiring high school grades and standardized test scores to meet a minimum level in order to participate in collegiate sports.
Wade sat out the 2000-01 season but put himself in position to be eligible the following year.

"Every time I come back to Marquette I just think about the first day that I walked on campus as a confused kid that was excited to be a part of a family, a community that accepted me," Wade said Friday. "As a kid growing up in the inner city and in at-risk situations, you want to be accepted. You want to be loved. I felt that when I came through these doors.

"As a Prop 48 kid, I didn't feel any different than any other kid that was here on academic scholarship. They treated me with that respect. I always hold that high in my life on my board of people and places that I've been that I'm always very proud of."

Wade has two sons, Zaire and Zion, but he also has custody of and raises his nephew, Dahveon.

"My nephew came to us in fourth grade at a kindergarten reading level," Wade said. "At that moment for us it was red alert that we had to step up and do more. Going through situations that are personal really helps you when you have a foundation. It helps you see what space you want to be in.

"I understand the importance of reading at that age. That's where the fundamentals really start setting in. To be able to get them on track and keep them on track is very, very important for our future."

In his 12th season in the NBA, Wade is averaging 21.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game for Miami. The Heat are 9-9 on the season, as Miami is in a bit of a transition following LeBron James' decision to return to Cleveland.

Wade has battled injuries for the past few seasons and turns 33 years old in January, but he doesn't sound like a player ready to end his career any time soon. He's already the most accomplished NBA player to come out of Marquette, as Wade has won three NBA titles, was an NBA Finals MVP and is a 10-time all-star.   

"I'm only 32," Wade said. "I always tell our youth that I don't think I dreamed big enough, because I've surpassed a lot of things and places I even thought I would go. God has given me this gift of life to meet different people and do different things.

"It was always drilled in me from my (Marquette) coaches that 'too much that is given much is required.' I've been given a lot and a lot is required from me. I do that through my foundation."

Although Steve Wojciechowski is the second Marquette coach since Wade's coach, Tom Crean, left for Indiana in 2008, the former Golden Eagles superstar is still involved with the program.

Wade and Wojciechowski both were involved with the United States national team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as the first-year coach of the Golden Eagles was Mike Krzyzewski's associate head coach.

"Marquette is in my heart, so it is always on my radar," Wade said. "It is a big part of Dwyane Wade. Every time I play a basketball game they say, 'From Marquette University.' It is very important. I'm a very busy person and can't get back all the time, but I always try to be associated with it.
"It is great that I have a previous relationship with coach Wojo coming into it. It makes it easier for me to be a part of the basketball program."

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[Texas Western]

This is a very good article on many levels.