February 27 – 14 minutes, 0/1 shooting, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists.

By now we’ve tried our best, dear reader, to let you know that Laval Lucas-Perry exists.  Really, he does.  He’s always been there, living life just below the water level.  Subtle.  Undetected.  Impalpable.

But did you know that Laval has been extending his mere presence to other sports besides basketball?  It’s true.  Of course, you would never have noticed even if it was staring you right in the face.  He’s that good.

As recently reported by WLA Commandant and King of MGoBlog, chitownblue, U-M Athletic Director in waiting, David Brandon, has petitioned the NCAA to make ice dancing a Division I sport.  Despite speculation to the contrary, it wasn’t merely a last-ditch, shot-in-the-dark attempt to salvage any semblance of athletic success for the school in the face of its football, basketball and hockey programs.  It’s a carefully calculated plan.  Brandon already has his all-star team in place and they’ve been training for years, as evidenced by this archived photograph from the Athletic Department.

The first part of this is obvious.  Bo Schembechler was a long-time fan and skilled ice dancer.  That should be no secret.  But look closely.  There is another there that you should recognize.  Let your vision blur.  Stare intently at the picture, even through the picture, just like those damnable autostereograms they sold at the mall.  Do you see him now?  Perhaps not.  Here’s another archived photograph.

While the NCAA has yet to rule on the inclusion of ice dancing as a Division I sport, LLP has been tirelessly training and competing in Vancouver.  He’s been there on NBC, ice dancing his heart out to the tune of Roxette for millions to see.  But you probably didn’t even notice.  No one did.

Be vigilant, Comrades.  He’s there where you least expect it…and where you most expect it.