March 19, 2024
MILWAUKEE — Marquette University is one of 22 schools sending men’s and women’s basketball teams to the NCAA tournament this month. March Madness will therefore be in full force on campus this week. The Office of University Relations has compiled a list of campus events open to media, as well as March Madness subject matter experts for your coverage of the Big Dance – a phrase coined by the late Al McGuire in 1977.
Media interested in visiting campus should contact Kevin Conway, associate director of university communications, at [email protected]to coordinate coverage.
Team farewells, game watch parties
Media interested in coming to campus for NCAA Tournament events should contact Kevin Conway at [email protected]. Fans will be invited to the farewells of both teams as they leave campus for their first-round venues, and Marquette will also host alcohol-free game viewing parties for all students, faculty and staff:
Men’s basketball: First round game against Western Kentucky on Friday, March 22 at 1 p.m.
- Departure (Wednesday March 20): Al McGuire Center, 770 N. 12th St. Fans are asked to arrive by 2:30 p.m.
- Show evening (Friday March 22): Lower level of the Alumni Memorial Union, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave., from 12:45 p.m.
Women’s basketball: First round game against Ole Miss on Saturday, March 23 at 3:45 p.m.
- Departure (Thursday March 21): Al McGuire Center, 770 N. 12th St. Fans are asked to arrive by 12:45 p.m.
- Show evening (Saturday March 23): Lower level of the Alumni Memorial Union, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave., from 3:45 p.m.
March Madness Experts
- Impact on a university: Brian Troyer is the dean of undergraduate admissions. He has first-hand knowledge of the impact a postseason appearance and surprise extended participation in the NCAA Tournament can have on an institution in terms of new student interest and applications. He has been with Marquette since 2016; he previously worked at UW-Milwaukee and Kentucky during national tournament appearances, including the 2012 UK National Championship. Troyer is available at [email protected].
- NILs and sports marketing: Jim Pokrywczynski, associate professor of strategic communications, presented and wrote articles on analysis in a sports/event marketing context and brand monitoring on social networks. Pokrywczyski can discuss added NIL opportunities and brand value from surprise winners and standout players in the early rounds of tournaments, as well as media darlings from the Sweet 16. He can be reached at [email protected].
- Sports medicine, injuries: Chris Geiser is a clinical associate professor and athletic training program director in the College of Health Sciences. He can discuss topics related to athletic training, sports injuries, and exercise science, including injury management and maintaining health during a critical time. Geiser can be contacted at [email protected].
- Field physics: Andrew Kunz is president and professor of physics. It can help break down the physics behind many exciting plays on the court, from dunks to long-range shots. Kunz is available on [email protected].
- Historical context and materials: Katie Blank is the Academic and Digital Archivist at Raynor Library. It serves as an excellent resource for historical context and archival materials for the Marquette men’s and women’s basketball programs. This includes photos and videos from previous postseason runs. Blank can be reached at [email protected].
About Marquette University
Marquette University is a Jesuit Catholic university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a full range of majors across 11 nationally and internationally renowned colleges and schools. Through training hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And we are getting results. Ranked among the top 20 percent of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate education, innovation and career readiness as the sixth best university in the nation for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate from Marquette, they are truly prepared and called to make a difference.
About Kevin Conway

Kevin is the Associate Director of University Communications in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or [email protected].