The Michigan Daily-Tuesday, November 13, 1979-Page 9 ALMOST PLAYED FOR OSU: Simpkins glad to be clad in Blue HONOR STUDENT COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15 7:00 P.M. 1017 Angell Hall By DAN PERRIN Can you imagine Ron Simpkins in an Ohio State uniform? That's one un- pleasant thought, especially during the week of the Michigan-Ohio State clash, eh? Well, it almost happened. Yes, Simpkins, Michigan's linebacker extraordinaire was all set to play his college football in Columbus. That is, until he sat down and thought about it. "OHIO STATE was.definitely num- ber one at first because they were the first school to really contact me," said Simpkins. "Hey, I was going scarlet and gray; I was ready to go. And then I sat down my senior year (in high school) and looked at the situation. "I looked at the depth chart and realized what my best possibility would be if I wanted to play right away," ad- ded the Detroit Western High School graduate. "I looked at the institution and Michigan was the place for me." When asked why he chose Michigan, Simpkins responded with a fistful of reasons. "The biggest thing I think are the people. I came up here and fell in love with the people. I also knew about the academic situation here, and my grades were high in high school and I took a lot of pride in that. "WHEN IT CAME down to choosing a university, I wanted to go to one that .was very high academically and good athletically," continued the senior defensive standout. "Michigan was the best of two worlds." When a blue chip athlete is being recruited, he is usually visited by several head coaches. Such was the case with Simpkins. He was wooed by many, including two well-known men- tors, the infamous Woody Hayes, ex- coach of the Buckeyes and Michigan coach Bo Schembechler. Simpkins recalls meeting both for the first time. "Woody came to my house and I went to visit there (Ohio State)," reminisced the Michigan co-captain. "From what I had seen on television - he was ranting and raving and all that - I expected to see a highly-motivated person. But he was all calm and subdued and he talked very slowly. "I WAS SORT of waiting for him to freak out, but it never happened," ad- ded Simpkins. "His assistant was all happy and jumpy, but Woody, just talked to me and told me what a great university Ohio State was. "When I first met Bo, he was a person you could really respect," continued the mass communications major, "because he came directly to the point and he didn't pull any punches on me. When he recruited me, he told me, 'You're a good athlete and if you're good enough, you'll play here.' "He didn't come and tell me, 'You're great and we're going to build our team around you' or 'I figure in one year you'll probably be the best linebacker in the country' or anything like that," added Simpkins. WHILE SCHEMBECHLER may not have told Simpkins he was the best then, he hasn't hesitated to admit that this year. "There's no doubt in my mind Ron Simpkins is an All-American, first team," Schembechler said at last week's media luncheon. "There is no better linebacker in the country. He has done everything we've expected of him." Schembechler's words certainly hold water. Simpkins is the all-time leading tackler at Michigan with 474 in his career. After recording a single-season record 174 tackles in 1977, he tallied 168 last year as a junior. And he currently ranks second behind fellow inside linebacker Andy Cannavino with 118 takedowns this year. Yet, he has failed to get any All-American recognition. And that bothers him. "IT WAS VERY disappointing to me that I didn't make All-American last year," said Simpkins. "But there's not too much I can say about that. The way I play, anyway, is the team first and me second." While there's not too much Simpkins can say about his lack of All-American honors, he can say something about the outcome of this week's 'Battle Royale' with Ohio State. The Buckeyes roll into town unbeaten and ranked number three in the coun- try, but if Ron Simpkins can help it, the Wolverines will walk away winners. As he puts it, "We just have to let it all hang out." Earn 8 Credits This Spring in NEW HAMPSHIRE THE NEW ENGLAND LITERATURE PROGRAM MASS MEETING WED., NOV. 14 8 p.m. 225 Angell Hall for more information PROF. WALTER CLARK Dept. of English 761-9579 I Mendelssohn Theatre Thursday - Saturday Nov. 15,16, 17 at 8pm. Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3pm. All tickets $5.00 at the PT.R Ticket Office in the Michigan League only. Call 313/764-0450 Puccini's in English Y A 5 i' a t S STANDOUT MICHIGAN linebacker Ron Simpkins (40) jars the ball loose while tackling Purdue substitute quarter- back Chuck Oliver (4) during last season's 24-6 triumph over the Boilermakers. Going into this week's game against Ohio State, the senior from Detroit holds the all-time Michigan record for tackles with 474 in his career. Nets not making line-up change despite getting off to slow start EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -Despite a start reminiscent of their, first two years in the National Basket- ball Association, the New Jersey Nets are not planning drastic player shakeups. "We're not going to do anything dramatic," New Jersey General Manager Charlie Theokas said yester- day. "We have enough talent to win our share of games." New Jersey, however, has won just four of its first 14 games. In their first two years in the NBA, the Nets lost 118 of 162 games before qualifying for the playoffs last year with a 37-45 record. "It's still too soon to worry," Theokas said. "Last year we jumped out good but the last two months we were horrendous. Hopefully, we'll finish bet- ter this year." BULLETIN At halftime of last night's Monday night football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallaw Cowboys, the Eagles were leading, 17-7, including a 59- yard Eagle field goal by Tony Franklin with 27 seconds left in the half. The Nets big problem has been put- ting the ball in the basket, a skill required to win basketball games. They have been particularly dreadful on the road where they are winless in six games. As a team, New Jersey is shooting just 43.5 per cent. "We've got to pull out of this real quick or the circle will get really vicious," said center Rich Kelley. "Bodies will start flying out of here. We've got to start winning some games or the season will become meaningless." The Nets have had particular trouble winning close games. Invariably, they stay close for most of the game and they fold in the last couple of minutes. They lack a floor leader to take com- mand when the game is on the line. John Williamson is the leading scorer, again, with a 20.9 average, but point league," Theokas said. "We're not guard Eddie Jordan has been erratic.,saying, 'Let's go reach out yet'." Mike Newlin, acquired from Houston a, Rookie Calvin Natt, who inherited the day before the season, has not fit in and starting small forward position when is confused about his role. * Bernard King was sent . to Utah for New Jersey has had six days off since Kelley has been the most consistent losing to Houston and San Antonio on a player. Texas tour last week. They return to att is averaging 17.7 points and is action Tuesday night at home aga .,st the leading rebounder with just under Atlanta well rested and with three of 10 a game. Kelley is scoring at a 12.9 the next four games at Rutgers. pace with almost nine rebounds a "This particular unit can win in this game. THE DEADLINE IS HERE / j' t / / / ,. J ,.. . " J V f . y sly I The AMERICAN PRESENCE in SOUTHERN AFRICA by , J -.r+ ...-- " l LSAT and fr Al AT U.S. Senator PAUL TSONGAS Dem. Massachusetts Chairman Ad-hoc Congressional Committee on Southern Africa Introduced by REP. PERRY BULLARD RACKHAM AMPHITHEATER E..... l.......a.u. I A.... 'I I I 1 I I GUARANTEED STUDENT LOAN APPLICATIONS ~ I