FreddieMercuryHayes

April 26th, 2012 at 2:00 PM ^

He can get a head start on the weight training program.  Probably a good idea considering he's going to need to add some weight to his frame before he starts making an impact.

jg2112

April 26th, 2012 at 2:00 PM ^

He gets a key to the weight room and he starts school now. The rest of the freshmen don't get those opportunities for another 2 months. He can also take part in offseason practices and film study directed by the players. This is highly beneficial to him.

Volverine

April 26th, 2012 at 2:02 PM ^

Think back to the first semester of your first year. I know I could have used some down time (and no Welcome Week) to acclimate myself to college life. 

Wolverman

April 26th, 2012 at 3:16 PM ^

 Ugh I remember my first semester my freshman year ( not at Uof M and not a U of M grad). I got enrolled late and had slim pickens for classes , so my first class was at 6 a.m, my second class was at 11 am and my 3rd was at 2:30 p.m. It was terrible being up so early and I couldn't get home with enough time to actually nap before my second class started. I hung around the union like a homeless guy until my second class

Lionsfan

April 26th, 2012 at 2:02 PM ^

Get a head start on weight training, get used to having some classes before you have to pile on Football (which is basically a full time job)

Bluegoose

April 26th, 2012 at 2:04 PM ^

both academically and athletically. He can carry a less than full class load without any problem and give himself time to adjust. He can get in the weight program and work on getting in shape for the Fall.

What's not to like?

Edit: Guess it was pretty obvious to everyone but the OP.

Lucky Socks

April 26th, 2012 at 2:03 PM ^

It allows them to get a jump start on a few academic credit hours without having football shoved down their throats.  Also allows them to be on campus to adjust socially, and get in the WEIGHT ROOM.  While they can't be coached, they can still benefit greatly from the S&C program and OTAs.  

I might be mistaken on the final benefit I'm going to list...does it also allow them to take fewer credits during the season?  

M-Wolverine

April 26th, 2012 at 2:43 PM ^

For the NCAA required minimum course load.

They do take as few classes as possible during the season, and offset it with more in other semesters, but they still have to remain eligible scholarship students.  Is it still like 12 credits at U-M? (With a 16 credit pace to graduate?)

Lucky Socks

April 26th, 2012 at 3:03 PM ^

I think it allows them to take less in-season but they usually have a normal 12-16 credit workload in other semesters.  If they take spring and summer classes all year round -- this is a normal 4-year graduation pace.  And I do know for a fact that most, if not all, scholarship players take spring and summer courses because it is a requirement to collect a scholarship check.  

T4L

April 26th, 2012 at 4:37 PM ^

With three players from my school walking-on this fall, I can say that they've told me beyond a doubt they must take 12 credit hours at a minimum in the Fall and Winter semesters. They try to keep it close to 12 in the Fall for obvious reasons, and then have 16 or so in the Winter.

They try to take ~6 credit hours during the spring or summer term to keep pace, I think they said they try to graduate them in 3 1/2 years if they can so that they're not scrambling at the tail end of their senior year to meet graduation requirements. If they're redshirting, this allows them to work on their masters for that last year or year and a half.

CRex

April 26th, 2012 at 3:31 PM ^

The 15 per year thing is correct.  That normally means you take ~14 per term and then occasionally jump up to 16 or 18 via an extra lab or an entire extra class.  It's very common for UM students to consider spring/summer classes to avoid having semesters that run at 16 or 18 credit hours.  

Cognates can be done at WCC, EMU or some place cheap.  Or you can do the intensive langauge classes over the summer.  If the athlete wants a degree, he is in the same boat as the student.  

I typically carried a pair of 3 credit hour classes and a pair of 4 credit hour classes for 14 per term as a normal load.  That will keep you fairly busy.  

HopeInHoke

April 26th, 2012 at 2:03 PM ^

Awesome!

So excited to see him play!  At the very least this will help with the transition to college.  It's not always easy for new freshman- particularly those hyped by a fan base of millions playing in front of 100,000+ fans.  He'll get some weight room in, do the players practice sessions, and get some college class experience- afterall lots of the anxiety and diffiuclty transitioning is the huge differences of HS and college.

707oxford

April 26th, 2012 at 2:03 PM ^

Also, he can start taking classes Spring Term.  This should help get adjusted to the campus, college format, etc.  He'll be ahead of the game come Fall when the other freshmen have all the new experiences thrown at them at once.

Brown Bear

April 26th, 2012 at 2:13 PM ^

I've only heard this as a rumor but take that for what it's worth. Word is that Michigan scientists and engineers are collaborating on combining the power of Mario's stare and Hoke's point to solve the energy crisis. Getting to work on this earlier can only do good for our planet.

WolvinLA2

April 26th, 2012 at 2:12 PM ^

I would also like to say that this will allow him to start lifting weights and get used to classes before the rest of the freshmen show up. I'm surprised no one thought of that.

GVSUGoBlue

April 26th, 2012 at 2:21 PM ^

I obviously didn't think hard enough and realize that it took time for me to adjust to college classes as well. I just feel stupid now. I thought once you sent in your LOI you recieved a workout book anyway? I'm not saying Michigan's weight room isn't awesome because it is but couldn't you do the workouts at any gym?

MStrength

May 1st, 2012 at 6:34 PM ^

not sure what your obsession is with Barwis, but maybe you should actually look up who is training Mario. It's not some big secret . And it's not Mike Barwis. JVick would have no reason to say he was training Mario if he wasn't.