Madness in full effect. A dizzying, reverberating, immeasurable joy. Imagine if we could bottle the stuff.
Coach Shaka Smart is a gifted leader – having built a culture to resemble a family, as much as a Top 10 NCAA basketball team. Their mantra of “relationships, growth, victory” is a pledge to themselves and each other.
Players are rewarded after every game for their fire on the floor - as the Domino of the Game, Deflection Champion, Rebounding Champion, and EGBs: Energy Generating Behavior. It’s heart and hustle. Being generous with the ball. Playing with “violence” which means maximum aggressiveness and no fear.
Last year MU was picked 9th of 9 in the Big East pre-season polls. They went on to win the regular season and the Big East Championship.
This year was different. Pundits and pollsters were watching. Adversity came early and often. A season-ending injury to Sean Jones, a bad shoulder sidelined Stevie Mitchell for 3 games, an illness kept Oso off the court 1 game, and an oblique injury kept Player of the Year Tyler Kolek seated for 6 games. Every time, the team turned inward, to play for each other. Jones, Joplin, Gold, Ross, Norman - all dug deep, found more, and pushed stats to new levels.
This team literally pounds the floor to ignite energy, and dances in the lockerroom to celebrate a win. That level of genuine self expression makes me feel seen.
No matter what sport you follow, fandom brings us together. The thrill of victory and agony of defeat are shared experiences. It's one of the reasons I love sports and entertainment marketing. It’s why March Madness is so damn much fun. And it’s why I travel to sporting events whenever I can - to soak up that wildly contagious positive energy. There’s just nothing else like it.
#marchmadness #sportsmarketing #experiential #fuelfandom #marquette #basketball #leadership #heart #marchwithmarquette
🦅 MARQUETTE NATION IS SWEET 16 BOUND‼️
#MUBB | #MarchWithMarquette