Senior Year Box Set

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.”