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Published: June 15th 2012
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Being a Michigan fan in Pac 10 (ok, Pac 12 now, whatever) territory hasn’t been easy. With football, some ignorant broadcasting companies would happily cut off an exciting OT with a Bruins game that nobody cares about. Unless it’s nationally televised, I spent many Saturday mornings in front of streaming radio. Last year this time, my fan-dom confidant and guidance brought Women’s Football Academy to my attention, I banged my head for not knowing this earlier. Since then, I had my eyes and ears open for 2012 event and registration. The event not only provides women an opportunity to learn about M football, but also benefits the cancer center at the M hospital – brilliant. I had absolutely no reason not to participate! This year was gonna be special. Last year was one of the successful seasons recently with Coach Hoke on board. There was a lot of skepticism, Harbaugh yadi yadi yada. But the last season was exciting with Denard Robinson and Coach Mattison’s D team making drastic improvements. The program is on the verge of turn-around. No better time to meet the team!
Early morning on June 9, volunteers in white shirts were spotted as we approached Oosterbaan
field house on south campus. Right at the door opening time of 6:30am, Mingji dropped me off at the gate. A short walk took me to the entrance. There were already ~50 ladies lined up for check-in. Many of the players were already there and Kovacs was being flocked by items to autograph. Crap, I didn't think I needed a sharpie. I looked around...everyone seems to have one, oh no!
When the door opened, we went to the check-in table to collect our goodie bag and a name tag. The field was set up with bleachers on one end and breakfast area on the other. Autograph session was until 8am and again during lunch. I really didn't know how to ask for an autograph - seemed too obnoxious. But I watched and learned as I ate breakfast when Hagerup who was at the empty breakfast area was asked for one :p.
After meeting Omameh and Coach Mattison, I saw a curious line going on the other end of the field. I learned that it was for Denard Robinson! Hello, no brainer, jumped on the line. He was a must. The line moved slow. After 20 min,
I was finally close and the line behind me was eternally long. 10min til 8am...just in time. Along the way, we took turns to go meet coach Jackson and coach Borges. Team work, ladies! Denard was a total good-sport as any report says. He was jolly and gave a great smile to every snap of photo. Turns out, he wasn't around during lunch time. I was one of the last ones to score, whew 😊.
At 8am, 500 women gathered on the bleacher. Coaches and 30+ players were present. Many of them starters and stars. Coach Smith walked through the intro including the motivational video for the players - 212 degrees! Coach was great; hitting the major points with humors weaved in. The messages of the day were; 1) any competitive person, leave, 2) beat Ohio, and 3) go blue!
We were divided into 16 groups. I was in #4. 1-8 remained on the field for the position rotation while 9-16 went inside to the film study, equipment discussion and a tour of the weight room and locker room. The groups swapped half way in the morning.
Rotation of 8 stations (4 offense, 4
defense), 15 min each. 15 min was too short to grasp anything for a newbie like me because seeing and doing wasn’t quite the same. At least it showed me what it takes and how hard it is. Players and coaches were super sweet 😄.
After a humbling but totally fun sessions, it was our turn to head inside. It was awesome to walk through Glick. Motivational quotes everywhere was pumping me up!! Sign counting 197 days since the victory vs Ohio was everywhere, yeah! First stop was a hall where Jon the equipment manager awaited us with many touching stories. He’s been there with Bo and is like a walking historian. He had stories with players now and then and all the untold stories in his back pocket. Priceless. The next stop was weight room. Equipments were lined up with M logo on it or simply Beat Ohio! At the corner was a mini snack bar. There was a set of round stones. I couldn't even lift the smallest one – will leave this to the awesome kids of M football. We left the weight room via the recovery room where the injuries are treated. Rolls and rolls
of tapes of all sizes...ouch.
After a brief stop at the museum (tradition overload!!), we went to the film room, a mid-size auditorium with plush seats and motivational quotes all around the room. There, coach Mattison gave us the primer on the formation. He was very frank, approachable and expressed so much respect for coach Hoke. Great stuff.
Next agenda was lunch just outside of Oosterbaan field. As I was heading there, I saw a line. Star alert! This time was coach Hoke! Lunch? Later. I shook hands with ladies behind me to help each other out with the pictures (^^)b. Coach Hoke was also super personable. The ladies told him I came all the way from California. Where in Cali? San Jo but I went to high school in San Diego where coach was before this job. He went on asking me which school. I mean you've gotta understand. I went to a no-name school in the south. Hilltop. Oh I know. What?! He named some guy but I'm probably too old for that 😞.
Ok now to lunch. I was too pumped to be hungry. Players ate them all anyway, lol. I
got more rounds of autograph and pictures. All players were all sweet and pleasant despite the heat and estrogen overload. There was also a gear try-on booth! So awesome! Pants seemed have fit just find at first but I realized that the belt was hanging down to my calf and the nearest hole was at my knee :*>. The top was ready to go with jersey already on the gear. I was definitely swimming in it and it was so hard to put on and off! I couldn't pull up or down that big heavy thing!! Helmet is also heavy and couldn't see anything around me!! It was such a chore…sigh. It was just a goofy shot for me but it's no monkey business for the players – total respect!
Post lunch was group 1-8 scrimmage! It was a hot day. Each team got a coach and players. Each of us took a position. Coach showed us the play book which seemed to totally make sense. On the field, however, was another story. Nothing went as was planned with the defensive pressure (duh). From the little that we played, I think the take-home lesson was that each player must
be aware of the play and consequence, and be able to make on-the-fly decisions. I had been a dumb fan complain to TV :*>.
After a hour of that, group 1-8 went into the champion center to hear about the team travel. The athletic directors went over what went into moving 115 ppl to New Orleans for Sugar Bowl. Schedule begins on the selection day. 1 month from then on was planned down to the details including seating assignment at meals. Taking finals and 4-day Christmas break into account while keeping the schedule inline with the goal to win the bowl game. Ya, it deserved a session.
After the Victors and a closing remark, this long fan charity day came to close. The program raised almost $150,000. Coaches and players might have got a kick out of it at best. They spent their precious time with great attitude. Every one of them I thanked, thanked me right back for coming out. What a great bunch. I'm all in and more with this team!! Go Team 133, GO BLUE! I’ll be looking for you from Cali!
P.S. As I edit this writing, I suffered being star-struck
for like a week 😄. A shout out to my bro one of whose many advice lives to this day and more!
P.S.S. It was a short stay in Ann Arbor but I was able to hit the essentials 😊. Chipati, Espresso Royale, Stucci and Ajishin…memories 😊. And some new fixings like Soul Street’s insane fried chicken, Achatz Michigan four berry pie, Cherry Republic, Kilwins and Guernsey – taste of Michigan at its best 😊. Gazillion thanks to Mingji!
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