An Interview with Demetrius Hart's Mom

Submitted by TomVH on

FL RB Demetrius Hart is making his second trip to Ann Arbor this weekend for the annual (and just completed) spring game. The difference this time, is that his mother* is a long side him to take in Ann Arbor. With the recent NCAA allegations, Mrs. Hart had some questions for the coaching staff and concerns for her son. I spoke with her about the visit. Here's what she had to say.

TOM: How’s the trip going so far?

MRS HART: The amount of support from everyone, the coaches, academics, and fans is amazing. The environment, everything that Michigan has to offer has been really great. Michigan seems to be the total package in my mind. This is my first time at Michigan, so I was overwhelmed. I’m looking for the total package for my son, and that seems to be here.

TOM: Has it been nice to see Ricardo’s family? How close are you with them?

MRS HART: Yes, we’re very close. His mom and I are very close. Demetrius calls Ricardo’s mom, mom, and her children call me Aunt. I know if he comes to Michigan, I’d know he’d have a family away from home. It’s a good feeling to have that here.

TOM: How does this visit compare to other schools you’ve been to?

MRS HART: I haven’t been to any other schools yet, but we’re planning on some official visits. Demetrius has gone on a lot of visits. He is a very humble child, and he wants to feel loved and wanted, and that’s what we’re looking for. We’re a close family, and we won’t steer him in the wrong direction, and he knows that. We also respect and trust the decisions he makes, too, so we just want what’s best for him. Whatever school he’s interested in we want to check in to. I honestly feel very good about Michigan after this visit, I really do.

TOM: Did you have your meeting with Rich Rodriguez, or the coaches yet?

MRS HART: I sat down with Fred Jackson, and I’m going to be talking to Rich Rodriguez tomorrow. We’re going to talk about some things as a whole. I respect him as a person, and he [Rodriguez] seems very genuine. He has made very good decisions with recruiting, which impressed me. All the kids that were visiting were very polite. How they conducted themselves was very impressive. It reminded me a lot of Demetrius. They expect a lot of out the athletes, and we need that for our child. The distance is a problem, but if I know he’s ok, then I’m comfortable with that. That speaks very highly of Michigan, if I feel that very comfortable.

TOM: What will you be discussing with Rich Rodriguez?

MRS HART: I basically want to know about the future of the coaching staff, where everything is headed, how my child would play a part in their goals, and also about the NCAA issues. With everything that’s been going on, I want some reassurance, because who am I to judge them based on what I’ve read. Apparently they’re doing something right, so I want see what really happened.

I take everything with a grain of salt. I’m not moved by reports, and you need to find your own results. So, I want to hear everything from them, and figure out what’s really going on. We had some issues with Demetrius, and the school zones in Florida, so I understand that everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes you need mistakes to learn from, and grow from.

TOM: Does this visit change anything with Demetrius, as far as his top schools?

MRS HART: I’ll say this, I would say that they received a whole lot of brownie points with this visit. And, we’ll be back soon. You have to go somewhere you feel loved and supported, and I know he would get that here.

TOM: Will he be deciding anytime soon?

MRS HART: It’s going to be soon. Within a month.

*[Ed. note: There's been some confusion as to whether Hart's mom or aunt was accompanying him on his visit. The answer is "both": Hart was adopted by his aunt.]

Comments

MGoValiant

April 17th, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^

How many innings are in softball? Do they play a full 9? Is this a big game? Is any softball game really a big game? I am livid. I would rather watch midgets run track than watch this crap.

steve sharik

April 18th, 2010 at 3:48 AM ^

After reading that, I'd like Demetrius and Mrs. Hart to be part of Michigan regardless of his football skills. They both seem like top-notch human beings. Like an old coach from the school down south said, "You win with people." Thank you Tom, thank you Mrs. Hart, and thank you Demetrius. Good luck and God's Speed to the Harts going forward regardless of the school Demetrius chooses.

BiSB

April 18th, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^

Which makes me feel even better when she says that; "[RR] has made very good decisions with recruiting, which impressed me. All the kids that were visiting were very polite. How they conducted themselves was very impressive." Take THAT, Family Values/Drew-Sharp-says-Michigan-recruits-thugs meme...

Michigasling

April 18th, 2010 at 12:23 PM ^

That line jumped out at me too. If a class act like D's mom gives us that review of the other recruits, considering she's watching them as potential companions for her son, it sounds like they come from class families too. Very encouraging. And I join the clamor of thanks to Tom.

buckster

April 18th, 2010 at 12:17 PM ^

Thanks for redacting my post. God forbid we let the world hear Amani Toomer and Dhani Jones' brutally honest comments about RR. Stalin would be proud.

aaamichfan

April 18th, 2010 at 11:11 PM ^

Yeah, we are very accepting of a guy named "Buckster" who is here just to stir shit up. Why don't you and your pal "The Redneck Rocker" go ask for "Free schhhhhhpeech" somewhere else?