Wednesday, November 5, 19,
THE MICHIGAN DAILY
Wage Nine
Wednesday, November 5, 1975 THE MICHIGAN DAILY Page NIne
When the Fog Lifts
Marcia Merker
Bennie Oosterbaan . .
...Michigan's greatest
ELEVEN days ago, the star-studded 1925 Wolverine football
team celebrated its 50th reunion at Michigan Stadium. One
of the mostfeared men on that squad, Bennie Oosterbaan, is
recognized as the most accomplished athlete of that era and
probably in Michigan sports history.
Oosterbaan hailed from Muskegon, Michigan, and chose
Michigan for its fine reputation. "I came to Michigan because it
had the best athletic program and the beat educational program,"
said "Ben" last week. "If I were a youth, I'd still come to the
U. of M."
Recruiting in the twenties was incidental and done by
loyal Michigan alumni. Oosterbaan, despite his all-state
status in, football, track and basketball, was not sought after.
Upon entering the big 'U's the Muskegon tenderfoot took on
a job at the Union's billiards room at 40 cents an hour. Ooster-
baan claims that three-quarters of the athletes worked their
way through college in those days.
In 1925, head football coach Fritz Crisler put end Oosterbaan
in the headlines by making him half of the Bennie (quarterback
Friedman) to Bennie combo. This marked the first time in
college football that the forward pass was heavily exploited.
Oosterbaan caught three and a half per cent of all touch-
down passes in the nation that year on a squad that only lost one
game and went to the Rose Bowl. They scored 227 points against
their opponents' three. Those three points came in Michigan's
only loss - Northwestern 3, Michigan 2.
'Worked too hard'
Reflecting on football practices under Crisler, the end had
this to say: "We were worked too hard. So hard that you'd think
that they were overdoing it. I felt I was worked that way and I
coached that way."
Later on that school year, Oosterbaan earned letters in bas-
ketball and baseball. In fact, he lettered in all three sports all
three years.
His all-American honors fill a wall. In '25, '26 and '27, he
earned all-America in football as an end and eventually was
named to the all time all-America squads of the Football
Writers and the Associated Press.
As a cager, the Muskegonite won an all-America award and
led the Big Ten in scoring one season. His baseball career was
also noteworthy as he led the conference in hitting as a junior.
"Glorified? "The football player has been glorified since the
beginning of the game, but I don't think anybody ever recognized
me on campus. I only had one girlfriend and she's my wife
now," Oosterbaan said.
Possibly, his most memorable game came against Ohio State
during his senior year. It was the dedication of Michigan Sta-
dium and 86,000 frenzied fans, the biggest crowd ever in Ann
Arbor, gathered for thefestivities. In the next 60 playing min-
utes, captain Oosterbaan passed to right halfback "Elusive
Louis" Gilbert for three touchdowns that beat the rowdy Buck-
eyes 21-0.
Asked if the atmosphere of the good ole' football game
had changed during the last fifty years, the former end said,
"Well, the fans haven't changed. They have always been
enthusiastic and gay at Michigan.
"Sure, there's a great difference in college football today.
There are more good players all over the nation," said Ooster-
baan. "They are more skilled, better coached and have better
equipment. It's a progression of civilization.
"However the courage, desire for victory, physical strength,
attitude, unselfishness and friendliness are still there," he said.
"All the intangibles are present for victory as they were when
I played and that is very important."
In Fritz's footsteps
After his three years in athletics at Michigan, Oosterbaan
was appointed freshman football coach by Crisler. He event-
ually moved on to number one assistant coach and then to
the head job in '48.
Crisler went out with a boom after winning the national
football title, the Rose Bowl 49-0 over Southern Cal and the Coach
of the Year award. Oosterbaan repeated all those honors when
he filled those shoes the next year except for the Pasadena trip
which Michigan couldn't enjoy, having gone the previous season.
The Mighty Men of Michigan continued to take the Big Ten
football title the following two years and ended up with a Rose
Bowl victory on January 1, 1951, beating California 14-6.
In his remaining eight years at the helm of Michigan
football, Oosterbaan compiled a 42-28-2 record. He retired in
1959 and became the public relations director for Michigan's
athletic departrient.
Bennie Oosterbaan has been voted Michigan's Greatest Ath-
lete of All-Time. He loves the croWds, the cheerleaders and most
of all the rock 'em sock 'em nitty gritty of competition. In his
eyes, the days of yore still exist in the spirit and fight of the
Saturday Michigan football spectacle.
THE ANN ARBOR TEACH-IN oresents-
AN EVENING OF POETRY &
PROPHESY WITH:
WILLIAM BURROUGHS
Author of the NAKED LUNCH, and several other novels
ED SANDERS
Formerly of the FUGS, Author of THE FAMILY,
POEM FROM JAIL
JOHN GIORNO
One of the leading figures in the New York poetry circle
LYDI A M ENDELSSOHN THEATER
$2.00
MICHIGAN LEAGUE
WED., NOV. 5-8:00 p.m.
SERGI EISENSTEIN'S 1925
POTEMPKIN
(AT 7)
The great Russian silent depicting the Black
Sea mutiny of 1905. One of the ten best films
of all time according to recent international
critic polls.
MICHIGAN, GOPHERS CO-FAVORITES
WCHA
o pens
curtain
By DAVE WIHAK ::... .r:::::::"::- ::::::r:::;:...(56), Stu Ostland (42), and Stu Gus Hendrickson, 17 returning
Yonger (37). Defensively, Tech lettermen, and some highly
The 1975-76 Western Collegi.. lost League All-Star Bob Lori- touted recruits.
ate hockey season got under fEu
way lst weken, an thecon N CU U"!mer and Bruce Abbey, along Tom Milani' (57ponsad
sensus around "he league is that with Paul Jensen, but Jim Mur- Mike Newton (40) add a lot of
a real shark fight for the chain- ray, Ed Dempsey and Neils scoring thrust, and Rick Heinz,
pionship honors is to be ex- hp o rtsGoddard provide some strength is a very capable goalie. Rate
pected Iand experience to make the the Bulldogs' chances fair.
Apoll of the W.C.H.A. coaches KE Huses contenders again. Wisconsin lost key play
KATHY HENNEGHAN $ MICHIGAN STATE, u n d e r theyprosyand toth Olmi
rates the teams in the following th poAmo Bete lypi
o r d e r: Minnesota, Michigan, """"""""""Am"=Bessone, has the best one- team, but defenseman sensation
Michigan Tech, Colorado Col- Younghans (28). But they lack two punch in college hockey, Craig Norwich, goaltender Mike:
lege, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Michigan's depth at forward with offensive stars Tom Ross Dibble, and leading scorer Mike
Minnesota Duluth, Denver, No- and this will hurt them in their Ross led the league in sorin Eaves return to make the
tre Dame, and North Dakota. ;bid for first place.I last year, and Colp led the scor- Badgers a respectable team.
The New York Times has rated Third, fourth and fifth place the year before. _____Bager___espcta ___eam
Michigan and Minnesota as the in the standings are up for ing raceBut the Spartans will be hurt
best bets to win. grabs, but Colorado College ap- ing d due toinepe _ C R E $
WITHOUT MUCH hesitation pears to have a more balanced Sdt .G e
it can safely be said that this attack than either Michigan len Clteningy Goalted
could be the year of the Wol- Tech or Michigan State. leaving the Spartans in a jam NBA
verine. Coming off its finest The Tigers, under the coach- Veteran defensemen are return- Milwaukee 103, Detroit 101
season in ten years, Michigan ing of Jeff Sauer, finished third ing, but they also are question lakePhiladelphia 0121, Buffalo 114
lost only five players from the last year, and lost only five let- marks. State willhave to score washington 113, Cleveland 96
sixth place team which came termen a lot of goals this year if they Phoenix 96, Chicago 80
within one victory of going to LEADING the Colorado offen- want to win the championship. Houston 119, New York 106
.the NCAA championships. sive machine is the line of Jim THE BULLDOGS of Duluth ansas City 116, Los Angeles
Dan Farrell's team has depth, Warner, Mike Haedrich and Jim could be the sleeper this year, NHL
experience, and talent in every Kronschnable, who as freshmen as they've got a new coach in N.Y. Islanders 5, California 3
position, and if the defense can last season accounted for .137 -._____ _______________
tighten up by reducing last I points.
year's goals against average ofI Senior Eddie Mio, last year's
4.2, the high-powered offense All-American g o a li e, returns WA T HE
should cure that well-known with a 3.95 GA average, and
plague of weekend splits. will be depended on as much asR
Last year's WCHA champs, Michigan depends on Moore. Run for Student Government Council
the Minnesota Gophers, follow Jim Mitchell (40 points) an- and Find Out
close behind, despite the fact chors a defensive corps that
that Herb Brooks lost 10 letter- could be susceptible. Defensive 11 UNIVERSITY HOUSING
men. performance will decide Colo- COUNCIL SEATS
All American Mike Polich, rado's future.
Buzz Schneider, Robby Harris, Michigan Tech, last year's na- F I LE BY 11/14
and Less Auge are gone, but 15 tional champion, r e t u r n s a 16 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
players return to give Minnesota weaker edition this season, due
a strong chance to again finish to the loss of goalie Jim War- DELEGATES
high in the standings. den. Warden, who had four shut- FILE BY 11/11
THE DEFENSE remains al- Iouts and posted a GA average FILEB /
most intact with Russ Ander- of 2.96 lasteseason,ajoined theELECTIONS ON NOVEMBER 18 TO 20
Son, Reed Larson, Rob Larson Olympic team, leaving John EETO SO O E BR1 O2
and Joe Michelleti forming a MacInness with an important Room 3909-Mich. Union
solid blueline corps that molded vacancy to fill.
a league-leading goals against The strength of the Huskies 763-3241
average of 3.1. Goaltending for will be in their forwards-Mike
the Gophers is up in the air as Zuke (78 points), George Lyle
Steve Janaczek attempt to fill -_--
the graduation vacancy left by
Jeff Tscherne and freshman
Larry Thayer.
The Gophers have some of-
fensive punch with Pat Phipoen
(51 points), Tom Vannelli (52),
________smelling like a roast1.
Warren Miller (34) and Tom
Te Top2
AS LONG AS THE RIVER RUNS
Film presented by the Ann Arbor Wounded Knee
Support Group
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5
at 7:00 and 9:00
Modern Language Bldg., Aud. Two
Daily space courtesy of the
Rackham Student Government
,.. . To Establish Justice ..."!!
PETITIONS ACCEPTED NOW
FOR 5 VACANCIES ON
CENTRAL
SSTUDRENT JUDICIARYI
(ALL CAMPUS SUPREME COURT)
PETITIONING CLOSES NOV. 6, 1975
Men, Women, & All Minorities of All
Colleges Are Encouraged To Apply.
Stop by SGC Offices, 3rd Floor Mich-
igan Union to pick up a petition and
sign up for an interview.
YOU'RE INVITED TO OUR 15th ANNUAL
Open House
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 1(0rn - 9pm
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 1(am - 9m
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 12noon -6pm 'F
',dfr
Refreshments
Frreestyle
Demonstrations
Ski Movies
fashions
Equipment Sale
Radio, &TV People
3150 CARPENTER
ANN ARBOR
971-4310
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INGLUNO AIR FARE
VIA UNJITED JET, LODGING
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L 11
By United Press International
1. Ohio St. (34) 8-0 409
2. Oklahoma (4) 8-0 366
3. Nebraska (4) 8-0 349
4. Texas A&M 7-0 244
5. Alabama 7-1 225
(tie DAILY LIBELS) 8-0 225
6. MICHIGAN 6-0-2 198
7. Texas 7-1 157
8. Penn St. 8-1 124
9. S. California 7-1 94
10. Florida 71 79
11. Arizona St. 8-0 45
12. San Diego St. 8-0 8
13. Notre Dame 6-2 5
14. Pittsburgh 6-2 4
15. (tie) Maryland 5-2-1 1
(tie) Arizona 6-1 1
(tie) California 5-3 1
Only 17 teams received votes
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