The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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CONTINUING TO BUILD Director Of Athletics Warde Manuel Oversees Major Upgrades Of U-M's Facilities BY JOHN BORTON M ichigan experienced its share of turmoil in its highest-profile sport and in the director of athletics' of- fice itself prior to the arrival of Warde Manuel and his former teammate, Jim Harbaugh. Those days seem long ago in Michi- gan's athletic department, approach- ing the 2017 fall seasons. Harbaugh guided U-M football to two straight 10-win campaigns, back-to-back No. 4-nationally ranked recruiting classes and a constant media spotlight, sta- bilizing the sport that does by far the most to pay the bills. Manuel is making certain the bills get paid, with the assistance of a burgeoning cash influx from the Big Ten, a highly profitable partnership with Nike and the Jordan brand, and donors enthused about Michigan's direction. The director of athletics sees a $168-million Athletics South Competition and Performance Proj- ect progressing rapidly down State Street, and work on football's weight training and performance facilities proceeding apace. Manuel watched as John Beilein led through one of Michigan basketball's most dramatic sojourns ever, includ- ing a midseason revival, a frightening incident with the team plane, a Big Ten Tournament championship and a stirring run to the brink of the Elite Eight. The AD found himself replac- ing a hockey icon when head coach Red Berenson retired and longtime Michigan assistant Mel Pearson got the call. Given dynamic top programs and the financial stability they bring, it's a rewarding time to sit in the big chair on the corner of State and Hoover. Manuel knows he's just getting started, but also realizes there's a lot to love about what's happening on the athletic campus. He sat down exclusively with The Wolverine to talk about the state of Michigan's athletic department. FINANCES REMAIN SOLID Michigan reported in mid-June an anticipated budget surplus of $2.4 million for the 2016-17 fiscal year (July 1-June 30), along with projecting a Manuel and U-M reported a budget surplus of $2.4 million for the 2017 fiscal year and projected a surplus of $2 million for 2018. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN 18 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2017