Fresno State Athletics
Micenheimer winds down exciting Bulldog gridiron career
11/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
By: Travis Blanshan
tblanshan@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - It is said that life's obstacles help build character and you have to be able to overcome adversity to find success.
One Fresno State Bulldog knows that life lesson first-hand as the `Dogs redshirt senior running back Malique Micenheimer has seen his share of setbacks during his time in Bulldog red.
Raised in Stockton, Calif., Micenheimer was introduced to the pigskin as a seven-year old with the South Stockton Vikings. Quickly growing an affection for the sport, Micenheimer became a highly-ranked player and a three-star prospect by Rivals.com at McNair High School, drawing the interest of college programs.
A strong wrestler in his prep days, he earned All-American honors on the mat, but Micenheimer knew his heart and future were on the gridiron. With scholarship offers from a handful of programs, including a pair of Pac-12 teams, Micenheimer built a relationship with former Bulldog assistant coach Keith Williams who helped him make his decision to be a Bulldog an easy one.
"The relationship that I built with coach Williams, who also is from Stockton, was able to relate with me and my family really well," said Micenheimer. "That connection was amazing and then meeting (former head coach) Pat Hill and the person he is, there are not very many people I have ever met that are like him as far as being a leader on and off the field. There was no question Fresno State was where I wanted to be."
Making his way to Fresno in the fall of 2011, he arrived on campus as an inside linebacker. Looking to follow in the footsteps of Chris Carter, a fifth-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011, Micenheimer had visions of blowing up defenses. Unfortunately, the `Dogs had two fullbacks fall victim to ACL injuries during the first week of fall camp and suddenly were in urgent need of a road grader.
"I remember it vividly," Micenheimer recalls about being asked to move to offense. "I was sleeping in the old locker room during fall camp and coach Hill and coach Wade woke me up and asked if I could play fullback for a year and return to linebacker next year. I was excited because we had some fun road trips and I would get to learn the scheme and get on the field."
With the `Dogs only able to muster a four-win campaign and Tim DeRuyter replacing coach Hill at years end, there was no question for Micenheimer if he would remain a Bulldog.
"Once the new staff came in, there was not a choice to leave or look to transfer, because this is where I felt right football-wise and could get my education," said Micenheimer.
With a new staff and playbook on both sides of the ball in place, the linebacker-turned-fullback returned to his natural position the following season. Sensing he could better serve the team on offense, Micenheimer flipped back to fullback near the end of the 2012 season and has found a home in the backfield ever since.
"In our new offense, there was still a void at fullback and I was not getting a lot of playing time at linebacker, so I made the switch back to offense," Micenheimer said. "The terminology of the new offense was different, but I could relate, because I knew the old scheme really well and that is where I have been ever since."
After making yet another position change to running back in 2013 and ranking third on the team in rushing yards, Micenheimer was set for a standout senior year in 2014, but three games into the season, he was dealt a crushing blow, suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
"It was really tough," said Micenheimer on sitting out last season. "Physically, I felt good coming into the season and had a good start to the year, so to take that blow was hard on me. I have to give thanks to my amazing teammates, family, coaches, and great trainers that were able to uplift me and help me through the process."
Faced with another obstacle to overcome, Micenheimer vehemently attacked his rehabilitation and worked tirelessly to get ready for what would be a 2015 redshirt senior campaign.
"The rehab was grueling," said Micenheimer. "Shoulder injuries are tough to deal with and there are a lot of days when I did not want to go in there, but you have to get through it. It was a grind, but it was great to have amazing trainers help me through that process."
Granted a medical redshirt, Micenheimer returned to the Bulldogs this fall and has been looked at to be a leader on and off the field. Elected a captain before the season, Micenheimer was honored that his teammates viewed him with such high esteem.
"It lets me know I have the respect of my peers and that they saw how much effort I put into getting back on the field this season," said Micenheimer.
In addition to appearing in 46 career games as a `Dog, Micenheimer has also performed strongly in the classroom, earning three Mountain West All-Academic selections. Already having earned his bachelor's degree in recreation administration, sports and entertainment facilities management last May, he is currently working on his master's degree with dreams of becoming a sports agent.
"School was an area my parents always pushed me in and I have always been pushed to the limits academically," he said. "I have been blessed to have two parents who have prepared me the right way."
With his Bulldog career coming to a close on senior night at Bulldog Stadium against Colorado State, Micenheimer knows the obstacles and adversity he faced at Fresno State have not only shaped him as a man, but will ultimately him stronger and in the end, a success.
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