Time to write this idiot...

[77ncaachamps]

I know we don't all agree on Wade's retirement especially since he didn't graduate, but c'mon. The kind of crap he writes is just to sell papers.

He overlooks the positive things Wade has done: tithes 10% to a Chicago church, does lots of community service, maintains a positive image, turned around his grades from being a prop 48 kid to a solid student (I believe he made over a 3.0).

http://www.projo.com/sports/content/sp_bkb_jdcol08_02-08-07_TP49N16.183af63.html

[MarquetteBallin]

I agree that we might have been able to wait, but I have no problem with retiring his jersey now. But I don't understand the nickname tangent he goes off on...what relevance does that have to D Wade's number being retired? Seems like he's just trying to drum up a story for the sake of creating a little controversy.

[MUCam]

Another wonderful "journalist" displaying his work...

When did "journalism" turn into "editorialism?" When did reporting the facts become rendering opinions?

Quite frankly, I could care less what some no-name journalist's opinion is; especially one with no more than a tangential affiliation with Marquette. He is entitled to his opinion and that is fine. However, to pawn it off as "journalism" is fraudulent and misleading. Shame on the editors.

[4everwarriors]

the nickname part of it.

[StillAWarrior]

I can't really say that I disagree with anything he said there.  I think it's a bit of a stretch to tie the two issues together, but I don't disagree with his opinions on either.  Even Wade admits that he was shocked MU was retiring his number because they had always told him that he would have to graduate first.  I don't understand the rush to get it done so soon.

As for the comments about "when did 'journalism' turn into 'editorialism?'" I think this was clearly an editorial, not a news story.  The writer wasn't making any attempt to report the facts -- he was writing an opinion piece.  I don't know about all newspapers, but I think pretty much every newspaper I have ever read included sports editorials.  Whether or not this is a decent editorial is debatable (I don't think it was very good), but editorials have always been an important part of journalism.

[MU gimp ONE]

the part of the article i didn't like, was the comparison to Melo and Cuse.  a couple issues with that... Melo was only there 1 year compared to wade's 3 at Marquette.  Melo does not have the NBA resume that wade does.  Melo was just suspended for a record 15 games due to a fight that shouldn't have involved him at all, while wade just kept on playing despite many frustrating losses.  Wade is raising a family and is a great father and role model, i have yet to hear about melo's kids, but I'm sure the mothers will come forward soon enough.

that part of the article asking if cuse should hang up melo's jersey bothered me.

[mu_hilltopper]

Yup, sorry, I agree with most of what he said as well.  He's writing a column, by the way, and that doesn't mean he's a journalist.  Editorial writers take positions and argue them, that's what he did. 

And, while everyone believes Wade is a great player, and person, and a great representation of MU, there are significant numbers of people who think MU should have waited until he got his degree, since that was the standard until Saturday.

[ecompt]

Columnists are supposed to express their opinions, and that's what this guy did. Columnists are also supposed to stir up debate, and again that's what this guy did. The Carmelo argument is far-fetched, but overall I understand his point. MU could have waited. I think that because DW is so special in every area (David Stern must dream about him at night). the school wanted to recognize him now. I think the school also realizes that DW will get his degree.

[StillAWarrior]

the part of the article i didn't like, was the comparison to Melo and Cuse.  a couple issues with that... Melo was only there 1 year compared to wade's 3 at Marquette.  Melo does not have the NBA resume that wade does.  Melo was just suspended for a record 15 games due to a fight that shouldn't have involved him at all, while wade just kept on playing despite many frustrating losses.  Wade is raising a family and is a great father and role model, i have yet to hear about melo's kids, but I'm sure the mothers will come forward soon enough.

that part of the article asking if cuse should hang up melo's jersey bothered me.

Fair enough.  As I mentioned, I didn't think it was a very good editorial.  One reason is that I think the attempted connection between the nickname and Wade's jersey didn't work.  Another reason is the 'Melo strawman argument -- he sets up a position that nobody is arguing (at least that I know of) and then strikes it down in an attempt to support of his own position.  Classic fallacy, and not particulary effective.

I think Wade is a great kid, and I'm very proud that he and I are associated with the same university.  But, I wish they would not have bent (changed?) the rules for him.  As good as the publicity surrounding retiring his number is, I think it would have been just as good after he got his degree.  And, then Crean could have gone into living rooms and explained to parents that MU takes education so seriously that they waited until Wade graduated to retire his jersey, even though he already was one of the best basketball players on the planet.  Obviously, Wade had a huge hand in helping move the program to a new level.  I just hope Marquette remembers that he is still not bigger than the program.  Fortunately, Wade is a humble kid and I think his "shock" shows that he doesn't think he's bigger than the program.

[spiral97]

Add me into the "agree with the article" column.  Hard to argue much with most of it.  I, too, was shocked when they announced they were retiring his jersey.  I was very very happy for Wade because it is probably the second or third highest honor the school give him (beyond name a building or something after him).  But I do believe that the school was remiss in sticking to its academic fundamentals.

And anyone who disagreed with his comments about the nickname were most likely born in the last 10 years.

My only issue with the article is that he was obviously trying to attack the university and using two unrelated issues together to try and paint a moronic image of the administrators.  That part only makes him come across like a providence fan being a sore loser.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Frankly, I think this guy is right on the money. I love Wade, but what was the rush? For goodness sakes, Doc Rivers had his number retired 20 years after he retired. Maurice Lucas had to wait more than 30!

Furthermore, his reference to our nickname fiasco is proof positive that people outside the MU Community view our "handling" of our nickname as a complete joke. And no, it's not just one writer from Rhode Island. It's announcers, radio hosts, newspaper writers, wire services. In fact, I believe the reason many in the media continue to refer to us (rightfully) as the Warriors, is they just have a hard time accepting that we could have been so foolish.

Anyway, I still think it was a very nice ceremony for Wade, if premature.

I just wonder what Crean will cook up to get Dwyane in the building next year. Last year, it was a leadership award. This year, jersey retirement. Next year, perhaps his new sneakers? It's got to be something!

[StillAWarrior]

I just wonder what Crean will cook up to get Dwyane in the building next year. Last year, it was a leadership award. This year, jersey retirement. Next year, perhaps his new sneakers? It's got to be something!

Absolutely.  I assume you're not being critical here, but maybe I shouldn't make that assumption.  DWade is one of the program's biggest assets right now (for recruiting, sales, contributions, prestige, etc.).  Crean would be an absolute fool if he didn't ride this wave while it lasts.  I hope DWade has a long and successful career, and I expect that he will.  But, Marquette definitely should leverage the relationship as much as possible right now while DWade is hot.  Crean's creativity and persistence in this regard is just another reason why I think he's earning that $1.6 million.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

You assume incorrectly.

Wade does not need anybody tooting his horn. We named a leadership award after the guy and retired his jersey. That's enough! I admire him as much as the next fan, but he's about 25 years old!! I think we should take a deep breath before throwing any more honors his way. At this rate, we're going to give his a statue outside the Bradley Center next year, paint the Joan of Arc Chapel red and black during the NBA playoffs and build our next major building in the shape of a giant "3."

Enough already!!!

[StillAWarrior]

You assume incorrectly.

[snip]

Enough already!!!

I guess I shouldn't have assumed that, given the source.  You may not like it, but it would be foolish to not market the relationship any way that you can.  The association with Wade is one the program's biggest assets right now.  They will continue to do everything they can think of to capitalize on that.  That said, as I've mentioned before, I wish they wouldn't have retired his number.

[Mayor McCheese]

don't worry, this guy is just mad that he is a sports writer in a town with no pro teams (not too mention a pro team in the state).... that guy should continue following his Sox and Patriots, or maybe analyze the Celtics play of late, pick on a school 1000+ miles away about retiring what could be the best player to come through the school, is a joke.  Making fun of our nickname is pointless, since didn't we HAVE to change the nickname?  I was really young when they switched from Warriors to Golden Eagles, so I don't really remember what all happened, I want to write a letter to that man and ask him why he doesn't write about his Rhode Island Rams team, they are in first place in the A-10, probably the first time since Lamar Odom went there.  East-Coast reporters make me laugh usually, all about what they do is right, and what the midwest and west do is wrong.

[augoman]

I too, tend to agree w/ most of what he said..., but wonder about his mixed attack.  If he's still upset about the name change, well, so am I. but Fr. DiUlio won out in spite of Hank Raymonds favorable poll of the 5 local Native American tribes.  If he's upset about DWade's honor..., well, so am I - you hate to denegrate such a huge honor.  But by piling on as he did, I think he's just upset about MU in general.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Oh, Mr. Mayor!! Marquette absolutely, positively did NOT "have" to change their nickname!!!

Don't you understand that's why people are so upset about it? Completely out of the blue, the changed a name that people were proud of for one completely out of left field!! I, for one, am convinced if we had changed in 1994 to Hilltoppers or Golden Avalanche, we wouldn't still be upset about it!!

[spiral97]

.....and build our next major building in the shape of a giant "3."

you know.. that wouldn't be a bad design.. rooms on the inside and outside (a la East Hall) and every room would have a window.. cold make the space in the middle be a lobby level floor for a cafe and common areas (that the '3' rises out of).. the ends and middle would be stairs/elevators.. further, when looked at 90* clockwise it looks like an 'M'...... hmm... PRN might just have contributed to something when he didn't want to.. 

[Mayor McCheese]

Oh, Mr. Mayor!! Marquette absolutely, positively did NOT "have" to change their nickname!!!

Don't you understand that's why people are so upset about it? Completely out of the blue, the changed a name that people were proud of for one completely out of left field!! I, for one, am convinced if we had changed in 1994 to Hilltoppers or Golden Avalanche, we wouldn't still be upset about it!!

ok thanks for the update, I had no clue, Im a youngster what do I know?

[jmayer1]

I am so sick of hearing about the stupid nickname.  I don't like Golden Eagles and wish they would change it back to Warriors but its not going to happen.  It was 13 years ago, get over it.  To hear that some of the former basketball players don't support the program anymore because of the nickname is idiotic, it is only a nickname.  Why not, instead of bitching about the nickname every chance you get, why not talk about how much better Marquette is now than it was in 94:  much less crime, more nicer looking campus, new buildings including the AL, increased admissions leading to higher quality students...etc  It is amazing how some people spend all their time looking to point out what is wrong with Marquette and the basketball program, rather than pointing out all the good things; what a joke!!!

GO GOLDEN FLASHES!!!!

(That was my suggestion, btw)

[AlienWarrior]

It all comes down to $ .Wade has helped the University immensly .They owe him big time .We may have lost Crean ,lost the chance of getting into the Big East , enrollment applications through the roof  etc. There should be a statue right next to Coach Al of Wade . Now the Warrior debacle is another story    ,a different topic . I condem the university for giving in on the NAME . I could give a s___ about the Indian mascot .Who gives a crap if he earns his diploma . They shoud have kicked Wild out for that as well as that BS ballot which was fixed anyway .In fact ,the board we are presently chatting on may not exist today if not for Dwyane . Enough for now.

[spiral97]

GO GOLDEN FLASHES!!!!

(That was my suggestion, btw)

Hrmm.. I can just see someone saying "wow, those Flashes are Hot".... makes me want to go rip a clump of hair off my chest or something.. 

[jmayer1]

Yeah I know its gay. 

I was trying to tie in the golden eagles and dwayne "flash" wade.  The end result...not so great.

I also thought going back to Hilltoppers would have been cool, thats what I voted for.