The Michigan Daily-Thursday, October 30, 1980-Page 9 Searching for rational answers A joke? No, the comical element was often replaced by more somber moments, like that portrayed in the pic- ture at the right. , A farce? Only if you think the Open Meetings Act is a piece of useless legislation that was enacted to please special interests. A chance to attend a public meeting? Yes. That's exactly what it was. And I sincerely hope Don Canham and the other members of the Board in Control of Intercollegiate Athletics 9recognized our purpose Tuesday night when they emerged from their October meeting in the darkness outside Crisler Arena and encountered a group of reporters and editors. We had been inside the tunnel leading to the arena for about 90 minutes or so, attempting to get into the meeting, before we were forcibly dragged out (but not arrested) by the Ann Arbor police. I was one of four staffers who were subjected to the rather brutal treatment; earlier, Editor-in-Chief. Mark Parrent and Opinion Page Editor Joshua Peck were arrested and charged with violating the Michigan Trespass Act. But swollen necks and swallowing difficulties aside, I learned quite a bit from the experience. I learned that you cannot speak with athletic department officials without being bombarded by false rhetoric, in- sulting banter, and general indifference to the needs of others. Associate Athletic Director Don Lund that our lawyer also thought the meeting should be open, Lund said, "Let me see it in writing." When Lund was asked why the meeting was closed to the public, he could not give us an answer. For added entertainment value, let's hear some other reasons (or non-reasons) given by Alan Fanger about that." WILL PERRY, assistant athletic director-"I was just invited to the meeting. I'm giving a report." SGT. ARTHUR HUGHES, Ann Arbor police officer-"My understanding of it is that this is a University building, and Mr. Canham is in charge of these buildings. And if he says this building is closed, and not for use of the public at the time, then I would assume he would have that authority, that's my under- standing." DON CANHAM, Athletic Direc- tor-"We talk about a lot of things we're not ready to publicize. We make policy on our own department. We don't make decisions on tax dollars because we don't use tax dollars." The search for a consistent, well- thought answer to our question ended in failure, as you can easily see. Most board members refused to comment on this topic as they emerged from the meeting, and you have to won- der whether they all truly hold Canham's view dear to their hearts. It is more likely that they have fallen prey to manipulation and a special type of peer pressure to hang the veil of secrecy over the entire operation. typified that character sketch. Upon entering the building and seeing that several Daily reporters and editors were blocking the door to the meeting room, he cynically asked, "What do you want to talk about? Freedom of the press? First amendment? . . ." Lund then asked if we had obtained legal help in pressing our case. We said that we had done so. After explaining other officials to explain why the meetings are closed: THOMAS ANTON, professor of political science and Big, Ten faculty representative-"I think in the past there have been some efforts to get a legal ruling on that. As far as I under- stand it, we haven't checked on the ruling. You would have to look at what the University attorney has to say AN ANN ARBOR POLICE officer % drags Daily Sports Editor Alan Daily Photo by PAUL ENGSTROM Fanger by the neck and out of Crisler Arena Tuesday. Fanger suffered minor abrasions on his neck as well as swelling in his throat. , The life of a walk- on Fischer works hard, accepts reserve role By STAN BRADBURY It is late in the game and Michigan leads Nor- thwestern 49-7 in the season opener of 1979. Into the game comes number 20 to play defensive back. In a matter of seconds, his career of playing time has both begun and ended as a Michigan Wolverine. A few seconds of playing time, late in a North- western blowout, is not much to show for two- and-a-half years of football practice. But for junior walk-on Brad Fischer, it is more than enough to keep him on the team and working as hard as anybody else. For a moment forget the Anthony Carters, the Mike Trgovacs and the ,John Wanglers; they have full-ride scholarships, campus recognition, and very agreeable amounts of playing time and 0 publicity. To them, practice and pain are worth it. THEN WHY, oh why, does a non-scholarship i player like Fischer put up with all the work, time; and pain? What drives? What motivates? "Basically it's the atmosphere of the program and a lot of friends," said Fischer. "It's really a lot of good'times, especially coming down to the end of the season with the Big Ten race like it is. "I'VE GOTTEN to the point where I really en- joy football and maybe some day I might go on as a coach or something," Fischer said. "I've really learned a lot here just being around Bo (Schembechler) and his coaching staff." When Fischer was a senior quarterback and defensive back at Oxford High School, the coaches invited him to Ann Arbor for a visit and from that time on, the 6-0, 201-pounder was sold on the Wolverines. "They invited me down here and I took a look at the facilities and the academics and I knew I wanted to come here," said Fischer. "It is kind of an amazing sight to come here and see all this when you're a high school senior." FISCHER TURNED down scholarship offers from Mid-American Conference schools to come to. Michigan even though the coaches said they could not offer hima'scholarship. "Your first year is rough. The coaches don't know much about the walk-ons," Fischer said, "so the scholarship people they bring in get the first shot at everything in practice. '"But then, after the first year, you're a part of the team and everyone knows what your part is and what you can contribute," said the LSA junior, who intends to get into business school.. EVEN THOUGH Fischer is not contributing during the games, he has still made his presence felt off the scene at practices. Last year during spring drills all but one Michigan quarterback had fallen to injuries. Bo then called on Fischer to move to that position from his defensive back spot. Fischer came on and did the job filling.in at the second-team quarterback slot and was a starter for the White team in the Blue-White game. "I almost didn't make it through spring ball," said Fischer. "Both of my shoulders were messed up from the second day on so I was in pain pretty bad. "BUT WHEN YOUR shot comes along, you don't lay over and let it pass. It may have hurt me in the long run to play injured because it hampered my performance," Fischer said. For now, Fischer has to be content to run the "Demo" (demonstration) offense. The demo team's job is to imitate the next week's opponent so the first and second teams can get a look at what's in store. "There's a certain amount of challenge going against your own defense and trying to pick it apart," Fischer said. "It's a personal challenge." INSTANT CASH1 WE'RE PAYING $14$2 PER DISC FOR YOUR ALBUMS fN GOOD SHAPE. RECORDS OPEN MON.-SAT. 10-6 20 S. STATE 769.7075 I Y ini troubles: Big Ten investigating Wilson eligibility CHICAGO (AP)-The Big Ten Con- student-athetes. ference announced yesterday its The conference d faculty representatives are in- responsibility as ea4 vestigating whether the University of adherence to Big Te Illinois is complying with conference "The principlec rules regarding eligibility of student requires that eachr athletes. delegate to a facul The investigation stems from a con- organization the res troversy centered around Illini quar- development of in terback Dave Wilson. Wilson is em- concerning intercoli broiled in a dispute with the conference administration oft over whether he is eligible to play foot- supervision of insti ball. He has taken the conference to ce. court over the matter. The conference's faculty represen- tatives seek to determine the univer- sity's position as to whether it is in GOR DON compliance with conference rules, the university's position on certain MACRAE obligations it has to the other conferen- ce members and the university's in- terests in complying hereafter with .g conference requirements," the Big Ten said in a news release. The Chicago Tribune disclosed last week that the investigation was inM progress. Neale Stoner, Illinois athletic director, said at the time that he had not been formally notified of the inquiry but added he was certain the university the m was meeting conference standards Rodgers and regarding academic eligibility of RodersZand case defines institutional ch member school's n regulations. of faculty control member university ty group within its sponsibility for the stitutional policies egiate athletics, the those policies and itutional complian- POETRY READING with STEPHEN DUNNING and Workshop Poets Reading from their works at 7:30 P.M. Thurs. Oct. 30 ADMISSION: FREE REFRESHMENTS GUILD HOUSE, 802 MONRO NOON LUNCHEON Home-macteSoup & Sandwich t 754 Friday Oct. 31 JACKIE KRENTZMAN Energy Task Force Coordinator, PIRGIM: "Radioactive Waste in Michigan" DE (662-5189) ANITA DARIAN n He usic of Hammerstein Oct.1 --- Save $2.39 on two Sirloin Strip Dinners Dinners include *Baked Potato *Warm Roll with Butter *All-You-Can-Eat Salad Bar. WE On CUT OUT THIS COUPON UEU5EEE CUT OUT THIS COUPON Noe Sav 239Save $2.39 TWO SIRLOIN TWO SIRLOIN 0 STRIP DINNERS .. .$5.99 STRIP DINNERS .. .$5.99 Beverage and dessert are not M Beverage and dessert are not M included. U included. Limit one coupon per couple per visit. Limit one coupon per couple per visit Cannot be used with other discounts. Cannot be used with other discounts. M Applicable taxes not included. Applicable taxes not included. M At Participating Steakhouses.* At Participating Steakhouses. Offer good ,U Offer good Oct .17thruE E Oct 17 thr9 M . Nov. 2.1980 ot 2.1980 U SCORES NBA Boston 103, Detroit 85 Milwaukee 132, New Jersey 116 Indiana 102, New York 95 Philadelphia 115, Chicago 102 NHL yuCT.31, 1N V. 1 and z Fri., Sat. 8 p.m.-Sun. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. POWER CENTER Tickets on Sale Now PTP Ticket Office-Michigan League Mon.-Fri. 10-1, 2-5. 764-0450 Hartford 5, Detroit 3 Quebec 3, Vancouver 3 Daily Photo by DEBBIE LEWIS CONTROVERSY CONTINUES to surround Illinois' starting quarterback Dave Wilson and his eligibility status. Wilson, who threw for over 300 yards while setting a record for most passes attempted last Saturday against Michigan, is currently under investigation by the Big Ten. We stock a full line of clothing, boots, camping equipment, hunting clothing & winter coats. 201 E. Washington at Fourth open M-Sat 9-6 494-3572 _______________mEmi Li1 HAVE DINNER WITH Charley THIS WEEK e C., I m