SJR20: Enrolled Joint Resolution

2001 Senate Joint Resolution 20

ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION

Relating to: honoring the life and career of Coach Al McGuire by recognizing February 22, 2001, as Al McGuire Day.

Whereas, on Friday, January 26, 2001, at the age of 72, legendary college basketball coach and announcer Alfred Emanuel McGuire passed away after a courageous battle with illness; and

Whereas, Al McGuire, a New York native, began his college basketball career at St. John's University in 1947 and, upon graduation in 1951, went on to play professionally for 3 seasons with the New York Knicks; and

Whereas, Al McGuire began his head coaching career at Belmont Abbey College, North Carolina, in 1957, and then came to Marquette University in 1964; and

Whereas, under the coaching of Al McGuire, Marquette's basketball team was transformed into a group of firebrand players and the student body became enthusiastic and dedicated supporters; and

Whereas, McGuire helped promote the ideal of a student athlete, and had an impressive record of having 92% of his players graduate; and

Whereas, through the efforts of his team a rally point was provided for the students which helped strengthen the sense of community on the Marquette campus; and

Whereas, Coach McGuire brought his team to 11 consecutive post-season tournaments and 20 wins a season; and

Whereas, the Warriors appeared in the NIT finals in 1967, won the NIT championship in 1970, and won the NCAA finals in 1974; and

Whereas, in the 1976-1977 season, his final season as coach, Al McGuire put the finishing touch on his coaching career with a NCAA National Championship; and

Whereas, after 13 years, with an amazing record of 295 wins and 80 losses, after creating a national power in college basketball, this two time Coach of the Year ended his coaching at Marquette University; and

Whereas, McGuire could not stay away from the sport that he loved, and began a 22 year career broadcasting college basketball for NBC and CBS and Marquette University; and

Whereas, in 1992 he received basketball's highest honor, election to the Joe Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame; and

Whereas, McGuire served as chairman of the board of the President's Council on Physical Fitness; and

Whereas, in 1978, Al McGuire founded Al's Run in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which has raised more than $4 million for the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin; and

Whereas, in his adopted state of Wisconsin, he has been asked to run for the U.S. Senate and the Governor's office; and

Whereas, in October 2000, Marquette University announced that its new basketball practice facility would be named in honor of Al McGuire; and

Whereas, the memory of Al McGuire will always be a part of the heart of Marquette University and cherished by the citizens of Wisconsin; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature hereby honor the life and career of Coach Al McGuire by recognizing February 22, 2001, as Al McGuire Day.