The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1279712
SEPTEMBER 2020 THE WOLVERINE 15 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Michigan ice hockey junior forward Garrett Van Whye is finding his way. The Seattle native was committed to play hockey and prepare for a career in the Army at West Point. But after giving it much thought, he decided to instead attend U-M, an institution that gave him opportunities he just couldn't pass up. "My mom's a teacher, so she's always harped on the best academics for me," Van Whye explained. "It was kind of a no-brainer when I saw it's the No. 1 public school in America. "When I came to Michigan on my visit, when I met the guys and stepped on campus and everything like that, I just fell in love with the school." U-M was the choice and he even elected to study architecture at first. But after exploration, that changed too. "As a kid, I always liked building [play] houses and things like that," Van Whye said. "As I was going through the architecture program, I realized that I liked a different side of the home itself. I liked the sustainability part of what a house could provide or a commu- nity could provide, reducing its carbon footprint. "That really interests me, and I really like how all of the environmental sci- ences classes appeal to me. That's why I decided to switch." Van Whye is also a standout on the ice, having notched 10 points and ap- pearing in all 36 games each of the last two years. Being part of a world-class university and a prestigious athletic program, all at once, can be tough to balance — and that's something Van Whye still works at even as an upper- classman now entering his third year in Ann Arbor. "I'm actually in the process of work- ing on and trying to find who I am a little bit better, just so I can lead oth- ers better," he said. "I'm trying to find the balance of everything in my life and trying to compartmentalize ev- erything." Van Whye doesn't yet know what he wants to do with his environmental science degree after college, but he has confidence that he'll figure it out. Like many Wolverines before him, Van Whye will take his shot at the NHL. And like many others who have donned the Maize and Blue, he will be set up nicely for a career after hockey when that time comes. The 6-2, 200-pounder specifically points out the relationships he's been able to build because of his involvement with U-M hockey and the school in general as one reason why. "It's all the connections that you're making," he said on what makes U-M student-athletes so successful later on in life. "It's the alumni base, and it's the people in class that are going to be your friends for life." He's even gotten the chance to meet some of his favorite NHL players, who also attended U-M, along the way, and noted it's an inspiring experience that's made him better, on and off the ice. — Clayton Sayfie Van Whye has played in all 72 games and recorded 20 points (seven goals and 13 assists) since stepping on campus. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Student-Athlete Of The Month Ice Hockey Junior Garrett Van Whye