Central Michigan University Athletics
Manciel Looks To Rebound From Injury
1/17/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 17, 2001
Since putting on a CMU basketball jersey, Mike Manciel has seen the best and worst of being an athlete. Being the first Chippewa to ever earn the honor of MAC "Freshman of the Year" for the 1998-99 season put the 6-5 forward in the spotlight. Before the next season could even begin, an ankle injury robbed him of his chance to further prove why he was a leader in the MAC and for CMU basketball. With two screws in his fractured ankle, the Detroit native was forced to sit on the bench.
Now in his third year on the squad, Manciel has put the past behind him and is ready to play.
"At the beginning of this season my goals were simple. My goals were to start the year off healthy, to get in shape, and to have fun," Manciel explained. "I just had to pick up where I left off and go from there".
Now second on the team in scoring, he is proving that his injury is hardly about to hold him back. His new role as a forward is opening opportunities to learn the game from a new perspective and opens chances for his teammates as well.
Off the court the Detroit native keeps thinking strategy. He analyzes moves. He figures out what will make him a winner and what will give him the opportunity to say..."CHECK MATE!" A love of chess was instilled by a friend this summer and the Entrepreneurship major has been playing whenever possible since then.
"(Chess) is where I escape and forget the frustration of everything. It's a good way to get your mind off things," Manciel said. "I used to say `if you aren't sweating, it's not worth the time', but chess is great. It makes you use your mind."
Mike Manciel is making this season work in his favor despite a problematic ankle and adjustments to his new role as a perimeter player. As for his teammates, Manciel feels that sticking with goals set at the beginning of the season will carry them through any challenges competitors bring.
"Our goals were to have team unity and give all you can on the court," Manciel explained. "Don't have any regrets. If you play with unity, have no regrets and put forth the effort, everything else falls into place."
by: Christine Ayar, Sports Information Assistant
