Dusty may use the phrase transformational values at his introductory press conference,

and that wasn't the first time that a Michigan head coach used the word transformational

when speaking about the Michigan student athlete experience.

Former football head coach Jim Harbaal once said, quote,

it's still going to be a transformational experience rather than a transactional experience,

end quote, when discussing the student athlete opportunities at U of M.

So much about the college sports landscape and the conversations that surround it revolve around

name, image, and likeness.

Dusty May's phrasing was more broad, not necessarily designed specifically to discuss

NIL. Jim Harbaugh's was more so specifically talking about that NIL reality. Regardless,

transformational values and experiences can and do go beyond NIL, even if Michigan wants to and is

working to get the NIL part right too.

A great example of a student athlete taking full advantage of those is the soon-to-be Michigan

graduate Will Cheddar, our podcast guest here today.

Cheddar will indeed graduate early next month after just three years on campus. And graduate school was

always the target for this very intelligent young man. And while there were opportunities

elsewhere for him, both in the classroom and on the court, Cheddar decided he wanted to

continue to take advantage of those values and experiences here in Ann Arbor, even with the new

coaching staff, also trying to be a part of

transforming the basketball program from a really tough 2023, 2024.

There will be few who will carry over individually from that 8 and 24 season to the upcoming

campaign with the hope that the results look as different as the personnel will.

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