How did you become a Xavier fan?

[fellahmuskie]

With all of the reminiscing on the board about old legends and classic games, and the renewal of our Marquette conference rivalry, I thought it appropriate to post this poll. I know there have been similar topics in the past, but I'm curious as to how many people here are fans simply because Xavier basketball is awesome, without any personal connection to the school.

I think this number will begin to soar in the next 5-10 years, which is why I'm curious to see where it's at now.

Personally, my older brother began rooting for Xavier after the 1990 Sweet 16 run, when I was two. (We lived in Springfield, OH at the time). Once I got old enough, I joined the bandwagon, as did my younger brother and now my wife. I've been to a couple of games, but I don't actually know any Xavier fans in real life outside of my family. This board is my life support.

[fellahmuskie]

I should have added an option for people who became fans of the basketball team, then decided to attend Xavier for that reason. I suppose people with that story can still just vote for option 3.

[Kahns Krazy]

Where is "Because in 1995 a season ticket was $118 and the Gardens sold beer"?

But seriously, it's because adult friends were Xavier grads and fans, and they introduced me to it.

[Titanxman04]

Fell in love whenI decidedto attend to school here. They went on an Elite 8 run and low and behold, I was hooked. My future children will have no chance to root for anyone else.

[Fireball]

I attended Xavier, but I actually became a fan of the basketball team before I started school there. I didn't pay any attention to college basketball until I was home sick during the 1990 NCAA tournament game when they played Kansas State. I watched that game and then became interested enough to watch the Georgetown game that weekend. I've been a fan since then...

I actually wasn't planning to go to Xavier for college, but when I made a few visits and with a helpful person in the admissions office who helped me get some financial aid, I ended up at Xavier.

[ballyhoohoo]

Christmas time 1990, I was ten and my mom took me to mcdonalds for breakfast. We noticed two taller guys in Xavier shirts. I went over to find out if they played basketball, they took time to talk to me and signed autographs. Aaron Williams and Dwayne Wilson are the reason I am a Xavier fan.

[ammtd34]

Fellah, I'm from Springfield. I'm actually in Springfield right now because I work there (live in Centerville). The day after I committed to play soccer at Xavier, David West dropped 47 on Dayton. That was it for me.

I will say that I started paying attention to them in my sophomore year of high school. The year before, our varsity PG got hurt and I was called up to play my first varsity game against Dayton Christian. I remember seeing Sato in warmups and wanting to go back into the locker room. They had another guy that ended up at Radford, I think. Sato had 33 that game, the first 4 coming from them winning the tip and him hitting a turnaround 25 footer and getting fouled. We lost 94-84.

[bourbonman]

Back in the '60's my dad will take a couple of us to Cincinnati (from Louisville) to catch a football or basketball game. Not sure that made me a fan because back then I followed Kentucky sports (more accessible TV/radio engagement). Ended up going to X in mid-'70's (the dark years for basketball) but became hooked. Left X and returned to Louisville and attended only a game every other year for many years. Would hook up with Vee for a game occasionally at Gardens but got seriously reengaged with move to A-10 and Cintas. Have now gone hook, line and sinker with season tickets with my '70's classmates and including some road games especially tourney trips to Indy, Milwaukee, DC, Greensboro, Atlanta among others. As I age the drive to/from Cincy gets tougher, especially for 9 PM games, but I make as many as possible.

[BMoreX]

I came for a visit in 2009 and by March 2010 and I decided to attend. While I watched a few Xavier games prior (Crosstown Shootout with Crawford/Stephenson dueling), my real fanhood started when I watched the A10 tournament rooting passionately for Xavier. And Jen obviously the Sweet 16 run with the classic against Kansas State.

(I must say, it still shames me that, in 2003 or so, growing up in Maryland, I rooted for the Terps over X in a Tournament game.)

Four years later and I'm a senior and I have no idea where the time went.

[Caveat]

Always casually rooted for the team, but then I married a Xavier grad from a hardcore Xavier family. A lot of her family members are season ticket holders, so I started going to more games and it sorta worked from there.

[cutterX]

It's in my bloodlines. My grandfather is in the Legion of Honor for football. My dad, also an X grad took me to games at Schmidt back in the mid 70's. Anthony Hicks was one of my favorite. Went to Bob Staak BBall camps. Went elsewhere for college but have stayed true to my Muskie roots

[Milhouse]

First X game I can remember watching was a tournament game against ND in 2001. I was on the other side at that point growing up an Irish fan with a lot of connections to the university.

ND won that game but only won 5 tournament games in the last 12 years....I personally saw 6 tourney wins while I was at X from 08-12. Then my Senior year X played ND and redeemed that loss 12 years ago. First time I've ever rooted against ND, going to Danas after that W was still one of my best memories of College.

[XU 87]

My dad, XU 50, took me to my first game in 1974 when I saw X, led by Mike Plunkett, beat Union 105-49. I thought X must be the best team in the country and probably would go undefeated that year. I was very disappointed to learn after the game that X had already lost a game that year.

[X-ROX]

Started following in mid 80's while Larkin was there. Been diehard fan ever since. Damn ,where has the time gone.

[drudy23]

I choose none of the above because I don't like how this is worded:

"I'm from the area and my family has always rooted for Xavier, but there is no personal connection" - no personal connection? That's the epitome of personal connection. I started going to Xavier games with my dad at about 6 years old. He went with his dad at six years old. We've taken my kids since they've been six years old. Xavier basketball is a family heirloom. It's provided some of the greatest family moments in front of the TV and in person for the last 50 years...how is that not personal?

No one in my family went to Xavier. And I can't stand when people look at me funny when they know how big of a fan I am, yet realize that I didn't go there. How does your 4 years on campus trump my 30 years of passion? Makes no sense.

[bleedXblue]

1990 grad. No family history or father taking me to games when I was a kid. I started going to games in the late 90's and have been a season ticket holder since the Cintas opened. What's great is that my mom, dad, wife, kids etc are all huge fans now. There is that connection with Xavier basketball that makes it special.

[kyxu]

It's interesting to read the accounts of people who have only become Xavier fans in the last 10 years or so, yet are maybe no less passionate than those who have been fans for the last 30 years. Interesting stuff.

[Frambo]

Moved to Quatman Avenue in the early '60's (Gribbles became Quatman Cafe around '67). Neighbor who played for X took me with his boys to watch football/basketball starting around 63-64....became hooked as I watched Quick and Rackley play. Started college at X but finished elsewhere...Masters though at X! Went to every game I could while I taught and coached for 30+ years.....retirement gift to myself was season tickets!

[fellahmuskie]

Drudy, sorry about the wording. I should have figured out a better way to say that. Though with far less pedigree, I'm in the same boat as you, and certainly don't view myself as any less of a fan that someone who attended the school or works there.

Milhouse, that ND game in 01 was the first X game I attended in person, since I was living in Goshen, IN then.

ammtd30, my family left Springfield when I was 8, and I don't really know anyone there anymore, but it was a great place to be as a kid. We actually lived in Northridge, though, so maybe I'm not technically a Springfield native. I don't know how people count that.

[ammtd34]

ammtd30, my family left Springfield when I was 8, and I don't really know anyone there anymore, but it was a great place to be as a kid. We actually lived in Northridge, though, so maybe I'm not technically a Springfield native. I don't know how people count that.

Northridge is still Springfield. Springfield isn't big enough to have suburbs.

[XU after dark]

1993 grad but got hooked in the days of the "twin towers" Hill and Strong. I'm surrounded by UC fans and it's been fun seeing the transition in recent years. No more little brother, underdog talk from the Usucks faithfull just bitter disdain.

[nuts4xu]

My uncle was a Xavier grad with season tickets, and was even president of the Alumni Association back in the 80's. He took my dad and I to a few games in Staak's last season, then moved his seats up one row at the Cincy Gardens. My dad purchased 2 of his 4, and we have been going to games since Gillen's first year as HC. I believe that was the year they beat Missouri in the NCAA tourney, I was hooked from there.

Xavier basketball inspired my Mom to get a job there, where my 4 sisters and I attended school. I roomed with Mike Hawkins in the Bridge program, and spent 2 years as a team manager during Coach Gillen's final 2 seasons at Xavier.

It would have taken something really special for me to become a fan of a program other than Xavier. I bleed Xavier blue!

[muskiefan82]

My stepfather, a former Musketeer Booster Club President, began taking me to games at Schmidt Fieldhouse in 1982. I had picked up a basketball at that point in my life, but didn't really care about the game or any team. From that first game against Union, Ky (a win, of course), I never looked back and have become a huge fan of X even though I never attended. My undergrad is from that other university in Cincinnati and my Masters is from Thomas More, but I still root only for Xavier and I will be there tonight with my stepfather continuing the tradition that he started with me and that I am continuing with my kids.

[XUBob]

Grew up in Norwood on Sherman Ave. I was close enough to walk to football games as a kid, would sneak in with my friends through a hole in the fence on the visitor's side. On top of that my dad was a huge Muskies fan, not to get all sappy but my few positive memories of my dad was going to X games at Schmidt. He never sat down would stand at the top of the bleachers. We'd catch the second half of the freshman game and all of the varsity game. Went to college elsewhere but got my masters at X. The move to the Gardens got my family going, nothing like open seating in the upper deck. Been a season ticket holder since about the time I turned 25. Used to call in frequently on the radio to defend the Muskies, gave that up when it became apparent no radio personality was listening. Try to make a least one road trip a year, usually with Frambo, on that note see you in Chicago.

[SlimKibbles]

One of the first XU games I went to was the 1987 MCC Championship Game between X and SLU at Market Square Arena in Indy. I was 10. My dad and I had courtside seats, I brought a Xavier pennant, and I was put on tv. I think the game was on Ch. 19. X won and I was hooked. That offseason my parents were at a fundraiser somewhere and an item in the silent auction was two season tickets for Xavier men's basketball. Somebody they know won but didn't want it. Why they even put their name down in the first place, I don't know. Anyway my dad bought the season tickets from them and we went to all of the games together that season. Been going to games ever since. I did my undergrad at Thomas More but happily attended grad school at X from '08-'11. Prior to having XU tickets, my dad and I were always going to UC games at the Coliseum when they were in the Metro Conference.

I love Xavier basketball. Going to games and cheering for X will always be something that will allow me to stay connected to my dad even though he's gone now.

[RealDeal]

The details of my life are quite inconsequential ... Very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low-grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a 15-year-old French prostitute named Chloé with webbed feet. My father would womanize; he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes, he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament ... My childhood was typical: summers in Rangoon ... luge lessons ... In the spring, we'd make meat helmets ... When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds — pretty standard, really. At the age of 12, I received my first scribe. At the age of 14, a Zoroastrian named Vilmer ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum — it's breathtaking ... I suggest you try it.

Oh, yeah, and I'm a 1990 grad.

[THRILLHOUSE]

My dad has always been a huge X fan. My first XU memory was listening to Xaiver upset Louisville in the Preseason NIT on the radio. My parents ended up buying season tickets Brian Grant's senior season. I didn't attend X (went to NKU) but always will be a fan.

[Masterofreality]

The details of my life are quite inconsequential ... Very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low-grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a 15-year-old French prostitute named Chloé with webbed feet. My father would womanize; he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes, he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament ... My childhood was typical: summers in Rangoon ... luge lessons ... In the spring, we'd make meat helmets ... When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds — pretty standard, really. At the age of 12, I received my first scribe. At the age of 14, a Zoroastrian named Vilmer ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum — it's breathtaking ... I suggest you try it.

Oh, yeah, and I'm a 1990 grad.

Mother? French Prostitute? Must have been a D'Artagnan groupie. He did have a large "sword".

As for me, originally being from Louisville, we came to Cincy a lot and my Sister was in the Sisters of Mercy Convent for a while, until she "grew up". Always loved the City, then my Great Uncle who lived in Hyde Park and was a huge X supporter took my Dad and I to an X/Borecat football game when I was a junior in HS and I was hooked....on XU. Loved the fact that a small school played big time football and basketball.
And, yeah. Xavier beat up on SucKS in that game.
Now on almost 50 years of Xavier fanaticism.

[LadyMuskie]

The details of my life are quite inconsequential ... Very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low-grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a 15-year-old French prostitute named Chloé with webbed feet. My father would womanize; he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes, he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament ... My childhood was typical: summers in Rangoon ... luge lessons ... In the spring, we'd make meat helmets ... When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds — pretty standard, really. At the age of 12, I received my first scribe. At the age of 14, a Zoroastrian named Vilmer ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum — it's breathtaking ... I suggest you try it.

Oh, yeah, and I'm a 1990 grad.

This post is awesome!

For me, I was born a Xavier fan. I thought I was going to marry Jamal Walker when I was a little girl. Most of my friends from grade school will tell you that their first college basketball experience was with my family at a Xavier game at the Gardens. I've just always been a Xavier fan. I don't know anything else except love for Xavier and disdain for UC. I still have my t-shirt from our first Sweet Sixteen appearance. My dad is an X grad, my grandfather, uncles, cousins, sister, and husband are all X grads too. Barry Larkin was always Byron Larkin's brother. Since I made my debut on this planet 34 years ago, I've known and loved all things Xavier.

[hoolyxu]

As you can see from my number of posts I don't usually get involved with the participation element of this web-site. But I am an avid reader, very seldom missing a day to get my Muskie fix. I attented Xavier from 1970-1974 after receiving an academic scholarship from my high school. But I had started paying attention to Xavier basketball a couple of years earlier when a player from my high school began his career as a member of the XU basketball team. Once I matriculated to Xavier and became a regular attendee of games at Schmidt Fieldhouse (where you could sit anywhere), I was hooked for life. There were some lean years early on, but that didn't matter. The Musketeers were my team then and have continued to be for what will be 40 years this season. I even got my wife of 35 years (a Miami grad) to switch allegiances many years ago and she is now almost as big a fan as myself. There have been many stellar seasons along the way, and I truly believe that the best is yet to come.

[OH.X.MI]

During my senior year of high school in 2008, I was trying to decide where to attend college. I was flipping though the tv with some friends when we came across the end of the Xavier Virginia Tech game in the Puerto Rico Tip Off. Dante Jackson made the half court shot to win it. Knew then and there Xavier was where I was going to school. Graduated last year, young brother is now a sophomore. Catching one game on TV turned my entire family into die hard Xavier fans.

[Masterofreality]

The details of my life are quite inconsequential ... Very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low-grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a 15-year-old French prostitute named Chloé with webbed feet. My father would womanize; he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes, he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament ... My childhood was typical: summers in Rangoon ... luge lessons ... In the spring, we'd make meat helmets ... When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds — pretty standard, really. At the age of 12, I received my first scribe. At the age of 14, a Zoroastrian named Vilmer ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum — it's breathtaking ... I suggest you try it.

Oh, yeah, and I'm a 1990 grad.


This post is awesome!.

What part of it did you like the best?

Let me guess.............:wink:

[paulxu]

I wish I could go back and find the "decade of graduation" poll I did a few years ago, but I think it was lost with the board re-work Muskie did.

Growing up in Tennessee, listening to the Reds on the radio, 2 older brothers (who I got tired of following in school) had gone to Georgetown, it was natural to visit, and decide on X over the Hoyas. (Parents real big believers in Jesuit education). Homecoming was still a football game in the 60's at X, and so many other things have changed in the last 50 years. It occurs to me that a few of the constants are XU basketball, Dana's, Zips and Graeters. The good things live on.

[KsMuskie]

As a huge college hoops fan, I moved to Cincinnati from Wichita in 1989. Chose X over UC due after having watched Larkin & Co. defeat the hated Mizzou in 1987 and play KU relatively tough in 1988. Been a fan and season ticket holder ever since.

[Caveat]

During my senior year of high school in 2008, I was trying to decide where to attend college. I was flipping though the tv with some friends when we came across the end of the Xavier Virginia Tech game in the Puerto Rico Tip Off. Dante Jackson made the half court shot to win it. Knew then and there Xavier was where I was going to school. Graduated last year, young brother is now a sophomore. Catching one game on TV turned my entire family into die hard Xavier fans.

This post wins the thread, thus far.

[RealDeal]

This post is awesome!


It's plagiarized from the only good Austin Powers film.

[LadyMuskie]

It's plagiarized from the only good Austin Powers film.

that's why I thought it was great!

[LadyMuskie]

What part of it did you like the best?

Let me guess.............:wink:

A lady never tells!

[Tardy Turtle]

I punched American X in the face and took his fandom. And his half-eaten beef sandwich.

[gladdenguy]

None of the above. My dad took me to a game when I was 8 (1987) and I fell in love with them.
Now I am finally about to graduate from the first school I loved because of the basketball team.

BEAT MARQUETTE!!!!

[GoMuskies]

I got The Sporting News as a kid, and in the back they had a notable quotes section. One issue the quote was Pete Gillen's: "I'm just a carraway seed in the bakery of life." More importantly, the source of the quote was listed as 700wlw, which I could generally get in Louisville and primarily listened to for Reds coverage I could not get in Louisville. Always hungry for more sports programming, I decided to check out WLW and listen to Xavier game or two, and I then discovered Andy Mack and Joe Sunderman. I got hooked on listening to those guys call games and started to listen in on a regular basis and became a fan. Based on that, I decided to start learning something about Xavier University itself, and lo and behold I decided it would be a good place to spend four years of my life.

So you can blame having to deal with me on The Sporting News.

[XU-XHI]

I attended games at Schmidt with my dad in the mid 60's. Watching the likes of Helmers & Plunkett. Buying a drink and popcorn at the concession stand on the floor level at the end of the floor. Listening to the band directed by Coach Soriano and listening to the post game on WVXU. To this day I believe my dad is the current longest running consecutive season ticket holder. He has had season tickets since the 1953-54 season, buying tickets right after graduating from X (Happy 60th season ticket anniversary Dad!). Needless to say I was born to attend X and become a Musketeer. Go X!

[Dante'sInferno]

Nice question, fellahmuskie.

I guess the moment I knew that I was all in as a Xavier fan was the A-10 tourney run in 2006, ending in 14 seed in the tournament and a near defeat of Adam Morrison and his cronies. Justin Doellman, Justin Cage, and Stanley Burrell!

Then Ohio State happened in 2007, and my fate was sealed. I still wonder sometimes why I let my mom talk me out of going to X for school. That really might have been a mistake.

[waggy]

but I'm curious as to how many people here are fans simply because Xavier basketball is awesome, without any personal connection to the school.

This would describe me.

I was paying attention with Staak, but it got real when Gillen came.

[waggy]

I got The Sporting News as a kid, and in the back they had a notable quotes section. One issue the quote was Pete Gillen's: "I'm just a carraway seed in the bakery of life." More importantly, the source of the quote was listed as 700wlw, which I could generally get in Louisville and primarily listened to for Reds coverage I could not get in Louisville. Always hungry for more sports programming, I decided to check out WLW and listen to Xavier game or two, and I then discovered Andy Mack and Joe Sunderman. I got hooked on listening to those guys call games and started to listen in on a regular basis and became a fan. Based on that, I decided to start learning something about Xavier University itself, and lo and behold I decided it would be a good place to spend four years of my life.

So you can blame having to deal with me on The Sporting News.

Wow, that really is amazing.

[Blue Blobs Bro]

Born and raised an x fan and hope to attend in 3 years.

[XUOHTX]

I was born.

[RoseyMuskie]

First X game I can remember watching was a tournament game against ND in 2001. I was on the other side at that point growing up an Irish fan with a lot of connections to the university.

ND won that game but only won 5 tournament games in the last 12 years....I personally saw 6 tourney wins while I was at X from 08-12. Then my Senior year X played ND and redeemed that loss 12 years ago. First time I've ever rooted against ND, going to Danas after that W was still one of my best memories of College.

I'm sure we crossed paths that evening. Top five Dana's moment for sure. That may have been the most unified I ever saw campus.

My sister attended X two years ahead of me. At that point I didn't have a serious college basketball commitment, so I cheered on X with her. I quickly became hooked. I ultimately chose Xavier over Dayton and Illinois. Definitely made the right choice.

I remember watching X play Mississippi St. in the tournament when I was 13. For some odd reason the Dedrick Finn shot sticks in my memory. What's even weirder is that I knew next to nothing about Xavier at that time. Yet, I can recall exactly where I was and who I was with when he hit that shot (a small sports bar in Milwaukee before attending regional games at the Bradley Center with my Dad). I couldn't have told you where Xavier was located, but I remember saying to my Dad, "Man, that Xavier team always seems to be a force in the NCAA Tournament." I kind of think that my choice to attend Xavier was destiny after that point.

[ammtd34]

I remember watching X play Mississipi St. in the tournament when I was 13.

I was a freshman during The Run. The 5th floor of Kuhlman was mainly soccer players, baseball players, and Kevin Waymire, who would later walk on. After the Texas win, we all ran outside going crazy. Before long, it seemed like all the dorms had emptied and everyone was partying in the green space. I'll always remember that.

[WhiteOakX]

Grew up in Southern Illinois with Illini, Cubs & Cards fans. Became a Pirate fan at age of 8, listening to KDKA, followed Illini but not extensively. Moved to Cincy in 1974, started watching X soon after. Have been 6 pack ticket holder for years at Gardens and season tix at Cintas since it opened. When asked why, my story is " I spent 2 yrs at nite school at UC and that's why I root for Xavier," never attended Xavier and still don't have a college degree.

[X-band '01]

I always remember hearing Xavier's name coming up during March growing up, but I didn't really evolve a fanhood until I started looking at colleges - I was down to Miami and Xavier (with an Ohio State University lined up as a last-ditch option). The first time I really remember seeing a Xavier game on TV was their game against UMass when they were #1 in the country.

I'm still a whippersnapper compared to half the posters on here, but it seems like more and more posters are signing on with 21st-century degrees.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

I attended Xavier (68' -72') as a foreign student from Canada. I picked Xavier because it is relatively close to home (10 hr drive from Cincy to Toronto), it's Catholic and I got a scholarship. I went to all the basketball and football games, and some baseball games. The basketball program was just so-so then, but I still remember that 1958 NIT championship banner hanging in the field house and that big win vs UC................classes were cancelled the next day so everyone could celebrate or recover from the drinking the night before. Jerry Helmers was in my class (72 pre-med). He had a good jump shot and I believe he was the captain. After graduation, I returned to Canada and did not follow X BB until after I retired and began the process of tracing my roots. Now, my daily fix is to read these and related threads and to support my alma mater. Go X.

[chico]

Like 87, my dad was a '50 grad (he transferred from UC after his freshman year - smart man). Though my memories aren't as vivid as his, I can vaguely remember Al McGuire coming to town and watching Xavier creep to 15 points, my 10 year old mind thinking there was a chance they could actually win. I have the ticket stub in a box somewhere with a bunch of other old ones, and have a foggy memory of old Schmidt Fieldhouse. Dad was pretty active with Xavier, and he used to run the Xavier Jamboree golf outing for several years.

Even though I went to college in Kentucky, I still followed Xavier, mainly because of my dad and a former high school classmate who played for X at the time. My younger sister's also an XU grad.

When I moved back here after college I pretty much made every home game, and have been going ever since.

[Porkopolis]

I earned my master's degree at Xavier and fell in love with the place.

[Strange Brew]

Birth.

[XMuskieFTW]

Dad went to X. I live in Michigan so I didn't have huge exposure to Xavier but my cousin decided to go there in winter of 03-04 so I started following then in 7th grade. Good time to start following and you'll never guess where I ended up. Graduated X back in May.

[BandAid]

One day I was surfing the internet and happened upon a site called xavierhoops...






Foreals, my brother went to Xavier, he was present during The Run, and I followed him to X a couple years later.

[xucub]

Got my undergraduate degree from X in1980. Never attended a single game while a student. Then went to the x - ohio state NIT game at the Gardens in 1984. Immediately hooked, and have had season tickets ever since. Oh, and got a Xavier MBA in 1984. Wow, this is my 30th year with season tickets!! Most thrilling moment had to be the win over Georgetown in the NCAA tourney. Sat in the 10th row of the temp stands at mid court.

[Strange Brew]

Most thrilling moment had to be the win over Georgetown in the NCAA tourney.

I was 10. I vividly remember taking shots and hitting the boards in the driveway pretending I was Hill, Strong, and Williams. So excited, a memory I'll never forget. Up there with my father and I screaming in the front yard after the '97 win over UC when they were briefly number one in the country. Thank you Lenny Brown, thank you.

[Roach]

I was a casual fan of all local teams, including X, until ... Lenny Brown. I suppose no more context is necessary. From that point on, I have been certifiably obsessed, to the point that this season I will root for Xavier over my 2nd alma mater, Georgetown (the first being Notre Dame).

[JTG]

Came to X as a freshman in 68. Never a basketball fan at all, this was very odd as I am from Indy. Went to games at Schmidt, during the hideously dark ages of X basketball. We pretty much sucked all 4 years. Still, we had a great schedule, and I was seeing teams I had heard about on tv, Villanova, Georgetown, Detroit, in the Dickie V era, Marquette with Al McGuire. I became an instant fan. Have been going to games ever since.

[Kahns Krazy]

I punched American X in the face and took his fandom. And his half-eaten beef sandwich.

Public reps since the man is keeping me down.

[Muskie]

I grew up an Indiana Fan (even living in Lafayette, Indiana). My whole family growing up attended IU and graduated. I sat with Alan Henderson's father at the Indiana/Xavier match-up at the Hoosier Dome.

That all changed on January 11, 1995 when I received my acceptance letter from Xavier. January 11 is my birthday and I thought it was a sign that I received admission that date. Best decision I've ever made, and honestly the place changed my life. My love for basketball quickly incorporated X (especially that X/Umass tilt at the gardens in 95). What a ride it has been since.

[ammtd34]

I sat with Alan Henderson's father at the Indiana/Xavier match-up at the Hoosier Dome.



I was at that game, too. I grew up an IU fan as well. That was Henderson's second game back after blowing out his knee, I think. They played Wright State in the opening round.

[1905StreetMuskie]

My boyfriend (now husband) was an X fan and I wanted to know why since he wasn't an alum nor did he ever live in Cincy. Though I don't remember exactly what he said, I left the conversation thinking X was pretty cool. The first game I watched was the Kansas State game, not realizing the moment in history I was witnessing. The following season, still convinced X was a cool team, I wanted in on the club, so for his birthday I got both of us X t-shirts. But, my first "fan" moment was the loss to Marquette in the tournament. I felt the pain, and it was my first experience caring about any sports game on TV. I've been a fan ever since.

[Muskie]

I was at that game, too. I grew up an IU fan as well. That was Henderson's second game back after blowing out his knee, I think. They played Wright State in the opening round.
I don't think he actually played in the Wright State game though... I'd have to go back and check. I have this memory of Henderson checking into the game against X with a couple of minutes left and the place going nuts... I could be misremembering.

[xudash]

As is the case with vee, bourbon, mel and a few others, I became a Xavier basketball fan very patiently.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

as is the case with vee, bourbon, mel and a few others, i became a xavier basketball fan very patiently.

Emphasis on Very.

[ammtd34]

I don't think he actually played in the Wright State game though... I'd have to go back and check. I have this memory of Henderson checking into the game against X with a couple of minutes left and the place going nuts... I could be misremembering.

That definitely happened. Everyone went crazy. It would have been cool to see his family's reaction. I'll see if I can find the Wright State game info. I thought he played in it, but I was 9 at the time. I might be wrong.

Edit: Looks like Henderson did play against Wright State.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/1993-03-19-indiana.html

[Muskie]

That definitely happened. Everyone went crazy. It would have been cool to see his family's reaction. I'll see if I can find the Wright State game info. I thought he played in it, but I was 9 at the time. I might be wrong.

Edit: Looks like Henderson did play against Wright State.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/1993-03-19-indiana.html

It sure does. It's funny how the mind plays tricks on you. I was at both games. So I'm sure I've blended the two together.

[ammtd34]

It sure does. It's funny how the mind plays tricks on you. I was at both games. So I'm sure I've blended the two together.

We drove from Springfield, Ohio in my uncle's station wagon. I sat in the back with 3 cousins. We were with my dad and 4 of my uncles. I remember being extremely nervous that we wouldn't get in. Our seats weren't great, but they were good enough. I do remember sneaking down behind Oklahoma State's bench for the OSU vs. Louisville game afterward. We sat there until after half time before an usher made us leave.

[mid major]

It was March of 1984 and I was still up in the air as far as where I would go for college. Xavier and a handful of colleges came down to Puerto Rico for College day. I filled out a pamphlet and a few days later there was a picture in the newspaper of Gary Massa taking a shot against Ohio State in the NIT. I got a call from a recruiter a few days and that was it. I knew no one here in Cincinnati and ,after graduating, I decided to stay. My friends make fun of me because I go to away games by myself. I ride this great feeling every time this team takes the court. Important to note, this school makes me proud and everything associated with this great institution of ours makes me brim with joy and the basketball portion is the topping.

[vee4xu]

As is the case with vee, bourbon, mel and a few others, I became a Xavier basketball fan very patiently.


Emphasis on Very.

That patience pays off in today's win now world. I have a family member who started at X in 1967. We lived in NE Ohio so being a Xavier fan there was a head scratcher to my friends. Since then there have been seven other family members, in addition to me that attended Xavier between '67 and 2011 when my younger son graduated. I must admit, having two sons who share being an XU grad and basketball fan is really cool. Mrs. Vee went to Kent, but has become a died in the wool X fan. It probably helped that I've had season tickets and been schlepping my family from Columbus to Cincy to watch games since 2001. Interesting tidbit: MOR was a roommate of my first relative that attended X, so I have known the great one since around 1970 and served in a family wedding party with him in the 1970's.

[vee4xu]

My dad, XU 50, took me to my first game in 1974 when I saw X, led by Mike Plunkett, beat Union 105-49. I thought X must be the best team in the country and probably would go undefeated that year. I was very disappointed to learn after the game that X had already lost a game that year.

I was a snot nosed, barely 18 year old freshman and was also at that game. Surely, I was drunk and likely that so was Dash. B-man was a cheerleader, so likely he didn't start drinking until after that HUGE win. Cool that you were there with your dad, 87.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

It's a real pleasure to read these threads.........so much memories and so many stories and connections. A truly wonderful trip.

[Masterofreality]

I grew up an Indiana Fan (even living in Lafayette, Indiana). My whole family growing up attended IU and graduated. I sat with Alan Henderson's father at the Indiana/Xavier match-up at the Hoosier Dome.

That all changed on January 11, 1995 when I received my acceptance letter from Xavier. January 11 is my birthday and I thought it was a sign that I received admission that date. Best decision I've ever made, and honestly the place changed my life. My love for basketball quickly incorporated X (especially that X/Umass tilt at the gardens in 95). What a ride it has been since.

And look what it's made you now....

Two words: Internet Guru

[Masterofreality]

. Interesting tidbit: MOR was a roommate of my first relative that attended X, so I have known the great one since around 1970 and served in a family wedding party with him in the 1970's.

The Dubes/Vee family has been very special to me since 1968, obviously. We have been in each other's weddings and have celebrated special times together. One more reason why Xavier is so wonderfully unique. Musketeers stick together and relate to each other for decades.

As to "great"? Uh, we'll leave that for history to decide.

[xudash]

I was a snot nosed, barely 18 year old freshman and was also at that game. Surely, I was drunk and likely that so was Dash. B-man was a cheerleader, so likely he didn't start drinking until after that HUGE win. Cool that you were there with your dad, 87.

I would sit on those wooden bleachers half in the bag, marveling at how well Plunkett could leap, then seemingly suspend in the air for what seemed like a minute.

Otherwise, we may have been drinking massive quantities of locally brewed beer, but were we as stoned as certain basketball players who shall remain nameless?

Gatorade! We don't need no shtenking Gatorade!

[xeus]

None of the above. My dad took me to a game when I was 8 (1987) and I fell in love with them.
Now I am finally about to graduate from the first school I loved because of the basketball team.

BEAT MARQUETTE!!!!

It's also interesting that you went to Elder, but you have man crushes on so many St X guys. Ain't love grand?

[sweet16]

I find it interesting that quite a few responding here never attended X. I just always assumed, obviously mistakenly, that the folks posting here were X alums.

[xeus]

My parents both graduated from X, and Dad used to take me to games at Schmidt occasionally. In the summer of 1983 I attended Bob Staak basketball camp, where I was awarded the Coach's award for hustle and effort. (I think they felt bad for me because I was about 2'6" in sixth grade.) Anyway, it was that basketball camp that turned me from casual 12 year old fan into a diehard. Met guys like Jeff Jenkins, Dexter Bailey, Victor Fleming, Coach Mike Sussli, and there was no turning back.
I didn't suffer through the really lean years that the older generation did, but it still amazes me to see where we are now and how we got here.

[UCGRAD4X]

I find it interesting that quite a few responding here never attended X. I just always assumed, obviously mistakenly, that the folks posting here were X alums.

I don't think it is any secret that I did not attend X!

But my wife and I have both taught classes there. However, my father did attend…which is how my story begins….(screen get wavy and fades to sepia tones)

Dad served in Korea in the signal corps and attended night school for 8 years on the GI Bill. At that time he had already had 9 of 11 children, me being #7. Imagine the student section at Schmidt, one beard gentleman in front with several children on the floor under the basket (well, not exactly UNDER, but you know what I mean). Boy were those players HUGE!

Flash forward a bit to football season at Corcoran field and witness mom and dad with their seats on the 50 yrd line in a section crowded with Xavier faithful drinking hot chocolate and/or sipping from a flask. Pan over two sections to the left and see a solitary group of children huddle under a very large tarp-of-a-blanket sharing a thermos of hot brownish liquid and a brown grocery bag full of stale popcorn, wondering what exactly was going on, waiting only for the halftime show and the baton strutting antics of one Clarence Mitchell (In my preadolescent years, homecoming was the best for my brothers and I because the concourse was filled with fully developed coeds).

I think I might still have a Junior Musketeer pin somewhere….

Although always part of the Xavier legacy, I guess it became more personal in the Coors Corner at the Gardens. The NIT game (Ohio State?) when John Shimko saved the ball from going out of bounds in front of the visitors bench and crashed trough a whole line of players and chairs with less than a minute to go. The turnover would have given the visitors a chance to tie but the save sealed their fate. The place went wild and the buckeyes went from elation to dumbfoundedness in a crescendo of metal folding chairs, scattered OSU jerseys and a roaring/inebriated, Coors Corner.

The season tickets AND the beer was much cheeper then than now and the basketball has continued to evolve and develop commensurately.

[Masterofreality]

Flash forward a bit to football season at Corcoran field and witness mom and dad with their seats on the 50 yrd line in a section crowded with Xavier faithful drinking hot chocolate and/or sipping from a flask. Pan over two sections to the left and see a solitary group of children huddle under a very large tarp-of-a-blanket sharing a thermos of hot brownish liquid and a brown grocery bag full of stale popcorn, wondering what exactly was going on, waiting only for the halftime show and the baton strutting antics of one Clarence Mitchell (In my preadolescent years, homecoming was the best for my brothers and I because the concourse was filled with fully developed coeds).

Clarence Mitchell was the best Drum Major ever! Wonder where he is now?

[UCGRAD4X]

Clarence Mitchell was the best Drum Major ever! Wonder where he is now?

I do have a picture of him and three of my younger sisters that I am unable to upload. But looking at that picture and this guy:

http://agent.sibcycline.com/Resume.aspx?a=4964

who says he is a Xavier graduate and has been a "resident" since 1975...


His performance was always worth the price of admission even if the game was not. Seemed to be a heck of a nice man to boot.

[OTRMUSKIE]

My dad graduated there in the 60's and took me to the games at The old field house. So I became a fan since I can remember. I ended up going to UC because it was cheaper but when I decided to go back for another degree I had the opp to go to X at a reduce price. Needless to say my degree from X has allowed me to buy great things that my UC degree did not. Of course that might have to do with the fact that broadcasting and Radiology are two different beast. X fan for 38 years if you can count going there at the age of 1 and I havnt seen many bad seasons. I am soooooo spoiled with this program.

[Masterofreality]

I do have a picture of him and three of my younger sisters that I am unable to upload. But looking at that picture and this guy:

http://agent.sibcycline.com/Resume.aspx?a=4964

who says he is a Xavier graduate and has been a "resident" since 1975...


His performance was always worth the price of admission even if the game was not. Seemed to be a heck of a nice man to boot.

Thanks. That's great!