The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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too much of a nightmare the past few years. Diagnosed with leukemia on March 28, 2011, he endured high school years rife with battles far beyond the football field he had to give up. He wasn't fighting for extra yard- age. He was fighting for his life. On this day, he didn't try to fight off a huge grin, while his dad and mom fought back tears. The Make- A-Wish Foundation made it happen for him, with ESPN cameras rolling. Loszewski's wish: To be recruited to become a Wolverine by the Michi- gan football program. They did it right, too. Players ushered him around campus. Head coach Brady Hoke met with him per- sonally. He watched film in Schem- bechler Hall. He marched down the Michigan Stadium tunnel, surrounded by howling U-M football players, from Devin Gardner on down. Yes, he touched the banner, led the team in "The Victors," and even welcomed a Heisman Trophy-winning special visitor. When it was over, he couldn't be- lieve what it all meant. "It was almost a little bit over- whelming," Loszewski admitted. "Being from Missouri, you don't see a whole lot of Michigan roaming around. To suddenly be in the heart of Michigan football and what I've admired my whole life was pretty On June 24, as part of his Make-A-Wish experience, Stephen Loszewski, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2011, led the Wolverines out of the tunnel and onto the field at Michigan Stadium. PHOTOS BY LON HORWEDEL