Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Profile: Colby Wollenman
2/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Hanna Sprague, MSU Athletic Communications
In late August of 2011, Colby Wollenman packed up his world and began the cross-country journey from Big Horn, Wyoming, to East Lansing, Michigan. Five years and many unpredictable moments later, Wollenman finds himself getting off the court, packing another bag and jetting off to his future. This time, he's scheduling medical school interviews between Big Ten match-ups.
Wollenman, a 6-foot-7 forward, tried out for head coach Tom Izzo's team in October of 2011, nearly two months after he had arrived on campus as a pre-med student in the Lyman Briggs College.
This leap of faith, showing up to a tryout for an already-formed squad, was just the beginning of a championship-driven journey this walk-on would experience during his time at Michigan State.
"I had zero intention of playing basketball here when I got to school," said Wollenman. "Some of my friends talked about trying out, people who I had just met. I thought I'd just go give it a shot and see how it all turns out."
Most would say it turned out well, as his work ethic and commitment to success were clear from the first time he stepped on the court at the Breslin Center. Yet, when word got to Wollenman that he had made the team, he couldn't have possibly predicted what his life as a student-athlete would entail.
"It's probably had a bigger impact on my life than anything else, to be honest," said Wollenman. "I've grown so much because of basketball. I've learned a lot about myself because of basketball. It's had a really great impact on my life."
A standout student at Big Horn High School, Wollenman came to Michigan State on a four-year full ride academic scholarship. But, after redshirting during the 2012-13 season, the possibility of fifth year became very realistic.
"I talked to him [Izzo] and said, at some point, the only way I'll really be able to stay here a fifth year is if I'm on an athletic scholarship," said Wollenman.
"Otherwise, I don't have the 40 thousand dollars it costs to stay here and go to school and take classes that I don't need just so I can play basketball. He knew that."
Recruits were coming in and scholarships were being granted, leaving Wollenman feeling unsure about his future within the program. Izzo solved that uncertainty in Wollenman's fourth season, putting him on an athletic scholarship for the year so he could return for his redshirt-senior season and use his final year of academic scholarship.
"Never in my wildest, wildest, wildest, wildest, wildest dreams did I ever think I would be on an athletic scholarship at a Division I program, much less a program like Michigan State that is one of the best basketball programs in the country," said Wollenman.
His opportunity on the court has fueled the fire of leadership within him, helping him find the direction of success in every aspect of life.
"My understanding of basketball was unbelievably naive," said Wollenman. "I thought I knew about basketball. I had no idea about basketball. By now, it's so second nature and it's really, really easy for me to step up and say something. Even if I can't do it on the court, I kind of take a coaching role and I take a lot of pride in it. It's really fulfilling."
Wollenman's brother, Lucas, followed him to East Lansing a few years down the line, making MSU feel a little bit more like home for the Wyoming family.
"One of the hardest things about playing basketball here was knowing I wasn't going to be able to see my family much," said Wollenman. "Having my brother here really, really helped alleviate that and just made being away from my family a lot easier."
His ability to lead and his dedication to whatever obstacle is put in front of him is something that sticks out in his favor as he interviews at some of the best medical schools in the country.
"Basketball is all they want to talk about whenever I interview, which is awesome because a lot of what, surprisingly, inspired me to stick with medicine and a lot of what has helped prepare me for medicine is basketball," said Wollenman. "It's amazing how well and directly it translates over."
Deep into the heart of conference contests, Wollenman is balancing his future in one hand and scouting reports in the other. His vision is backed by the program, knowing just how much this former walk-on is capable of achieving.
"Coach is as pumped about what I'm doing as I am," said Wollenman. "He kind of helped schedule our off days on days I had interviews. I try and schedule them the day after a game, if it's an early game, so that I can fly out right after the game."
The interview is the final step in the application process. By late March, he'll have his offers in front of him. Chances are the calls will come in and the letters will arrive just as the Spartans are getting ready to make another run in the NCAA Tournament.
Come graduation, Wollenman will be ready to make another move across the country, much like he did five years ago. But, for now, he will stay focused on the short-term, knowing his role in the Green and White and appreciating the road he has traveled to earn his spot on the team and in life.
"Knowing that you're contributing to success is probably one of the best feelings that comes along with being a part of the team," said Wollenman. "No matter how bad you feel about something, you've got to get back up and keep working to get better."
Coach Izzo jokes that Wollenman will be the only doctor he trusts to operate on him a few years down the line, but these comments emulate just how much respect and faith he has in Wollenman's future.
"It's incredible," said Wollenman. "How everything worked out the way it did - it almost doesn't make sense from where I was to where I am. This opportunity and this program have meant everything to me."
