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Who’s the biggest Marquette fan?

Story by Nicole Sweeney Etter | Photos by Maggie Casey

Alex Hansen (in blue in the front row) in full cheer mode at a game last year. Below, at the Big East Tournament in New York earlier this month.

Who’s the biggest Marquette fan? That question could lead to fierce debate, but there’s no denying that Alex Hansen might be one of the Golden Eagles’ most loyal and determined student fans. Throughout the year, you’ll find him cheering on men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, and volleyball. His diligence — he attended 62 sporting events of the aforementioned teams, missing only three games this year — earned him Marquette Athletics’ Fanatic MVP award for the third year in a row. The title comes with a prize sought after by any serious fan: an all-expense-paid trip for two to watch the men’s basketball team play in the postseason.

“Other than those required to work the games, Alex probably attends more events than anyone else,” says Greg Cronkite, a marketing assistant who runs the Fanatics rewards program.

The Marquette athletics department tracks students’ game attendance by scanning their tickets or having them sign in. Students get a point for each event and compete for prizes and bragging rights.

“I set out every year to try and get the most points,” says Hansen, a fifth-year senior in the College of Engineering. “I do it because I love watching the sports but also because it is great for networking and I am very competitive.”

Men’s basketball is his fave, and he won’t let anything stand in the way of his attendance.

“Everyone in athletics always joked about a ‘career’-ending sickness or injury that would cause me to miss a game, but it never happened,” he says. “I always found a way to show up and attend every game. I also actually planned my schedule so I had no night classes so that I would never have a conflict with classes.”

Hansen is president of the student organization Marquette Superfans. “A lot of people go to the men’s games but don’t go to any another games, so we try and increase knowledge of the (other) teams,” he says.

As for the prize, his three years of experience have taught him that he prefers the Big East Tournament in New York over the NCAA Tournament. “I actually enjoy that more because all the teams are good, and all the fans know all the teams in the games,” he says. “The NCAA games are fun but just don’t have the atmosphere of the Big East games.”

Other student Fanatics gave Hansen a run for his money. Junior Mary Beth Dolan racked up 57 points. With 42 points, freshman Joshua Woolwine won the title of Volleyball Fanatic and Rookie of the Year.

Learn more about the Fanatics rewards program.