Men's Swimming Wolverine Invitational Mar. 11-12, 3:00 p.m. Matt Mann pool The Michigan Daily SPORTS Women's Basketball vs. Iowa Today, 8:00 p.m. Crisler Arena 4 Thursday, March 8, 1984 Page 9 Girgash at home with Panthers Ex-'M' star finds niche in USFL By TOM KEANEY -The United States Football League has two Inds of players: big name stars like Mike ozier, Herschel Walker, and Steve Young, and guys who simply can't make it in the NFL. Paul Girgash falls into the second category, but he's not complaining. The former Wolverine linebacker still plays in a ,Michigan uniform, but now it's for the Michigan Panthers of the USFL. He was not lured away from the NFL with a big money con- tract. It would be more accurate to say that he's been lured out of retirement with a chance to play football for a few more years. I COULDN'Tbe happier. I'm playing football "ien I thought4hat I probably never would," he said after the Panther's 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Maulers Saturday night. "I really en- joy playing football. I'm happy they gave me a chance to play." He joins a group of several other ex- Wolverines on the team. Girgash says this is an advantage most NFL teams don't have. "It helps. You go out early in camp and Andy Cahavino comes up to tell you how it was last year and what to expect. It's the same with An- thony Carter and Carlton Rose. It's nice.'" Girgash's years with the Wolverines were "nice," too. A standout linebacker for Michigan n. the three years he played here, 1980-82, the Lakewood, Ohio native is the Wolverine's second all-time tackler with 414. He proved his durability in college, starting in 36 consecutive games. In his senior year he was named co- captain along with teammates Anthony Carter and Robert Thompson. GIRGASH'S size has always been a matter of some dispute since it was his practice never to step on a scale after the original weigh-in during spring training. At 6-1, and "around 210," he is considered a small linebacker, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in strength. Girgash who can bench press 430 pounds, is pound-for-pound one of the most powerful linebackers the Wolverines have produced. And yet his road to the pros was a rocky one. After college he had a tryout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but was among the last cut, from the squad. The Panthers seized the oppor- tunity and signed him as a free agent in Novem- ber of 1983. Girgash was pleased to be on the gridiron again. He doesn't consider the USFL "bush league." "I HAVE NO ambition to play in the NFL right now," he said. "There are quality people here and it's competitive. That's'what makes it fun, and that's what makes it exciting to watch." Now in his rookie season in the pros, Girgash sees limited playing time, coming in mostly on special teams. It's a huge difference from his college days but the former all-Ohio linebacker does not despair. "It's not a step down," said Girgash. "In some ways it's a step up. It (the lack of playing time) is disappointing, but I'm also grateful to have what I do. I can't be disappointed when I go out and play hard." Girgash, who was the most valuable defensive player in the 1982 Rose Bowl, doesn't know how much longer he will last in professional football. When it does come time to retire though, he in- tends to go into business, possibly with his father. "That's one thing I want to get started on in the off-season," he said. Still, the former all-Big Ten linebacker makes , it clear that he's more worried about this weekend's game than what he'll be doing five or ten years from now. Paul Girgash stops Iowa running back Paul McCarty during a 1981 contest. The ex-Wolverine now plays on the special teams for the Michigan Panthers. U4 Wrestlers begin title bids today 'tY # By GARY EFFMAN j There is not much glory in college wrestling. The 'ysical and mental demands are great while the rewards are often echoing, empty arenas and little recognition. This year the pinnacle of the wrestling season is a round-trip ticket to New Jersey where the NCAA ch'ampionships are being held.. WOLVERINE wrestlers Joe McFarland, Kirk Trost, and Walt Dunayczan earned this ticket with six months of rigorous training and first, third, and four- th place finishes, respectively, in the Big Ten Cham- pionships. For the 126-pound McFarland it will be his third trip to the NCAA's in four seasons. With a number- two ranking he carries Michigan's greatest hope for its first championship since three-time champion Mark Churella won in 1979. According to Michigan head coach Dale Bahr, "There's (Iowa State's) Kevin Darkus and Joe, and then there's the rest of the group: If they wrestle the way they can they'll easily buzz to the finals." WINNING THE finals, however, will be anything but a breeze for McFarland. McFarland has met Darkus, ranked first in the country three times earlier this season and has come out empty-handed every time. For Trost (190 pounds) and Dunayczan (Heavyweight) the goal for this year's tourney is a top-eight finish, which would earn them All- America honors. Trost failed to place in last year's tournament, but is confident. fI "I've been up and down a bit this year," he said. "But I feel good right now and when I wrestle my best I could be right up there." TROST'S biggest competition at the championships will come from Iowa's Pete Bush and Michigan State's Eli Blazeff. Both wrestlers finished ahead of Trost at the Big Tens, placing first and second respectively. Bush, currently ranked first in the nation, won the NCAA's in 1982 before being red-shirted last season. Dunayczan could provide the greatest surprise for Michigan. The heavyweight took over the starting spot when Rob Rechsteiner became injured. With only three varsity starts under his belt, Dunayczan surprised the Big Ten with a fourth place finish. Despite his performance at the Big Ten's, Dunayc- zan views the NCAA's realistically. "I realize that I'm less experienced than the other wrestlers," Dunayczan said. "But you have to believe that you have just as good a chance as they do, that when you get on the mats, everyone is equal. It's a matter of building up Yourconfidence. "In wrestling anything can happen, all it takes is one move and you could be pinned. It's going to be just a matter of who gets that move." /~ i 1 1 t y . , . #// FF 1 Northwestern College T of Chiropractic As the need for specialized health care continues to grow. Northwestern Colleqe can help ou enter a secure and satisfying career as a Doctor of Ch ropract ic Committed to high standards in education and research. Northwestern Cofleeof Chiropractic offers you comprehensive chiropractic training on a modern campus distinguished for its excellent facilities and dedicated teaching staff. If you would like to know how Northwestern College of Chiropractic can help you achieve your career goals, complete fhe form below or call the admissions office TOLL FREE at 1.800-328-8322, Extension 290 or collect at (612) 888-4777. Please send me more information on - * Northwestern College of Chiropractic Name , Address C City State Zip - Phone Years of college experience SEND TO: Northwestern College of Chiropractic, Admissions Office, 2501 West 84th Street, Bloomington, Minnesota 55431 1.800.328.8322, Extension4290;1collect at (612) 888-4777 Em..m.... m ....... - .... .. m .. ...m Dunavezan and Trost -headed to NCAAs mkk---- SPORTS OF THE DAILY: Smith boards CFL 's Concordes MONTREAL (UPI) - Former Michigan quarterback Steve Smith signed a three-year contract with the Montreal Concordes yesterday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is estimated Smith will receive 0$00,000 a year. THE SIGNING gives the Concordes two top-flight U.S. college signal callers, something coach Joe Galat has been after for the last two years. Galat, who last month was able to get Nebraska's record-setting quarterback Turner Gill to ink a Montreal contract, said the two players would complement each other and the team. He would not say however, who would get the No. 1 ob. SMITH, 21, who set a Michigan record for total career offense with 6,554 yards, is known for his roll-out ability and strong throwing arm. In three years as Michigan's starter he threw 42 touchdown passes and rushed for 31 more. The Grand Blanc, Mich., native said he chose Montreal and the Canadian Football League because he thought he'd have a better chance to play quarterback than in the FL. eD "The NFL looks for guys 6'4", 215 pounds who will stay in the pocket," said Smith, who is an even 6 feet and 194 pounds. "With my speed, I think the big field will help me a lot. I feel this is the best opportunity for me to play, and to improve my skills as a runner and passer." . Smith said he hoped to win the star- ting job, but added the competition with Gill would be tough. "Turner's good. I think it'll come down to who comes in and learns the system quickest," he said. "If we both do, it'll just depend on who is the better talent." Pistons 107, Hawks 93 Special to the Daily PONTIAC - There's speculation that Isiah Thomas will be named the MVP in the NBA this season. After yesterday's performance he is certain to get con- sideration from -'the Atlanta Hawks as' he led the Detroit Pistons to a 107-93 win at the Silverdome. Thomas was definitely the most valuable Piston as he scored 22 points and dished out 15 assists against the wounded Hawks, who had to play without their star Dan Roundfield, who is out with a broken nose. WITHOUT ROUNDFIELD, the Hawks had no offense and were lacking on defense as the Pistons shot 56 per- cent from the field, and an outstanding 65 percent in the first half. The Pistons built up a 19-point bulge on their way to a 63-47 lead at halftime. However, Detroit let Atlanta back in it when it committed six turnovers in the third quarter. "We turned it over too many times," said Piston coach Chuck Daly. - RANDY BERGER --- 1__ _ SCORES NCAA Conference Tournaments Big East Providence 59. Seton Hall 55 Big Eight Kansas St. 41,Nebraska 39 Southeastern Vanderbilt 77. Mississippi 57 NBA Boston 117, Utah 106 Exhibition Baseball Chicago (AL)>9,Detroit3 Minnesota 7, Toronto 0 I. a unique opportunity for -Agriculturalists - For you and the world itself. You can put your AGRI- CULTURE DEGREE or FARMING EXPERIENCE to W work ata challenging, demanding and unique oppor- tunity. 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