The Aztecs were still playing games on campus in Peterson Gym when he started.

Tim Vezie was the coach and the team had some great players ---- people like Tony Gwynn, Mike Dodd, and the late Steve Malovic and "The Long Ranger" ---- the late Kim Goetz.

"Those were some good teams back then," Leitner said. "They generated some excitement. But I've never seen any San Diego State event like I experienced Wednesday."

On Wednesday, 12,414 packed into Cox Arena and watched the Aztecs beat Saint Mary's 70-66 to advance to the semifinals of the NIT in New York's fabled Madison Square Garden.

"It was the best San Diego State event ever," said Leitner, who calls Aztecs games on KOGO (600). "My god it was exciting.

"The fans were in it from the opening tip. And when the Aztecs went ahead 13-0, I thought the fans might blow the top off the building."

Now, the Aztecs are going to play in one of the world's most-famous buildings ---- Madison Square Garden.

And while Leitner is excited about going to New York, there are some hurdles.

With the Aztecs run through the NIT, Leitner has been away from his primary job ---- Padres baseball. In his stead, Andy Masur and Jerry Coleman have called the bulk of the spring training games.

Leitner will miss Friday's Padres game to act as master of ceremonies for San Diego State's postseason banquet ---- an event that was scheduled long before the NIT run.

He'll fly to Phoenix on Saturday and call Padres games Saturday against the Giants and Sunday against the Dodgers, then try and catch a red-eye to New York for Tuesday's NIT semifinal against Baylor.

The NIT finals are Thursday. The Padres break camp Wednesday, leaving Arizona in their rearview mirror.

"So I'm going to have to pack the condo in Arizona, load up the car and arrange to have it driven back to San Diego," Leitner said. "Is that a problem? Yes!.

"Is it a good problem? Absolutely!

"And I can't thank the Padres enough for letting me do this. They've not only allowed me to call the games, but also MC the banquet. That means a lot."

Leitner grew up on the East Coast and saw several events in the old Garden. One of his fondest memory ---- as he recalls ---- was a 1972 heavyweight title bout between Floyd Patterson and Oscar Bonavena, a bout won by Patterson on a unanimous decision.

In 1981, Leitner called his only game in the Garden ---- a Clippers game against the New York Knicks.

"People who have never been to New York," said Leitner, "people who have never been to Madison Square Garden don't realize how awesome this is for the for the Aztecs, how big-time this is."

Madison Square Garden is the mecca of basketball.

"Of course, we want everyone to listen to the games on the radio," Leitner said. "But the exposure the program will get on ESPN is a big-time deal."

Tuesday's semifinals are on ESPN2. The championship game is on ESPN.

The Aztecs and the rest of the teams in the Mountain West Conference are saddled with a TV contract with the mtn. ---- a network that does a nice job, but doesn't come close to the reach of an ESPN.

"People might not know all the teams that started play in the NIT," Leitner said. "But they certainly know the final four (San Diego State, Baylor, Notre Dame and Penn State).

"Tuesday night, the Aztecs will be on nationals stage all by themselves.

"I've done a lot of games for a lot of different teams and a lot of different sports, but Tuesday is going to be exciting."