Page 10-Friday, December 1, 1978-The Michigan Daily
BOUNDLESS EFFORT
0
'It's very important for
me to set a good example.
I have to lead on and off
the ice. . . I'm taking this
job (team captain) to
heart; to be successful I
have to. This is the great-
est honor I could have.'
-Mark Miller
Miller inst*lls confidence in icers
By DAN PERRIN
Many people believe M & M's "melt
in your mouth, not in your hand." But
there's at least one M.M. that won't
melt anywhere, especially on ice. His
name is Mark Miller and he is the
chosen leader of the 1978-79 Michigan
hockey team; a team dominated by un-
derclassmen (10 freshmen and nine
sophomores.)
Miller cherishes his role as captain of
the club and is quick to come to the aid
of troubled rookies.
"It's very important for me to set a
good example," noted the senior for-
ward. "I have to lead on and off the ice.
"I'm taking this job (team captain)
to heart; to be successful, I have to,"
continued Miller: "This is the greatest
honor I could have"
The Essex, Ontario native certainly
has not failed when given the chance to
set the pace for the younger members
on the squad. With 11 goals and five
assists in 12 games this season, Miller
ranks third in team scoring with 16
points, while his goal total is tops. His
career totals add up to 45 goals, 43
assists, and 88 points in 123 games.
"It's great that I'm leading the team
in goals," said Miller. "It makes the job
easier. The team has great respect and
confidence in me.
"Coach (Dan) Farrell has a lot to do
with it; he puts confidence in me," ex-
plained the muscular left winger. "My
rapport with Coach Farrell is super.
I've always thought a lot of the man."
Farrell has nothing but praise for the
four-year veteran: "Mark was chosen
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Sports Staff
captain because of his outstanding
qualities. He communicates with others
well, is a good athlete and a fine young
man.
"Mark is a hard-working player in
practice and well-disciplined in games.
He's enthusiastic, has a good sense of
humor and is well-liked by all the
guys."
Miller's initial years on the Michigan
team were difficult. Frustration
followed disappointment as the 5-11,
177-pound youngster spent more time
off than on the ice.
"We had an experienced team my
freshman year," recalled Miller. "I
didn't get to play much at all. I didn't
feel like a part of the team; I wasn't
given the chance to contribute.
"My sophomore year started off bad,
too. Then, about three-fourths of the
way into the season, I sat down and said
to myself, 'I have to get my act
together.'
After being put on a line with former
Michigan star Dave Debol, things star-
ted to click for the inexperienced icer.
He finished the season with seven goals
and 16 assists and went on to score a
goal in the Wolverines' overtime loss to
Wisconsin in the NCAA finals, a feat
Miller calls "one of the two highlights of
my career." The second highlight came
soon after the tournament - the
renewed skater was drafted by the New
York Rangers of the NHL.
"I started doing things I knew I could
do, but was scared to do before. Con-
fidence was the main thing that turned
me around; it was just a confidence
situation."
The 1977-78 season was extremely
frustrating for the handsome Canadian.
But while the team was falling to ninth
place in the WCHA, Miller rose to the
top and kept on pulling his share of the
load. He completed the year with 19
goals and 14 assists, good for 33 points.
Although the Blue icers are just 3-7 in
the conference (5-7 overall) so far this
year, Miller observed, "We're going
through a learning stage and we're
losing some games due to inexperience
and injuries (high-scoring centers Dan
Lerg (knee) and Tgrry Cullen (neck)
are out due to injuries.)
"We won't lose because of a lack of
effort. We're giving 100 per cent until
the final buzzer. We want to peak at
playoff time; we do that and we'll be
sitting pretty."
Focusing on himself, the powerful
puckster believes that, "No matter how
good you are, there's always room for
improvement. I'm very pleased with
myself, but I'm not complacent.
"It all starts up here," continued
Miller, pointing to his head. "If you
don't have the proper mental attitude,
you might as well not put on your
skates."
Peering into the future, the vocal cap-
tain dreams of playing professional
hockey - anywhere. "If they wanted
me to play in Little Rock, Arkansas, I'd
do it," joked Miller.
And if things don't work out, the in-
telligent icer can return to finish his
physical education degree. (he'll be 10
credits short in April.)
One thing is for sure, wherever Mark
Miller goes, a winning attitude will ac-
company him.
ROOKIE COACH, FRESH FACES:
women gymnasts sport new look
By ALAN FANGER
Warning: Do not make any attempt
to identify this year's Michigan
women's gymnastics team with.the one
which competed last year.
The difference is so incredible that it
could surprise the sport's most avid
fan.
FOR STARTERS, the tumblers have
a new coach. Actually, it's their second
new coach. When Anne Cornell's
ALL DAY--EVERY SUNDAY
All The Snow Crab Yu, an Eat 1799
DINNER INCLUDES: Dinner Chef Safod-DIrn r Rolls & Butter
-Choice of Redskin Potatoes or Corn on tIbCol.
WE ALSO FEATURE:
" Alaskan King Crab Dinner............ ...... $6.95
" Steaks a la Cart from the Charbroiler
USDA Top Choice Missouri Beef
Delmonico, 8 oz................ ......, ....$4.45
New York Strip, 10 oz..... ........ .......... $4.95
Porterhouse, 16 o z.. .. .. .. .. . .. . .. . . . . . . .. . . $6.25
Authentic Mexican Food
2222 HOGBACK RD. (Crpenter&Washtenow, behind Fretters)
Cocktails IIam to I I pm
The University of Michigan
Department of Recreational Sports
original successor, Winnie Witten, con-
tracted pneumonia in September,
Assistant Coach Scott Ponto was tabbed
as the new head mentor.
The team's makeup has also
changed. While Ponto's assistant,
Ginger Robey, was the lone departure
from last year's squad, five others
bowed out for various reasons.
Their spaces have been filled by four
freshwomen and junior Becky Coldren,
who sat out her sophomore year. And
with the team roster having been
trimmed this year to eight, only three
tumblers return from last year's squad.
They are juniors Mia Axon and Sara
Flom, and sophomore Colleen
Forrestel.
WITH SUCH A small nucleus to build
around, Ponto has had the tumblers
working at a pace so feverish that it
triggered the departure of several
returning team members.
"We've worked them pretty hard,"
said Ponto, "and I think it's paying off.
I can already see the improvement.
We're having everyone go all-around
this year, and that's more demanding
on the girls. It's also the reason why our
team is smaller than last year."
As a result, Potto is taking a better
outlook on the upcoming season, which
begins tonight in Ypsilanti in a
triangular meet with Eastern Michigan
and Kent State. "The scoring system is
geared to all-around, so this way of
practicing is a big step forward."
ROBEY, WHO helps choreograph the
various routines, was excited but skep-
tical on the eve of her assistant
coaching debut. "Kent State won the
regionals last March, and Eastern's
improved," she noted. "I don't know
how we'll do. We're doing lots of new
tricks, but there can always be falls or
major breaks. It's going to be a real test
for us."
The tumblers will be working under a
new scoring system, under which a 9.2,
rather than a 10, amounts to a perfect
score. Extra points can be given out,
but only for originality or risk above
and beyond a normal perfect perfor-
mance.
"I like the new system," said Ponto,
"because it's not so subjective. Our
scores will average a point lower, and I
hope the girls don't get depressed over
it. Everyone's score will be lower."
HOLIDAY
jthe 4a/s
A wandering Rose
PHILADELPHIA (AP)-The Philadelphia Phillies announced yester-
day that they were no longer negotiating to acquire Pete Rose, baseball's
aging superstar in search of a new uniform for next season.
"We have made an offer that would have made Pete the highest paid
player in Phillies' history," club owner Ruly Carpenter told a press con-
ference. "Unfortunately it was not quite enough.
"He didn't get into the game the one-upsmanship for which I have the
greatest admiration. He's a great player and I wish him the best."
The Phillies for some time had been considered the front runner in the
Rose sweepstakes with a reported offer of $1.8 million over three years.
Asked who the frontrunner was now, Rose replied, "I don't think there is
a frontrunner. We're down to four-three in the National League and one in
the American League-and I've said all along I'd like to stay in the National
League and beat Stan Musial's record."
Rack to the farm.
DETROIT (AP)-Center Bjorne Skaare has returned to the Detroit
Red Wings' Kansas City farm club after just one game with the parent
Wings, saying he isn't ready for the majors, team officials said.
Skaare, 23, was brought up to Detroit early this week along with defen-
seman John Taft. Wings officials said after Wednesday night's 2-2 tie against
the Rockies in Colorado, however, Skaare decided he needed more time in
the minors. Skaare asked to be returned to the CHL's Kansas City team.
"Skaare was brought up with the intent of keeping him, but ... if he feels
that way, we understand," said Red Wing General Manager Ted Linsay.
"We want to develop our young players, not destroy them."
GIFT SALE
Pass now (sale begins December
September, 1979 Prices Reduced 1/
I FACILITIES INCLUDE
* Swimming Pools
* HB/RB/BB Courts
)n Indoor Running Tracks
."
PARTICIPATE IN
" Drop-in Recreation
" Intramural Sports
" Special Interest Recreation
" Sports Clubs
USE OF
* Central Campus Recreatio
Building
" Intramural Sports Buildin,
* North Campus Recreation
Building
" Sports Coliseum
Gift Certificates Available
g
* Saunasv
" Weight/Exercise Rooms
" Martial Arts Rooms
" Gymnasiums (volleyball,
basketball)
" Squash Courts
OFFICIAL
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T-SHIRTS
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* Great Christmas Gifts
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