The New Guys
Tim and Tom's departure has caused major consternation on the message board, but maybe this will help: there are new people.
Ace Anbender
Ace is the victor of the duel for the recruiting ninja job. For the past few years he's been building The Wolverine Blog into a contender in the Michigan blogosphere; before that he was writing on a daily basis for The Ace of Sports. He spent a year in there interning for The Wolverine, as well.
Ace is taking over the recruiting portions of Tim and Tom's job. Obviously, it's going to take some time for him to get up to speed, as Tom's had years to build contacts. Weekly updates are not on the table in the immediate future. We'll build up to that. Ace is also planning on chipping in hockey and other coverage.
Ace identifies himself as "Ace."
Heiko Yang
Heiko's taking over the beat reporter aspects of Tim's job: he'll go to press conferences and media availabilities and be the MGoBlog representative in the press box. Heiko spent last year covering water polo and volleyball for the Daily; he's in the midst of getting an MD/PhD.
Heiko identifies himself as "Heiko."
The Mathlete
Known only by his masked alter-ego, you know the Mathlete from such posts as "Never Punt With Tebow" and "Depressing Charts About Michigan's Defense," for which I'll omit the link. He'll use his massive database of plays to post weekly interesting things.
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I'm still around, of course, as is Misopogon. We are also planning on adding a couple intern sorts, one a photographer, the other an Ohio-based recruiting guy who will hit up some of the many Ohio high school games that will feature Michigan commits.
Heiko and Ace's official duties start Thursday. The Mathlete's already started. Wednesday is Tim's final rodeo on the site and Tom has already departed. Thanks to both for their efforts the past couple years.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:07 PM ^
Welcome Ace, Heiko, and Mathlete!
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:07 PM ^
The Wolverine Blog was the only other blog I regularly checked. Always an interesting read over there.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:07 PM ^
Welcome Ace and Heiko and congratulations to The Mathlete!
I look forward to reading everyone's work in the future. I am sure the additions will be everything we expect and more.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:08 PM ^
I, for one, welcome our new mgoblog overlords.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:19 PM ^
last time we got all the new staff members on here? I bet on that post someone wrote that exact same comment. Today feels like that day.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:07 PM ^
Congrats to "The New Guys"... Look forward to all the value that they will most certainly bring to the community round these parts...
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:20 PM ^
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:08 PM ^
I think the entire MGo community can agree that we are disappointed with the losses of Tim and Tom, but wish them the best of luck in future endeavors. I think we're confident these guys will end up being great choices and can eventually be right up to par with Tim and Tom in terms of content. Great selections and I'm looking forward to reading posts from these guys. Congrats Ace and Heiko!
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^
Welcome to Ace and Heiko. I look forward to reading your work on this blog.
Are you guys going to have a presence on the board or mostly front page?
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:24 PM ^
Thanks, everyone, for your words of welcome. I will definitely have a presence on the board as well - as far as I (and Brian) am concerned, that's a big part of the job. I'm looking forward to spending much more time on here, and I welcome any and all feedback - positive, negative, whatever - from the MGoCommunity.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:29 PM ^
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:31 PM ^
who'd we replace him with? Les Miles?! Brady Hoke?! HAHAHA
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:40 PM ^
Also, congrats on your new roles fellas!
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:11 PM ^
Welcome to the team, guys. I'm sure you all will do a great job.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:11 PM ^
Ok, I'll break my "don't trust guys named Ace" rule just this one time.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:13 PM ^
sounds like a great team, you are building Brian. Although, I will miss the TomVH updates, im sure these new guys will do a great job as well. Want to send out a last thank you to Tom and Tim for all their hardwork and time they both put forth.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:16 PM ^
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:15 PM ^
aboard! I'm hoping that you ramp up quickly and help the next 2 weeks before season starts go quickly. This weekend was tough with no front page update! #needmyfix
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:15 PM ^
the MGoEmpire grows stronger everyday
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:16 PM ^
Im confused is this the same Ace that this site had a article up a few weeks ago that was calling him a fraud ??
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:19 PM ^
No, this is Ace Anbender, who seems like a quality dude and knows his stuff.
Ace Williams is the sucky one.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:48 PM ^
It's a shame that Ace Williams has now ruined the name Ace for anyone that is associated with Michigan. Hopefully the good Ace can work without people questioning him.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:49 PM ^
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:17 PM ^
mean we can get rid of the Tom tab and replace it with an Ace tab? Welcome AceVH!!
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:26 PM ^
I'll get to work immediately on the requisite last-name change.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:29 PM ^
to need to upgrade your point total!! I can't trust you yet until you're a "trusted user" at 500 points!
/s
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^
I think Brian should just "pos bang" him for 5000 points.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^
just give us our freaking pos bangs back so we can do it :(
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^
It seemed like last week a lot of people were rallying around your candidacy last week although MWolverine (contributor I believe on TWB) was swearing up and down that you would never leave your site. I'm very happy you're aboard.
What will happen with TWB? Anyone going to carry the torch?
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:05 PM ^
That ain't me. Though it may be a goatee'd version of me.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:58 PM ^
Ace VanBender works for me.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:17 PM ^
Congrats guys. Heiko is going to have an insanely busy life. Wow.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:19 PM ^
Exactly what I was thinking.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:18 PM ^
I enjoyed reading Ace's work on TWB. Welcome to all new mgostaff members.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:19 PM ^
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:19 PM ^
a hearty congratulations to the departed and a hearty welcome to the new guys.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:19 PM ^
Welcome and thanks...
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:27 PM ^
I liked the Wolverine Blog, so I'm happy to hear Ace is coming here. Heiko - don't want to be a dick here, but why have someone do journalism work who doesn't want to be a journalist (or a professional writer)? He might do a great job, but this sounds like a side gig for him, no?
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^
side gig for this named Brian at one time.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:49 PM ^
can often give people a lot of flexibility with independent studies, odd hours, and a timeline that can be quite flexible. I don't know if this is case for Heiko, although I imagine it is, but this is what I've seen from family and freinds that have gotten their PHD.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^
Yeah, and that Brian Cook guy is really a computer engineer. What gives him the right to run a sports blog?
/s
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:10 PM ^
And frankly, working as the #3 (4?) guy at MGoBlog can't be paying THAT much, so likely it has to go to a guy who has another gig. And it'll probably continue to change, as it's not a career position taking notes at press conferences. But with someone with a journalistic background, they can do it quickly and efficiently, and transcribe it to us in a quick turnaround with accurate details. Unlike, say, me doing it, and rewinding the recorder back 3 times for every quote to get it right and getting Monday's press conference up on the Main Page around kickoff time on Saturday.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:20 PM ^
...seeing how things shake out. Great to see Ace and Heiko in the fold.
For Brian: Does Heiko's background covering non-revenue sports augur for increased coverage in that arena?
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:36 PM ^
Possibly. We've been talking about gaps in the site and that's one. That's something we'll talk about more after football season, when everyone's settled.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:21 PM ^
Both sound like great additions to the blog and I look forward to sampling their content in the near future. I won't lie though...I was kind of hoping Magnus might fill some of the void left by the two T's. IMHE he has the most football knowledge on this site and I always enjoy his contirbutions. It would also keep me from having to visit two sites if he were here fulltime. Anyway, I am sure these two will do a great job and I look forward to the contributions. Welcome aboard guys.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:21 PM ^
Congratulations, Ace!!! I'm glad to have you on board at MGoBlog.
Congratulations to Heiko, too...but I didn't follow volleyball, so I'm unfamiliar with you. Good luck!
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:50 PM ^
Thanks, Magnus. Always been a big fan of your work, and I look forward to reading more of your insights now that I'll be spending a ton of time on here.
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:22 PM ^
And Heiko, I assume Brian will be the 4th on your dissertation committee?
August 22nd, 2011 at 1:22 PM ^
But wait - Heiko is getting his MD/PhD and is doing reporting ON THE SIDE? I'm a 3rd year PhD student and I couldn't even imagine holding down a side job, even one that would be a labor of love. Respect due.
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