Nearly 12 years ago, a Chicago kid put Marquette back on the map. In 2003, he led the Golden Eagles on a historic run, guiding them to their first Final Four in 26 years. That magical moment didn’t just boost the program—it set the stage for Big East dominance and multiple NCAA appearances in the years that followed. And that kid? He didn’t just make history at Marquette—he went on to become the No. 5 overall pick for the Miami Heat and a 3x NBA champion. Yep, we’re talking about Dwyane Wade. And now? He’s back at his favorite place—for a very good reason.

The Marquette legend made a special appearance at the Golden Eagles vs. Providence showdown, bringing some serious hype with him. To fire up the squad, he recorded a special message—and let’s just say, the energy was all there.

“It’s always good being back here on campus, and I cannot wait to see everybody tonight. Let’s go!” Wade shouted, fired up as ever. Later, he doubled down by reposting the clip on his Instagram. Because if there’s one thing about D-Wade, it’s that Marquette will always have a special place in his heart.

Former Marquette Golden Eagles player Travis Diener also joined the Miami Heat champ. A clip showed the two hooping at the basketball court with DWade making a hilarious reference to the TikTok meme “Give me my money.“

The fun didn’t stop there. During a timeout, Wade and Diener jumped into a shooting contest—because, of course, a little friendly competition is always on the table. But the real entertainment? Came afterward. A hilarious clip surfaced of Diener playfully roasting Wade for losing the contest. And let’s just say—he wasn’t about to let it slide.

Both had an absolute blast watching the game from the sidelines. But their trip back to Marquette wasn’t just for fun… they had another reason for being there.

But it wasn’t just about basketball. Another clip from Wade’s Instagram story showed him and Diener getting down to business—working on their annual project to raise funds. “Our focus is on literacy,” he wrote in the caption.

Every year, these Marquette legends team up for the same noble cause—raising funds to improve youth literacy in Milwaukee. And if last year’s event was any indication, this one is shaping up to be another huge success.

Dwyane Wade and Travis Diener joined hands for great cause

The three-day event, Wade vs. Diener, consists of two Marquette stars competing in activities that raise money for local youth literacy programs such as the Tragil Wade-Johnson Summer Reading Program. He had mentioned it earlier in his story. 

Their annual initiative has been gaining momentum year after year. Back in 2023, the event took place on July 22, where Wade and Diener coached a private basketball camp for elite girls in Mequon. But it wasn’t just about hoops—they also threw a special Tee Off Party to keep the good times rolling.

Fast forward to 2024, and the tradition continued. This time, on June 15, the duo took things up a notch. After the games and another Tee Off Party at Pilot Project Brewing, they hit the greens for a golf outing at North Shore Country Club.

Now, in 2025, the anticipation is building again. The official date for this year’s event hasn’t been revealed yet, but one thing’s for sure—Wade and Diener are gearing up for another big-time fundraiser.

“It means a great deal to me and my family to be able to give back to take the university to the next level… My hope is to continue to transform lives through higher education,” Wade told Marquette Today.

And he’s not just talking—he’s walking the walk. The Miami Heat legend once donated a whopping $3 million to support Marquette University’s basketball program and expand educational opportunities.

For Wade, it all comes full circle. This is where his journey began, and even after hanging up his jersey, he’s still paying it forward—lifting up the next generation and transforming lives along the way.