The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/432566
character of a man … this year more than any other I grew as a teammate, leader and man. "As I get ready for my next step in life, I leave this great university and program a Michigan man." Offensive lineman Joey Burzynski Hoke on Burzynski: "He is a true student-athlete. Joey worked hard and did everything we asked him to … he'll leave with a degree in biomedical engi- neering." Burzynski: "Fun fact … they actually misspelled my name on the first jersey I ever received at Michigan. It's a common problem. "I'd like to thank my mom for all of her encouragement. The first semester I was here I was taking Calculus and got an A- on a test, and I called my mom thinking she'd be proud. She said, 'You know, those A-minuses will kill you.' "To the coaches, especially [line coach Darrell] Funk, I'm just thankful for the opportunity you guys gave me. It's been truly a blessing. I've learned more than just football, but life lessons — how to be a man, just how to carry yourself. I will take those with me until the day I die. I also want to thank Coach Rod [Rich Rodriguez] and [former offensive line coach] Greg Frey for letting me on the team originally. They let me into Michigan, so that's lovely." Wide receiver Anthony Capatina Hoke on Capatina: "He'll be graduating in the spring with a degree in psy- chology. Every day you got his best. He was on the look team most of that time, but every day he came out with enthusiasm, with love for his team- mates and to give his best. I couldn't be more proud of a guy." Capatina: "I want to thank Coach [Brady] Hoke for everything he's done for me and this program. He has taught me so much about football the last four years, but after tonight, the last football obligation, none of that really matters what he taught me about football — my assignment or my alignment. What matters is what he taught me about being a man. I think we've been blessed with the best coach in the country when it comes to that. He's taught me about integrity, honesty and doing things the right way. "Coach did not have to be here tonight, but he is here. He's here because of those 12 seniors, Team 135 out there today and because he's a man of integrity, honesty and he does things the right way. Thank you, Coach." Quarterback Devin Gardner Hoke on Gardner: "Devin is one of 10 finalists nationally for the Senior CLASS Award, which examines community [efforts], character, classroom [excellence] and competition. He already has a degree in African-American studies and he's working on his master's in social work. He's a guy who has taken a lot of criticism by people that isn't fair."