Josh Helmholdt
The Wolverine.com Recruiting Analyst
February 19, 2010
Michigan Showcase coming to the Glick Fieldhouse
Since it opened last August, the Glick Fieldhouse has been a source of pride for the Michigan coaching staff and they have made sure each recruiting visitor that has come to their campus since has had a tour of the new indoor facility.
On Feb. 28, the Glick Fieldhouse will be highlighted like never before because the Michigan Showcase will be bringing several dozen top recruits from around the Midwest to compete in a Big Man Clinic and Skills Showcase. The event will feature not just class of 2011 prospects, but also emerging talents in the 2012 and even 2013 classes as well. Event organizer Curtis Blackwell cannot wait to hold the Showcase at Glick.
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| Ohio receiver Shaquille Washington is one of the prospects planning to attend the Michigan Showcase on Feb. 28 |
"This is the first time the University of Michigan has ever held this type of event at their brand new practice facility," Blackwell noted. "For the kids in the Midwest, this will be an opportunity to test out the facilities and showcase themselves at one of the premier college facilities in the country."
Top prospects from around the Midwest have responded to the opportunity. First team all-Army Combine performers Justice Hayes of Grand Blanc and Delonte Hollowell of Detroit Cass Tech are two of the headliners for the event.
Saginaw receiver DeAnthony Arnett, Detroit Renaissance linebacker Lawrence Thomas, Madison Heights (Mich.) Madison athlete Valdez Showers, Maple Heights, Ohio, receiver Shaquille Washington, Detroit King athlete Dennis Northfleet, West Branch (Mich.) Ogemaw Heights lineman Anthony Zettel and Muskegon Heights, Mich., athlete Willie Snead are just a few of the top names who plan to participate in the Michigan Showcase.
"Not since the NIKE Camps were held at the University of Michigan in 2003 has the state held" an event "that is supposed to be this populated with top talent and the event organizers want to make sure that the players who participate in the Showcase will have an opportunity to display their talents."
"When we say Showcase, that is what it is. This is an opportunity for the top kids to come and just show their stuff," Blackwell said. "So many times we caught up in numbers, data and research, but the kids play football because it is fun and there is nothing more exciting to them than competition. It's going to be nothing but competition. The focus is on 1-on-1's and 7-on-7's which should give the kids a great platform to display the skills they have."
The Michigan football program does not play any part in the organization of the event, but they will no doubt be beneficiaries of the Showcase. The opportunity to have top recruits on your campus and using your facilities, especially facilities like the Glick Fieldhouse, can play huge dividends down the road. |
