'The Michigan Daily-Wednesday, September 23, 1987- Page 11 0 Adamantly Speaking a S BY ADAM OCHLIS All right. On the count of three, everybody go on strike. Hell, it's the in thing to do these days isn't it? The pro football players are on strike at this moment, and the pro basketball players are going on strike in November. So on three, everybody just stop what you're doing. Whether it be taking notes in class, or doing the dishes, just stop. I'll even join in and stop writing this column. Let's prove a point. One... Two... Three. Now that you have no notes, the dishes aren't done, and I've got a big blank space in the middle of my column, don't you think our strike proved a lot? About as much as this football strike is going to. I'm a football fan. I like to watch football. Real football. NFL style. Now I can't. Yet the thing that irks me most is that this strike is totally unnecessary. It also isn't going to be settled for a while. Granted I'm not familiar with the intricate details of labor negotiations and collective bargaining agreements. However, I do know, in my limited wisdom, that both Gene Upshaw (the players union representative) and Jack Donlan (the owners representative) have to sit down together, stop talking crap and start progressing on a new contract. Thus, it came as a surprise to me (and I hope to others) to watch the halftime show Monday and see Upshaw in Washington and Donlan in New York. "Something is wrong here," I said to my roommate. Is it just me or is this entire situation a senseless hodgepodge of incompetent fools arguing with another hodgepodge of incompetent fools? Both sides knew the contract was going to run out, yet the first series of talks didn't even commence until a month ago. With eight major issues on the table, didn't either side learn from the 1982 strike (which lasted 57 NFL strike talks... ..let's all do it days) that it is difficult, er impossible, to settle their differences in less than a month? And on the same subject, didn't either side learn anything from the last strike at all? The owners lost millions of dollars, the players lost thousands of dollars, and the NFL, some people argue, still hasn't recovered. If the last strike kept a lot of fans away from the stadium, what is this strike going to do? Since both parties are too stupid to figure out the answer to this question, I'll be glad to tell them - it'll keep even more people away when they do come back. Duh! I know I'll be back, but a lot of people won't. In addition, it's not like the NFL is over forever. Eventually, the players will be back. None of them, if they had their druthers, even want to strike. The younger players don't understand what they are striking over. The older players, who earn a lot of money, would rather keep earning their salary than hold picket signs - especially since the strike is mainly for players who just entered the league. The only people who really want to strike are Upshaw, Brian Holloway (the big-mouthed Raider offensive tackle) and a few of the player reps. But no one wants to defy the union, and so we have a strike. For the first time in the pro sports' strike era (since 1981), I side with the owners. The players are being ludicrous. Free agency is not going to occur. Period. Once the players get this in their head, we'll have football again. "But what happens if we suffer a career-ending injury?," is another player complaint. "We want to be assured financial security the rest of our lives." I have never and will never buy this argument. The players all went to college in case this happens. They received access to an education. If they didn't use that opportunity to their advantage, well that's their problem. Besides, the owners are willing to increase the pension benefits. The resolution: The strike will either last five days or five weeks. When the players do come back, they'll probably come back complaining that they didn't get what they wanted anyway. But football will be back, the players having proved nothing. And you'll still be without class notes, and the dirty dishes will still be waiting for you in the sink. Serving-ace Davidson leads 'M' s pikers past Bowl ing Green By PETER ZELLEN' Big Ten volleyball look out. Here come the Wolverines. Michigan continued to impress and improve as it swept Bowling Green last night, 17-15, 15-7, and 16-14, to raise its record to 11-2. "We played some really good volleyball," said Wolverine head coach Joyce Davis. The first game was a tough and drawn out victory. With Bowling Green leading, 14-13, Michigan failed to convert on four consecutive serves. The Wolverine defense, however, kept them alive. Michigan prevented the Falcons from scoring until it could tie the game. Rising star sophomore Karen Marshall came in to notch the final two points for the victory. THE SECOND game was a blowout. Michigan dominated with good defense and blocking. Freshman Julia Sturm had two powerful blocks early in the game that exemplified the Wolverines play. "Sturm and Kim Clover had great games at the net tonight," stated Davis. At one point Michigan led 11-3. The third game capped an exciting evening at the Intramural Building. The Falcons took control early with excellent all-around play. They served effectively, blocked successfully, and set up their shots well. T h e Wolverines looked tired and ragged but refused to quit. The outlook seemed dim for Michigan as Bowling Green led, 13-4. But heroes emerged. Marie-Anr Davidson's turned the tide on her serve. The six-foot junior from Ontario, Canada came in and served point after point to rally Michigan to a 13-13 tie. The team enjoyed a swing in momentum. CLOVER AND T h u r m continued their defensive prowess throughout the game. Senior co- captain Lisa Vahi lost her serve. Bowling Green scored one on it next drive to make it 14-13 Falcons. With fire in their eyes, the Wolverines took charge. Michigar served for three-straight points with its other senior co-captain Heather Olsen getting the final kill for the victory and the match. "The keys to the match were that we passed and served real well, and we didn't allow strings of points," said Davis. The Wolverines received more good news yesterday. Junior Carla Hunter is working out after knee surgery and is expected back in October for the second week of Big Ten matches. THE SPORTING VIEWS Early start for NHL... ...Red Wings ready Daily Photo by SCOTT LITUCHY Michigan's Karen Marshall (10) watches the result of her spike in last night's victory against Bowling Green. AIKIDO k DEMONSTRATION! Tonight-Sept. 23-From Japan, see one of the world's highest ranking aikido masters, 9th degree black belt Gozo Shioda, at the Michigan Theatre, 6:30 pm. Tickets $10 at the door. INTRODUCTION TO AIKIDO An introductory course taught by Sensei Takashi Kushida, 8th degree black 1belt from Japan. Two classes start in October: - Thursdays 6:30-7:30 pm (October 1, 8, 15, 22) - Saturdays 10:30-11:30 am (October 3, 10, 17, 24) Cost: $15 for four sessions. Classes held in the Genyokan Dojo in Ann Arbor, 749 Airport Blvd. (behind the State Rd. K-Mart). For information, call 662-4686. AIKIDO YOSHINKAI ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA By JOHN McDERMOTT As autumn officially arrives, the last thing on the minds of most sports fans is the National Hockey League. But, early as it seems, the Red Wings have already begun their exhibition season. With the Stanley Cup completed less than four months ago, the players are gearing for another 80- game schedule to eliminate five teams. Then it's on to four rounds of playoffs to crown the eventual league champion. Some say the season is too long, and too many teams make the playoffs. It is unfair that the team with the best record during the regular season could lose in the first round to the 16th-best team. THE NHL responds to these complaints by pointing out it has no big-money television contracts so it ,,relies on the long season and extensive playoff system to pay the bills. The league can also point to its frequent dynasties, a thing of the past in other major sports, as evidence that its playoff system works. The Stanley Cup final usually features two deserving clubs. To true fans, though, the long season means more opportunities to take in a good hockey game. '. Locally, there is more reason than ever to anticipate the upcoming season. Not since the Gordy Howe era have the Detroit Red Wings excited their fans the way they did a last year, and there is no reason to think that this campaign won't be as successful or better. Under the guidance of new head M coach Jacques Demers, the Wings compiled a 34-36-10 record and advanced to the Campbell Conference finals. After a hard fought loss in that series to the Oilers, the league's most dominant team, Detroit proved that the nickname Dead Wings no longer applies. General Manager J i m m y Devellano has assembled a young team capable winning the Norris Division crown. As a potentially good team in a bad division, they have a chance of returning to the xconference finals. The most obvious reason for the turnabout is last year's SDemers, last year's NHL Coach of the Year. He motivated his young team to play above itself last season, and this year he's dealing with even ' more experience and talent. Adam Oates, Shawn Burr, Gerard Gallant, and the erratic Petr Klima are all capable of putting the puck in the net. It's just a matter of these players maturing together. The defense, ranked fifth in the NHL last year, appears to be strong. Led by Darren Veitch, Lee Norwood, and Mike O'Connell, they should once again provide adequate protection for the right-handed, left- handed goaltending combination of Greg Stefan and Glen Hanlon. The defense is a tough-checking unit re- enforced by the two scrappy veteran goalies. The key, however, may lie in avoiding mental breakdowns. There are strict new rules against fighting, and Demers must calm some of the more feisty players. After leading the league in penalties last year, the coach is ready to crack down. The recent demotion of Joe Kocur for disciplinary reasons proves that Demers won't let the players rest on their laurels. After the team's recent weekend sweep of the St. Louis Blues, he also warned the veterans that many of the new players are ready to step in. That motivational comment should push all of the veterans. This is a potentially big year for the Red Wings, so with the possibility of no pro football to watch, why not enjoy an NHL game, even in the fall? O ° ija " L, i o /O/Q' r L/-r FRESH OVEN BAKED PIZZA IN SECONDS! BICYCLE SALES AND SERVICE Ross 10 Speed Bikes starting at $159.95 QUALITY PRODUCTS, PERSONAL SERVICE AND FAIR PRICES 1 ackson Ave. ANN ARBOR 1220 SOUTH UNIVERSITY (CORNER S. UNIVERSITY & FOREST) 665-2034 Hours across from Cottage Inn next to Capitol Cleaners Liberty St. Larry's Bike & Mower Shop 2306 W. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 * 994-6555 HOURS: Mon.-Fri.10-6 SAT. 9-3 Monday-Thursday Friday-Saturday Sunday 10:30 AM-1:00 AM 10:30 AM-2:00 AM 10:30 AM-Midnight W 0 BORDERING ON '' OBNOXIOUS Well, not really obnoxious, just very enthusiastic about the U of M! The College of Literature, Science and the Arts is interviewing students to work for an alumni fundraising telethon. The LS&A Phonathon runs five nights a week from October 11 to November 19. You will be able to .oI1,'t the twn nirihts nut of the~ five you wish to work with - PIZZA BY THE SLICE - SALADS " SPAGHETTI - LASAGNA * VEAL PARMESAN - CAESARS SANDWICHES*- CRAZY CRUSTS® & SAUCE DINE-IN or CARRY-OUT r m 00 VALUABLE COUPON U - 0 -10 -10 E VALUABLE COUPON -= M- E VALUABLE COUPON - -, Buy any EDU-ANY SLICE ONE TOPPING"SPECIAL AN SLC Caesars 1$andka Sandwich Ela 12 oz. Soft Drink and a 12 oz. sft drink ID. i I- only'