http://missoulian.com/college/griz/article_5a1f9210-002a-11e0-ae98-001cc4c002e0.html
Monte, the Montana mascot, was showing off his latest dance moves, spinning and twirling on the sideline at Dahlberg Arena. A young boy with a Grizzly basketball T-shirt held on to the seat in front of him and started to swing to the music, too.
The season-high crowd began to stand and clap as the Montana men's basketball starting lineup was announced.
And for Marcus Rosser the hair on the back of his neck stood on end.
He remembers every moment of playing college basketball - the high-fives, the sound of the crowd, the hard work, but most of all, the thrill of success.
He smiled.
Rosser was back at his Montana home.
"Butterflies," he said beaming from ear-to-ear after Griz freshman starter Kareem Jamar strutted over and gave Rosser a fist pound. "This is bringing back a lot of good memories. We had some great games in here."
As Montana took to floor to face visiting Portland on Friday, Rosser watched from the baseline mumbling pointers to those on the floor under his breath, a reaction to nearly every play.
The competitive playing days for this soon-to-be 29-year-old have been over for some time. It's been more than seven years since he suited up for the Grizzlies. He's maintained contact with head coach Wayne Tinkle, though, who was an assistant when Rosser played here.
Rosser survived a broken family and the violence of inner-city Philadelphia growing up.
"You have to grow up fast," he said. "I've been on my own kind of since I was 13 really, so you grow up fast."
Rosser avoided becoming just another statistic like many he knew in the harsh reality of his violent neighborhood.
He spent most of his days "shootin' some b-ball outside of school," similar to the fantasy portrayed by Will Smith as the Fresh Prince. He used basketball to stay out of trouble in his neighborhood, known as "Da Bottom," located around 34th Street.
Monte, the Montana mascot, was showing off his latest dance moves, spinning and twirling on the sideline at Dahlberg Arena. A young boy with a Grizzly basketball T-shirt held on to the seat in front of him and started to swing to the music, too.
The season-high crowd began to stand and clap as the Montana men's basketball starting lineup was announced.
And for Marcus Rosser the hair on the back of his neck stood on end.
He remembers every moment of playing college basketball - the high-fives, the sound of the crowd, the hard work, but most of all, the thrill of success.
He smiled.
Rosser was back at his Montana home.
"Butterflies," he said beaming from ear-to-ear after Griz freshman starter Kareem Jamar strutted over and gave Rosser a fist pound. "This is bringing back a lot of good memories. We had some great games in here."
As Montana took to floor to face visiting Portland on Friday, Rosser watched from the baseline mumbling pointers to those on the floor under his breath, a reaction to nearly every play.
The competitive playing days for this soon-to-be 29-year-old have been over for some time. It's been more than seven years since he suited up for the Grizzlies. He's maintained contact with head coach Wayne Tinkle, though, who was an assistant when Rosser played here.
Rosser survived a broken family and the violence of inner-city Philadelphia growing up.
"You have to grow up fast," he said. "I've been on my own kind of since I was 13 really, so you grow up fast."
Rosser avoided becoming just another statistic like many he knew in the harsh reality of his violent neighborhood.
He spent most of his days "shootin' some b-ball outside of school," similar to the fantasy portrayed by Will Smith as the Fresh Prince. He used basketball to stay out of trouble in his neighborhood, known as "Da Bottom," located around 34th Street.
