The Wolverine

February 2016

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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  WHERE ARE THEY NOW? "I love the new coaching staff and Coach Beilein," Groninger said. "It's exciting to watch a quality program with a quality coach. He does a great job with all the players they have at the University of Michigan. "I think all the time about if I'd have had the chance to play under Coach Beilein. I think I really would have enjoyed that. All players would." Groninger enjoys himself plenty these days. He earned his Michigan degree, and then later garnered a teaching certificate from Indiana Uni- versity-Purdue University at India- napolis (IUPUI). Six years ago, he landed a job teach- ing kids at Bridgeport Elementary in Wayne Township. He's discovered a delight in welcoming beginners to physical education time. "It was one of those things where I took the job thinking I'll be there for a couple of years then get into a high school job and coach," Groninger said. "I've been at the same school for six years now, and I've actually fallen in love with being an elementary PE teacher." "When I come into school every day, I feel like a rock star. The kids love coming to gym class, and when they get the chance to move in PE, it's always a good time." ❏ The Gavin Groninger File Michigan Accomplishments: Averaged 7.1 points per game as a true fresh- man at Michigan … Averaged 4.9 points per game over the course of a four-year career, with 148 rebounds, 115 assists, 21 steals and eight blocked shots … Shot 78.9 percent on free throws, including a high of 86.1 percent (31 of 36) as a junior in 2001-02 … Played as a senior on a team that went 12-6 in the Big Ten, good enough to make the NCAA Tournament if not for self-imposed sanctions. Michigan Memory: "The staff you meet and the support you get is incredible. Guys like Tom Wywrot, who is still there as a media guy. He was a mentor to me and a good friend, somebody I could go to when I was away from my family. He was somebody I could go talk to. "Guys like Jim Plocki, who was our weight and strength coach. Just the quality of people that I was surrounded with when I was at the University of Michigan — that's the main thing that I take away. You talk about Michigan Men — I was surrounded by Michigan Men, who formed me into the person I am today." Professional Accomplishments: In his sixth year of teaching at Bridgeport Elementary School in Wayne Township, Ind. … Worked managing a gym in In- dianapolis while earning his teaching degree. Education: Graduated from Michigan in 2003 with a degree in sports manage- ment and communication … Earned a K-12 teaching certificate from IUPUI in 2009. Family: He and his wife, Megan, have two children — a daughter Charlee, age 6, and a son Henry, age 3.5.

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