With Pride
Heiko Yang/MGoBlog
"I will wear it with pride."
To a man, the seniors of Team 133 thanked the University of Michigan Club of Greater Detroit for the rings presented to them at last night's annual football bust. They may have been told to do so; the sincerity rang true, regardless.
To earn those rings, the seniors endured far more tumult than the average Wolverine class. A handful committed to Lloyd Carr's class of 2008, witnessing a coaching change before they ever set foot on campus. Every one made the jarring transition from Rich Rodriguez to Brady Hoke, who had the privilege of introducing each senior, charmingly butchering the more complicated majors—the sciences presented a particularly tricky articulative obstacle—and presenting their rings with the requisite bear hug.
Then came the stories, the laughter, and in one case, tears.
Ricky Barnum, heading to the School of Social Work next year after graduating with a degree in Afro-American and African Studies, implored the audience to "hit me up" if they ever need a grant or proposal written.
Will Campbell thanked the strength coaches for turning him "from a 346-pound slob to a 308-pound stud, as you can see."
Brady Hoke, before introducing fullback Paul Gyarmati, noted that Gyarmati's father played bass with Carlos Santana for several years. Gyarmati, off the cuff, thanked his father for "stealing my thunder."
While introducing Jack Kennedy, graduating with degrees in Mathematics and Physics, Hoke quipped, "it was tough, but I got him through."
Elliott Mealer, lumberjack beard intact, started his speech by saying, "I cleaned up for you tonight." He finished with a quote from his late father: "If you don't have good dreams, you have nightmares."
Patrick Omameh, Dr. Arthur D. Robinson Award winner for his academic accomplishments, sweat profusely during his improvised speech. "It's my trademark," he said, with no hint of shame.
Craig Roh thanked Jesus Christ for getting him through two-a-days and fall camp.
Roy Roundtree lit up while reliving his recruitment, recalling high school teammates Michael Shaw and Brandon Moore telling the then-Purdue commit that he might get a Michigan offer—"Man, I get that offer, I'm coming to Michigan," he said, noting how good he looked in a winged helmet.
Roundtree later broke down in tears while thanking Director of Academic Counseling Greg Harden, whom he credited for getting him through Michigan; his genuine thankfulness, even awe, at the prospect of going to grad school was heartwarming.
Floyd Simmons revealed that during games he liked to sit to J.T. Floyd's right on the bench, spelling out "Floyd" "Simmons" with their jersey nameplates, "but no one ever gets a picture of it."
Vincent Smith joked about chasing rabbits in Pahokee, and thanked the coaches for teaching him how to cut-block defensive ends—quite well, one might add.
Hoke called out Steve Wilson for getting into Michigan State's medical school. After mock boos from the crowd, Wilson noted that, yes, he got into State, but the only medical school he really wants to attend is Michigan.
Going last, of course, was Denard Robinson, who thanked virtually everyone associated with the program, including the academic staff that corralled the self-proclaimed "free spirit" and helped him become the first member of his family to graduate from a four-year college. He also apologized to Al Borges—and his wife—for sending him home with so many headaches before closing, aptly, with "this is Michigan, fergodsakes."
The MVP of the bust, however, was also voted Bo Schembechler MVP by the team. Jordan Kovacs, a late arrival after attending the Burlsworth Award ceremony for nation's top former walk-on, brought down the house with his opener:
“I’d first like to thank coach Rich Rodriguez for allowing a slow, unathletic and undersized kid to play at the University of Michigan. That was really nice of him to let Drew Dileo play football here.”
Kovacs, who also won the Bob Ufer Spirit Award, finished by saying he was proud to call himself many things, walk-on included, but most of all to be a Michigan Man.
On this night, as the seniors had their football graduation of sorts—a few with more football ahead, many more on their way to becoming doctors, lawyers, social workers, or teachers—it was a fitting close from the captain. All have earned the right to wear their rings with pride.
December 4th, 2012 at 12:36 PM ^
i can't even tell you how happy this post makes me.
the michigan difference.
December 4th, 2012 at 1:06 PM ^
More direct quotes-
Inside the Michigan Bust: Highlights from the Wolverines' postseason banquet
http://annarbor.com/mi/wolverines/2012/12/michigan_bust_speeches_jordan…
December 4th, 2012 at 2:02 PM ^
This type of thing is why college always trumps pros for me.
There are busts and there are surprises and kids really grow up in college. There is such a great sense of accomplishment and pride in that- and from the write up it seems like all these kids recognize this- and that is great to see.
And the Kovaks joke is terrific!
December 4th, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^
This, more than anything else, even on field accomplishments, is Michigan....FERGODSAKES!
December 4th, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^
Does anybody else's office need better ventilation? All the dust in here (apparently) is making my eyes water.
I am so, so, damn proud of these guys and everything they went through to get to that night. They all deserve our praise and our respect regardless of the record on the field. I am honored to call them all fellow alumni.
Thank you Ace for posting those quotes.
December 4th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
I'm not even going to blame the allergies. I can only imagine if I could watch a video.
Thanks, Ace, for the coverage.
December 4th, 2012 at 12:43 PM ^
Does anyone know if there is a video available of proceedings, partiuclarly the speeches from the seniors?
I'd really like to watch. I kind of feel a particular kinship to this groups of kids, what they endured during the time of transition and their ultimate success on the field.
December 4th, 2012 at 12:50 PM ^
but if there is some, it'll be here on the mothership http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120312aae.html
December 4th, 2012 at 12:43 PM ^
The Kovacs joke about Dileo is priceless. Mark Dantonio isn't laughing, however.
December 4th, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
but that statement by FLoyd Simmons is hilarious to me
December 4th, 2012 at 12:48 PM ^
Any doubts somebody gets the Floyd Simmons photo down in Florida?
December 4th, 2012 at 12:51 PM ^
all of the football players who are going to grad school. Good for them.
December 4th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
So......no Groban?!?
December 4th, 2012 at 12:56 PM ^
God bless those boys, now men. Go Blue!
December 4th, 2012 at 1:03 PM ^
Well written piece Ace, I loved the quotes from the Seniors. A+
December 4th, 2012 at 1:10 PM ^
I am a football junkie, but this was actually probably definitely my favorite/most appreciated post in a long time.
I'm going to miss these guys.
Oh, and I am still laughing at Kovacs's quip as I write this. My fellow ugli-goers must think I am unstable.
December 4th, 2012 at 1:11 PM ^
Any pics of the rings?
December 4th, 2012 at 3:41 PM ^
They give out these rings every year.
December 4th, 2012 at 1:17 PM ^
are champions in the best sense of the word.
HAIL.
December 4th, 2012 at 1:20 PM ^
So Jack Kennedy only played football and got degrees in mathematics and physics?
On second thought, his schedule might have been just a little bit busy.
December 4th, 2012 at 6:30 PM ^
I majored in physics and was in the marching band. Time-wise it wasn't that bad as there's a huge overlap between physics and math courses, and my GPA was actually higher during fall semesters (apparently this is quite common -- your schedule gets self-managed).
All that said. . . having tried to major in math and physics, I know for a fact he HAD to have passed UM's Advanced Calculus course. That's theoretical calculus. I still get nightmares from taking that course; I had to withdraw from it and the math major entirely. It was a hurdle I just couldn't clear, and I (somehow) passed Quantum Mechanics. He did that while playing Michigan football??
Holy cripes. If you ever get to meet Jack Kennedy, be sure to tip your hat.
December 4th, 2012 at 1:23 PM ^
"particularly tricky articulative obstacle"
Indeed.
Great post, wish I could have seen it.
December 4th, 2012 at 2:25 PM ^
He's got a future as a comedian if the accountant thing doesn't work out.
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2012/12/michigan_bust_speeches_jordan.html
December 4th, 2012 at 2:29 PM ^
I love the Michigan family; we truly have something special, and I'm so proud of all those seniors.
Good luck and God bless to all of them.
December 4th, 2012 at 2:36 PM ^
They earned it.
December 4th, 2012 at 3:36 PM ^
December 4th, 2012 at 3:50 PM ^
The Threat doesn't appreciate jokes about The Threat's athleticism. The Threat will be coming for Kovacs after the bowl game. Do not piss the Threat off, Jordan, it isn't a wise move.
December 4th, 2012 at 4:27 PM ^
THE_THREAT sure sounds a lot like THE_KNOWLEDGE
.
yes
.
December 4th, 2012 at 4:02 PM ^
amazing how much you want these kids to do well, congrats to all of them and go blue
December 4th, 2012 at 4:27 PM ^
I'm going to miss these seniors on the field and off. Thank you for being true Michigan Men!
December 4th, 2012 at 6:18 PM ^
yes, I am in the UM Club of Greater Detroit, but, you should come to next year's event, December 9, at Laurel Park Manor in Livonia. It is a great family event.
December 4th, 2012 at 6:37 PM ^
I never knew Kovacs was a comedian.
I do have to disagree on one thing, though. . . My wife is a CPA and very easy on the eyes. So sorry, JK, you're a cool dude, but you do NOT look better than an accountant.
December 5th, 2012 at 7:31 PM ^
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