Marquette had some VIPs in the front row for its game against Providence on Wednesday at Fiserv Forum.
The school honored the 2002-03 Golden Eagles who reached the Final Four and the whole squad – including Dwyane Wade, Travis Diener, Steve Novak and former MU coach Tom Crean – was in the building to celebrate.
The players sat under the basket by the Providence bench. They all wore blue-and-gold blazers that Wade gifted them during a get-together at The Legend at Brandybrook over the summer .
During halftime, the managers and players were introduced surrounded by the 2003 NCAA semifinalist trophy. A video showing highlights from the season was played on the large video board.
In the 2003 NCAA Tournament, MU beat Holy Cross, Missouri, Pittsburgh and Kentucky before falling to Kansas in the semifinals.
Crean then took the microphone to address the fans.
"One thing I think everyone of us can agree on, I think the alums would agree on this, and all of you in the student section, you're going to learn this," Crean said. "When you're a part of Marquette, it never leaves you. Ever.
"Marquette helped each and every one of us become better. It became a place where we wanted to see each other succeed. The school is so special."
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Marquette honors Dwyane Wade Tom Crean and 2003 Final Four team at Fiserv Forum
