Email from WOJO

[Big Daddy 84]

Got this today and wanted to share with all, if it is already out there then ignore



Wow, I cannot believe it has been 90 days!

On April 1, I said during my press conference that I had never had a prouder day in my basketball career than the day I was named the head men's basketball coach at Marquette University. Needless to say, I had amazingly high expectations, which have been exceeded during my first 90 days. I am more excited now than ever.

I would like to thank everyone who has reached out with support, well wishes, and generosity. Lindsay, Jack, Charlie and I have been overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm of the entire Marquette community. We feel so fortunate to be a part of this great university.

Marquette is a very unique place. It's a place where a young person can get the best of all worlds. First, the university's academic reputation speaks for itself. We offer the chance for a world-class education, both inside and outside the classroom.  The opportunity for personal and spiritual growth and development is encouraged at every turn at Marquette. Finally, the young men in our program have a chance to receive an elite basketball experience with our conference affiliation. Our fans, resources and the rich history of the Marquette program have created a nationally recognized brand that has stood the test of time.

I am very proud of all we have been able to accomplish over my first 90 days as the leader of this Marquette program. My initial priority when I started the job was the young men currently in our program. I wanted to build our future relationships with them, establish a culture of high standards, and share my vison for the program. Our players have embraced the change and have made great strides, both on the court and in the classroom.

In addition to the time spent with the current players, we have spent an incredible amount of time recruiting and trying to attract the same great kids to our program. I think you will be excited by the athletes we are adding to the Marquette program.  They are certainly thrilled to have the honor to proudly wear the Marquette jersey.

I am particularly gratified with the staff I have been able to hire. I believe I have a staff that measures up with any college basketball program. They are all great mentors with a passion and drive to help the young men in our program reach their potential. My staff can draw on years of success and experience as former elite players and from high-level coaching. A quick look at the numbers reveal the excellence our staff has been involved with during our collective college basketball careers:
•16 Conference Championships
•15 Conference Tournament Championships
•40 NCAA Tournament Appearances
•3 National Championships

I am thrilled this staff will be developing our current and future teams and I cannot wait for you to meet them.

As you know, the Al McGuire Center has been a great home for our basketball program for over a decade. It's a true honor to walk in and be greeted by the statue of Coach McGuire every morning. One of my goals as the leader of this program is to make sure that Coach's building is always up to the standards he would want in order for us to compete with other elite programs. We have begun improvements to the building in the form of a new-and-improved locker room for our players. This is just the start of reestablishing the "Al" as one of the premier training facilities in the country. It's such an exciting project.

I have also enjoyed the opportunity to learn about Milwaukee and how we can use our platform to be a positive force in the community. Whether it be Polish Fest, the Milwaukee Urban League Black and White Ball, or the opening ceremony of Summerfest, everyone is so excited about Marquette basketball. My personal favorite was the trip the team and I took to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin to visit the brave and inspiring kids. I can see why the Children's Hospital was so close to Coach McGuire's heart and I look forward to continuing that special relationship.

As you can see, much has been accomplished in a short period of time. For those of you I've had the opportunity to meet, thank you for your time and hospitality. For those of you I've yet to encounter, I look forward to meeting you at the Marquette Athletics Backyard BBQ that will take place today.

The Marquette men's basketball program sits on an impressive foundation and is in possession of a tremendous legacy. We are looking forward to not only maintaining that standard, but taking the next steps in building the team into one of the nation's elite. Your continued support will be critical in our efforts and appreciated by everyone associated with MU.

I hope you and your family have a great rest of the summer. I cannot thank the Marquette community enough for the warm welcome you have given to my family.

WE ARE MARQUETTE!



Steve Wojciechowski
Head Coach
Marquette University Men's Basketball

[willie warrior]

Nice e-mail. But isn't it the Al McGuire Court, not Center?

[willie warrior]

Nice e-mail. But isn't it the Al McGuire Court, not Center?

Unless he was referring to the Al!

[4everwarriors]

This dude gets it. Great hire!

[martyconlonontherun]

Nice e-mail. But isn't it the Al McGuire Court, not Center?

There's no Al McGuire statue you at the BMO Harris Bradly Center......

[GOO]

That email had me reaching for my wallet to donate.  
This guy has got it, and it's nice that he is on our side.  
Cords does it again.  Yes, that is getting ahead of it, as we need to wait 5 years to judge Wojo.  But I am excited.
I didn't think we'd have an upgrade once Buzz left and we didn't get Shaka, but I have changed my mind.  Wojo very well could be an upgrade not only in winning, but in having a program that fits Marquette.  

[Badgerhater]

This email contains all of the correct talking points and program messages, thus leaving us with a positive impression of both the coach and the program.

I commend the folks in the PR dept who penned this email.  They executed this play to perfection.

Can't wait until the season starts so we can see how the coach directs the basketball team, rather than the PR team.

[mugoose]

MUGOOSE just got goose bumps...

[T-Bone]

Wow, I cannot believe it has been 90 days!

Crap.  He's another number counter. 

[4everwarriors]

MUGOOSE just got goose bumps...

Get the switchblade oiled up for net cuttin' down, hey?

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

And Wojo wants in on Polish Fest!

[ChicosBailBonds]

This dude gets it. Great hire!

Around 2020 we should have a good idea.  Lots of guys have said those words, some very close to exactly those words. As fans, certainly we eat it all up, but every fan base says those immortal words that "he gets it" in the honeymoon period around most newly hired coaches.


The good news, he isn't coming in with a lot of flaky reports like the previous guy in terms of weirdness, etc.  So he's already ahead of the curve.

[barfolomew]

We are looking forward to not only maintaining that standard, but taking the next steps in building the team into one of the nation's elite.

How dare he say we aren't an elite program!

I did like the email -- it IS refreshing to have a normal communicator as HC again.
Its tone, however, indicates that it probably will be followed by a mailing that contains a #9 reply envelope.

[4everwarriors]

You're right, we gotta wait a while on this hire. But, I like the shift in "culture." How much bread do ya think has to be donated to get in tight on Wojo's email list?

[tower912]

The good news, he isn't coming in with a lot of flaky reports in terms of weirdness, etc.  So he's already ahead of the curve.

But IU hired Crean anyway

[GOO]

Around 2020 we should have a good idea.  Lots of guys have said those words, some very close to exactly those words. As fans, certainly we eat it all up, but every fan base says those immortal words that "he gets it" in the honeymoon period around most newly hired coaches.


The good news, he isn't coming in with a lot of flaky reports like the previous guy in terms of weirdness, etc.  So he's already ahead of the curve.

Chicos, I'm all in on Wojo.  He is staying at MU for decades. He is different... 

[Spotcheck Billy]

And Wojo wants in on Polish Fest!

that's already passed for this year, wonder if he took the family

[ChicosBailBonds]

But IU hired Crean anyway

Thank God, it would be coming up on 40 years since the last FF if we had not.

[Ben Golds Five]

Hot damn this Kool-Aid tastes awesome!!  Love this guy.  Now just hoping he can coach.   

[Tums Festival]

Some Scoopers out there seem a bit jaded. It wasn't required that Wojo send this out. It's nice that he's sharing some of his enthusiasm and vision for the program, rather than using quirkiness to draw attention to himself. I'm much more excited for next season and beyond than I would've been if Brent was still around.

[willie warrior]

And Wojo wants in on Polish Fest!

Kielbasa on the training table--kielbasa for everybody!

[willie warrior]

Thank God, it would be coming up on 40 years since the last FF if we had not.

Sorry Chicos--if you want to give Crean credit for getting us there, then he gets credit for the ass kicking we took from Kansas.

[keefe]

I'm sorry but this man's failure to acknowledge MU Scoop as foundational bed rock for our beloved Warrior Basketball Program is an egregious oversight that shant be overlooked. His unwillingness to cite Scoop's pivotal role in his adjustment to head coaching responsibilities suggests certain insecurities.  

[ChicosBailBonds]

Sorry Chicos--if you want to give Crean credit for getting us there, then he gets credit for the ass kicking we took from Kansas.

That's fine.  You can't lose the Super Bowl unless you get there.  You can't lose the Final Four unless you get there.  You can't get on the medal stand unless you compete for a medal.

Players play, coaches coach.  Sometimes shots don't go in, often the best teams don't win.  That day, we didn't play well and the best team won.  I'm just glad we aren't going on our 38th year since the Final Four.  I'm also glad we are playing in the Big East, also glad we have the McGuire Center and have some really great NBA alums as a result. 

[NersEllenson]

That's fine.  You can't lose the Super Bowl unless you get there.  You can't lose the Final Four unless you get there.  You can't get on the medal stand unless you compete for a medal.

Players play, coaches coach.  Sometimes shots don't go in, often the best teams don't win.  That day, we didn't play well and the best team won.  I'm just glad we aren't going on our 38th year since the Final Four.  I'm also glad we are playing in the Big East, also glad we have the McGuire Center and have some really great NBA alums as a result. 

Chicos - Let it go man....6 years later since Crean is gone, and you still have to defend and champion the guy at any and every turn.  I did the same for Buzz...his first 5 years...but obviously turned on him last season...and rightfully so.

Yet, I am quite curious if you will now take up the mantle of defending Buzz Williams as you did for Tom Crean after his departure?  If not, why?  Both made great contributions to the program during their tenure.  Somehow, I doubt you'll take up for Buzz...and I just am going to ask in advance, why not?  What's the difference between the two?