Does Marquette retire players’ numbers or hang their jerseys?

[MU Avenue]

I cannot tell based on what I have read.

I remain of a mind that retiring numbers is a lame cliché that Marquette should avoid

I know many people, including several who visit this site, see something special or deeply meaningful in retiring players’ numbers. I do not see or get it. I think the practice is corny and childish.

In Marquette’s case, the university’s intention is not even clear. Is MU retiring players’ numbers or is it hanging their jerseys from the rafters as tribute to their fine play? If the latter, do all numbers remain available for use by other MU athletes? And if the latter, why has Lazar Hayward been forced to change his number to 32 from 24?

George Thompson has no beef with Marquette if MU does not retire players’ numbers.

Marquette needs to speak clearly and quickly to this issue so it goes away. Hayward has big things on his mind. He should not have to deal with this ridiculous flap over the number on his shirt.

I hope Marquette does not -- and never will -- retire numbers. Hang jerseys, if it must, and call it good.

[4everwarriors]

mean, anyway? In reality, all player's jerseys are retired since MU change uniform designs each season. It is universally understood in sports, and common sense would confirm, that an honored players's number is what distinguishes him or her from others. Therefore, retiring an athlete's number is really the pinnacle achievement and should be reserved as such for truly special players. In the future, I would hope Marquette would be more selective with whom they honor in this manner.

[Mayor McCheese]

I am a fan of remembering the top tier players that play for a team, it shows respect, now I wasn't alive for George Thompson, so seeing someone play as 24 doesn't strike me as odd, although knowing of George Thompson I think it is a respect issue.  An easier one for me to understand is if a new incoming freshman threw on a Marquette jersey with number 3 on it, it just wouldn't feel right

[bma725]

I am a fan of remembering the top tier players that play for a team, it shows respect, now I wasn't alive for George Thompson, so seeing someone play as 24 doesn't strike me as odd, although knowing of George Thompson I think it is a respect issue.  An easier one for me to understand is if a new incoming freshman threw on a Marquette jersey with number 3 on it, it just wouldn't feel right

Honestly I'd have no problem with them giving out Wade's number either.  To me the ultimate would be something like was Syracuse used to do with the number #44, honor someone they think is deserving with wearing that number.  It would just be performance related, it could also tie into academics, leadership on and off the court etc.  Then you could have someone come and wear their own number for a year or two and earn the right to wear the reserved number.  That would have a lot more meaning than anything hanging from the rafters.