LTU 1974 - The 70's, the decade of decadence. Of afros, massive sideburns and questionable dress sense. MASH and Number 96 were tops on TV and Blazing Saddles and the Exorcist were breaking records at the box office. Ali regained his World Heavyweight title in the Rumble at the Jungle and Cyclone Tracey was about to send Australia especially Darwin into panic mode. Amidst all these things a skinny kid by the name of Kim DiMarzio began his studies at La Trobe University. Little did he know he was paving the way for a legacy to begin 27 years later.

Fast forward to 2001. LTU had finished 2nd at the Australian University Games. The club was flying. Teams were playing on Wednesday nights in the MMBL and things were looking good for the team preparing for the LTU assault on Sydney later that year. At the annual recruiting day during O week, a skinny kid puts his name down on the "Interested in playing basketball for LTU" list. Paul DiMarzio. Name doesn't ring a bell.

"Do you play at the moment?"

"Yeah, Under 20's at Nunawading."

Hmmm, should be a reasonable player. Comes from a reputable club. Get him to come along to training where we can check him out.

At training, Paul meets the coach, Andrew "Sarge" Whelan. "Ah, Kim's kid." He joins in with the group and shows potential. He's skinny, real skinny but he jumps back up when he gets knocked down. He's raw but quick. The jump shot isn't textbook but seems to drop. Give him a crack at the 2nds.

DiMarzio spends the rest of the season playing in the 2nd team, occasionally filling in for the first team. He works hard in games and at trainings. He gets involved and comes along to the club functions. He shows all the signs of becoming not only a good player, but also a good club person.

Later that season, Paul's hard work and commitment pays off when he is selected for the Intervarsity side that will represent La Trobe Uni at the Australian Uni Games in Sydney. He gets the spot ahead of more experienced and possibly more talented players. Players who play ABA. Paul plays MMBL. Why?

Sarge Whelan was the man who made the selection and his decision was calculated. Paul was a club man. He played for the club team and contributed to the club. The team was already stacked with talent. Bring the kid for the experience to nurture his love for the club. Those guys who play for other teams, they won't contribute to the club on the same level as someone in Paul's position.

Jump ahead to 2007. LTU is in the Big V Grand Final series and Paul is right in the mix. Consider the decision vindicated.

Since day 1 as an LTU student and then member of the LTU Basketball Club, Paul DiMarzio has grown and developed not only as a basketball player, but an LTU Basketball player. A keen student of the game, his lessons began when he was born into the DiMarzio family in 1982. Born into a family that believes in sound ethics and commitment to family and friends. Born into a La Trobe family.

His LTU lessons changed into high gear the moment he enrolled at the Bundoora campus. All the stories that he had heard his dad's mates reminisce about were now about to become a reality. Paul was able to cut his teeth at the Uni Games, learning from the players already playing in the higher leagues. Like a sponge, he absorbed information and would go home and practice, practice, practice.

He worked on his game and made the jump to the first MMBL team for good in 2002. Slowly his game was coming together and all the way it was being nurtured by the club that was quickly becoming his home.

In 2003, LTU entered the Big V, then known as the VBL. Finally, he had made it to the next level. After being discarded from Nunawading, he had paid his dues and was about to become a part of club history as LTU made its foray into Big V basketball. And all that way, one thing remained constant. A growing passion for a club that was now becoming as much a part of him as he was of it.

Only 21 and DiMarzio was given serious minutes in his rookie campaign. Once again under Whelan and once again justified, DiMarzio put up almost 19 points and 8 boards a game on his way to nominations for League MVP and All Star 5. He was still learning the game but he had also learned a lot from those that offered him advice.

Playing alongside some veteran players, DiMarzio continued to learn and develop as an LTU basketballer. And each year his game improved, his knowledge improved and his maturity improved. Fast forward to 2007 and the boy has become a man.

As DiMarzio has developed, so has the LTU Big V means team. The only playing constant in the team since day 1, DiMarzio has seen players come and go. During the final round of season 2007, DiMarzio was the first player to play 100 Big V games for LTU. 100 games is a tremendous achievement for any player but particularly so for the skinny kid that could.

All through his 100 plus games and 5 years of Big V play, DiMarzio has brought passion and dedication to the team. A never say die attitude and a contagious energy personify the style of play that DiMarzio has brought the LTU camp. As his experience developed, DiMarzio's position in the team also solidified. So much to the point that DiMarzio is now seen as the undisputable emotional leader of the team.

The consummate team player, DiMarzio accepted his role coming off the bench and is still regarded as one of the most dangerous players in the league. With the ability to play the 1, 2 or 3 spot, DiMarzio quickly changes the intensity of a game as was highlighted in the 2007 semi final series against Warragul. His coming of age.

Warragul is the nemesis. Always has been always will be. Trash talking, swaggering, self indulgent. Everything that DiMarzio is not.

It's no surprise then that DiMarzio chose Warragul as the time and the place to confirm his stature as the team leader. The one to take charge. The one to hold firm in the face of adversity. Warragul were threatening to get back into the game. Mike Santo was threatening to blow up big time on the scoreboard. Only Peter Leimonitis was threatening as a guard on the court and Whelan needed to change things up. Needed to get someone in to put pressure on Santo and at the same time put pressure on the scoreboard. Enter DiMarzio.

DiMarzio harassed Santo up and down the court, forcing him away from the spots he liked and making him earn his shots. At the other end he made Santo work defensively. DiMarzio ran and ran and ran until Warragul had to change guards to keep up with him. No big deal, DiMarzio kept running and taking the ball to the rack. DiMarzio drew foul after foul, eventually going to the line 19 times on his way to 25 points. Santo got his points but they were hard earned and at the end of the day, LTU got the win.

DiMarzio's game summed up his season and his progression all at once. The boy who once followed and nodded his head now voiced his opinion and led by example. He showed the stuff that leaders show. He didn't whinge or complain about not starting or not being the man; he went out and did the job. He called the team in and told them to keep their heads up when things didn't go their way. He led by example and his team mates followed.

Grand Final series 2007. LTU down 1 game going in to an away game at Coburg. Be certain that DiMarzio will be there in the thick of things with his heart on the line showing the qualities that will see him as the LTU team leader for years to come.