Classy Move by a Michigan (assistant) coach
http://www.mgoblue.com/blog/2011/02/a-golfer-in-the-snow.html
Done by someone most people (me included) probably don't know about/care about/believe exists, the Men's Golf Assistant Coach, Chris Whitten. Which is why I'm putting it here, because it's a really nice move and he's probably never going to get much recognition for it (or, really anything he does) anywhere else.
Basically, he:
1) Didn't get to go to Puerto Rico with the rest of the team for their tournament
2) Instead, spent Tuesday, after the snow storm, digging out the men's and women's golfers cars, from the snow that had accumulated naturally, plus the stuff the plows pushed up against the cars and a lot ice. And then cleaned off their windows for them, so that when they both got home around 1 a.m. from Puerto Rico or Florida, exhausted after traveling and a long couple days competing and school the next day, they wouldn't have to spend another hours or so trying to get their cars out. In what sounds like not-snow-appropriate attire, since he wore garbage bags over his shoes and pants.
I just think it's a really classy move by a guy that obviously cares for his athletes, despite the less high-profile status of his sport and especially his job.
So the non-existant Classiness Award of the Day goes to Chris Witten.
And, as long as I'm here, a big shout out to all the Michigan assistants, especially in the non-revenue sports, who work tirelessly at their jobs and towards excellence, probably without all that much in compensation or recognition, but with a lot of passion for what they do and compassion for those they mentor. Michigan's Greatness is based a lot on how these people and others we rarely/never think about, athletically and academically, do their jobs and while I might never think of most/any of them again, tonight, they all get a hearty "Thank you and Go Blue!".
February 24th, 2011 at 2:49 AM ^
This is for sure. Someone like this would probably like to share the credit for those at U of M whose deeds have gone without attention.
February 24th, 2011 at 3:23 AM ^
This is awesome.
I remember getting home from a bowl trip with the MMB at 3AM, knowing I had class at 9AM, and having to spend an hour digging my car out from a foot of snow that had fallen while we were gone, then spending another hour driving back to my apartment and parking my car, shoving it of a snowbank (with the help of a Jimmy John's deliver driver--twice) to get it in the space.
Kudos to Coach Whitten for helping these kids not have to do the same thing.
February 24th, 2011 at 5:54 AM ^
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap- my hats off to you Mr. Whitten.
February 24th, 2011 at 8:35 AM ^
For those about to golf we salute you (Mr. Whitten).
February 24th, 2011 at 10:22 AM ^
Well done, Coach Whitten. Have a drink on me.
February 24th, 2011 at 12:01 PM ^
that just makes, good, good sense.....
February 24th, 2011 at 6:08 AM ^
That would have been classier!
February 24th, 2011 at 8:52 AM ^
You stay classy Chris Whitten
February 24th, 2011 at 9:10 AM ^
This has to be some sort of NCAA violatio n.
February 24th, 2011 at 9:26 AM ^
Was this snow shoveling a required activity or was it optional? DId he stretch too much before shoveling? Drew Sharp wants to know.
February 24th, 2011 at 1:27 PM ^
and it is my determination that this is not a violation because
a) the described action of the assistant coach was a one-time service rendered to current players and not recruits, which would fall under the recruiting section as the northern equivalent of bikini-clad hostesses and lead the recruits to misplaced expectations that the service would be rendered as an regular part of their snow-bound experience; and
b) the service was rendered to both men's and women's teams, so no Title 9 complaint can be registered.
Great story. Wish there were a picture of him at work.
February 24th, 2011 at 9:33 AM ^
February 24th, 2011 at 9:44 AM ^
A little different than Super Bowl team members raising a stink because they were injured and had to find their own way to Texas and/or weren't in the team photo.
It's interesting to look at the difference between people who make a life out of serving others vs those who want their life to be served to them.
February 24th, 2011 at 10:04 AM ^
Did he help an old lady out of her driveway while Idong Ibok blocked traffiic?
February 24th, 2011 at 11:59 AM ^
Great story. If they have a team baquet I hope they get him snow pants and boots.
February 24th, 2011 at 1:18 PM ^
Great story!! Thanks for posting. It's always great to hear about selfless people doing selfless acts.