The New Guys Comment Count

Brian

Tim and Tom's departure has caused major consternation on the message board, but maybe this will help: there are new people.

Ace Anbender

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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.

Comments

LSCrepair

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.

freernnur5

August 22nd, 2011 at 1:20 PM ^

Welcome aboard!

You may have some big shoes to fill, but you have my support. Looking forward to reading more great and interesting articles in the future.

FSPP-14

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! 

ken725

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?

Ace

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.

cjffemt

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.

go16blue

August 22nd, 2011 at 1:16 PM ^

Congrats Ace, Heiko, and Mathlete! Tom's departure will hurt, but I love that mgoblog seems to be expanding with these new hires, who I'm sure will do great. So, is Tom just on vacation until his new job starts? I would imagine that means we will be seeing espnannarbor.com up fairly shortly.

Edit: When will we be seeing the new team in action? I can't wait to give them a real welcome.

M-jed

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

umfan323

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 ??

SanDiegoWolverine

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?

BlueCE

August 22nd, 2011 at 1:19 PM ^

Has Hoke commented on these new commitments? I will reserve judgment until I hear him state this is a tremendous addition... I also expect F Jackson to state that the guys are the equivalent of Ufer but with more passion and knowledge. ;-)

Congrats guys, awesome to have you guys sharing your knowledge and insight with us.

BRCE

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?

 

M-Wolverine

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.

MGoShoe

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?

Blue in Yarmouth

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.

Magnus

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!

Jivas

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.