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 1140 Broadway NewYork, N.Y 10001 (212) 689-8980 800-223-7676 "OUR 8th YEAR A lqp a I OM 0% OM aw Nip im I a Apqr 0 AM IL a AvL IF NIP L-2 IF _/.' iG i