You may have seen this man on the sideline at a football game, helping out the volleyball team or even rooting on the soccer team. He supports every team at UTM. That man is Mike Spinnler. He is an employee of UTM as a custodian and one of the Skyhawks biggest fans.
He is also involved in sports himself as a player in the Noon Basketball Association in the Elam Center.
Mike was on his bike headed to the soccer match against Tennessee Tech when he had an unfortunate meeting with a curb.
Mike went to the emergency room and 10 stitches later, he showed up at the soccer match to cheer the team to victory.
But there was one thing missing…his bike.
The Student Athlete Advisory Committee got together and decided they wanted to do something for Mike. SAAC is made up of two athletes from every sport at UTM.
Every Division I school that supports athletics has a SAAC.
The purpose of this group is to reach out and promote athletes in a positive light.
In the month of October there is a “make a difference day.” The campaign for SAAC was to make a difference for Mike.
The athletes pulled together to find a way to thank Mike for being such a loyal fan.
All the athletes donated money to buy Mike a new bicycle since it was his only way of transportation. “I am extremely proud of the generosity shown by the student athletes. This was a public gesture that mirrors the hearts of these kids everyday”, said Danelle Fabianich, SAAC adviser. The Mongoose XR100 bicycle was presented to him after game two of the volleyball game Tuesday night in hopes it will carry Mike swiftly and safely to all the games.