The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/641955
beyond the conversation. "My dad is still alive and kicking at 80 years old," Manuel said. "His response, when I told him about this opportunity, was that he was proud. I was trying to hang up the phone and I hit the wrong button, and I hear my dad go 'MMM-MMM-MMM.' That was his way of saying, 'This is pretty cool. I'm pretty proud of him.'" MANUEL KNOWS MICHIGAN Not many introductions need to be made, with Manuel taking the AD reins at Michigan. A host of U-M ath- letic personalities attended his open- ing press conference, most of whom know the new boss quite well. "I'm certain he gets Michigan," softball coach Carol Hutchins of- fered. "He's got a lot of Michigan degrees. When he was here years ago, he represented those interests. He helped build the Ross [Academic Center]. He led the crew, if I recall. He's a great pick." Manuel mixed familiarity and self- deprecating humor into his opening remarks at Michigan. He carries no lack of tales from his long associa- tions with Hutchins and others. "I used to water her field," Manuel said, regarding the iconic softball coach. "She just realized, 30 years later, that I was the one who flooded her softball field." To former head football coach Lloyd Carr, Manuel noted: "The year I started was his first year as a defen- sive coordinator. I want to apologize to you now that we lost those four games. I feel bad for you, Coach. We had great success after that." Regarding his former strength and conditioning coach, Manuel offered up thanks "to Mike Gittleson, who sent me a text that I'm too big and I need to lose some weight. I'm sure I'll be doing some 6 a.m. workouts." Manuel's easy humor gave way to seriousness and poignant reflec- tion when he talked about his college roommate at Michigan, the late Vada Murray. "He was my best friend," Manuel shared. "When he was dealing with cancer, he said to me: 'I've always hoped you would come back here and be AD. I'm just worried I won't get to see it.' "He's with me today. He's with all of us today. And I'm proud that his vision came to fruition." Regarding Harbaugh, he remem- The Warde Manuel File Born: May 22, 1968 Hometown: New Orleans Athletic Career: Lettered in foot- ball and track at Michigan, 1986-90 Education: B.A., general studies, University of Michigan, 1990; mas- ter's degree, social work, University of Michigan, 1993; MBA, Michigan's Ross School of Business, 2005 Professional Life: Assistant athlet- ics director at Michigan, 1998-2000; associate athletics director at Michi- gan, 2000-05; Director of Athletics, University of Buffalo, 2005-12; Direc- tor of Athletics, University of Con- necticut, 2012-16 Family: Wife, Chrislan, and two children: daughter Emma and son Evan