'Vagina Monologues' to stay off campus

20 TribuneSPORTSTHURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15:Career: Some deserved praise for a Marquette great in the makingrebounds than anyone in schoolhistory. That isn’t a statisticyou can just throw around inconsequentially— it carries alot of weight. The word titanicis probably an understatement.In reality, No. 32 has been Zeusdisguised as Lazar Hayward.Even though Hayward hassingle-handedly smote the entireBig East conference withhis thunderous play, he won’ttake any credit for it.“I’m just happy to be in thesame sentence with Ellis. I seehis number hanging down fromthe rafters when I walk into theBradley Center, so it’s a wonderfulfeeling,” Hayward said.“But I was just blessed to bewith the team and coach I have.The camaraderie and passion weplay with helps us win games. Ido the best I can so others followmy lead.”They’re following you Lazar.They’ve been following you forfour years, like paparazzi followTiger Woods.If he ever decided to take upa different profession instead ofbasketball — like blindfoldedbull-fighting or parachute-lessskydiving — I’m pretty sure histeammates would follow himthere, too, no questions asked.He’s the kind of leader that inspireschampions.Which is why this unforgettableseason shouldn’t feel likea sucker punch out of the blue.With Buzz calling (screamingis probably more appropriate)the shots and Hayward leadingthe charge, Golden Eagle nationshould have seen this onecoming. No one demands moresacrifice than Williams, andno one gives more of himselfthan Hayward, so all those twoneeded was to get the other 11players on the team on the samepage.And presto, this team overachieveslike it’s nobody’s businessen route to a 20-win seasonand an all but guaranteed tournamentbid.This year couldn’t have servedas a better encore to Hayward’shistoric run at Marquette. Hiswhole life has been about provingpeople wrong. Right now,he is making people shake theirheads and rub their eyes afterevery sizzling victory. Peopleare starting to get it. They’restarting to believe.And when the clock strikesmidnight on Hayward’s magicalrun at Marquette, there will be alot of stories to tell.“I just wanted to be part of thegreat Marquette history,” Haywardsaid. “Buzz helped me somuch in growing as a personand a man. I came here with ahard work ethic and I wanted todo the best I could every game.All the records I was a part of Iwas happy for, but I just wantedto work.”He is a rare player. A physicallyimposing and dominantforce on the court, a true gentlemanoff of it. Hayward is humble,well-spoken and courteous.Powerful, agile, determined.Unstoppable.The No. 32 jersey currentlyhangs from Hayward’s frame,right where it belongs. Butmaybe one day, long after Hayward’swork is done at Marquette,it will dangle proudlynext to Ellis’ No. 31.“I don’t know about that. Ijust keep dreaming. Maybe inmy dreams it will happen. I’mjust blessed to have my coachesand teammates,” Hayward said.And all of Marquette wasblessed to have watched youplay.erik.schmidt@marquette.eduNo matterwhatyoudecideto do...Addalittlelove.