Radio guy Gene Mueller on a Buzz encounter

[Sir Lawrence]

http://www.620wtmj.com/shows/genemueller/63436832.html

FEELIN' BUZZED:

       What I thought was going to be a pep rally turned into a fairly incredible experience Friday night on the Marquette Campus.   It's Family Weekend and my wife and I went to "Behind The Boards With Buzz": a session with basketball coach Buzz Williams.    There were mascots and cheerleaders who failed to generate reciprocal energy from the lethargic gaggle of moms and dads.     There was video, and player introductions, and then there was Buzz.    I settled in for what I thought would be a chalk talk and perhaps even a subtle season ticket pitch.

       We got nothing of the sort.



       Williams spoke of his upbringing--being raised by an illiterate grandfather who gave him quarters for each half-hour he spent reading aloud.     He talked of the Marquette mission: the school's, not the team's.       Williams said his players are no more important to MU than our children are.     And then, he gave us his cellphone number and e-mail address.      He told us to call anytime we had a question or a problem--not with getting seats to a big game, but instead if we needed a hand with our kids.

        Not a word about hoop.    No mention of "plenty of good seats still being available".

        Will I ever call the coach if my boy is bombing out in his theology class or has girl troubles?     No, but something tells me that if I did, Buzz Williams would be on the other end, or at least be able to put me in touch with someone who could help.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Very cool story.  Good for Buzz, great to see.

[mu_hilltopper]

Wow.  That's awesome. 

[4everwarriors]

Giving out cell phone numbers can be a dangerous thing.

[OpenLook]

I was at the event and Buzz's talk was part revival tent preaching, part MU "the experience" and part life coach/motivational speaker. It was pretty incredible. He was on a raised platform in the middle of a large ballroom, no notes, he put the microphone down and spoke from the heart. One of the basic messages is that God has a plan for us but we need to help make our/the "plan" happen. And that MU looks after its students --and that student-athletes are no different/better than any other. Like I said, it was nothing I expected but it was truly a special talk.

[ecompt]

Very nice. I wish I had been there.

[nyg]

Very nice. I wish I had been there.

I wish some recruits and their parents were there.

[RoneyEford13]

Video from the event is available here.

http://www.youtube.com/muathletics

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

http://www.youtube.com/v/JTXPR1O9l9g&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1

http://www.youtube.com/v/b7SEOVeo4SM&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2009/10/great-buzz-story.html

[bma725]

Great speech....but didn't we hear several times last year that the reason Buzz got a masters degree was that he was "raised by educators" as in both his parents are teachers?

[4everwarriors]

Quite a refreshing change from the previous self-centered, people using, egotistical prick who used to draw a paycheck as head coach.

[77ncaachamps]

I was at the event and Buzz's talk was part revival tent preaching, part MU "the experience" and part life coach/motivational speaker. It was pretty incredible. He was on a raised platform in the middle of a large ballroom, no notes, he put the microphone down and spoke from the heart. One of the basic messages is that God has a plan for us but we need to help make our/the "plan" happen. And that MU looks after its students --and that student-athletes are no different/better than any other. Like I said, it was nothing I expected but it was truly a special talk.

If Montraele's escapade had happened while at MU, it would REALLY challenge that statement.

Glad to hear him be humble to this person...but the university didn't hire him to be humble.

[wadesworld]

If Montraele's escapade had happened while at MU, it would REALLY challenge that statement.

Why?  Had Montraele done what he did at Marquette he would have been kicked out of the University.  If any other student at Marquette did the same act at Marquette they too would be kicked out of the University.

The basketball players cannot be 100% controlled 100% of the time.  They are going to make some decisions and some are going to be poor decisions.  It will not be the fault of Buzz or anybody but the person who did the act, and they will be punished for their acts if it is necessary.

[mviale]

Quite a refreshing change from the previous self-centered, people using, egotistical prick who used to draw a paycheck as head coach.

Great speech.  Now I know why this guy connects with people.

[Peoples_Republic_Warrior]

Agree w/ Wadesworld 100%...anyone who pulls that stuff is gone regardless of stutus

[77ncaachamps]

And I'd would expect him to be kicked out...

That's what MU might do...not sure about the other BE brethren.

[NCMUFan]

It was a good speech.  Now one has to walk the walk.

[tower912]

I will coach here as long as they'll have me because Marquette believes what I believe.   I hope that is true.    And I hope he continues to recruit as he has for the last 18 months and I hope it turns out he can develop talent.   

[Buzz4Prez]

It was a good speech.  Now one has to walk the walk.

Exactly what I was thinking, a lot of coaches do a lot of talking, Buzz has to separate himself from them and practice what he preaches, so far he has done good.

[4thAndState]

One point of clarification for Gene Mueller, the event was actually titled "Beyond the Boards with Buzz," not "Behind . . . " That may explain why Buzz's speech centered more on the non-basketball. It was actually the perfect content for those in attendance (parents of MU students along with their students) during "Parent Weekend" activities.

[mikeDEANmeminger]

Giving out cell phone numbers can be a dangerous thing.

I'm sure he has more than one