He was in intensive care for about three weeks before moving into rehabilitation.
Episode I
Zike shared his story on MTV’s “True Life: I’m Rehabbing My Injury,” which aired in September 2009. This week, the television show came to Oxford to film another segment on Zike and his progress.
Zike was first contacted by MTV about two weeks into his care. Officials from the show had read about his injury in an article in The Detroit News.
“They wanted to follow me and see how it turned out,” Zike said. “They filmed me about five times over a few months and tracked progress.”
Zike called the experience of being filmed by MTV “pretty interesting,” and said he’s only watched the full episode once.
“A lot of people contacted me; a lot of people backing me,” Zike said, adding he is sometimes recognized around campus for being on the show.
Zike, from Fishers, Ind., said while everything has healed, he remains paralyzed from the chest down. He maintains a positive outlook.
Episode II
MTV camera crews were in Oxford on Nov. 18, filming Zike for a future episode updating viewers on his progress.
Zike said MTV filmed him at a pregame event for the Nov. 18-19 hockey series against Bowling Green State University and with friends around campus and at Stadium Sports Bar & Grille.
Zike, who lives in Hahne Hall, said a big draw for him to come to Miami was its men’s ice hockey team — currently ranked No. 5 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
A big hockey fan
He’s attended almost every game since coming to Miami.
“I enjoy being around it,” said Zike, who started playing the sport at age 5.
He tries to stay involved with the men’s ice hockey team by making game videos with highlights.
Other important factors for Zike choosing Miami were being close to home and knowing a lot of people at the school.
Zike is a sports studies major at Miami and hopes to eventually become a sports psychologist, helping other athletes rebound from injuries.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2179 or Hannah.Poturalski@coxinc. com.
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