The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS After 40 years on the job, legendary Michigan equipment manager Jon Falk retired following the 2013 season. The Wolverines have selected Brad Berlin to replace him. Berlin has 21 years of experience as an equipment manager, both in the college and professional ranks. He spent the last 13 seasons with the Washington Redskins. The Wolverine: What prompted your move from the Washington Redskins to Michigan? Berlin: "I have always followed college sports, and Michigan has always been one of those larger-than-life jobs and teams that not only people in the Midwest but nationwide follow. I followed them when I was younger, growing up in Missouri. When I went to school in Missouri, I followed them. "It's kind of ironic. When I was working at Colo- rado State in 1994, I actually had an impromptu talk with Jon. He was looking for an assistant, and when we played each other in the Holiday Bowl, we had a little meeting about it, and it piqued my interest. I have always had Michigan on my radar since then. "When I found out that Jon was going to retire, it was definitely something I was interested in. It's a special place. There are a lot of people on the outside that know it's a special place and want to be a part of it. I'm just glad I get to be a part of it now." The Wolverine: How excited are you to get back into the college game? Berlin: "I am very excited. The job itself is not that much different. It is all about protecting athletes and helping the university make their dollar go as far as it can, as far as uniforms and apparel goes. "The thing I am most excited for is the opportunity to contribute to young people's lives. If professional sports is a goal of theirs, that is great, but there are other things out there that the student-athletes need to prepare for, and I miss those kinds of interactions. "The athletes I have been working with in the last 13 years, that is their desti- nation. Young people that I will be working with now on a daily basis, I want to Berlin, who spent the last 13 seasons with the Washington Redskins, has 21 years of expe- rience as an equipment man- ager, both in the college and professional ranks. PHOTO COURTESY WASHINGTON REDSKINS Sitting Down With Michigan Football Equipment Manager Brad Berlin