Colette Hemker DeHetre

God, Family, & Michigan. @umichathletics Leadership Development Team @umichathlead, @FOXSports Freelancer, UM Alumna, & Sports History Enthusiast. Go Blue!

[Colette Hemker DeHetre @colettehemker]

@UMichAthletics my 2-year old nephew has been completely indoctrinated. Watch his face and ferocity of clapping totally change when he recognized the song. He also knows that shirt he's wearing is "maize". 💛💙

#proudaunt #goblue #gomaize

[NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBB]

ONE SHINING MOMENT 🙌

#MarchMadness

[Colette Hemker DeHetre @colettehemker]

I’ve seen this movie! 😭

[𝕐o̴g̴ @Yoda4ever]

Seven dogs stolen from their owners have gone viral after escaping from an illegal transport truck and making their way home.

They traveled around 17 km together, led by a corgi across highways and fields, now safely back with their respective owners..🐶🐾🥺❤️

[DK🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸 @1Nicdar]

130 schools said no.
He led the losingest program in college football history to a national championship anyway.
Fernando Mendoza was a 2-star recruit from Miami.

He tried to walk on at his hometown school. They passed.
So did FIU.
So did FAU.
So did everyone else.

At 17, he was sitting in his bedroom, crying over a silent recruiting inbox—after driving to 18 camps with his dad and sending highlights to more than 100 programs.
Not one FBS offer.
His only option? Yale. No scholarship. No NFL path.

Everyone told him to be “realistic.”
“Know your place.”
“Be grateful.”
He didn’t listen.
Because Mendoza understood something most people miss:
The worst outcome isn’t failing.
It’s never getting the chance to try.

Two weeks before signing day in 2022, his phone rang.
Cal needed a body. One offer. Out of 134 schools.
He took it.
He arrived as the third-string quarterback.
Spent a year on the scout team.
Lost his first four starts.
Got sacked 41 times behind a broken offensive line.

Still got up. Every time.
Then Cal brought in a transfer instead of building around him.
So Mendoza left the only school that had ever said yes.
He transferred to Indiana—the losingest program in college football history.

People laughed.
“Career suicide.”
“Graveyard program.”
“Nobody wins there.”
One coach told him something different:
“I’m going to make you the best Fernando Mendoza possible.”
That was enough.
Mendoza wasn’t just playing for football.
His mother has battled multiple sclerosis for 18 years.

Before every snap, he thought of her.
“My mother is my why.”
Indiana went 16–0.
Beat six Top-10 teams.
Won their first Big Ten title since 1945.
Mendoza threw 41 touchdowns.
Won the Heisman—first in school history.
First Cuban-American to ever do it.

Then came the title game.
Miami. Near his hometown.
Fourth-and-4. Season on the line.
Quarterback draw.
The kid 134 schools rejected spun through defenders and dove into the end zone.

Game over.
Indiana—national champions.
The losingest program became the best team in America.
All because a 17-year-old refused to believe “no” was the end.

Rankings don’t decide your ceiling.
Gatekeepers don’t write your ending.
Being overlooked isn’t a verdict—it’s a starting point.

Sometimes all you need is one shot…
and the courage to bet on yourself when nobody else will.
Don’t quit.

Credit: Barclay Mullins

[FOX College Hoops @CBBonFOX]

“Find out what makes you happy. Spread more love. As people, we need to do that more.”

Trey Burke’s jersey retirement speech for @umichbball was one to remember.

[Colette Hemker DeHetre @colettehemker]

@umichwsoccer Losing a great one.

[Colette Hemker DeHetre @colettehemker]

@coobles321 @gardens8 Praying for the Prouts!

[Colette Hemker DeHetre @colettehemker]

This is the version of college sports that I absolutely fell in love with. Bring this version back.

[BaseballHistoryNut @nut_history]

Dustin Mercer from Murray State gave one of the greatest answers I’ve heard from a reporter who asked why does he keep smiling, especially after being no-hit and his team striking out 19 times.

Best thing you’ll see today

[Colette Hemker DeHetre @colettehemker]

Today marks my 12th Michigan Softball Academy! While fun, the mission is important: eradicate cancer. The American Cancer Society is helping get us closer to that goal—treatments, research, & patient support, every dollar makes a difference.
https://t.co/LnaDgM6z1c

[Colette Hemker DeHetre @colettehemker]

HAIL!!! 🫶

[Michigan Gymnastics 🏆 @UMichGym]

YOUR WOLVERINES ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! 🥳

[Michigan Men's Basketball @umichbball]

Bringing the 🏆 back to Ann Arbor!

#GoBlue

[Colette Hemker DeHetre @colettehemker]

Legit question: assuming the conference champs go 0-4 after a round 1 bye in the #CFBPlayoff, will we see teams opt out of their conference championship game?

[Wolf of X @WolfofX]

6. Manager helps his employee get a raise

[Erin (Dunston) Zernechel @e_dunston]

Scoreboard

[Colette Hemker DeHetre @colettehemker]

Literally one of the best, most genuine student-athletes I’ve known. Have a day, today, Davis.

[College GameDay @CollegeGameDay]

The power of friendship and perseverance ✨

Michigan QB Davis Warren helped fellow Leukemia survivor Hudson Gazsi throughout his treatment.

(via @JenLada)

[Barstool Sports @barstoolsports]

Baker Mayfield donated $17,900 to a Texas high school team that needed the equipment to play their games… They just went on to win the state championship

Some things

[Colette Hemker DeHetre @colettehemker]

“I hope people can see Jesus through my story” - Jake Bates

[Michigan Panthers @_PanthersUFL]

JAKE MF BATES ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!

[Colette Hemker DeHetre @colettehemker]

Apparently the Irish got nothing on Conner the good luck charm!

[Michigan Hockey @umichhockey]

Even better from ice level - the winner from Werner

[Michigan Hockey @umichhockey]

It was a special day for us yesterday as we signed our newest teammate Conner!

@GoTeamIMPACT | #GoBlue〽️

[Colette Hemker DeHetre @colettehemker]

@DEdwards__ 🗣️🗣️🗣️ the truth!!!! 💛💙

[Brock Heilig @brockheilig]

Donovan Edwards gives Davis Warren credit before leaving the podium:

“He’s shown time and time again that he overcomes adversity in his personal life, and in the football world.”