In a new book by former Utah basketball player, Lance Allred, there is an anecdote about Rick Majerus employing a couple of very unique motivational techniques:


There’s a great anecdote in the book regarding Majerus. He had a habit of calling Lance “cunt extraordinaire,” and despite the fact that Lance had hearing aids, Majerus would sometimes spell out “cunt” with his fingers to make sure there was “no miscommunication.”

“Lance, you’ve weaseled yourself through life using your hearing as an excuse,” Majerus once told Allred, as corroborated by some of his teammates. “You’re a disgrace to cripples. If I was a cripple in a wheelchair and saw you play basketball, I’d shoot myself.”

Wow.  I'm sure Bobby Knight would be proud.  In about four hours I'll be coaching my son's little league baseball team in a playoff game.  Perhaps I should take a page out of Rick's playbook in an effort to motivate the kids.  On second thought, I think I'll just use encouragement and positive reinforcement.  

I previously told you about seeing former Bucks big man Randy Breuer at a Hardees back in the day.  Now here is another Milwaukee restaurant story for you.  While eating dinner with my family a couple decades ago, I observed Rick Majerus  at a small table approximately twenty feet away.  He was dining with another guy...probably a Marquette University assistant coach. 

While returning to the table after going to the restroom, I walked by Majerus and couldn't help but notice three large plates in front of him.   For the rest of the evening I sat in my chair and was riveted by the amount of pasta Rick stuffed in his mouth.  The man literally consumed enough food that night to feed a family of five.   

Needless to say, when heart trouble forced Majerus out of coaching and into broadcasting years later I was hardly surprised.