The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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12 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MAY 2025 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS MICHIGAN ATHLETICS ANNOUNCES NEW BROADCAST PARTNERSHIP U-M Athletics and Learfield's Michigan Sports Properties announced a partnership with Beasley Media Group Detroit on April 16 that makes 94.7 WCSX-FM the new flagship radio home for the Wolverines, kicking off this football season. WCSX-FM will broadcast all football, men's basketball and men's hockey games, along with coaches' shows and other exclusive programming. Additionally, 105.1 The Bounce (WMGC-FM) will carry select women's basketball regular- season games as well as postseason matchups. WWJ 950 AM had been the previous longtime athletics flagship station. "Partnering with Beasley Media Group as our new flag- ship radio station marks an exciting chapter for our athletics department," Doug Gnodtke, Michigan's executive senior associate athletic director and chief of staff, said. "This col- laboration will not only amplify the voices of our student- athletes and coaches, but it also strengthens our connection with fans and alumni in metro Detroit and across the state of Michigan. We appreciate Learfield partnering with Beasley to bring the energy and spirit of our games to a broader audience, celebrating the dedication and hard work of our teams on and off the field, court and ice." "When it comes to college athletics, no brand is bigger and no fan base is more passionate than the University of Michigan," said Kevin Rich, vice president of operations, Beasley Media Group. "We're thrilled to partner with the University and Michigan Sports Properties to bring top-tier programming and play-by-play coverage to fans across southeast Michigan. Go Blue!" JACOB TRUSCOTT WINS UNSUNG HERO AWARD Graduate ice hockey defenseman Jacob Truscott was named the winner of the 2024-25 Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award on April 11. The Hockey Commissioners Association founded the award in honor of former Army player Derek Hines, who was a "consummate team player and team builder" from 1999-2003. He was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 1, 2005, in Afghanistan. "There's no one more deserving of this honor than Jacob Truscott," Michigan head coach Brandon Naurato said. "He leads by example, on and off the ice, embody- ing everything it means to be a Michigan Man. Jacob is an inspiring leader, showing his team that our work at Michigan goes beyond individual contributions. He em- bodies how to make everyone feel included and part of the community. It's a testament to the kind of person he is — one who leads by example, puts others before him- self and leaves a lasting legacy far beyond the game." Trustcott, only the ninth multi-year captain in U-M hockey history, was an Academic All-Big Ten selection each year in Ann Arbor and earned the 2024 Rachael Townsend Leadership Award presented by U-M Athlet- ics. Organizations he worked with include The Ronald McDonald House, Mott Children's Hospital, Ele's Place, The VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Metro Detroit Sled Hockey program and the Ann Arbor YMCA. MAIZE AND BLUE NOTEBOOK Graduate defenseman Jacob Truscott, only the ninth multi-year captain in U-M hockey history, was honored by the Hockey Commissioners Association with the 2024-25 Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award on April 11. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS QUARTERBACK BRYCE UNDERWOOD SURPRISES BELLEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL EMPLOYEE Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood was brought in to stabilize the position in Ann Arbor for the next few years, but his leadership and what he brings to the community were most on display recently. Underwood, in partnership with Feldman Chevrolet and Blue By Ninety, surprised Belleville (Mich.) High School security guard Mychal Darty with a new vehicle in a video released to social media. Darty thought he was showing up for an interview with Underwood when he was gifted the keys to new vehicle, valued at around $35,000. "Honestly, whenever we needed somebody to lean on, he was there," Underwood said in the video. "Whenever we needed to get out of class for a mental break or anything like that, he was there. … The genuineness out of Mych, you know, he really cares. "And you can tell he shows that through anybody and everybody, no matter what they did. No matter who they are. I want to thank Feldman for being able to be a great partner for me and also surprising Mych with this car." Darty said from the jump, the U-M quarterback showed him a maturity and grace not common in young people. "The first interaction I had with Bryce, he probably doesn't remember [like] I do. … I was taking tickets at a soccer game," Darty said. "He walked past, I said, 'Are you the quarterback?' He said, 'Yeah,' and we had a good conversation. And I'm like, 'Oh, this kid's humble.' There wasn't anything cocky about him. "We've built a bond that is outside of sports and is outside of school. He knows I care about him. I know he cares about me because, like he said, one of his memories is with my daughter. What high school kid really cares about an adult's children? "That's a real bond. It's not just fake, it's real." — Anthony Broome