2001 Assembly Resolution 4
ENGROSSED RESOLUTION
Relating to: the life and public service of Coach Al McGuire.
Whereas, after a courageous bout with illness, legendary college basketball coach and announcer Alfred Emanuel McGuire passed away on Friday, January 26, 2001, at age 72; and
Whereas, Al McGuire played college basketball at St. John's University in New York and 3 seasons of professional basketball with the New York Knicks; and
Whereas, Al McGuire began his head coaching career at Belmont Abbey, North Carolina, in 1958 and then came to Marquette University in 1965; and
Whereas, during his tenure at Marquette University, Al McGuire made the Marquette Warriors a national power in college basketball, compiling an astounding record of 295-80 with an equally impressive record of having 92% of his players graduate; and
Whereas, Al McGuire led Marquette to 11 postseason appearances during his tenure, including the NIT finals in 1967, the NIT championship in 1970, and the NCAA finals in 1974; and
Whereas, in 1977, in his final season as coach, Al McGuire led the Marquette Warriors on an improbable run to the NCAA National Championship; and
Whereas, in the final seconds of the championship game, Al McGuire left the nation with one of the most memorable moments in sports history as he wept in joy on the bench while his team celebrated its championship; and
Whereas, Al McGuire left the coaching ranks to begin a 22-year career broadcasting college basketball for NBC, CBS, and Marquette University, which ended in March 2000 with his final game at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin; and
Whereas, in 1992, Al McGuire was inducted into the James Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame joining his brother Dick McGuire to become the only brothers inducted; and
Whereas, after leaving coaching, Al McGuire founded Al's Run in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which has raised over $4 million for the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Al McGuire served as the chairman of the board of the President's Council on Physical Fitness; and
Whereas, in October 2000, Marquette University announced that its new basketball practice facility would be named in honor of Al McGuire; and
Whereas, Al McGuire is survived by his wife of 40 years, Patricia, his sons Allie and Robert, daughter Noreen, and 6 grandchildren; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, That the Wisconsin assembly hereby honors the life and career of Coach Al McGuire and mourns his passing. May his memory live forever in our hearts; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this resolution to the family of Al McGuire and to the Marquette University Athletic Department.
