Life After Football: MS In Physiology

Andrew Vastardis, MS Graduate, Molecular & Integrative Physiology

Football has opened many doors in my life. It has given me the opportunity to pursue the finest education in the world, learn valuable life skills, and meet people who have helped me to positively impact the community around me.

After completing my senior season of football and upon entering the final semester of my undergraduate studies at Michigan, I was at a crossroads. Should I pursue the foreseen “life after football” many former players had told stories about or continue to chase the dream to leave my own mark and legacy at Michigan?. I chose the latter, which allowed me to better position myself for life after football, by pursuing a master’s degree.

When I started looking into graduate programs, the first one on my list was the M.S. in Physiology Program. I first became interested in physiology during my undergraduate Movement Science studies. Several of my core classes contained physiology components, but the required exercise physiology class really sparked my interest. I was just drawn to the overwhelming connection between physiology, exercise science, and playing football. When I reviewed the curriculum, it became clear the coursework would be very beneficial, as I set my sights on pursuing a career in medicine.

My parents and I reflected on the uncertainty I felt in the days after the University of Michigan sent students home, at the beginning of the pandemic. As an undergraduate senior, I had no idea how I was going to get through the next several months, let alone if I would be able to complete my application for graduate school. We remembered how my desire to understand COVID-19’s effect within the body further fueled my motivation to pursue a master’s degree in the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology.

I remember calling my parents when I was accepted to the M.S. in Physiology Program. I was filled with excitement and gratitude to be joining the 2020-2021 cohort, and my parents shared in my joy. To simply say that what I learned and experienced during my graduate studies was valuable and will help me in the future, would not be giving my time in the program enough praise. For me, it goes beyond the engaging curriculum, group projects, and capstone presentation. While what I learned has provided me with a strong foundation for a future in medicine, to me there was much more. Improving how I approached my learning, was equally, if not more, important to me. Early in the program, I felt like a fish out of water when it came to thinking critically while reading scientific literature, forming my own unique opinions, and effectively articulating my thoughts or impressions with confidence. This is when my University of Michigan football experiences really helped. As a walkon player whose career began as a blocking dummy for some of the best defensive lineman in America, I developed both a strong ability to persevere and an intrinsic desire for continuous improvement. I also utilized other skills that I acquired through football, which included managing time efficiently, organizing priorities effectively, and approaching studies systematically. These skills greatly contributed to the successful completion of my Physiology coursework and building my confidence as an independent thinker and public speaker.

The new tangible skills I acquired during my graduate studies carried over to my football experiences, which similarly impacted my success in both Schembechler Hall and The Big House. Becoming more aware of bodily processes improved my football conditioning and recovery regimen, which led to my overwhelmingly healthy season. My passion to be a man made for others grew through classmate interactions during group projects. My ability to plan and deliver well-constructed presentations improved, and, with this, I became more confident in public speaking. I truly believe this all played a role in my becoming a better leader both on and off the field and, ultimately, being chosen as a Captain during the past two seasons, one of the greatest honors of my life.

Although the 2020 football season was filled with turbulence, difficulty, and disappointment, I was able to finish the academic school year on a high note. Completing the program-culminating capstone allowed me to showcase the knowledge and skills I had acquired, while pouring myself into a topic that has personally affected my family. Initially this assignment seemed to be a very daunting task. However, after receiving constant support from the faculty and making many revisions, the time arrived to present with confidence, and my goal was accomplished! Around this time, I was offered the opportunity to play a rare sixth year of college football. Ironically, this task mirrored how I had initially felt about the capstone assignment. Following a 2-win and 4-loss campaign in 2020, the season ahead seemed daunting…to say the least. However, my teammates and I put our heads down, did the necessary work needed – together, and became confident in ourselves and each other. We built on our successes, learned from our failures, and, when it came time to accomplish our goals, we moved forward with confidence. In the end, we achieved many of the goals we had set for ourselves, ending winless droughts, and accomplishing many firsts.

The last 18 months have been filled with countless challenges, many more important than football. Despite all the obstacles, Michigan’s Molecular and Integrative Physiology Department’s faculty found a way to deliver an exceptional program of studies. I am proud to say that the team I played for and the community I am a part of are strong, resilient, unified, and always working to improve ourselves and those around us.