One of the most heralded recruits in Coach Tim Brewster’s much acclaimed recruiting class was linebacker Sam Maresh of Champlain Park High School, but his well-documented diagnosis of a heart problem and subsequent open-heart surgery threatened his career. But thanks to the care of an amazing medical team, a determined and dedicated patient and an incredible foundation of love and support, Maresh is a possibly just a couple months from joining the team, just weeks after staring into the possibly never playing again.

Maresh expects to enroll in at The U in January and will participate in Spring practice if everything continues as planned. His gray shirt will allow him to not use a year of eligibility this season, and he will enter the 2009 season ready to contribute on the field. Maresh is excited to join his teammates and has been given the incredible honor of carrying the Gopher flag on to the field as the Gophers enter TCF Bank Stadium for the very first time next September. With that flag, Maresh will carry decades of Gopher history on his shoulders and the hopes and dreams of Gopher players and fans for decades to come. This honor has humbled an already grounded future Gopher, and he took time to chat with GopherHole about his health, his enjoyment of the Gophers’ 4-0 start and what it means to know that he’ll carry the Minnesota flag.


GH: You look really good, what’s the status with your health right now?
SM: I’m doing really well right now, I went and saw the doctors a couple of days ago, and they said there are no restrictions on weight lifting, so I can start putting up big weights with no problem.

GH: So, are you working out with the team?
SM: I do as much as I can, I come down here just to be with them, and go to their practices and stuff like that.

GH: What are you expecting as far as joining the team officially?
SM: Hopefully the doctors will say that I can be back this spring.

GH: Is this kind of recovery nearly unheard of?
SM: Yeah, I don’t know. Obviously, I’ve never had surgery before so I don’t really know what’s normal. People keep up telling me, “you look great,” and that I’m doing really well.

GH: How have you reacted to this outpouring of love and support from Gopher Nation?
SM: I don’t know…it’s such a good feeling. Everybody knows you, it’s kind of weird. People walk up to me and say, “Hey, you’re Sam Maresh,” and I don’t even know them. It’s just so cool to come here, and everyone is a big fan.

GH: Have you been to all the games?
SM: All the home games, yes.

GH: What kind of progress have you seen from last year to this year?
SM: This team looks amazing right now, the defense stands out in my mind more than anything. Last year, their defense struggled at times, and didn’t have the right personnel in there, now it looks like they’re starting to turn things around with a new D-coordinator. They’re really starting to turn some heads. I think they’ll play those Big Ten teams and I think they’re going to win.

GH: What does it mean to you that Coach Brewster asked you to carry the flag onto the field at the first game next year?
SM: That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever heard. It’s an amazing feeling for him to say something like that to you, or to anybody. It means a lot. I don’t know…it’s hard to explain, it’s a great feeling to hear your head coach, when you’re not even on the team yet, and he says you’re going to carry the flag out. It’s a great feeling.

GH: Were you speechless?
SM: Yes, it’s hard to talk about without getting choked up. It’s pretty sweet.


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