Michael Phelps - Michigan Man?

Submitted by Primo on

Phelps lived in A2 from roughly 2004-2008, swimming under Bob Bowman and serving as a volunteer assistant coach.  He also took classes at Michigan, although he did not pursue a degree.  I did a search to see if this had already been adjudicated by the board, but did not find anything.  So I ask you, when Michael Phelps won his 20th, 21st, and 22nd gold, is he adding to UM's storied sports history?

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HelloHeisman91

August 13th, 2016 at 11:30 AM ^

They all did. Bonds was voted off the team after Jim Brock asked the players to vote on it at one point but Brock didn't follow through and actually kick him off the team. Here is a link to an excerpt from a book about Bonds explaining how big of a diva he was in college.

Also, Go Devils!

http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=pearlman%2F060504

Joined: 08/05/2009

MGoPoints: 46190

Bando Calrissian

August 12th, 2016 at 11:02 PM ^

Was he associated with Michigan for a minute? Yes. Was he a "student" at Michigan? Technically, yes.

But to me, when I think about athletes connected to Michigan, it's people who actually wore the uniform and competed for the university. Phelps couldn't--and he only used Michigan for a place to train with his coach. Jeter was on campus for about five minutes and bolted for baseball. Do these guys have a connection to Michigan? Sure. But they weren't Michigan athletes--they were athletes who spent a very minimal amount of time at Michigan without being a part of the Michigan Athletics program.

As for how you want to define "Michigan Man," yeesh, that's just asking for some trolling.

Joined: 07/02/2008

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Primo

August 12th, 2016 at 11:23 PM ^

I wouldn't equate him to Jeter.  Phelps lived in A2 for about 4 years, way longer than Jeter did.  i agree with the thought that he did not compete for UM (incidentally, although I did not see the 21st UM athlete ranking, I think that is absolute nonsense as he did not compete for UM).  But I think it's clear that he lived the life of a UM athlete, appreciates the school and supports it.  

Joined: 10/16/2014

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tbeindit

August 13th, 2016 at 7:35 AM ^

How are you "technically" a student? You either take classes or you don't. If you somehow demand a guy has to graduate to count, I hope you don't count all the people who went pro early like Trey Burke. Phelps doesn't fit the normal form of a Michigan athlete, but he did basically everything but swim for the varsity team. Asking more is putting an extra standard on him that hasn't been applied to others.

Joined: 01/27/2011

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BlueCE

August 13th, 2016 at 12:07 AM ^

You can be a Michigan Man or Woman and not be a Michigan grad... He is not a Michigan athlete, but he loves Michigan and has the attributes that we associate with a Michigan Man, so yes, he definitely is a Michigan Man.

Joined: 12/08/2009

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BigBlue02

August 13th, 2016 at 2:03 PM ^

First you said Jeter wasn't because he didn't finish a class here, then you said a guy who finished classes here but dropped out after his sophomore year wasn't. Make up your fuckin mind. Are all people who didn't graduate banned from being a Michigan man? Is Burke a Michigan man? Or is it just based on feelings?

Joined: 06/29/2009

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Ishgoblue

August 13th, 2016 at 12:36 AM ^

May not be the answer ur looking for, but I have followed him on Facebook for a while now, and I distinctly remember him a couple years back wearing a Michigan shirt for some national college spirit day. He claimed he loved Michigan and that was his school. I think if people, despite how long they spent at the school, want to associate with us and are proud to be a part of the community - regardless of their degree status and fame - who is anyone to say no? In my opinion, excluding people makes us look kind of douchy and arrogant.

Joined: 08/19/2014

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