The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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claimed he hails from Detroit and then went to comedy. "I'd like to thank big [director of equipment operations] Johnny [Falk] for being so tough in giving us gear, like he paid for it or something," Campbell started. "Thanks to the strength staff for making me who I am today. Coach [Aaron] Wellman took me from a 6-5, 346-pound slob and made me into a 6-5, 308-pound stud. "Thanks to the coaching staff, Coach Hoke, Coach [Greg] Mattison and Coach [Jerry] Montgomery. Some folks say it's good to have more than one defensive line coach. It's a lie. "They're great coaches, but if you do one thing right, the others will tell you you've done something wrong." • Most Memorable Moment: When center Elliott Mealer took to the podium, he dispensed of the usual thank yous and then addressed his father, who died in a car crash on Christmas Eve 2007 along with Mealer's girlfriend. "As many of you know my story, my father wasn't able to be here," he began. "But he's been a tremendous support for me, just like my mother has. I'd like to close with a quote he always gave me growing up: 'If you don't have good dreams, you have nightmares.' That was something I always kept in mind. "With him being gone, it's something that's helped me since no matter what the situation is, always have a positive attitude. Because that's really the only way you can look at things." And now the rest of the Best of the Bust. Head coach Brady Hoke introducing Al Backey: "Al didn't play as much as he wanted to, sound about right? [gesturing to Backey] But he was a guy that every day on special teams and our defensive look team, just harassed people. And that's a good thing in football, and Al did it as well as anybody and did a tremendous job." Defensive back Al Backey on his career: "I never stopped. Never quit. Couldn't be broken. My grandmother always told me to keep my eye on the prize, and my prize is graduating on May 4 debt free." Offensive guard Ricky Barnum: "I want to thank my daughter for being 24 the wolverine January 2013 Center Elliott Mealer offered the most memorable moment of the evening when he referenced the words of his late father and how they have inspired him. photo by Per Kjeldsen understanding with me being away for the last five years so I can make a better future for us." "Thanks to Coach [Darrell] Funk for teaching me so much on and off the field, including how to tie my first tie." Hoke on Nathan Brink: "Nathan has one more year that he could play, but because of injury he is going to surpass that and graduate. But you talk about one of the toughest guys on our football team." Defensive tackle Nathan Brink: "Thanks to Coach Wellman and the entire strength staff for teaching me I can lift more weight by tucking my shirt in." Hoke introducing Will Campbell: "He likes to say he's from the 'D,' but what 'D,' who knows? Could be Dallas, could be Dayton." Linebacker Kenny Demens on summer workouts: "Although it may have helped us out, I never enjoyed being woken up at 5 a.m., only to be tortured, but thanks anyway." Cornerback J.T. Floyd: "I always told myself when I was younger that when I get up here I'm going to know exactly what to say, have it down pat, and I promise as I stand before you now, I have no idea what to say. "What I'm most thankful for, of all the people I mentioned, they've taken a young boy from Greenville, S.C., and now I stand before you a true Michigan Man." Hoke introducing Paul Gyarmati: "The thing about Paul that you don't know is his father — I think this is cool — was the bass player for Carlos San- tana, so I like him. Someone is trying to get backstage at a Santana concert. I don't know who it is." Fullback Paul Gyarmati: "Thanks for stealing my thunder, Dad. "I've had a pretty diverse career here with two positions on both sides of the ball and three different numbers, and I've enjoyed every aspect, including the 30 pounds I had to put on to play fullback, and all the fat jokes that came with it. Which is probably well-deserved because I'm actually wearing Johnny [Falk]-issued coat and pants because I split my pants down in two." Hoke on Jack Kennedy: "Jack will graduate with a degree in physics and mathematics. It's been hard, but I got him through. "He is a guy that loves the game like no other. Loves his teammates. Jack traveled this year with us and when I checked him in at night he would have three books about this big, and I would say, 'Jack, what are you doing?' and he would say, 'This is for a trigonometry class, a calculus class.' And I said, 'Arithmetic, right?' So he knew he wasn't going to count on me for any tutoring." Quarterback Jack Kennedy: "I'd like to thank Coach [Al] Borges for expanding my vocabulary, appreciably. And I'd like to thank Coach Hoke because for every word that Coach Borges taught me, he made up another word." Hoke on Mike Kwiatkowski: "Mike will graduate with a degree in brain behavior and cognitive science. His first study will be on Aaron Wellman." Center Elliott Mealer while stroking a beard that would make Santa Claus jealous: "I cleaned up for everybody tonight." Offensive guard Patrick Omameh: "If you're somebody that should be thanked, and I don't mention you, just chill. I forget things and I'll thank you in person when I see you. "I know what you're all thinking right now, 'Why is this man sweating so much?' It's what I do, it's like my trademark." Omameh, jokes aside: "In less than two weeks, I will be graduating from the University of Michigan with two degrees. This is like a dream. The decision I made to attend the University of Michigan is the best decision I've ever made in my life." Defensive end Craig Roh: "I want to thank Coach Montgomery and Coach Mattison for really shaping my life and helping me become a man. What be-