Why I became an investor
Jim Meier
I first met Michael Angeli in February 2024, which is also when I was first exposed to this project. After a few months passed, Michael asked me for two things — my time, to assist him with certain business and financial matters, and my money, to consider investing in the film.
The time commitment was the easy part. Given my passion for Marquette in general and Marquette Athletics in particular, I found this project to be emotionally compelling and sensed it would be personally gratifying. As far as the money part — that was more difficult — I was quite a bit more apprehensive and uncertain. After retiring in 2018 from 35 years in the corporate world, I did have exposure to investing in, assessing, and advising start-up ventures.
But this was an independent film. I am at best an occasional watcher of films, and I had no understanding of the film industry and specifically how an independent film could, if at all, make money. So, with Michael, Josh Green, and the internet as my resources, I took a crash course in the film industry. My goal? Put down in writing the rational case that this project has a reasonable chance to provide both a return OF my investment and a return ON my investment.
That goal is what led to the completion of a Business and Financial Plan. In one document, the film’s management team can now communicate to a prospective investor the reasons to believe — and, not just emotionally, but also rationally. We fully intend to make this film AND provide a return to investors, while also waving the Marquette flag. What better way to “Be the Difference!”
The purchase of any securities involves a high degree of risk and should be considered only by persons who can bear the risk of the loss of their entire investment. Consult your financial advisor before investing.
Why I became an investor
Eric Schnabel
I’ve always loved street smart, larger-than-life characters. So, when I went to Marquette and fell in love with its basketball program, it was only fitting that I fall head over heels with the fast-talking, witty, coach-turned-broadcaster.
I, like many Marquette fans or college basketball fanatics, always thought that McGuire would be an incredible subject for a movie. Then, in 2024, I met Michael Angeli and read his fantastic script.
Along with Michael I met the deeply experienced producers, learned about the momentum behind the “Action Wisconsin” legislation, found out one of the directors from The Wire was signed on…. And I thought, “I have to be involved in making this.”
So I’ve built the Facebook and Instagram pages and have helped with marketing and messaging. Every week I post videos of or about Al and I’m consistently amazed by how many people are still drawn to his wit and wisdom.
And, now, I’m investing too. This project is a dream come true and a dream whose time has come. In January of 2026 it’ll be a full 25 years since Al passed. And the 2026-2027 basketball season will mark the 50th anniversary of Al’s crowning achievement - winning the 1977 NCAA tournament.
I can’t imagine passing on the opportunity to help preserve and promote the legacy of what Al started and lives on today.
The purchase of any securities involves a high degree of risk and should be considered only by persons who can bear the risk of the loss of their entire investment. Consult your financial advisor before investing.
Why I became an investor
Jamie Dyckes
My path was a bit unorthodox. After 30 years in the Sports and TV Entertainment industry, I joined Michael Angeli’s team to help get The Confessions of Al McGuire made. I am a Marquette alum, and had the great privilege to work with Al McGuire from 1997 to 1999 when I served as Assistant Athletic Director of Marketing in the Marquette Athletic Department. Coach McGuire was our color analyst for locally produced MU games on television.
Michael shared the script, which I read several times and found great. It captures Al’s wit, wisdom, also his internal struggles with his temper that led to some unfortunate technical fouls during key games. Ultimately captures the uniqueness of this coach and how he took a small Catholic school in Milwaukee and made it a powerhouse against the likes of UCLA, Kentucky, North Carolina, and others. Upon meeting Angeli’s team and working with them for several months, I became very confident that they had assembled a wonderfully talented group of professionals who have made great movies and TV in the past and continue to do so now. There is also a strong Wisconsin and Marquette connection with the team. They want to represent McGuire’s legacy with the proper reverence it deserves, as well as shine a light on his amazing teams from 1974 to 1977. They are fully vested in not only making this movie great for the general public, but also to show what Wisconsin filmmakers can do, so additional high-quality films can be made in the state.
I’ve spent the last four months contacting in person many people in McGuire’s orbit. Former broadcast partners like Bob Costas, Dick Stockton, Tim Brando, to name a few. A number of his former players. I’ve spoken with former coaches like Wisconsin’s Dick Bennett, Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim, Kevin O’Neill, as well as journalists who covered him at the Marquette Tribune, the Milwaukee Journal, the Chicago Tribune or national publications Sports Illustrated and the National. Sports Journalists like Mary Schmitt-Boyer, Dan McGrath, Bob Wolfley, Curry Kirkpatrick, Larry Keith, and so many others. Had the extreme pleasure to speak with Kevin Byrne, the former SID at Marquette from 1974 to 1977 and a longtime NFL executive. Every one of them had the same consistent feedback:
He was the MOST unique person they ever met, one-of-a-kind. Magical. Unforgettable. Complex. Never been another person like him.
Street smart, wise, humorous, and a showman when the cameras were on, but introverted when they were off.
Saw the big picture better than anyone.
He was fundamentally fair. He could be hard to play for, but he was fair.
Demanded discipline and accountability on the court, but granted immense freedom off of it.
After hearing the heartfelt comments about Al McGuire from everyone I spoke to, in addition to my own experiences with him and the quality of the script and the team that Michael had put together, I decided to become an investor in the project as well. I love MU hoops, love the university, and the city of Milwaukee…in my opinion, this movie will benefit all of them and is a chance to memorialize one of the all-time great sports figures while also honoring the 1977 championship team. Imagine this film reaching the potential of millions of eyeballs in the United States or even globally, and the benefits that come with that exposure.
The purchase of any securities involves a high degree of risk and should be considered only by persons who can bear the risk of the loss of their entire investment. Consult your financial advisor before investing.