Rick Majerus Alive Again, Is At The Dance

                                                  

                                                     

  REMEMBER MAJERUS  

           

                                                                 

        Thousands of friends and fans gathered at Marquette University on to remember Rick

Majerus, the impassioned college basketball coach who died of heart failure at 64. Al Jensen, who played for Majerus at Utah and coached with him at Saint Louis University, recalled the portly man who loved food as much as basketball,, a demanding coach and loyal friend.

          "There wasn't a man as unique as Coach. You can't compare him to anyone else," Jensen said.

Majerus was 517-216 over a 25 year career in which he had 15 seasons with at least 20 wins, plus

two 30 win seasons. He led Utah to the NCAA championship game in 1998 and also coached at

Marquette, Ball State and Saint Louis.

           Majerus died of heart failure Dec.1, 2009 in a Los Angelus hospital.

          Jensen said no one ever made him as angry as Majerus occasionally did, but he always respected his coach’s passion and intensity He pushed you to your utmost limits.

         The funeral was held at the Church of the Segue at Marquette the Jesuit school where Majerus

began his coaching career as a student assistant to Al McGuire. Saint Louis 15 current players were listed as official pallbearers. About a dozen former Utah players attended the funeral, including Keith Van Horn, Andre Miller and Michael Doleac. Also attending was Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who credited his former coach for providing tough love on the court and unconditional love off of it. Majerus gave Rivershis nickname.

               “I don’t think I would be the coach of the Celtics or a lot of other things if Rick was not in my life,if Rick had never come in my life. He gave me great love great attention, great tough love. He made me grow up. He made me a better person and a better player.”

            The Majerus family released a statement expressing thanks for the out pour of sympathy.

            ”We cannot begin to express our sincere gratitude to everyone for their thoughts prayers and

well wishes during this difficult time for all of us” Rick was certainly a public figure with a terrific sense of humor a competitive spirit, and a love of family especially our mother Alice, his friend’s, players, fellow coaches, and especially fans.”

          I was living in Bailiff Hall on the University of Utah campus at the time Majerus was coaching at Utah. He lived a 2 or 3 blocks from Bailiff Hall in the University Apartments. Around 6:00' o'clock, I would often walk over to the University Apartments. I could visit along with a group of his friends and other basketball enthusiast in the foyer just outside the dining room. When dinner was announced it was the signal to end all dialog. He was single, outgoing and very much enjoyed visiting about basketball. It was a pleasure. He was very humorous. I remember on one of my visits he joked, about his round stomach...if I fell down, I would rock myself to sleep trying to get up.

      When he talks hoops fans pay close attention. Shooting from the lip and telling colorful stories about former days that hearkened back to a different NCAA. In town for a reunion with members of Utah’s 1983-84 team the first squad in franchise history to make the playoffs, Majerus and several members of that team were honored between the first and second quarter of the exciting 89-88 victory over the Celtics. A man who’s well known sense of humor sometimes overshadowed his deft knowledge of Xs and Os. The coach said the NCAA is much different than it was during his era. He said there are too many 3-point shots taken and that the accepted style of play centers on perimeter play rather than around the basket.

To be continuing...

DR. KARL WALLACE D.D.S. Ogden Utah

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