If, for whatever reason, you were unaware, yesterday was Feb. 14. Also the day Arizona earned statehood in 1912 and a brutal mob massacre went down in Chicago in 1929. The fourteenth day of February is also known as St. Valentine's Day. A day reserved for card-giving and candy and love. Well, me being me, I was on a date with a camera and audio recorder. Which was actually fine with me, I've never been in to the gushy Valentine's traditions, anyway.
So, my camera and I found ourselves at the Al McGuire Center for the Marquette women's basketball game against the University of South Florida Bulls. I'm ashamed to say it was my first. In the photos below, you can see how packed the Al was (sarcasm). Despite the overwhelming crowd (more sarcasm), I actually found myself enjoying the game.
So, my camera and I found ourselves at the Al McGuire Center for the Marquette women's basketball game against the University of South Florida Bulls. I'm ashamed to say it was my first. In the photos below, you can see how packed the Al was (sarcasm). Despite the overwhelming crowd (more sarcasm), I actually found myself enjoying the game.
I enjoyed the women's game because I could finally hear all the cheers the cheerleaders were doing. I was distracted for most of the first half on my photo assignment, but a few minutes in to the second half, I was drawn in to the play on the court.
It reminded me of the first college basketball game I ever attended. When I was about six years old, my dad and I braved a rare Missouri snowstorm to watch the UMKC Kangaroos women's team play at Municipal Auditorium (my parents will probably be the only people reading who understand that reference). My short journey to the Al reminded me of that game and brought back a fond memory.
The game was orchestrated to encourage much more audience participation and engagement. My favorite gimmick was probably "Chuck a Duck," where attendees purchased a rubber duck and, during a timeout, chucked them onto the court at a giant target. The Golden Eagle himself chose from the ducks that hit the bull's eye and the winner received $100. Yes, you could receive $100 at a free-admission game. Hey, it could pay for your men's season tickets for next year ... just a thought. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I had a lot of fun last night on my date with my camera. I would have had more fun had I been with a group of friends. Or if there was more of an audience.
As Marquette students, we all have free admission to women's games at the Al. There are plenty of times when the men are out of town that we could flood the Al instead of the Bradley Center and channel our basketball energy into a different team. We owe these women our support; they're our Golden Eagles, too.
It reminded me of the first college basketball game I ever attended. When I was about six years old, my dad and I braved a rare Missouri snowstorm to watch the UMKC Kangaroos women's team play at Municipal Auditorium (my parents will probably be the only people reading who understand that reference). My short journey to the Al reminded me of that game and brought back a fond memory.
The game was orchestrated to encourage much more audience participation and engagement. My favorite gimmick was probably "Chuck a Duck," where attendees purchased a rubber duck and, during a timeout, chucked them onto the court at a giant target. The Golden Eagle himself chose from the ducks that hit the bull's eye and the winner received $100. Yes, you could receive $100 at a free-admission game. Hey, it could pay for your men's season tickets for next year ... just a thought. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I had a lot of fun last night on my date with my camera. I would have had more fun had I been with a group of friends. Or if there was more of an audience.
As Marquette students, we all have free admission to women's games at the Al. There are plenty of times when the men are out of town that we could flood the Al instead of the Bradley Center and channel our basketball energy into a different team. We owe these women our support; they're our Golden Eagles, too.