Central Michigan University Athletics
Grant Arnoldink Profile
10/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 6, 2004
By Morgan Curtis
Sports Information Assistant
Grant Arnoldink may not be Central Michigan University's starting quarterback but that won't stop him from trying to make the 2004 season a huge success.
"I want to do whatever I can to lead this team and set a winning foundation with CMU and coach Brian Kelly," said Arnoldink, a 6-4, 233-pound senior from Holland.
After losing their first two games on the road, the Chippewas came back two weeks ago to beat Southeastern Missouri State, 44-27.
Arnoldink is positive CMU has improved significantly this season.
"The atmosphere is the locker room has changed," said Arnoldink. "The team worked together real hard this past summer and got a lot accomplished. Coach Kelly is going to do a lot for this program and his staff."
After Mike DeBord left and Kelly stepped in as head coach for CMU, the team had to adapt to the new coaching style in a short amount of time, but Arnoldink said it was not too hard, and he is learning more every day.
Arnoldink started football after moving from Texas to Michigan at a young age.
He originally started playing soccer, but when his parents asked if he wanted to try out for the Rocket football program, he decided to give it a shot. He has been in love ever since.
After completing high school at West Ottawa High, where he earned three letters in baseball and two each in football and basketball, Arnoldink decided to attend CMU.
"I came here as a walk-on because I had high expectations of myself," said Arnoldink.
Arnoldink worked hard, and at the end of his freshmen year, he received a scholarship.
The most important thing he has learned at CMU is not to be late for a meeting, because the consequences are not fun.
"Especially as a veteran, you want to set an example for the younger guys on the team," said Arnoldink. He said a good rule is to arrive ten minutes early to every meeting.
Arnoldink graduated this past summer with a bachelor's degree in marketing, and is now starting his master's in science and administration.
When his master's is completed, Arnoldink would like to work for his dad who is in the business field. His father, Loren, is his role model. "He's been there my whole life to teach me my values and to do everything in life to the best of my ability," said Arnoldink. Though he speaks highly of his father, Arnoldink emphasizes how important his mother, Paula, and sister, Leslie are in his life.
His parents have come to all of his games, and he claims his sister is a lot like him in many ways, being an athlete herself.
Arnoldink also credit his family for being so supportive of him, and his parents encouraging him to go to college wherever he wanted to go.
For fun, Arnoldink likes to be outdoors ... skiing, fishing and hiking.
He is also a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Council and serves as a mentor to his teammates. "I help out younger guys on the team," said Arnoldink. "I can help them out if they have any questions ... I have been through everything."
This is Arnoldink's last season to play for CMU, but he looks forward to playing Western at the end of October. "I am looking forward to beating them again in Kelly Shorts Stadium," said Arnoldink.
He remembers clearly CMU's 21-17 upset of a ranked Bronco squad in 2000 and all of the excitement that went with the win over its arch-rival.
When leaving CMU, Arnoldink will miss his teammates the most, because they are a great group of guys. He plans on continuing to visit and keep in touch with them whenever he can.
This veteran's advice to future Chippewa football players is a powerful one: "Always keep a winning attitude, and every day work to get better and win here at CMU. Also, be a positive role model on and off the field."
