Friday, October 19, 2007

Marquette In Thin Air

Freewaaaaaaay!!!!


While this is an innovative and helpful tool, here's hoping there's a basket in that chamber so Wes and Jerel can practice jump shots at the same time. And does that chamber help Dom James concentrate on the game at hand, rather than his NBA draft status? Just curious. Story

Inside an altitude chamber that simulates conditions at 9,000 feet above sea level, Marquette University guards Wesley Matthews and Jerel McNeal start pedaling stationary bikes. Realizing the challenge ahead, they look less than thrilled. Within minutes, Matthews and McNeal experience shortness of breath. Heart rates rise quickly. In five minutes, Matthews and McNeal have stressed their bodies far beyond what they could do on a bike outside the chamber.
After purchasing a customized altitude unit this summer for $41,700, Marquette became the first college basketball team in the country to integrate the hypoxic chamber into its training regimen, following the lead of professional sports franchises such as the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Keith posted that picture of Freeway on our fantasy football website and he had a very good observation. It sure looks the PWHS graduate Jeff Smith is sitting behind him.

Anonymous said...

Dude, I just saw freeway at a bar like 2 weekends ago. That guy gets around town.....I remember he was saying that Brewer fans had every right to feel disappointed.

Good point, Freeway. Good point....

Anonymous said...

Damn!!! I haven't seen Freeway. I can't remember how many parties he used to show up at when I was in college.

Anonymous said...

Jeff Smith was good at ping pong.

Benjamin said...

Freeway is a Milwaukee institution. I love when he's dancin' at a game then he realizes that a camera is on him and he starts dancin' even harder. Brings a smile on my face just thinking about it.

Last time I saw him I was walking over the bridge over Miller Park Way going to a game (SF vs Crew, 1st game of 3 gamer), he was walking the other way back to the parking lots. Someone asked him how the Brewers would do that weekend and he said repeatedly "It's not gonna be a good series". What happened? The Brewers lost 2 of 3.

Anonymous said...

How the hell does that guy get tickets to every sporting event. I herd the story how he got hit by a Milwaukee City bus (that would explain many things) and, instead of money, he won lifetime tickets in court. That sounds like an urban legend.

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking that Freeway spends a lot of time in the altitude chamber.

Tony, why don't you tell some of your Freeway stories?

woziszeus said...

No kidding Brad...that is the question I want answered. What does Freeway do for a living? Is he homeless? How can he afford to go to all the games? What were his childhood aspirations & dreams?

Same question goes for the Maniac. However, I would gather his answer is more simple. Works at Bluemound liquor...goes to every Brewer game...goes home.

Anonymous said...

I've heard your brain will melt if you look directly into the eyes of the Maniac. I don't know if that is true since no one has ever been brave enough to try.

Anonymous said...

Out of every topic that's been posted I'm truly ashamed that this is the first I have commented on. But when I read benjamin's post about how it brings a smile to his face watching Freeway dance, I thought I owe it to him and every other Freeway fan out there. Freeway is to men like cheese is to grilled toast. I’m not exactly sure what that means either, but what I do know is as a 19 year old UWM dropout one Friday night I picked up Freeway outside Oakland Gyros like any admiring fan would do and offered to take him where he needed to go. I had to abruptly stop the car and ask politely for him to exit. I have never spoken of that disturbing car ride until today. Thank you Chuckie Hacks.

Anonymous said...

I ran into Freeway late night on water street about about six months ago around 3:30 in the morning. He started a brief conversation with me, about what I cannot remember, but he shook my hand and pounded my fist a couple of times, then proceeded to try and give me a hug. Sadly I had to forcibly push him away and bid him a goodnight. Most uncomfortable moment of my adult life. He was wearing a beat up Packer jacket and was carrying around an Aldi grocery bag. As he went in for that uncomfortable hug I caught an unpleasant whiff of body odor. Needless to say I would guess he is homeless.

Maybe he danced on the streets by Marquette way back when and Marquette officials decided they needed that energy at home games, giving him free lifetime tickets.

All that being said the man can dance!

-Not so anonymous Jake

Anonymous said...

Hey anonymous your not alone. I have a friend (Ess, Matt) who had a similar bizarre experience (gay) with Freeway outside Oakland Gyros late at night. It resulted in Ess punching FW in the gut and running.

Anonymous said...

The smell of freeway's body oder and stale gyro breath from 10 years ago continues to haunt my dreams. If there are more victims, don't be afraid to come forward. It is time for the world to hear the truth.

Needless to say, I'm pretty sure I know where FW was getting the cash to buy tickets.

Anonymous said...

I have a friend that had a horrible experience with Freeway. FW would dance on bleachers in County Stadium. Well my friend looked up once at FW doing his dance above him, and lets just say FW had a hole in his pants and was wearing nothing underneath them. He is haunted to this day.

Anonymous said...

Let’s just say I have had my share of Freeway (Michael is his name) run in’s. I am not going to get into the Freeway bashing, or apologize for his actions (the guy is gay and missing a few screws and likes his hugs) but I can tell you he is not homeless, he is even taking some classes at MATC I think. Long story short he lives with his mother who is not well. And to answer your question about the tickets I can’t speak for all Milwaukee sports teams or to how it started in the beginning but now that Freeway has made a name for himself most of the teams give him tickets in the rafters when he comes to the office in advance. I know high ranking bucks officials have even been know to meet Freeway out side the fortress (Bradley Center to the layperson) and give him tickets.

Favorite hangouts include Majors and Axels.

and I am waiting for the Smith / Ess maury marriott pong showdown - tm

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is quite entertaining. I herd rumors that Freeway was Louganis, but now there's proof!

My oddest experience was before a Bucks game at Majors. There was about 6 of us stading around a table by the main door. Freeway comes in, gets in a friends face and starts screaming at him for no reason...turns around and leaves. Weird, very wierd.

Anonymous said...

I used to work in the athletic dept at UWM back in the day (almost 20 years ago now) and Freeway used to be at all the Pathers B-ball games. We would run into him out on the town and we all knew he was missing a few screws, but we'd still have a little fun with him. It made us laugh as well as him. Well he was at a party one night a friend's down in the third ward. He was having a few drinks and mingling when he proceeded to ask me if I was looking for a friend? I brushed it off, and then told some buddies the next day. They proceeded to tell me that he played for the other team and was looking to sex me up. Most Uncomfortable moment EVER! I pretty much steered clear of any contact with him after that.

Anonymous said...

Whatever happened to the security of getting all drunk and then going to Oakland Gyros for a nice late night snack? NOW you have to worry about Freeway stalking you and giving you a "hug".

He is creepy. I don't think I ever punched a dude harder than the night he tried to give me a "hug".


Ess

Anonymous said...

Is it possible that the testimonials here could be used as evidence at some point?

Anonymous said...

Freeway's dad is a minister of some sort. He has not been supportive of Freeway's life style. I agree that he is an amazing dancer. I am also perplexed on when this guy sleeps. He is seen all over the city at all hours of the day and evening. He is a Milwaukee icon - the town jester. And like all town clowns he brings a smile to you from a distance. Getting any closer to him is a big risk and the laughter will soon end. If you are a blonde haired male student do not call the phone number he gave you! I cannot elaboate any more than that.