ALLENDALE, Mich.-- A group of students at Grand Valley State University got the opportunity of a lifetime, but most of them didn't know it until they showed up to class one day.
“I thought we were going to a school to test kids, and we get in the car and Dr. Sherman says hey we're going to the Red Wings fit camp,” said Morgan Auerenhammer, an exercise science student at GVSU.
Auernhammer and 11 other students got to experience something they had never dreamed they would get to do. Their professor, Dr. Ross Sherman, had fun not telling them about it until the day of.
“I kept it quiet, and I just kind of said 'We are doing some stuff with the Red Wings' and they just looked puzzled. I was like ‘no the Red Wings.’ Half their faces were like what? They couldn't believe it.”
The students assisted the Red Wings players in their pre-season test training.
“We got to go to test the Red Wings. We got to explain to them why they were doing what they were doing and how it would benefit them in the long run,” said Morgan.
There was only one picture taken during the training, because professionalism was of the upmost importance to them regardless of their craving to ask for an autograph.
“I didn't want them to think Grand Valley students were just there to take pictures with them. I wanted them to know that we meant business, and needed to get them ready for the season,” said student Michael Brauer.
During their sessions with the team, they tested agility, speed and coordination. .
“You get up there, you're working with athletes with huge salaries and they are expecting a certain level of stuff and you got to step up to the plate and get it done. It was cool to see your students doing that,” said Dr. Sherman.
A true testament to everything these students are learning, and knowing it well enough to work with the best in the business.
"The organization was happy with the work that was done and wants us to come back again. I think that’s the perfect complement for everything that was going on that day,” said Dr. Sherman.
