Conqu’ring Heroes: Manuel Happy for Return to ‘More Normal,’ U-M Olympics Success
8/19/2021 9:00:00 AM | General, Features
This week marks the return of the "Conqu'ring Heroes" podcast, which will feature Jon Jansen sitting down with players, coaches, and staff members from around the Michigan athletic department. In the season premiere, Jon Jansen visited with Warde Manuel, the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics.
Manuel recaps the last few months from his perspective and that of the department, discusses some of the COVID-19 protocols around campus in the coming months, updates the financial situation of the athletic department, shares his thoughts on NIL and its impact on Michigan's student-athletes, and responds to discussions around the evolving relationships among conferences. Here are a few of the key quotes from their conversation.
By Brian Boesch
A Return to "More Normal"
Throughout the pandemic, many have come to understand that predictions, assumptions and expectations are only as good as the current reach and impact of COVID-19. Manuel and the athletic department have followed CDC and public health expert guidelines and recommendations, and that will continue for the 2021-22 athletic season.
Michigan student-athletes have certainly done their part. Manuel confirmed that at least 96 percent of Wolverine student-athletes have been vaccinated, with at least 10 teams reaching 100 percent. As a result, Manuel is optimistic that this season will be much closer in feel to pre-pandemic days, notably in the fact that he can be around teams and players much more frequently.
"I'm going to be happier to see them, because this year, while we have protocols that will have to be in place and different things that will have to be done, it'll be more normal than it was last year -- way more normal," Manuel said. "We still have a ways to go. This is still not behind us, like we all hoped it would be at this point, but it is something to celebrate."
Summer Pride
Even though Michigan Athletics was quiet on campus in recent weeks, Manuel enjoyed taking in the Summer Olympics. Michigan was well-represented in Tokyo, as 30 athletes with U-M ties competed in the Games, collecting 11 medals -- including three gold medals.
"Knowing how many of our student-athletes train in Olympic sports ... for many of our student-athletes, that's their dream. That's the ultimate for them in terms of competitive success," Manuel said. "For me, it is a blessing to see them perform, and then to have 11 medals won by our student-athletes, it just makes it so special. I'm just so thankful for our coaches and for their effort and the work that they've put in to have their student-athletes participate in the Olympics and have the success they have."
Staying Busy With NIL, Realignment
It has been a busy year-and-a-half within college athletics, and this summer has brought about several main topics -- most notably name, image and likeness, and conference realignment.
With regards to NIL, Manuel and his staff are monitoring the constantly-evolving landscape while keeping Michigan student-athletes updated on policies, laws and opportunities.
"Early on, I welcomed name, image and likeness, but I also said there would be a balance that would be necessary," Manuel said. "We're doing more education as they come back (to campus) in our meetings with our student-athletes to make sure they understand our policy (and) understand the law that will be enacted and go in effect at the end of next year in the state of Michigan."
Also, Manuel has been pleased with Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren's efforts to interact with the leadership at the Pac-12 and the ACC after Oklahoma and Texas announced their moves to the SEC. The conversation will continue to evolve, but Manuel likes the potential of what a more like-minded approach could mean for the leagues and its members.
"We have a lot in common with the Pac-12 schools and the ACC schools," Manuel said. "Given some of the movement that occurred, I think this is the right decision to be made to have that conversation amongst the three of us and to really form this alliance that sort of thinks about things on a more consistent basis.
"If that turns out to be great games and great schedules in football and basketball and Olympic sports, I love it."
