Page 14-Friday, October 1, 1982-The Michigan D
Pistons s
By JSSE BARKIN
Coming off their best season in five years, the
Detroit Pistons christen the 1982-83 season at Crisler
Arena today with the opening of training camp, nur-
sing hopes of finding the right combination of talent
that will help them better last season's 39-43 record
and push them toward their lofty goal-the playoffs.
But even before camp starts the Pistons are
already behind schedule as three important cogs in
the Detroit machine-starting guard John Long, and
first-round draft choices Cliff Levingston and Rickey
Pierce-are still unsigned and were conspicuously
absent at Yesterday's media luncheon at the
Michigan IM Building.
"WE ARE very, very near to reaching an
agreement with John Long," said Piston general;
manager Jack McCloskey. "If he's not here
tomorrow (today) I would think he'd be here the next
morning."
But as for the rookie free agents, McCloskey had
nothing but harsh words. "I would say we're miles
apart. They're (Levingston and Pierce) represented
by an agent (Lance Luchnick) who has five first
rounders who haven't signed yet," he said. "They're.
going to have to accept what we've offered, or that's
it.
"I THINK the guy is totally unreasonable," he con-

)aily
et to ope:
tinued. "It's an ego thing; he's promised the guys
some astronomical figures. We will not contact them
again."
Holdouts aside, the team that starts practices
today looks a whole lot like the team that finished last
season, which narrowly missed the final playoff spot
in the NBA's Eastern Conference.
Returning are guards Isiah Thomas, Vinnie John-
son, and Ron Lee; centers, Steve Hayes and Bill
Laimbeer; and forwards, Kent Benson, Terry Tyler,
Kelly Tripucka, Edgar Jones, and Alan Hardy.
COACH SCOTTY Robertson said all last year that
what he needed to improve his team was a "banger,"
a big man to "get tough under the boards," thus, the
Pistons acquired 6-10, 235 veteran center Tom Owens,
and drafted Levingston (6-8, 220), from Witchita
State, to play power forward. Other newcomers in-
vited to camp were Ann Arbor native Bob Elliott, and
Western Michigan star Walker D. Russell (brother of
former UM All-American Campy).
Overall, training camp is a time for the coaches to
try new talent, new combinations, strategies and
generally, just to get in shape for the rigorous 82-
game schedule.
Uncertainty, though, is the key word at the opening
of camp. Team officials and players all seemed op-
timistic about the upcoming season and camp, but at
the same time expressed tentativeness in predicting

ncamp
the future.
"I'm looking forward to the season," said Rober-
tson. "If we progress and stay healthy, we've got a
good shot at getting there (the playoffs). We're going
to be better. We won 39 games last year. I don't know
if that means we'll win 40, but we are better."
Perhaps the most important job for the coaches in
training camp is to trim the roster to the league's 11-
man limit. Former UM star Alan Hardy is in the
precarious position of being a returning veteran, yet
he will probably be cut soon after, and if, the holdouts
join the team. But despite the situation, the 6-5 for-
ward-guard is not going to give up his spot without his
best effort.
"I don't look at situations like it's going to be bad or
it's going to look good," he said. "I'm going to go at it
with all the confidence I can . . . and I'm looking to
come out on top."
During the summer Hardy played in some leagues
around Detroit and traveled throughout the midwest
playing on teams with NBA stars Magic Johnson,
Thomas, and Tripuka. Hardy stressed that he tried to
improve his game during the off season.
"I tried to improve it more mentally. You never
really know the game, I learn something new every
time I play," he said.



THE WOLVERINE SUBMARINE
The World's Largest Submarine Sandwich

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1982
Baking Starts: 7:00am
Serving Begins: Appx. 5:30pm Outside The Michigan Un
Tickets: $2.00 Sandwich, beverage, chips
Available at the Michigan Union Ticket Office or a Resident Hall Representative.
For more info: 763-1107
-

lion

&6
9,1
70
Daily Photo by SCOTT ZOLTON
Edgar Jones warms up with a reverse slam dunk during yesterday's lun-
cheon at the IM Building. Jones, a reserve power forward and center, and
the rest of the Pistons start preseason practice today at Crisler Arena.
Jones gives stickers
By DOUGLAS B. LEVY
There is an old saying, "never say never." But when speaking of the leader and
senior member of the women's field hockey teamn, the word "never" cannot be
avoided.
Dee Jones from Brentwood, Mo. is the right halfback of the currently undefeated
stickers. She has never scored many goals, and never led the team in assists.
However, Dee Jones has NEVER missed a game.
AS A MATTER of fact, Jones' career goal is to prevent athletes from missing
their various events1 A physical education major under the concentration headin*
of sports science, Jones hopes to attend graduate school next fall. Two universities
that she would like to attend are Arizona and Virginia, which offer excellent
programs in the field of "athletic training."
During her years in Ann Arbor, Jones has served as the trainer for women's
track in the winter and women's tennis in the spring. She is quick to point out that
being a trainer is more than just taping sore knees, ankles, and elbows.
"A trainer works on injury prevention, and injury rehabilitation," says Jones.
Eventually, Jones would like to become a trainer at a major university.
For the immediate future, however, Jones wants to win hockey games. And she
believes that this year's team will be more successful than in her three previous
seasons.
"WE'VE BEEN good every year and <
then choke. This year we have been
calm and composed. In the past, when
our opponents scored first, we would -
become flustered. But not any more,
noted Jones.
Composure has indeed marked the
team1's play thus far this season. In the j
opening game against St. Louis the <
team was down 1-0, but dominated the
second half to win, 2-1. And last
weekend the teamn took two thrilling ' .-,..
victories from Michigan State (2-1) and
Purdue (1-0).
"Dee has shown steady improvementD
throughout her career. Her greatest
strength is as a leader on the field. Dee sines
is an example of iconsistency and ... strives for consistency
stability. She is the person that the other girls can look up to for guidance," said
Associate Athletic Director Phyllis Ocker, who recruited Jones in .1979 when she
was field hockey coach.
THE OTHER players appreciate Jones' experience and steady performance. "I
think Dee is the most respected player on the team," commented junior forward
Lisa Schofield.
This Saturday the team will face their toughest opponent of the year-
Northwestern.The Wildcats are a top-ranked team, and will be a good measuring
stick of Michigan's ability. To Jones, this game is a little more important than the
rest.
"To score a big goal this weekend is very important to me," said the four-year
performer.

So this Saturday in Evanston could prove to be the pinnacle of Jones' fine career.
But win or lose, Dee Jones has never missed a game. And that's something to be
proud of.

I'' I

UN\ION

All proceeds go to
The United Way Torch Fund

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