COLUMBUS, Ohio — When it comes to The Game, for some families, it creates a split household. That’s how it is for Ohio State freshman Mia Tuman. The volleyball player grew up a Michigan fan, thanks to her dad, who played for the Wolverines and won a National Championship.
What You Need To Know
- Mia Tuman is a freshman setter for the Ohio State Volleyball team
- She grew up a huge Michigan fan thanks to her dad, Jerame Tuman, who was a tight end and National Champion for the Wolverines
- Mia says she never expected to go to Ohio State but it ended up being the right fit
- Jerame says he supports his daughter's decision and will always be her biggest fan
Mia Tuman has always felt at home on the volleyball court as a setter.
“Yeah, the setter touches the ball the most, every second contact,” Mia said. “So pretty important.”
But coming to Ohio State was never part of the plan- Tuman grew up a massive Michigan fan and hoped to one day play there.
“So it was kind of like a dream school for me, honestly,” Mia said. “Like the perfect situation and then when volleyball came into play and I started getting recruited and I got recruited by them, I was so excited.”
That’s thanks to her dad- Jerame Tuman- who you may recognize as the former Michigan tight end who scored the go-ahead touchdown that won the Wolverines their last National Championship in 1997. So it came as a surprise when Mia chose the Bucks over the Wolverines.
“Obviously told my parents first in the morning and when I told them they kind of paused and were like, ‘Are you joking?’ when I said that I’m going to Ohio State, they didn’t believe me,” Mia said. “They also thought that I was going to go to Michigan. Everyone did and so it was definitely a big surprise for them and my whole family.”
But for Jerame he was behind her choice 100%.
“When it comes to her, her education, her playing collegiate sports, I obviously want what’s best for her and the place she felt most comfortable being,” Jerame said.
Mia said her dad has come a long way in becoming a Buckeye volleyball fan.
“It’s been good. They’ve been so great, just my biggest support system,” Mia said. “Definitely a slow process of what they’re wearing, maybe. Like my dad will occasionally wear a nice like my number 9 Ohio State shirt. That’s a pretty big deal for him.”
But when it comes to football, and The Game, that’s a whole other story.
“When it comes to that game, it is what it is and I don’t apologize for who I root for obviously and that’s just how that game goes,” Jerame said. “It’s what makes that game so great, is how passionate both sides are about their team and their sport.”
“I am going to be cheering for the Buckeyes,” Mia said. “The past couple years it’s been a big deal and unfortunately last year my dad won that round in our house. But this year I’m feeling pretty confident. I’m excited. It’s just always fun too. My family is very competitive, so I think every opportunity we get we do.”
While it wasn’t the college career she had always envisioned, it’s one she’s proud to call her own.
“It’s exciting, I think,” she said. “I just feel really blessed for the opportunities I’ve had and the ability to be able to make that choice at two great schools. Just being here has been so awesome. It’s exciting because I can tell them a lot of stuff they don’t know about Ohio State. My family, their knowledge here isn’t the best. I think it’s cool to be able to share what I learned from being here.”
And Mia is now a proud Buckeye.
“Yeah, I mean it’s been pretty easy to be a Buckeye I’d say,” she said.