She pushed her coat back to reveal her belt where she had an expandable baton. She took it out and snapped it to full length. Frankly, I was more worried she would end up using it on me.
We took the elevator down and met everyone for breakfast. Ty was pissed because we beat him and his family there. We were just getting our food when I spotted two recruits I’d met last year: Max Wilcox, who was a mountain of a man and who played defensive tackle; and Jay Edwards, a linebacker. I’d met them both on my campus tour last year.
While I was introducing them to everyone, Damion Roth, the Randy Moss clone who played ball for Wesleyan, joined us.
“I heard a rumor you’d be here this weekend. How you doing?” Damion asked.
“Good. You here alone?” I asked, not seeing his parents.
“I came with Mike and his dad. His mom went to Luke’s game.”
Great. Mike Herndon was the last person I wanted to see today. Right on cue.
“Dawson! I hear you almost lost your game yesterday,” Mike said as he sauntered up.
“I think the key word you said was ‘almost,’” Max said.
Mike took an involuntary step back when he saw Max step forward. I think that made Max’s day by the way he smiled.
I introduced Mike and Damion to everyone. Thankfully, Mike’s dad showed up, and they left to eat.
◊◊◊
Michigan had well-laid-out athletic facilities. Everything was within walking distance in an area called the Stephen M. Ross Athletic Campus. For football, they had an outdoor practice field and two indoor facilities. We were directed to meet at the Junge Family Champions Center, which was attached to the Crisler Center, where Michigan played basketball. Across the parking lot was Michigan Stadium. The plan was for all the recruits and their families to meet up and then have a quick tour of the campus.
I spotted Violet, who I’d met last year, checking her list of recruits. Violet was a cute Michigan coed who’d served as our tour guide. I’d tried to pick her up last year and later did hook up with her at a swingers party. I had a brief panic attack. What was the proper protocol for introducing your girlfriend to someone you’d hooked up with at a party like that?
“There he is,” Violet said as she came up and pulled me into a hug and a kiss.
“This happens everywhere we go,” Tim teased.
“Does it?” Brook asked.
“Do I need to talk about Wisconsin?” I asked Tim to remind him of his own stalker.
“Yes, Tim. Tell us about Wisconsin,” Tami said.
“I thought recruiting trips were like Vegas,” Wolf chimed in.
We’d talked about this. But apparently, Tim had forgotten that what happens on the trips stays on the trips. I could see where inviting our girlfriends hadn’t been the best idea. The three of us looked at each other and nodded our agreement.
I think Tami was the first to figure out that we weren’t talking, so she homed in on Violet. She grabbed Brook’s elbow, and the three girls walked off to ‘talk.’ I could tell it was killing Cassidy that she was stuck by my side.
“Go on. You can watch me from over there,” I told her.
I was proud of her when she didn’t leave my side. We ended up with another girl, Brianna, as our tour guide. Violet just grinned at me as she took her group on tour. I had no idea what she told Tami and Brook.
Michigan has a gorgeous campus. There are several buildings with old stone exteriors that resembled castles. Their law school reminded me of an old European cathedral. The student union even had ivy growing on the exterior. Then they had more modern-looking buildings that looked to be made of metal and glass. Even with the different periods, it all seemed to fit together. Brianna told us they had 19 schools or colleges with 260 degree programs. There were over 43,000 students that attended on four campuses, which were the North, Central, Medical, and South campuses. While the Central and South campuses ran together, the North was on the other side of the Huron River.
Brianna was an excellent tour guide and got into detail about the history and available activities. She checked her watch and realized we were late getting back. We were supposed to be at the football stadium, meeting with the coaches.
We toured the facilities. Since we’d already seen them, we knew what to expect. Michigan had everything we would ever need. Ty and his family were split off and taken in to see Coach Haber. Five minutes later, he came out with a big smile.
“They offered, and I verbally accepted,” he announced.
He had to wait to sign his national letter of intent during one of the upcoming signing periods.
“That has to feel great to get it behind you,” Tim said.
Wolf was up next, followed by Tim. They both had smiles on their faces but wouldn’t say what happened. It was my turn.
Coach Haber met us at the door and shook our hands. I noticed Cassidy had slipped in with us.
“Who might you be? David’s girlfriend?” Coach Haber asked her.
“Cassidy Hope. I’m David’s security and also Coach Hope’s daughter.”
Coach Haber didn’t even bat an eye.
“Before we get started, I wanted to make sure you understand my situation,” I said.
“I think I know, but I’d like to hear it from you.”
“Next fall, I have a commitment to make two movies. When I enroll, it won’t be until the first of the year.”
“That would put you into next year’s class, as far as recruiting goes. You’d be on campus for spring ball and ready to go the following year. While I’d prefer to have you on campus, I understand why you’re doing it.
“I have another question. Do you plan to play baseball?” Coach Haber asked.
“I would like to. You told me you didn’t have a problem with that.”
“If you’re someone with the skills to play two sports at a high level, I’m fine with you doing both. Where I want to have a conversation with a player is when he’s never going to make it on the field. If that’s the case, I would have a problem. From what I’ve heard, you have the skills to play at the next level if everything breaks right for you.”
“If I go out for baseball, it would probably cut into my practice time for spring ball.”
“I understand. While I would rather you make football a priority, I’m not going to make that decision for you. My goal will be to knock the rust off your arm and help you to start learning the offense. Coach Mason called me and said he doesn’t think you’ll have any problems, even with your time off next fall.”
“Coach Mason has helped me a lot. I sometimes forget how lucky I am to have him,” I admitted.
“I do have one last question. Are you, Wolf Tams, and Tim Foresee a package deal?”
“We would like to play ball together,” I confirmed.
“That’s good because I offered both of them based on their own merits. I was a little worried about Tim’s knee, but we’ve watched his first few games, and he looks stronger and faster than we expected. Wolf has the frame, hands, and speed we’re looking for in a tight end. They told me that they planned to go where you go to school. I have to ask: if we offer, will you accept?”
“I still have a couple of schools to check out, but I want you to know that as of right now, I’m inclined to accept your offer. You impressed me when you held a camp at our high school. You have everything I’m looking for. But I do want to remind you that you said I could also play some defense.”
Coach Haber laughed.
“If I forget, I’m sure you’ll remind me,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to playing for the University of Michigan. I expect us to win some national championships.”
“Wait, I thought that was my line,” he said, and then got serious. “We’re excited to have you. I wish you were here now. I know my coaches are eager to get you on campus.”
We left his office, and Cassidy gave it away. Dad and I’d kept our faces neutral. I explained to everyone that I hadn’t officially committed, but that Michigan was leading.