The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/75010
INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Student-Athlete Of The Month Lacrosse Junior Defenseman J.D. Johnson jam-packed schedule while he or she juggles varsity sports with the rigors of a University of Michigan education. But J.D. Johnson, a junior defenseman on the Michigan la- Every student-athlete on campus has felt the pressure of a crosse team, has stretched himself very thin. Not only did he play on the Wolverines' inaugural lacrosse team, he is also studying at the Stephen Ross School Of Business, is heavily involved in the Michigan Student-Athlete Advi- sory Committee and is a chair on the group that will plan next year's Mock Rock, an annual event that brings in a lot of charitable dona- tions for the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. How does he make time for it all? "My iPhone helps, Johnson, who is studying at the Stephen Ross School Of Business, has spent his sum- mer serving as an intern for an investment banking firm in New York City. MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS PHOTO COURTESY on one thing at a time. If I'm at a Mock Rock meeting, I can't get caught up thinking about lacrosse, and if I'm at practice, I can't think about the project I have coming up. It really helps to give your undivided attention to the thing right in front of you. Johnson, along with 13 of his lacrosse teammates, earned " Academic All-Big Ten honors this spring. After the lacrosse season wrapped up, Johnson headed to New York City, where he is currently serving as an intern for an investment banking firm. He had never thought seriously about a future in the bank- ing world, but he is thoroughly enjoying the work. And even though the hours are brutal, Johnson feels right at home, flour- ishing under the pressure. "I get up around six, work out for a few hours, then head to work," he said. "And I can be there until midnight or 1 a.m., but it's really interesting work. "I think I'd like to try this work for a little while, but eventu- in the footsteps of his father, Michael Johnson, who is the CEO of Herbalife and, according to a May 2012 story on CNBC.com, is the highest-paid CEO this year. Johnson, who has one more calendar year in Ann Arbor, thinks If Johnson goes into the business world, he will be following " a lot about how his role as a defensive leader will help him as he moves into his professional life. "Especially the experience of this year. I'm not going to lie, it was tough," Johnson said of the Wolverines' 1-13 season. "But so much in life is about how you handle adversity. How will you respond in a tough situation?" 18 THE WOLVERINE AUGUST 2012 ally I'd like to run a business, whether it be a start-up or a large company. with a chuckle. "I use the calen- dar on there all the time, because I know I have to schedule every- thing so precisely. I've got prac- tice here, class here, meetings and groups here and time for home- work here. "And also, I make sure I'm focused " Johnson said, ter and its $100-million renovation, some might overlook the changes going on at Yost Ice Arena. One quick drive past the venerable hockey haven, though, and it's obvious Michigan's other high- profile winter sport is getting plenty of attention. Some $14 million worth of upgrades are going There has been so much focus on Crisler Cen- ITS FEEL, LOOK GREAT YOST WILL KEEP into the arena that has seen Red Berenson's squads dominate over the years. The capacity at Yost is actu- ally going down, from 6,200 to 5,800, but the quality all around the building will make those tickets even more coveted than they've been through U-M's hockey dominance during Berenson's tenure. Director of Athletics David Brandon "There may be venues that are bigger, and there may be venues that are newer, but there aren't any venues that are louder or more special, in terms of the atmosphere we create there." the old, opaque windows in Yost. Workers are also upgrading most of the seating areas, installing lux- ury seating and adding corner platforms for addi- tional viewing areas. "I toured Yost, and went through the whole reno- Transparent, no-glare panes of glass will replace vation," U-M director of athletics David Brandon noted. "It's another example of, when people see what we're doing there, and they walk in and see the finished product for the first time, it's revolutionary in nature. "The thing I love about what's happening is, we're not giving away any of the historic feel of Yost. It's still going to be Yost. But instead of boarded-up windows, it's going to be glass. Instead of creaky, wooden bleachers that are falling apart, there are going to be comfortable, modern, sturdier bleachers. "We're going to open it up and make it brighter. We're going to give people an easier opportunity to get in and out of their seats, and take advantage of the amenities we offer. The food is going to be better. The sound is going to be better. Our fans are just going to get a much better experience, in many respects, but they're still going to enjoy the fact that they're in Yost Arena, which is the preeminent col- lege hockey venue in the country." Former AD Bill Martin was fond of saying Crisler Arena had "good bones," and didn't need to be re- placed. Brandon has the same sense about Yost, and insists hardcore Michigan hockey fans will agree, while appreciating the upgrades. "There may be venues that are bigger, and there — Andy Reid may be venues that are newer, but there aren't any venues that are louder or more special, in terms of the atmosphere we create there," Brandon said. "We don't want to give up any of that." — John Borton