Anyone who wonders why kids chose UNC or Duke need

[Pardner]

Pardner, when were you there.   I was there straddling the Majerus/Dukiet eras and always got my season tickets in the student section by simply applying.    The MECCA  WAS a great venue to watch a game.   Use to love to boo the alumni for sitting on their a$$es.   Of course, considering the product they were watching in 86-87 and 87-88, who can blame them?

The Hank Years--rated #1 in the country, with 1977 glory riding high.  It really was bedlam in the MECCA.  Every game was sold out with a person in every seat.  MPD strolled the aisles.  We took rolls of toilet paper from the library to toss after every big basket--it was like a ticker tape parade.  Our games with ND and DePaul were wild--remembering they were F4 teams during this time too--and we played home and home games with them as we were all independents.  Back then, MU games were one of a few where you could buy a beer at an NCAA event because it was a NBA arena (drinking age for everything was 18)...however, you couldn't bring the beer to your seat.  MU had booster and alumni bars set up in the hallways.

I know some of you wonder what the deal is with the Warriors nickname--but it was our identity back then.  The Al years saw a lot of campus, political and social unrest.  Al was this iconoclastic, street guy from New York who would push the system to its edge and would then stick it to them.  Al broke the race barrier, thumbed his nose at Adolph Rupp, the NCAA, and took on social issues in his own way--yet he did it through the little basketball program at a private Catholic university in Milwaukee, WI of all places.  The program was a symbol for much more back then.  That is why the nickname "political correctness" issue won't go away for some, to be honest.

Can you imagine today a tent city for a week on campus with the price of tuition as it is?  Parents and administration would not allow it.  Of course, back then, dorms would only allow five half barrels for floor parties.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I've said it once and I'll say it again, Marquette is the Warriors as much as Indiana are the Hoosiers and UCLA are the Bruins. It's that entrenched and it's why announcers and other media outlets can't get it through their heads that MU made such a ridiculous decision.

[lovebaroney]

only to watch the game right now. Sea of Blue at UNC, great energy.

Gotta think the MU alums just are not buying the Gold look.

Great point, the kids don't choose UNC because of the multiple NCAA championships, famous alumni, great coach, or great campus with nice weather....they choose it because the fans wear blue to the games.

Worst post I've ever read, hey everyone, wear gold and we'll get the Hansboroughs and Lawsons of the world to come to milwaukee, wi.

[🏀]

only to watch the game right now. Sea of Blue at UNC, great energy.

Gotta think the MU alums just are not buying the Gold look.

Worst post I've ever read, hey everyone, wear gold and we'll get the Hansboroughs and Lawsons of the world to come to milwaukee, wi.

Until they realize it's Milwaukee, WI. The abused step-daughter of the Midwest.

[4everwarriors]

you brought a tear to my eye.

[romey]

Pardner - love the post.

I enrolled at MU in the fall of 78, but attended nearly every home game throughout all of the 70's - they played in "The Milwaukee Arena" the name Mecca came later - I can't remember exactly when I think it was early 80's.  The old Milwaukee Arena seated 11,229 or some odd number like that and they sold out every game.  (Great concert venue too - saw Bruce Springsteen,Billy Joel, Bob Seger, Supertramp and tons of others in the late 70's early 80's).  The Warriors "owned" that place and Al was the king.

[Pardner]

Pardner - love the post.

I enrolled at MU in the fall of 78, but attended nearly every home game throughout all of the 70's - they played in "The Milwaukee Arena" the name Mecca came later - I can't remember exactly when I think it was early 80's.  The old Milwaukee Arena seated 11,229 or some odd number like that and they sold out every game.  (Great concert venue too - saw Bruce Springsteen,Billy Joel, Bob Seger, Supertramp and tons of others in the late 70's early 80's).  The Warriors "owned" that place and Al was the king.

Thanks Romey...found this link on the MECCA on MU Wiki ("MU Wiki is a My Friend").  MECCA was formed  in 1974 apparently.  Loved the JS article on the pop art floor that is linked there.    I remember when they first laid the floor in 1977, the NCAA said it wasn't legal as the half court line wasn't painted through the jump circle.  They had to paint it in.  That floor was another example of an "out there" concept to go with our ever changing uni designs (bumble bee, tuck-outs, etc.)  Always on the edge.

http://wiki.muscoop.com/doku.php/facilities/the_mecca

I started at MU right before you. 

[Daniel]

I think Duke and UNC both line the entire floor on the bench side with student seats - so whenever the amera is panning the floor, on a player etc - the wild fans are showing.  Our student section is in a corner. 

I think Duke and UNC get the benefit of more noise -the students are closer to the court; and on TV, it looks like energy gone amuck.  We should think about doing the same thing.

[Coach Norman Dale]

The old Milwaukee Arena seated 11,229 or some odd number like that and they sold out every game. 

11,052 -- if I remember correctly. 

[romey]

The old Milwaukee Arena seated 11,229 or some odd number like that and they sold out every game. 

11,052 -- if I remember correctly. 

Bingo - exactly.

[IAmMarquette]

Louisville is doing a white out tonight vs. GTown. EVERYONE in the place is wearing white, down to Pitino with an all-white suit.

[chapman]

Louisville is doing a white out tonight vs. GTown. EVERYONE in the place is wearing white, down to Pitino with an all-white suit.

Makes the "gold out" look even more like a failure.  But I think Louisville did a better job spreading the word to wear white.  Also, Pitino said that the fans had no excuse not to have white on-they could go to Wal-Mart and get a pack of white Hanes t-shirts.  I don't think they sell gold shirts in packages at Wal-Mart; if they did people wouldn't have a use for them after the game, and if they did our fans would probably pass it up in favor of their black suits and red ties.

[Pardner]

Louisville is doing a white out tonight vs. GTown. EVERYONE in the place is wearing white, down to Pitino with an all-white suit.

Makes the "gold out" look even more like a failure.  But I think Louisville did a better job spreading the word to wear white.  Also, Pitino said that the fans had no excuse not to have white on-they could go to Wal-Mart and get a pack of white Hanes t-shirts.  I don't think they sell gold shirts in packages at Wal-Mart; if they did people wouldn't have a use for them after the game, and if they did our fans would probably pass it up in favor of their black suits and red ties.

hmmm...in Kentucky, a white Hanes Tee= a suit and tie.  I have been to weddings in Kentucky and the guys are wearing a white tee under a sport coat.  Why not Red?  Good win by UL tonight.  They are on a roll right now.

[4everwarriors]

Jerry Smith looked very good again tonight. Some will continue to insist he passed on MU because he was concerned about playing time.