The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Defensive tackle Will Heininger, on Brandon's decision last January: "I don't think you understand how many peoples' lives and happiness he had at stake in making that decision. So I thank you for leaving the program that we love, and I love, in the best hands possible with Coach Hoke and his staff." Wide receiver Junior Hemingway, on his academic pursuits: "After my first year, I became a pain in the butt. I don't know how, but I made it." Hemingway, on the 'M' ring he re- ceived: "I'm probably never going to take it off. I will wear it with great pride." Hemingway, on extending his ca- reer: "If I could put in for a sixth year, I would." Linebacker Brandon Her- ron, on his proclivity for public speaking: "I don't want to speak too long. As Troy [Woolfolk] knows, my senior year in high school, I was on a TV show and I was talking too long, they went to commercial break, and after the commercial break I was still talking." Hoke, on offensive line- man Mark Huyge's major: "Naval architecture and ma- rine engineering. I started that degree at Ball State, but I dropped out." Huyge, on the coach- ing staff: "I truly enjoy playing for these coaches. Their commitment and dedication to the players has helped us become the team that we all knew we could be. I would especially like to thank Coach [Al] Borges and Coach [Darrell] Funk for helping me have my best season as a player." Huyge, on what this team accom- plished: "When I think about the legacy of Team 132, in particular this senior class, I recall the saying we see every day in Schembechler Hall, that 'Those Who Stay Will Be Champions.' While it is true this senior class did not win a Big Ten championship, I believe that the man who said those words would be proud of what we accomplished this season, and I can live with that." Fullback John McColgan, on seeing the field more this year: "I want to thank Coach Hoke for bringing me out of retirement." Hoke, on defensive lineman Alex Schwab's major: "Alex graduates this Fifth-year senior center David Molk (left) spoke about U-M's struggles on the field the last few years and all that the team has been through. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN "I want to say thanks to the greatest alumni club in the United State of Amer- ica. And I want to say congratulations to an incredible football team, and an incredible group of football coaches. Thanks, and Go Blue!" Defensive end Ryan Van Bergen, on the equipment staff: "I really appreci- ate the guys that work for Jon Falk be- cause there's a lot of stuff you wouldn't want to touch after a practice, but they do it gladly with a smile on their face." Van Bergen, on the Michigan motto: "We see a quote every day that is ref- erenced at every single banquet — 'Those Who Stay Will Be Champions' — and I want to emphasize that the verb 'stay' simply didn't mean to 'remain.' It implied for us enduring different coaches, it meant struggling through workouts and seasons that you were disappointed with and we were disap- winter, School of Engineering, nuclear engineering and radio — 'What is this word?' — radiological sciences. I spent a lot of time tutoring him this season." Running back Michael Shaw, to the seniors: "We went from 3-9 to 10-2, and have a chance to win a BCS bowl game. I'm glad I stuck it out with you guys. Those who stay really will be champi- ons. "To Team 132, it's been an honor. We're finally getting the respect we deserve, and I know you guys will continue this tradition, and get a Big Ten champion- ship and even more." Former head coach Lloyd Carr, on re- ceiving a distinguished service award: pointed with. It meant going through injuries, putting in work in the offsea- son that you don't see but that you're proud of at functions like this. "I just want to say thank you to every senior. I'll never forget this ride and will cherish it the rest of my life." Safety Jared Van Slyke, on Van Ber- gen: "It's tough following Ryan. He al- ways thinks he's a philosopher, and he's not." Van Slyke, on being squeezed for time: "There are a lot of people I want to thank, but the live auction took a lot of my time, so I'll be quick." Safety Troy Woolfolk, on his last name: "I hate going last. I wish my mom had married someone with an 'A' for a last name, like Aaron." Woolfolk, on his coaches and making trouble: "I've been here for five years, and I've been here for a lot of coaches, and I've never been around coaches with such good character like these guys. You can all look at my tweets — I say a lot of reckless things on there, which I'm sorry about — but they're really good coaches. I'm really glad I had a chance to come back for a fifth year to be coached by them." Woolfolk, on his fifth year: "I'd like to thank Mar- tavious Odoms for breaking my leg so I could come back for a fifth year. "I'm serious about that be- cause I would have been really mad if I was at home knowing I could have been part of this 10-2 team that beat Ohio State, so thank you Martavious." Tight end Kevin Koger, on his Mo- hawk haircut: "A special thanks to my mom for letting me wear this hairstyle all season. I appreciate it." Koger, on his teammates: "You guys make every day enjoyable. I wake up every morning and I can't wait to get down to the building, to hear what joke Jeremy Gallon is going to crack next." Defensive tackle Mike Martin, on Michigan: "Finally, I want to thank Da- vid Brandon for hiring the best coach- ing staff this country has to offer, bar none. Coach Hoke and his staff, thank you for taking Team 132 and this senior class where it hasn't been. Like you said on your first day on the job, 'For god sake, this is Michigan.'" ❏ JANUARY 2012 THE WOLVERINE 23