MILWAUKEE — Herb Kohl’s death meant something to me.
I didn’t know Herb Kohl through his work as a United States Senator. I knew him as the owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. I was a radio color analyst for many years while he owned the team.
Herb Kohl loved the Milwaukee Bucks. I can still see him across the way sitting at the Bradley Center with his good friend, former Marquette great Ric Cobb.
Marquette basketball under Al McGuire (another of his close friends) was a passion for Kohl. His support as a booster helped build the program. Al was open in his fondness for Kohl and their friendship meant a great deal to him.
Kohl’s tenure as Bucks owner will not always be viewed tremendously when it came to on-court results. Yet, when it came time to sell the team, Kohl made sure the new owners would keep the team in Milwaukee.
He made a sizable contribution to the new arena. He also made sure to share his earnings from the sale of the team with his employees.
Who does that? Herb Kohl did. We won’t see another one like him. Thankfully, the impact he made on the state will live on.