From the Fields of Lakeland to the University of Michigan's Big House

Athletics and academics has proven to be a recipe for success for Steve Wilson. A 2008 graduate, Wilson had a stellar career as a student athlete.

He was the Scholar Athlete of the year, the captain of the football team, class valedictorian graduating with a 3.95 grade point average (GPA), the class vice-president and a member of the Lakeland Leadership Program. In addition, he earned All- League honors in the Kensington Valley Conference (KVC) and earned the Iron Eagle Award as the hardest worker in the weight room. 

Hard work and dedication are two keys to success that Wilson said he took with him when he enrolled at the University of Michigan in the fall of 2008. 

He is currently studying molecular, cellular and developmental biology in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, and in the process of applying to medical school.

Wilson is also a walk-on quarterback on the U-M football team and is preparing for the Nebraska game this weekend.

Teachers and coaches make an impact

Many teachers and coaches have made an impact on Wilson’s career in the classroom and on the field, he said.

He was the captain of the football team and led the team to the district finals.

“Steve combined his natural ability along with his hard work, dedication and desire to be the best,” John Maltese, his high school football coach, said. “In doing so, he demanded the best from his teammates and became a great leader.” 

Maltese said, “The examples he set along with his leadership skills made him excel as the captain of the football team and led us to the district finals; a place where Lakeland football has not been in 25 years."

Wilson was also a part of the 2007 Lakeland basketball district championship team. 

Head basketball Coach Bob Brugger said, “While at Lakeland High School, Steve Wilson was the epitome of a winner. His drive for success within the classroom carried over into his athletics. The leadership and work ethic he provided rubbed off on a predominately underclass team. He was always the student-athlete that I would talk about when discussing how to conduct yourself as a high school athlete.”

Brugger said he's not shocked Wilson is excelling at U-M, "He is intelligent, hard working, and does all the little things that it takes to be successful. Steve Wilson is a self made student-athlete that will be successful at every stage of his life.”

Wilson: 'Keep pushing both academically and athletically'

During Michigan's recent bye week, I sat down with Wilson to discuss his success as a student athlete, here's what he had to say.

White Lake Patch: What was the biggest thing you learned in high school that has contributed to your success at U-M?

Wilson: The biggest thing I learned in high school that has helped me at U-M is how to work the right way. I had a lot of great teachers and coaches who taught me what it means to work hard in both school and athletics.

White Lake Patch: What did Coach Maltese teach you that has made a difference for you academically and athletically?

Wilson: Academically, Coach Maltese stressed the importance of school first as a student-athlete and consistently reminded us of that. Athletically, he taught me a great deal about the X's and O's of football and how to play the game with a sense of passion and detail.

White Lake Patch: What classroom teacher made the biggest impact on you at Lakeland High School?

Wilson: I had a lot of great teachers at LHS but the teacher who made the greatest impact on me was Mrs. Smith. She pushed me and challenged me as a student in ways that I think made a huge difference during my time at LHS.

White Lake Patch: What impact has participating in sports had on your success at a student? And how do you balance being a student and being an athlete?

Wilson: Participating in sports has helped me as a student. It forces me to use my time as efficiently as possible. To balance athletics and academics, I make a schedule each week that maps out practice, exams, etc.

White Lake Patch: How much time do you spend on academics and sports each week?

Wilson: In season, I spend about 20 hours per week doing football-related activities. I probably spend about the same amount of time per week on academics.

White Lake Patch: What role do walk-ons play on the football team?

Wilson: Walk-ons play the same role as all the other guys on the team. Whether you are getting playing time as a walk-on or not, everyone is accountable to the team and has the same common goals.

White Lake Patch: Where do you see yourself in the next four years? Do you see yourself coaching in the future?

Wilson: In the next four years, I see myself graduating from U-M and enrolling in medical school. I definitely see myself coaching in the future. Once I retire I would like to coach high school football.

White Lake Patch: Describe the rush coming out of the tunnel and touching the Go Blue banner in front of 100,000 fans?

Wilson: Coming out of the tunnel and touching the banner is something I will never forget. It's a really surreal moment where you are caught in the excitement of the atmosphere.

White Lake Patch: How will the experiences of being on the U-M football team impact the rest of your life?

Wilson: Being on the U-M football team will stay with me forever because it means being a part of something greater than any individual. The fact that I'll be able to look back and say that I was a part of such a great tradition is truly special to me.

White Lake Patch: What advice do you have for today's high school student athlete?

Wilson: My advice for today's student-athlete is to keep pushing both academically and athletically because you never know when you will have an opportunity to make your dream a reality.