SPORTS
The Michigan Daly
Tuesday, April 7, 1981
Page 9
'cer Blum
John Blum started his hockey career at
Michigan four years ago as a 17-year-old walk-
on. After playing only seven games his freshman
year, he eventually became alternate captain and
Co-MVP this year with teammate Tim Manning.
Ilum has just signed what could be the biggest
contract ever offered to a college player, a repor-
Sed $550,000, four-year, one-way pact with the
kdmonton Oilers of the National Hockey
League.
Daily sportswriter Martha Crall interviewed
Plum concerning the contract yesterday.
DAILY: What are the terms of the contract?
BLUM: I really don't want to disclose all of it. All I
can say is that it's a very nice four-year contract, and
I know what I'm going to be doing with the next four
years of my life.
DAILY: How many offers from pro teams did you
receive?
BLUM: When it first started, there were about 12
teams involved and when it got down to the final two
teams it was a choice between Edmonton and
Calgary.
DAILY: What was involved in your decision to sign
with Edmonton?
BLUM: Edmonton flew me out to Hartford to wat-
ch the Edmonton-Hartford game on a Wednesday
night, and on a Thursday night, Calgary flew me into
Montreal to watch a Calgary-Montreal game. I went
crazy those two days; I met the players on both
teams, the coaches, the owners, the general
managers. My gut feeling was to sign with Edmon-
ton, so I did.
b DAILY: Your attorney is Art Kaminsky. When did
you first decide to have him represent you?
BLUM: I've known Art for a few years now and
during the year agents aren't supposed to talk to
players or anything and I had talked to him a little bit
the last summer, but I never signed anything with
him. had a few choices between other agents and I
figured, with the position I was in, he was the best guy
to get me the best cohtracts.
inks lucrative contract
DAILY: Did he come to you with offers as he got
them or did he collect them up and at the end of the
season, come to you with all these offers?
BLUM: It's kind of illegal for agents to talk to you
during the season, so the day our season ended, he
called me up and told me the offers over the phone.
DAILY: What has the Edmonton organization told
you will be your role?
BLUM: The general manager (Glen Sather)
basically told me the reason they wanted to sign me is
because they know that I work hard. He saw me im-
prove a lot from scouting reports. I still haven't
reached my potential.
DAILY: Do you think you're prepared for the pros,
both physically and mentally?
BLUM: I think that I have no choice but to be
prepared. I know I'll be prepared physically and I
think I've been through enough in the past; I think I
can play 80 games a year. We've only played 40, but
we practice a lot harder than other teams, that's a
known fact (laughs), so I think the games might be
easier than the practices. It'll be a lot easier just
playing hockey and not going to school. Instead of all
the pressures, I can concentrate on just one thing.
It'll be kind of nice.
DAILY: After your first three seasons you werenot
drafted. All of a sudden you get this huge contract.
Why did that happen?
BLUM: My sophomore year was my draft year; I
didn't get picked. But I guess it was a blessing in
disguise. It was mine and Gordie Hampson's and Tim
Manning's draft year, but we all got bumped because
they allowed the 17- and 18-year-olds to be drafted
that year. None of us got drafted. But as it is now, it
put me in a great position because I am a free agent.
DAILY: Why do you think you got a bigger contract
at this point than for instance, Neal Broten or Marc
Chorney?
BLUM: The pros don't look at All-American status.
The pro game is different than the college game and I
might fit the mold of the pro better than I fit the mold
of a college player. I'm not flashy or anything. My
main goal when I go out and play is to be really con-
sistent. In terms of money Neal Broten and Marc
Chorney were both drafted. Minnesota says to Neal
Broten, 'Hey, you take this or leave it,' and the same
thing with Chorney and Pittsburgh. I got to hear all
the clubs out.
DAILY: Which of your future teammates have you
met and talked to?
BLUM: Edmonton beat Hartford when I was there
and I went out and had a beer with Wayne Gretzky.
He's the best player in the world and I'm standing
next to him. I could barely even talk. But he's just a
basic guy.
DAILY: Do you have any special plans for all that
money yet?
BLUM: First thing I'd like to do is finish paying the
house and the car off for my mom. Second thing - I
figured that this hockey program did something for
me, so I'm going to do something for it. I'm gonna
donate a new video tape machine to it.
DAILY: What were your Michigan teammates'
reactions when they found out?
BLUM: What made me really happy is those guys
congratulating me and shaking my hand and saying,
'Blummer, you deserved it, and one thing we know
the money will never go to your head.' Just them
saying that made me feel so great. They were part of
it; without those 25 other guys, I wouldn't be in the
position I am now.
DAILY: What did coach Giordano have to say
about the contract?
BLUM: Giordano helped me out a lot. He's known
me since I was in the seventh grade. He's one guy I
can trust and turn to. I went over to his house one
night with all the offers and it kind of blew his mind.
He kept my head on straight and he kept me in line;
he was with me during the hard times. I couldn't get
away with anything when he was here. But I think it
made me a better hockey player. He pushed me
hard; he pushes everyone hard. He's not a guy that
likes to finish .500. These guys are going to win a
national championship under him. This hockey
program is going to turn right around and be a
national power.
'SW\
Daily Photo by BRIAN MASC(
MICHIGAN DEFENSEMAN John Blum, a walk-on in 1977, has signed what
could be the largest contract ever offered a college hockey player with the
Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League.
i
SPORTS OF THE DAILY:
Michigan netters blitz Notre Dame, 8-1
By BARB BARKER
The Michigan men's tennis team
smashed Notre Dame, 8-1, Sunday at
South Bend with junior, Mike Leach
chalking u his twelfth consecutive vic-
tory, bringing the team's season record
to 8-4.
Leach, who defeated Irigh netter
Matt Hoyer -6-3, 7- (5-1) fat No. 3
singles, remains undefeated this
season.
IN OTHER singles competition,
number one Mark Mees was defeated
by Mark McMahon 6-3, 6-2; Matt Hor-
witch beat out Mark Hoyer 6-3 7-6 (5-1),
at number two singles; at No. 4, Ross
Laser slid by Jim Falvey 7-6, (5-1), 4-6,
6-2; Tom Haney was victorious over
Tom Hartzel at No. 5, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3; and
Ihor Debryn defeated Tim Noonan 3-6,
6-3, 6-4 at No.6.
In doubles action, Michigan's top
team of Horwitch and Leach defeated
Hopwood and Hoyer, 6-4, 7-5; at No. 2,
Haney and Laser won a split set victory
over McMahon and Falvey, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3;
and Mees and Dan McLaughlin beat out
Idzik and Noonan, 6-4, 7-5.
Wolverines head coach Brian Eisner
said he was pleased with Michigan's
ability to win what he referred to as.
"very close matches." "The matches
were a lot closer than the overall team
score of 8-1 indicates," he said. "All but
one of our singles matches were split
sets and that one had a tie-breaker."
The netters will host Minnesota
Friday afternoon at 2:30.
Garfield surprises
There were no surprises in the 39th
NCAA Gymnastics Championships last
weekend in Lincoln, Neb., as more than
28,000 fans witnessed the three-day
event, which set a new attendance
record.
Host team Nebraska handily won its
third straight championship to the
delightsofits hometown fans while the
powerful Oklahoma Sooners edged out
UCLA for second place honors.
ALSO, AS EXPECTED, Nebraska's
Jim Hartung, Phil Cahoy, and Steve
Elliot and Oklahoma's Bart Conner
Club Sports Roundup
f LACROSSE
The Michigan Lacrosse Club enjoyed its most successful weekend of the
A spring, trouncing over Purdue and Ball State 15-4 and 11-5, respectively.
Against Purdue the scoring was led by attackmen Matt Dawe, with one goal
and four assists, and Paul Maturo's three goals. Midfielder Ed Anderson
chipped in with three goals and two assists.
Led by defenseman Dana Friend, Purdue was limited to only 13 shots on
goal during the game.
On Sunday, against Ball State, Michigan played without two of its most
valuable players - Dawe and Ed Anderson. Their scoring was not missed,
however, as Bill Kalbfleish assisted on four goals, while midfielders John
Miller and Jay Jehle scored three goals and had one assist.
The Lacrosse club's record now stands at 7-2. It plays again Wednesday
night against the Detroit Lacrosse Club at 8 p.m. on the Tartan Turf.
Th Dtoi ugy RUGBY
The Detroit Rugby Football Club played host to Michigan's Rugby club
this past weekend. The two 'A' teams battled to a 7-7 tie. Dave Sharp and
Dennis O'Dell accounted for Michigan's scoring. Michigan's 'B' team was
shutout, 12-0, while the 'C' team was victorious, 20-3.
The club's next game is against London, Ontario at 1 p.m. Saturday at
Fuller Field.
ROWING
The University of Michigan Rowing Club was in Detroit last Saturday,
competing against the likes of the Detroit Boat Club, Ohio State, and Wayne
State. The varsity took second place overall behind Wayne State.
The junior varsity defeated Grosse Pointe High School and finished second
to Wayne State. GOLF
The Women's Golf Club of the University of Michigan will open its season
at the University Golf Course on Stadium Blvd., on Tuesday, April 14. A brief
business meeting beginning at 8 a.m. will be followed by a mixer round of
golf, weather permitting.
Membership consists of women who are related to the University of
Michigan in one or more of the following capacities: staff, faculty, alumni,
and students. The club plays both nine and eighteen holes each Tuesday
morning from mid-April through mid-October. In addition to regular play,
snecial events and two tournaments are scheduled over the season.
dominated the individual competition.
The only real surprises were for
Michigan fans as Wolverine rings
specialist Darrell Yee finished a
dissapointing 21st and parallel bars
performer Marshall Garfield perfor-
med better than expected, grabbing
ninth place, just one spot short of
qualifying for the finals.
Michigan coach Newt Loken said that
he was especially pleased with the per-
formance that Garfield, normally an
all-arounder, turned in.
"IT WAS PLEASING to see Marshall
do so well," he said. "It is very hard for
someone, like Marshall, who is used to
participating in every event to have to
sit and wait for one particular event. I
felt that he handled the pressure very
well and made a fine showing for him-
self."
Going into the meet, Garfield said
that he thought that the pressure might
have a positive effect on his perfor-
mance. Apparently it did, as the junior
from Montreal scored an impressive 9.4
in the compulsories and an even better
9.5 in the optionals for a score of 18.9,
which left him one-tenth of a point shy
of eighth place and a berth in the finals.
Team captain and three-time Big Ten
rings champion Yee ended his outstan-
ding collegiate career on a sour note,
finishing a distant 21st on the rings with
scores of 9.15 in the compulsories and
9.4 in the optionals.
LOKEN SAID THAT Yee did not
move as well as usual during the com-
pulsory routines and missed on his
dismount. However, Loken did praise
Yee for coming back with a strong per-
formance during the optionals.
Another Wolverine who had trouble
with the compulsories was floor exer-
cise specialist Kevin McKee, who tur-
ned in a low 8.15 in the mandatory
routines before bouncing back with a
strong 9.35 in the optionals to finish
40th.
Referring to both Yee and McKee,
Loken commented on how tough the
judging was for the compulsories.
"THE JUDGES ARE deadly during
compulsories," he said. "A gymnast
can't change at all from the required
routine or he will lose points. The
smallest variations often result in im-
mense deductions."
John Rieckhoff on the pommel horse
also succumbed to the tough judging as
he was only able to earn 8.25 points in
the compulsories. His score of 9.1 in the
optionals, though, helped him improve
his overall standing as he finished 49th.
Loken said that he was not pleased
with his gymnasts' performances, but
that just being able to go to the tour-
nament was a thrill.
"Anytime that your team doesn't
finish near the top you are disappoin-
ted," he said. "But, we were pleased to
be there and be a part of the national
championship. The tournament was
well organized and well attended with a
very appreciative crowd. The guys were
all thrilled with the experience."
--LARRY MISHKIN
Women thinclads second
Battling high winds and torrential
rain, the Michigan women's track team
started its spring season off on the right
foot, finishing second out of 14 teams at
the Ohio State Invitational in Columbus
on Saturday.
The Buckeyes' 132 points bettered the
score of 119 compiled by the
Wolverines, though coach Red Sim-
mons said his squad "did good con-
sidering the conditions." Simmons
noted that the winds were so strong that
"The high jump mats blew away - it
usually requires two people to lift one of
those mats" - and that the long jump
run-up resembled a "river."
A NUMBER OF Michigan perfor-
mers garnered first place finishes.
Debbie Williams hurled the javelin 145'
to capture that event and also nabbed
fifth in the discus. Sue Frederick won
the 800 meters in 2:15.2, Melaine
Weaver ran to a 17:32 victory in the
5,000, Cathy Sharpe sped to a 12.01 100
meters and also got third in the 200, and
the 4 x 100 meter (48.6) and 4 x 800
meter (9:30) relay teams topped their
events.
Other scorers included Lori Thor-
nton, with a second place leap of 19'21"
in the long jump, Dawn Woodruff,
second in the 400-meter hurdles (64.2),
and Joanna Bullard, with what Sim-
mons called an "unexpected" second in
the 100-meter hurdles (14.9). Bullard
took third in her speciality, the high
jump, with a 5'6 " effort.
Rounding out the Wolverines' efforts
were Carol Lam (third in the 1500 with
a time of 4:48), Brenda Kazinec (third
in the 200-meter), Lynn Fudala (fifth in
the 10,000 at 38:45), Ingrid Rader (sixth
in the 10,000 with 39:33), Martha Gray
(sixth in the 800 at 2:21.4), and the 4 x
400 meter relay foursome, which
finished third.
Overall, Simmons seemed as im-
pressed with the tracksters' heartiness
as he was with their second place
finish: "I thought it was remarkable
they could perform in circumstances
like that," he said. The squad is on the
road again this weekend, as some
members of the team travel to the
Bowling Green Invitational and others
to the Dogwood Relays in Knoxville,
Tennessee.
-JOHN FITZPATRICK
Softballers drop two
Special to the Daily
The Michigan softball team came up
on the short end of both games of its
double-header with Wayne State last
night, losing 9-7 and 2-0. The defeats
dropped the Wolverines' record to 9-4
on the year.
IN THE OPENING game, Michigan
got off to an explosive start, scoring all
seven of its runs in the first inning.
I In the nightcap, Wolverine pitcher
Laura Reed allowed only four hits, but
Diane Hatch was the only Michigan
player to collect a hit. Her single with
two outs in the seventh inning ruined
Wayne State's bid for a no-hitter.
P Ieir IaN hP
BASEBALL
April 4 at Miami ()a,
April 5 at Cincinnati
April 7 AQUINAS, 3 p.m.
April 8 Western Michigan (D ), 1p.m.
April 11-12 at Ohio State University
(two DH)
SOFTBALL
April 6 at Wayne State, 3 p.m.
April 7 at Central Michigan
April 8 at Albion
April 10-11 Redbird Tournament, at
Normal,Ill.
WOMEN'S TRACK
April 4 Ohio State Invitational
April 11 Dogwood Invitational,
at Knoxville
MEN'S TRACK
April 11 Dogwood Relays, at Knoxville.
WOMEN'S TENNIS
April 7 Toledo, 2 p.m.
April 11 at Michigan State
MEN'S TENNIS
April 4 at Illinois
April 5 at Notre Dame
April 10 MINNESOTA, 2:30 p.m.
April 11 WISCONSIN, 1 p.m.
GOLF
April 9-10 at Eastern Kentucky
EUROPE/Israel
LOW COST FUGHTS
Center for Student Travel
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"OUR 8th YEAR
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