Former Marquette Coach May Have Leukemia

N E W   Y O R K, Sept. 14, 2000 -- Al McGuire, the former Marquette basketballcoach who was hospitalized in July with an unspecified illness, hasleukemia, Sports Illustrated magazine reported.

Columnist Rick Reilly said the illness has whittled McGuire to115 pounds. Leukemia is a cancer of blood-forming tissues.

Last week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that McGuirewas living in a managed care facility.

The newspaper said McGuire, 72, entered a Milwaukee-areahospital July 27 and some days later was transferred to the managedcare facility where he is being treated for an unspecified illness.

When McGuire retired from CBS as a broadcaster after calling theWisconsin-Indiana game March 5, he said he had a form of anemia, ablood disorder. He has been no more specific about his ailment.

When he entered the hospital, his wife, Pat, said he was beingtreated for a viral infection, apart from his blood disorder.

The McGuires’ home telephone number is unlisted and calls by TheAssociated Press to several of his former players weren’timmediately returned.

McGuire retired from coaching after leading Marquette to the1977 NCAA title. He was 295-80 in 13 seasons at the school.

McGuire received basketball’s highest honor in 1992 when he waselected to the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.