The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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62 THE WOLVERINE JUNE / JULY 2022 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? tual arrival in December 2014. Those would appear from time to time, going back the recruiting trail, but Avery just missed out on a chance to play for Har- baugh, both in college and in the pros. "We had heard some rumors and there was even a lot of talk back through the recruiting process," he said. "I knew that was something that could happen even during the time I was at Michigan. It was funny that when he finally came, it was the year after I graduated. When he was with the 49ers, I had a chance to go out and [participate] in their rookie minicamp. I didn't end up making the team, but there was that funny overlap." Avery may have been on campus dur- ing some interesting times in program history, but he also has a unique tie to the past. He is a distant relative of George Jewett, who was the first Afri- can American football player at Michi- gan — and later Northwestern — and in the Big Ten Conference in 1890. The two programs met in 2021 to play for the inaugural George Jewett Trophy, which was created earlier in the year by the institutions. U-M's 33-7 win over the Wildcats was the first FBS rivalry trophy game named for an African American player. "That was that was really special when I heard the news that it was going to be a trophy game," Avery said. "You look at what he accomplished and the time that he accomplished it, and it is nothing short of remarkable. The fam- ily was excited about that and having the University of Michigan and North- western come together and put that to- gether. That was special, not just for our family, but the sport overall." Like many of his graduating peers, Avery was not 100 percent sure what he wanted to do with his life after foot- ball. But he knew he had learned many skills in college and athletics that would translate into corporate America. Avery moved to the Boston area and spent nearly five years working for Oracle as a regional sales manager and strategic enterprise application sales manager. He then moved into a role with SAP, a software and technology solutions company, as a senior ac- count executive before being elevated to vice president of sales for the SAP customer experience in November 2021. He also serves as a member of the com- pany's emerging talent advisory board as well as on the board of directors for All Dorchester Sports & Leadership, a youth sports organization that also has an education resource center. "What we like to see is when we can help a business run better," Avery said of his client-facing role with SAP. "In the beginning, it was a tougher transition because [playing football] was some- thing I had done for so long. Figuring out how you were able to get to such a high level with football and how you can translate that [was a challenge]. Some of the mindset and intangibles that you have to translate [applied in business]. Once I looked at it from that perspec- tive, it helped me out moving forward." Michigan has always provided a plat- form for athletes to shine on the big stage, both on and off the field. Avery credits the university for helping him learn how to represent himself and let his competitive nature set his path moving forward. "Coming in, I was not all that out- spoken," Avery said. "I was not extro- verted, and I'm still not today. That time in Ann Arbor really helped me hone in on my communication skills. From all the interviews that I did over the years and public speaking events, that really translated well into giving presenta- tions and putting together a story to get a point across. "Fans and people go see us play in games and try to figure out the depth chart and where people are. But that was an everyday thing [for players] on the practice field. You are always com- peting for a role. "That competitive spirit set my ap- proach each day to represent yourself to the fullest and strive for a win in the day. And to strive to work every single day." ❏ Avery currently works in the greater Boston area at SAP, a software and technology solutions company, as vice president of sales and SAP customer experience. He is also a member of the company's emerging talent advisory board. PHOTO COURTESY COURTNEY AVERY The Courtney Avery File Michigan Accomplishments: Four-year letterman (2010-13), appearing in 50 games (19 starts) at defensive back … Co-captain in 2013 … Sugar Bowl cham- pion (2012) … Tied program record for longest fumble return for touchdown (83 yards) vs. Minnesota in 2011 ... Sealed win versus Ohio State in 2011 with interception with 39 seconds remaining. Professional Accomplishments: San Francisco 49ers rookie minicamp (2014) … Spent time at Oracle as regional sales manager (2015-17) and strategic enter- prise application sales manager (2017-19) ... Currently at SAP as vice president of sales and SAP customer experience … Also serves as an emerging talent advisory board member at SAP. Michigan Memory: "My fondest memory is being voted by my teammates to be a captain during my senior year. My interception against Ohio State is up there, but getting that vote from the team was special." Favorite Spot In Ann Arbor: "My favorite place on campus is Schembechler Hall. It was my home away from home. I spent so much time there and have a lot of memories." Education: Graduated in 2014 … Double-majored in Afroamerican and African studies and political science. Family: Courtney Avery Sr. (father), Michelle Avery (mother), Trevon Avery (brother), Angelica Chapman (sister), Madeline Avery (wife), Myles Avery (son) … Relative of George Jewett, the first African American football player at Michi- gan and in the Big Ten Conference (1890).