Meet: Dr Justenstein
October 12, 2023
This past August, I visited Justin Lopez and his better half, Sarah, in Madison, Wisconsin for some R & R. He teaches and studies at the university there. And although I call him a traitor for traveling north to an opposing Big 10 school to do whatever someone with a degree in ‘Kinesiology’ does, I’m very pound of him and Sarah. With that being said, let’s ‘ROAST’ him! – Rick
‘Dr Justenstein’
He was a good kid growing up. Like most boys he played sports but when he was studying his mind would wonder. He’d get good grades and stayed out of trouble. However, the hidden thoughts weaved tightly throughout his cerebellum would lead to his success in life. Justin was on his way to becoming ‘Dr Justenstein’ when he set his sight on a career in Kinesiology. Which I even had to google to spell correctly here.
Ninth Inning:
I was there when Justin graduated high school. And it was that very same time of the year the teen was helping me move into my new digs. I remember it like yesterday because there was a baseball game going on in Downtown Detroit. A big one, and if Franklin D Roosevelt hadn’t already used ‘a date which will live in infamy’ decades earlier, it most certainly would’ve on this day.
Armando Galarraga tossed his near perfect game against the, then, Indians of Cleveland. Only foiled by a blown call on the 27th batter of the game by first base umpire Jim Joyce. I’ve forgiven Joyce, like many others throughout my own decades for their mishaps in life. But I’ve never had to forgive Justin for a single thing.
While we’re ‘talking baseball’ I asked Justin about our hometown Tigers in my recent questionnaire for this blog. He was short and to the point, “Imagine having Scherzer, Verlander, Miggy, excreta and not having a chip. Ownership needs to figure it out like Sheila Ford has.”
But he didn’t stop there. “Tigers talk gets me heated,” added the 2015 Grand Valley State University graduate while shaking his head.
While visiting him and Sarah, he was gracious enough to give me a tour of his ‘laboratory’ at the university he now calls home. But during our conversations, he says, “I would prefer a smaller university that emphasizes teaching and allows me to research as well,” as his long-term goal. And added as to location, “Honestly no idea. Maybe West Michigan, Southern California or Colorado. If it were up to Sarah, it would be San Diego or Chicago.”
Justin, also, has a degree from Point Loma Nazarene in San Diego. Up next his PHD in Kinesiology from U-Wisconsin.
Fourth Quarter:
As he’s showing me the experiments he does on ‘muscle tissues.’ I get to thinking he could create the next ‘Frankenstein,’ with the knowledge he holds. Thus, my overthinking mind dubs him ‘Dr Justenstein.’
Although I won’t reveal my deepest thoughts, I can candidly say the thoughts of a Super Bowl winning Detroit Lions team crossed my mind while watching these experiments. Can you see it too? A Lombardi Trophy held by an un-tackle-able running back and a defensive lineman who gets fifteen sacks a game playing for the Lions? Maybe he’s already begun those experiments.
As of this writing, the Lions are 4-1 and in first place in the NFC North. So, I asked him his thoughts on his favorite Detroit team.
“I will bite anyone’s kneecap if ‘Diesel Campbell aka Campbell Soup asked me to,” Justin growled. He’s referring to Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. I suppose I should have followed up with if he’d like some salt to add beforehand.
Writers Note:
A lot of you, including me are probably wondering where this is going. I have no idea, but it’s definitely been interesting and quite creative, that’s for sure!
Overtime:
Wrapping it up in OT, I asked him for a summation of his life as an instructor and student to those he teaches.
“I always wear Michigan gear day (s) after the Wolverines beat the Badgers in any sport,” he begins. “Even if I’m teaching. I, also, let them know I’m all about the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons. Although I do enjoy the Bucks and think Giannis is a phenomenal player. I’m really looking forward to Damian Lillard on that team.”
“In all honesty,” he adds, “I appreciate (he forgot my blog on this word) the friends and students’ banter, especially when the tides are turning. Makes each day more fun.”
He closed up with the following, “While giving compliments, Brewer’s ballpark is pretty cool even though it’s indoors. What else would you expect from a state whose football (Packers) team is treated like the ‘zebras’ (referees) darlings and can’t handle a fair game?”
I’d like to thank Justin for taking time out of his busy schedule to find time, months after my journey to Madison, for answering my questions. And to thank him and Sarah for having me up this past summer. I had a blast and hopefully Dr Justenstein you got a kick out of this! – Rick
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