The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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58 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2024 BY ANTHONY BROOME G raduate midfielder Beau Pederson was one of the Ivy League's most accomplished players in his four sea- sons at Princeton, earning All-America honors in 2022 (Inside Lacrosse, honor- able mention) and 2023 (USA Lacrosse Magazine, third-team). In 50 games, he posted 15 goals and 9 assists along with 69 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers. But fifth seasons are not allowed in the Ivy League, which led him to a familiar spot at Michigan. His grandfather, Ben Pedersen, played football in Ann Arbor from 1949-52, and his father, Chip, was on the team from 1975-78. It's made his transition as seamless as can be. "[My dad] was excited, but he's always been super supportive of me no mat- ter what I would have chosen," Pederson told Jon Jansen on the "Conqu'ring He- roes" podcast. "But he was super ec- static. And the family ties here are huge for me. My dad and grandpa both played football here, but my grandparents on my mom's side also both went to school here. I have aunts, uncles, and a cousin who goes here currently. It's just a family destination for me. And it's awesome to finally be able to be here." His brother, McKnight Pederson, cur- rently plays for Princeton, and the two were able to play on the same team for a few years. He reflected on that and what it meant to connect in that way. "That's a dream come true," Pederson said. "I think, growing up in Utah, it's not exactly a lacrosse hotspot, so for me and my brother to both be able to play Division I at the highest level, and then also be able to do it together for a couple of years, are two things that we dreamed about since we were little, talking about it when we were 7, 8 years old. Seeing those come true and playing together for a couple of years is awesome." Pederson and Michigan are off to a strong start this season, and his accep- tance into the program has been a fit like a glove. "The guys here have been awesome in integrating us," Pederson said. "It's me and four other transfers here, and the senior class and the whole team top to bottom have been super-awesome, super-welcoming. I couldn't have asked for an easier transition here. And there are two other transfers from Princeton with me as well here on the team. Know- ing a couple of guys already made the transition easier. "The leadership here … made this tran- sition super easy, and I feel like part of the family. I felt like part of the family right away from right when I stepped on cam- pus. So, huge props to those guys for mak- ing it a super-easy transition." Aside from his family ties to Ann Arbor, Pederson cites the family atmosphere and connectedness of the lacrosse program as things that made the decision worth it. "First and foremost is the family tra- dition here. When [head coach Kevin Conry] reached out, to finally be able to be in Ann Arbor, representing the block M was something that I dreamed about as long as I can remember. That was a huge factor for me, being able to come to this school and be a part of this awesome tradition here. "Then, I was able to see a different col- lege experience than the one I had in the Ivy League. It's just way different with the big athletics here, the football, the life just beside the school. So, I've been blessed to be able to see both sides of the spectrum in terms of the college experi- ence. And that was another reason why I wanted to come here." ❏ ❱ OLYMPIC SPORTS UPDATE U-M Legacy Beau Pederson Reflects On Transfer Process Pederson, whose father and grandfather both played football for Michigan, recorded 15 goals and 9 assists in 50 games as a midfielder at Princeton before transferring to U-M. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY