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4B r 23201I // The Statemet
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 // The Statement m
TWO OF TEAM 132
Though they live in the spotlight, there is more to Troy
Woolfolk and Roy Roundtree than stats and a jersey number
BY MARISSA MCCLAIN
hen I watch Michigan football games every Saturday, it's through a tele-
photo lens. This very small window into the game allows me to capture
moments that go by too quickly to appreciate in real time. Every game,
my aim is to get "the shot" - the image that sums up hours of action in
one still frame. And thoughI think there is something beautiful about the
waya single image can tell its own story, something is lost in the transition
from event to image.
I take upwards of 2,000 photos every game with a shutter speed that
lasts 1/5,000 of a second. In other words, I capture less than a second of
time during a three hour-long game. Despite my best efforts, I can't right-
fully say my view of the game - or of the players on coach Brady Hoke's
"Team 132" - is all-encompassing.
Every time I upload game pictures to my computer, I marvel at how the
majority of my hard drive contains photos of strangers. I see the intimate
moments between plays - the excitement and disappointment. This kind
of proximity makes it easyto fool myself into thinking I really know these
players.
I try to capture moments that illustrate these men as individuals. I'm
able to see certainthings like senior defensive end Ryan Van Bergen'schest
bump with Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon and senior center
Dave Molk head-butt freshman offensive lineman Jack Miller before each
game, but there's only so much I can see through my 300mm lens, stand-
inga safe distance away from the action.
On the field, I'm an outsider looking in, and the only time I can really get
a clear picture of my subject matter is when I look up from my viewfinder.
I wanted to see the view from the other end of the lens.
THE FAN
Tuesday night press conferences at Schembechler Hall are always cha-
otic. As practice ends and players rush to grab food or go to class, a few get
pulled aside to answer questions from the media.
On this particular Tuesday night, a little boy stands by the door and
holds a Sharpie marker and a football. He blends into the crowd and eagerly
watches as players speed by him. He is too overwhelmed by all the action to
approach anyone for an autograph.
Junior wide receiver Roy Roundtree could easily overlook this young
fan. He has other things to worry about. He already had a full day of class
and practice, and now he has to speak to the press about Saturday's game
before headingto yet another class.
Roundtree has his priorities straight, though. He walks straight up to
the boy and asks him if he wants his autograph. The small gesture prob-
ably meant the world to that boy, and that isn't lost on Roundtree.
See FOOTBALL, Page 6B