Alumni Q and A: Bob Gassoff, Class of 2001
12/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
The first weekend in August each summer has become known as the annual Michigan Hockey Reunion and Showcase. Early on in Coach Berenson's tenure he began inviting alumni of all ages back to Ann Arbor to celebrate the great tradition of Michigan Hockey, which is now in its 87th season. While not every story told over the weekend can be chronicled, MGoBlue.com managed to catch up with a few alumni to find out where life has taken them and how the Michigan Hockey family continues to impact their lives. Class of 2001 member Bob Gassoff sat down to speak about some of his memories.
What are your top Michigan hockey memories
"There is a lot wrapped up into that question, but obviously, there is no better place to play in North America than here at Yost. The tradition and the program and just the team mentality that Red and the program bring is just awesome. I am 31 now, and I graduated in 2001, so about seven years ago, and it is still one of the things that I did in my life that I am proudest to say that I am a Michigan man and that I came here, played with some great players and some great friends and hung a few banners. The fans here are always incredible and you see the support here with the Dekers Club and an event like this, and it is great all around."
Who are the people you keep the most in touch with from Michigan
"A few guys in my class, (Josh Langfeld) and (Bill) Trainer, we stay in great contact. And (Sean Peach) and (Kevin Magnuson) who are in the class ahead of me. Kevin O'Malley and Jeff Jillson. It doesn't really matter, new guys and old guys, it doesn't really matter, everybody's family, we shared the same experiences and it doesn't matter if we played together or not. So I mean, it is just great to come back and be a part of something like this and see everybody."
To me, Red Berenson is
"...the consummate, hard-working, honest, professional, dedicated person ever. He is a mentor in anything and everything he does, whether it is on the ice or off the ice. He is the type of person that guys come in here and want to be; they want to be like Red. I have never had a coach with more integrity, more professionalism, more dedication to the game and to his players, personally, on the ice and off the ice than I did with Red."
What are you up to now
"I am still in the Navy, and I am a SEAL. I have been doing that for five years now. It is tough, I am gone a lot. Last year, I was gone for 350 days of the year, and I am married and I have a kid so I am looking to maybe settle down a little bit more. But it has been a great experience for me and I am fortunate to have been a part of that organization and program as well and do the things that I have been able to do. I have been to a lot of places in the world that make me appreciate what I have here back home."
What's the strangest place you've encountered a U-M hockey alumnus or U-M alumnus
"It always happens, even in the military, you are talking to guys and some of them are from Michigan and are Michigan State fans and some are Michigan fans. And overseas, you meet different people and people are from different units, and I wear my Michigan hat over there, so people will see and we will get to talking about Michigan and playing hockey. To this day, I still bleed Maize and Blue, and the only thing I wear that is green are my camos and I have to wear those for work. But I think one time I was in the southeast Asia and I was the only one wearing desert camos because I can't wear anything green."
Do you still pay attention to the team
"It is tough, but with the internet, we can get to it sometimes overseas, but I got home in time last season to see the end of the season. I got home from Iraq and was following the team, and it was nice to watch all the similarities to the team that we had our freshman year when we won it. And I was actually able to go to Denver and see the guys in the Frozen Four and that was awesome. I had my little boy at home, and we were watching the CCHA playoff games, but he had no idea what was going on. He is just eight months, but it was really neat to be able to watch the guys. You are always a part of Michigan, when the other team scores and you are watching, you still feel it. You have to live vicariously through these guys and all the things that they are experiencing."
