Ulice Payne: Majerus 'loved the game, really loved people'

By Erik Bilstad

CREATED Dec. 3, 2012

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  • FILE - In this Oct. 30, 2007, file photo, St. Louis basketball coach Rick Majerus poses for a photo in St. Louis. Majerus, the jovial college basketball coach who led Utah to the 1998 NCAA final and had only one losing season in 25 years with four schools, died Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012. He was 64. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) ORG XMIT: NY160 Image by Jeff Roberson

MILWAUKEE - A former player coached by Rick Majerus is reacting to his death.

"Rick was a real friend," Ulice Payne, Jr. told Newsradio 620 WTMJ's John Mercure.  "We knew he was sick.  He tried the best he could, he just lost the fight."

Payne was a member of Marquette University's 1977 National Championship basketball team.  Majerus was an assistant coach.  The 64-year-old died over the weekend. 

"Rick was very boisterous, Payne said.  "He wore his emotions on his sleeve.  He loved the game, but he really loved people."