My beautiful wife loves Michigan

(I wrote this a couple of weeks ago, entering the football season that had not yet begun with the Minnesota game. I blew right past the Gophers and focused on State. Three games in, it’s not looking so good for our Wolverines. But, my beautiful wife still loves Michigan!)

It started pretty early.  Kathy’s mother was born at U Hospital, graduated Ann Arbor High in ‘36, and went to dental hygenist’s school at U of M, where she met med student Clutch, Kathy’s dad, who stayed on for his residency but chose to pursue orthopedics at the wider open spaces of Akron City Hospital.  Kathy was the second of their kids to be born there, so Kathy’s a buckeye by birth.  Her time at Ohio institutions Western Reserve Academy and College of Wooster did not translate into a stronger bond to the Buckeye State.  When Kathy went looking for grad school programs in Kinesiology, she saw that the program at Columbus had some attractions.  Asking her dad about the possibility of going there, he responded “sure, but don’t ever plan on coming home again”.  So she headed north up 23 to Ann Arbor, coached swimming for a while, and met me.  Together we’ve been immersed in all things Michigan ever since, helped along by those great 50 yard line season tickets her dad got in ’64.  We added basketball season tickets maybe 5 years ago and surely enjoy those outings.  For the past 11 years, she’s taught Scientific Writing in the school of Kinesiology to sophomores (“just shoot me”).  Kines is still home for many athletes, although many have drifted over to L.S.&A. as Kines has tightened its requirements.  But she still gets a lot of athletes in her class, some of the high profile basketball and football types.  Drew Dillio, slot receiver, might have been the first she noticed, who kept a low profile as he didn’t want to be taken as a dumb football player.  Some of her latest charges have no problem with that.  “Big country” Austin Davis, Juwan Howard’s returning center, is headed to P.T. school after he completes his 5^th year in a Kines masters program.

Andrew Vastardis walked on to the football team 5 years ago and has taken his 6’4” 300# frame to the middle of the line as Michigan’s starting center. He has his eye on medical school.  Kathy wants him to be a pediatrician.

            So it’s understandable Kathy might take some special measures as we face what in pre-COVID time was a huge week.  Facing her class this week, Michigan State week!, she’s found a way to be decked out to show her Michigan spirit.  Those kids who already love this cool old lady will surely get a boost of Michigan Pride.  Go Blue!  Beat State!

            P.S.  That’s our stuffed wolverine, Fritz, in the background, named after Fritz Crisler