Placekicking is all downhillfc By DAN NEWMANi When you think of placekickers #you often think of soccer-style specialists. It's common to hear remarks such as "He's just a kicker, not an athlete." It's true that many placekickers fit a certain stereotype and that some must depend solely on their foot. But put aside any reservations you may have for kickers, because the Wolverines' Todd Schlopy is no ordinary backup placekicker., LAST WEEK, among 70 competitors, Schlopy won one gold medal and one bronze medal in the Central United States Ski Association (CUSSA) com- petition at Thunder Mountain.. The previous week Schlopy won a gold for his first-place finish in a slalom and two bronzes for taking third in the Giant Slalom at Boyne Mountain. Among other achievements, Schlopy has competed in the European, Canadian, and U.S. national champion- ships. So one may be wondering when and where Schlopy developed his ski talent? "My parents were both ski instruc- tors in Pennsylvania, so I gugess you could say I come from a skiing family," explained Schlopy. "Both me and my 15-year-old brother (who is ranked third in the U.S. among 16 and under) race competitively." SCHLOPY, who is ranked in the top 50 in the U.S. for slalom, has skied 19 of his 20 years. He lived in Lake Placid for four years and throughout his stay there he skied almost every weekend. This New York native was the second best for his age when he was 14 and. 15. But Schlopy then claims to have suf- fered a major setback when he crashed while cruising at 75 m.p.h: "It really messed up my head for awhile," said Schlopy, referring to his fall. "It Was like a batter getting hit by a pitch. I knew I had to get back up on the skis in order to clear my head." THE STORY behind Schlopy's foot- ball career is a much briefer one. Schlopy was a soccer star his first three years at Orchard Park (N.Y.) high school and it wasn't until his senior year that Schlopy first played organized football. "The football coach would let me do anything," said Schlopy, who was quickly inserted into the starting lineup as placekicker, pun- ter and wide receiver.- Schlopy was out of school after his senior year and for over a year it looked as though he was going nowhere. "I was looking for somewhere to go and luckily I got some connect The connection wg director and so Sch a tryout. - WHILE OUT o began kicking ba become his tradem points out, "I'm n bench." Although Schlopy playing time, he. Rose Bowl and tt Bowl. "I'm getting' he said. "I learn so I'm on the field." But what about Schlopy has a qualifying for the possibly the 19841 desired. "I could r that would mean dr and devoting all peting." Schlopy isn't suff of grandeur. "I'mr The Michigan Daily-Friday, January 29, 1982-Page 11 "r Schiopy c Schlopy the ski team," he said. "I compete as a recruiting because I enjoy it and it's fun to win." ilopy was invited for When conflicts arise, it's "football )f school,'Schlopy first" for Schlopy. "Football got me in- arefoot, which has to school and it's keeping me here," he ark. But, as Schlopy said. "Since niy goal in high school was qt here to sit on the to get to college, football has much more influence." hasn't gotten much SCHLOPY claims that he has a did attend the 198 "decent understanding" with coach Bo he 1981 Bluebonnet Schembechler. "I try to never miss a better all the time," practice. imething every time No, he hasn't been kicking for many years like Ali Haji-Sheikh. But Schlopy his skiing career? does have excellent range and good' realistic shot at distance along witfi "occasional con- U.S. ski team and sistency." Someday he may be the Olympics-if he so Wolverines' starter. make the team, but Schlopy has been involved with. opping out of school athletics all his life. In fact, he plans to my time to com- continue in this field after he graduates. "I especially like working with kids," ering from delusions said Schlopy, who is pursuing the media not working to make and visual studies. r SIV6 W UL nlllr, 6V 1llaILV 6 M -'TODD SCHLOPY, backup Michigan, placekicker, can also be found kicking tip snow on the slopes. Schlopy recently won three medals in a national comr- petition. .i:..- v BGSU storms into Yost WITH By MARK BOROWSKI Take a journey back to November and one probably couldn't have found even a fool or, Falcon hockey fanatic thatwould've placed a dime on Bowling Green's chances of winning the CCHA. And why should they? The Falcon - icers were 0-7-1 on the season and the odds of rising from the cellar to the top spot seemed quite remote at best. BUT NOW it is January and probably evey hockey hustler in Ohio is willing o put down the big bucks on the owling Green machine as it has won 1 of its last 18 games and flown from the basement to the perch atop the CCHA. 'And unfortunately for the Michigan hockey squad, it must face-off against the high-flying Falcons tonight at Yost Arena and tomorrow at Bowling Green. So what halted the skid? 'According to Falcon coach Jerry York, a lot had to due only with difficult scheduling. York's icers started off by playing five 0eams that are currently in the top ten n the country in this week's WMPL hockey poll, including number one Wisconsin and number three North Dakota. "I think we were a good team during our training camp," said York. "We started 0-7-1 but I thought we were playing solid hhockey. I thought we played very well against North Dakota and can't believe we didn't win one of those games. We showed we could play with top caliber teams," he said in reference to his team's first eight games. "WE HAVE improved in some areas and I think we are a better team than at the start -of the season. The main reason I think' we started so poorly was because of the schedule," he said. The only games the Falcons dropped since mid-November were a .6-5 edging by second-place Michigan State and a 9- 8 overtime thriller to Notre Dame last friday night. When Michigan coach John Giordano was asked what kind of team Bowling Green was he succinctly answered, "a good one." But even though the Falcons are in all facets of our game (to win)," said Giordano. "And we will have to play with a lot of intensity." Those facets Giordano is referring to area quite different than the ones Bowling Green emphasizes. The Falcons are led by three high scoring forwards on their first line in Brian Hill (24-32-56), George McPhee (18-36-54) and Peter Wilson (18-15-33), while Michigan plays a hard-hitting defensive game that has allowed only 55 goals, the lowest in league play and scored just 57. McPhee became the all-time leading Falcon scorer last weekend in the Notre Dame series, where he picked up a goal and eight assists for a career total 240 points. "HE (McPHEE) is a player that has a lot of all-around skills," said York. "He's not a one-dimension player,. which is unique. We're pleased with his scoring, but also his offensive and defensive shills." York will start junior Mike David in the net (4.03 goals against average) and Michigan will use either league leading Peter Mason (2.54 gaa) or freshman Jon Elliott (2.93). -- "I watched Michigan play in the Great Lakes Tourney and they are a very good team," York said. "We will have to play very wellt-o beat Michigan." Action SpOrtsWear FACTORY CLOSEOUTS Swimwear Footwear Bodywear 406 East Liberty 2 blocks off State Street P . McPhee' ... offensive threat coming into Ypst on quite a hot streak, not all the odds are stacked in their favor. IN. THE 13 previous meetings bet- ween the two teams, Bowling Green as skated away with only one win, 3-2 in overtime, last year and on the following- night the Wolverines retaliated with a 9- 4 thrashing in Ann Arbor. "We will really have to come together Tickets are $11.00, $10.00, $9.00 available at the Michigan Union Ticket Office and CTC outlets. A Major Events Presentation. 663-6771 SCORES College Basketball Big Ten MICHIGAN 62. Ohtio State 60 (OT) Iowa 57, Michigan State 56 Illinois 63, Purdue 48 Minnesota 61. 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