Andrew Marsh didn’t pick just any random day for his commitment ceremony.

For Marsh, Aug. 20, was much more than a day for him to announce where he will attend college. Marsh chose the 20^th because it is his father’s birthday and he wanted to honor the man who had helped get him to this point.

Marsh’s father passed away 10 years ago from cancer, but the lives he affected were all across the room at the Jordan High School Performing Arts Center on Tuesday. That room erupted in cheers when Marsh told them he was committing to the University of Michigan to continue his academic and athletic career.

“It meant so much to me to do this today,” Marsh said. “He’s a big part of my life and a big reason why I do what I do. To be able to honor him today and let people know what he means to me means everything.”

Marsh chose Michigan over the University of Texas, University of Washington, University of Southern California and the University of Colorado. Even with the coaching staff changes the four star wide receiver who is ranked as one of the top 10 receivers in the nation and 13^th best player in the state of Texas loved what he felt from the Michigan staff, what he saw on campus and everything to do with the school.

“I loved everything about the school,” Marsh said. “From the coaches, to the players, the facilities the campus all of the people and other recruits. Even the history that you see there, really everything there drew me in and I’m really excited.”

For the past 10 years, it’s been Marsh and his mother, Elanor, as Andrew has continued to grow and become one of the best receivers and high school players across the country. She has dawned many hats for him, mother, confidant and manager just to name a few, and to see it all come full circle, for Andrew to take this next step on a day that has meant so much to them both was not just for him, but for his mother as well. She knew it as Andrew’s way to show how much it meant to him that his dad used to throw the ball with him in the backyard, used to work out with him and used to beam with pride watching his son play.

“She’s done more than anyone will ever know, she’s done so much to me and means the whole world to me,” Andrew said. “She has sacrificed so much to get me to this point, she’s been there every step of the way and been at every game and really just dropped her whole world just to help me. I appreciate and love her so much, it’s hard to put into words.”

That feeling goes both ways in his family. Elanor could not be prouder of the young man that Andrew has grown into and in the past few years was shocked how he has picked up some of his father’s mannerisms. To see her late husband come out in her son and him continue to grow, becoming more mature and more determined has been a wonderful adventure for her.

“It’s everything to me to see what he has become,” Elanor said. “He was only seven when his dad passed, so to see these mannerisms of his dad in him. It’s just like there’s this part of his dad in there and it’s amazing. It’s so crazy to see.”

Marsh comes off a dominant junior year, where he caught 65 passes for 1,158 yards and 15 touchowns, averaging over 100 yards per game.

He has the chance to do even bigger things this year and his goals go beyond just Friday and Saturday football. But no matter what happens, he and his family are excited to see where that journey takes him.

“I’m just so proud of him,” Elanor said. “I’m so excited to see what he does and to support him in every way. Andrew has put in so much hard work and he’s continuing that. It’s been such a blessing seeing him grow and I know there are big things in store for him.”