Central Michigan University Athletics
Matt Wohlgemuth Profile
11/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 11, 2003
By Scott Pettett
Assistant Sports Information Director
There aren't too many bulls that would be comfortable in a china shop.
However, 6-5, 265-pound defensive tackle Matt Wohlgemuth is one bull that literally would be at ease in just such a place.
The senior has been throwing his weight around all season and has been a menace to opponents. He is second among the defensive linemen with 42 tackles, eighth on the team. He has seven tackles for a loss this year, including two sacks.
But, if putting the hurt on opponents in their backfield on a weekly basis isn't a stress reliever, try some extreme sports. Wohlgemuth does. The outdoor recreation major likes to spend his spare time snowboarding, backpacking, whitewater rafting, and wakeboarding.
"When I was younger, sports were not a big part of my family," commented Wohlgemuth. "My father is an artist and musician and we also lived on a lake. So, I got into water skiing, wakeboarding, and mini bikes. That's what my friends were all into.
"Also, I was too big as kid to play football. I wasn't allowed to start playing football until I was a freshman in high school."
When Wohlgemuth is perched on top of a mountain or tethered to boat, he is always looking for that chance to get that extra surge of adrenaline. Jumping off of 40-foot cliffs and doing back flips on his snowboard are just a couple of means to that end.
"I'm definitely a thrill-seeker," Wohlgemuth points out. "That has been a part of my life for some time now. When you grow up in the country, you have to do some crazy things so you don't get bored. So, when I'm snowboarding, I look for the hits that will get me some good air. That's a cool feeling."
However, wakeboarding has posed its challenges. The Lake Orion native freely admits that he has never landed a back flip on his wakeboard. But, that isn't because of a lack of effort.
"I can land a back flip on my snowboard," said Wohlgemuth. "I have been doing it for 10 years now. But, I haven't been able to do it on a wakeboard. Wakeboarding is just way for me to keep in shape for snowboarding. It's fun because you can crash and burn and you don't really get hurt."
Sometimes, though, Wohlgemuth likes to slow it down a bit. Even extreme sports have their limits and taking the time to catch your breath and enjoying a slower-paced life can be equally as rewarding. So, Wohlgemuth has also been known to enjoy the delicate pastime of ceramics.
"I know that ceramics is an extreme difference from everything else I like to do," says Wohlgemuth. "But, my dad is an artist, and art and music was all around when I was growing up.
"I took ceramics one through four, pottery, and was even a teacher's assistant twice. I have a knack for it. I thought it was fun to create such beautiful work. I also like how you can relax and be creative. It's good times."
While ceramics is fun for the three-year letterwinner, it's just a hobby for this bull. Keeping him cooped in a china shop is not the direction Wohlgemuth would like to head.
"I'm big into the out-of-doors," Wohlgemuth said. "I'm an outdoor recreation major and I want to be a guide. I want lead people on backpacking trips, through ropes courses or on whitewater rafting trips. Those activities go along with my interests."
Having such an interest in outdoor activities and pursuing a career in it has also led to a bit of a reputation on the football. Many of his peers on the squad list Wohlgemuth as the one teammate most likely to win at "Survivor."
While Wohlgemuth is confident he could easily live up to those expectations, don't expect to see Wohlgemuth on CBS on Thursday nights anytime soon.
"I'm not big into the reality TV programs," commented Wohlgemuth. "I feel like I could win if I were on it. I have taken outdoor survival classes so I am prepared for that type of thing.
"But, if I were to do something like that, I would just do a small one with my buddies over a couple of days. I wouldn't want to do it too long. I'm a big guy and I have a big appetite."
