SPORTS Page 9 i. he Michigan Daily Thursday, October 29, 1981 'M' TRACKSTER TURNS PRO Meyer runs for the i By CHUCK JAFFE In the world of long distance running, Greg Meyer is a pro-literally. Meyer has given up his amateur status, and decided to earn his living by running road races for pay. Meyer's decision was made official last month, when he was stripped of his amateur standing by The Athletic Congress (TAC), after he accepted prize money in the Cascade Run-Off. This ruling also means that Meyer can- not compete in TAC-sponsored events, which include the New York and Boston marathons.. "I'M THE one that made the decision," Meyer said. "They (TAC) are trying to sell athletes on an old system. I think everybody realizes that for top athletes, there are no true amateurs." "We'd like to see him work with TAC and get his amateur standing back" said TAC spokesman Pete Cava, "but apparently, he's expressed no interest in working with TAC." The reason Meyer doesn't want to regain his amateur status is simple - he would make less money. "I MADE a pretty good living as an amateur, and believe me, I looked into it before I made the switch" Meyer said. "I wouldn't have switched if I couldn't have done better. Big Ten 3000-meter steeplechase record-holder, and the first Michigan native ever to run a sub-four minute, mile. In addition, he currently holds the American record in the 20- kilometer run. "HE NEEDED some coaching at fir- st," said Michigan cross-country coach Ron Warhurst, "But when you get to be as good as he is, 90 percent of it is natural ability." Warhurst and Meyer have become close friends, and Meyer calls his for- mer coach a few times a month for tips and criticisms. "Ron's the person who got me run- ning well, and everyone needs a critic," Meyer said. "He helps with my training schedule and is an excellent coach." "SINCE HE graduated, he's gotten a lot stronger," Warhurst said. "He can run his race with almost anybody. It just depends on the competition as to how he'll run it." Meyer plans on choosing his com- petition carefully. "If I am going to run for money, I'd none be a fool if I didn't gear myself for the major races," he said. "I'll still take time out to run small races, if I can though." THOSE SMALLER races could be the more meaningful ones. Meyer spends y much of his free time raising money for charitable organizations. He organized, and won, a 10-kilometer race in his hometown of Grand Rapids for the benefit of the Catholic school system there. He is currently raising money for the Special Olympics. But despite Meyer's affinity for raising money for himself and others, he still views track as being enjoyable. "You've got to remember that it's still fun," Meyer said. "If it weren't, I'd give it up. "Being a professional isn't a big change," he added. "When it comes down to whether you want to keep dreaming or become responsible for your family, there can only be one right choice." Greg Meyer will keep on running,,, now as a pro. But he won't be running away. "Everybody has to earn a living, and I want to make mine by running," he continued. "The pro set-up allows everyone to make money, instead of just the people good enough to make it under the table." Meyer has been good enough to make it ever since he first came to Michigan in 1973. He was a three-time cross- country All-American, captain of both the cross-country and track teams, the Sports Information Photo FORMER 'M' GREAT Greg Meyer -shows his All-American form as he crosses the tape in the anchor-leg of a Wolverine relay. The current American record holder in the 20-kilometer run has been stripped of his amateur status and is now running as a professional. Sharp By DREW SHARP .War or the Roses .. . ...It's just getting good FROM "ZERO TO none" to "It's anybody's race" in just one week. That is how Michigan coach Bo Schembechler has described his Wolverines' chances of returning to Pasadena for a New Year's Day engagement at the Rose Bowl. Michigan's up and down season has caused everything but laughter with its fans. With four games remaining in the season, confusion seems to predominate Wolverine followers - confusion surrounding the format for deciding the Big Ten championship in case of a tie. The following are the Big Ten regulations governing participation in the Rose Bowl game. a. The conference champion shall be the representative team. The championship shall be determined on the percentage basis of conference games (tie counts I/2 win and 1/2 loss). b. If there is a tie, the winner of the game between the two teams shall represent the conference. c. If there is still a tie, or if the tied teams did not face each other, the representative team shall be determined on the percentage basis of all games played. d. If there is still a tie, the most recent team representing the conference shall be eliminated. Now where does Michigan fit into all of this jargon. Considering the Wolverines are no longer stung by the "upset" bug for the remainder of the season, here is how they tie into the title picture. Category A - If Iowa and Wisconsin, Michigan's two defeats this season, lose one more game, the Wolverines would be the champ because they have a better percentage than Iowa, which plays one fewer conference game. Category B - If Iowa loses one, but the Badgers do not, Wisconsin would make the trip to California. Michigan would be knotted with the Badgers, but due to its season opening loss in Madison, the Wolverines would yield to Wisconsin. Category C - This situation could only involve the Hawkeyes and the Buckeyes since they are the only conference teams who will not face each other this season. Category D - The Wolverines played in the Rose Bowl last January so they are automatically eliminated in this category. There it is. Now you try to figure it out. Women's Big Ten now a reality By DAN NEWMAN become really competitive in every sport," commented With a better future for women's athletics in mind, Ocker, adding that the conference may very well bring added representatives of the women's Big Ten conference convened publicity and prestige to Michigan's women's athletic in Chicago yesterday. The representatives discussed con- program. ference scheduling and tournaments for the 1982-1983 season "I hope we will bring as much acclaim to Michigan as after convincing the final holdout. men's sports has in the past," she said. "So far we're moving Two weeks ago, Minnesota became the tenth and final Big in the right direction." Ten school to accept guidelines and recommendations made FUTURE RECRUITING may be further enhanced by the by a special conference task force concerning Big Ten establishment of the conference. "As competition becomes reorganization. The other nine conference schools made their more involved in post-season play, the conference may commitment at the Big Ten conference August 3-5. become more of a recruiting asset," explained Ocker. But WHY DID WOMEN'S athletics in the Big Ten hesitate until she also added that usually when Michigan tries to recruit this year to form an organized conference? other players, it is not just competing with the conference "Forming a conference is a complicated practice which schools. Therefore, it's difficult to speculate on such an issue. must come under the president's consent from each school," "It's too early to tell what effects (if any) the conference explained Phyllis Ocker, Michigan's women's athletic direc- will have and to what degree," she said. tor. "In the past, there wasn't much incentive or motivation How about the AIAW? to form." "IN THE PAST, the teams (in conference) have been able to However, Ocker feels that there has been a recent shift in choose between the NCAA and the AIAW," said Ocker. "But attitude (not only in the Big Ten) towards the establishment the AIAW is a conference of independents and it has not of conferences: "More and more schools are going the con- recognized any conference affiliation." ference route," she said. What will happen with the relationship between Michigan's THE WOMEN'S athletic director believes that numerous women's sports and the AIAW is also flexible. "At this point factors caused this change in attitude, adding that an in time it's hard to say what the AIAW will do," said Ocker, established conference will be beneficial because it will who added that the AIAW has been very good to Michigan. guarantee a good schedule and also create natural rivalries. "The AIAW has broken down because the teams are The feeling towards the conference is reflected in Ocker's moving towards conferences," Ocker said. "I wouldn't be optimism. surprised if the AIAW changed and decided to recognize con- "We're hopeful that Michigan's women's teams will ferences." SCORES NHL Toronto 5. Pittsburgh 3 Edmonton 5, New York Rangers 3 Buffalo 6, St. Louis 2 FOLLETr'S IM IC H IG A N OK.. T R ELMARKO. FLAIR'® Waterproof and Smearproof Marks on Most Anything Nt ip ~ #750 l Michigan Hockey Statistics Individual Statistics Team Statistics MICHIGAN It_____________________ No. Name Pos. 16 Spears C........... 14 Tippett LW ............ 25 Brandrup LW.......... 19 Kobylarz RW......... 7 Richmond D........ 5 Richter D........... 3 Lundberg D.......... 18 D. May RW ............ 11 Grade C ............... 21 Milburn C........... 17 Yoxheimer C........ 30 Elliott G ............ G 4 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 PTS 4 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 P/M 1/2 1/2 2/4 2/4 2/4 2/4 3/6 1/2 2/4 2/4 1/2 1/2 Goals............ Shots on goal. Goalie saves...... Penalties.......... 1 s s 3 3 0 23 13 20 15 16 18 6 10 4 OT Totals - 6 - 49 - 20 OPPONENTS Goals ............... Shots on goal........ Goalie saves........ Penalties......... 1' 16 20 5 1 17 10 6 0 18 20 4 2 - 51 - 50 - 15 11 "A virtuosity that could set a hall ablaze! A great performer! 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