The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 8, 1988- Page 3 ATHLETIC DIRECTOR * 0 The new AD: At first he said 'No,' but in the end it was bound to be... SCOTT LITUCHY/Daily Retiring AD Don Canham leaves Bo an economically successful department. On-field description is Bo-gus characterization BY STEVE BLONDER He is usually seen prowling the sidelines with an angry growl on his face, haranguing an official, or throwing his headset to the turf in disgust after his team turns over the ball. This caricature only captures one side of Michigan football coach and Athletic Director Bo Schembechler - his desire to win. It's a desire so strong that Schembechler wouldn't accept the University's Board of Regents' offer to be athletic director until they also agreed to let him keep coaching. But behind those trademark mirror sunglasses sits a different person. One whom associates call warm, car- ing, and greatly concerned about those around him. "BO IS SOMEBODY that everyone would like to be. People say 'Wow - what a neat guy!' He talks to you man-to-man and lets you know what is going on. I respect that in a person," said Ann Arbor Police Sgt. Jan Suomala, who has escorted the football team to Michigan Stadium before home games for many years. Part of what his co-workers find so interesting is Schembechler's genuine concern about people. "In addition to being a very competitive guy, Bo is very compassionate. For example, last night we were at the Special Olympics dinner in Fenton. Bo believes a person in his position should be involved in these types of things. Everything he does, though, he does quietly," Associate Athletic Director Don Lund said. "I'VE ALWAYS enjoyed a fun, relaxed relation- ship with Bo. Everyone sees how excitable he is, but he's got a heart as big as an elephant," Iowa football coach Hayden Fry said. "If I had a son playing football, I wouldn't hesitate letting him play for Bo." Schembechler's concern for his players often takes precedence over other aspects of his job. Most impor- tant to Schembechler, he remains friends with many players years after they graduate. "My life is geared to young people, and I know them well. I enjoy having something to do with what happens to them," Schembechler said. "The guys who I've coached most places are my friends, and you've got to be rather reluctant to give that up." SEVERAL PEOPLE recalled incidents over the years when Schembechler had worked to help a student get "back on the right track." Regent Deane Baker (R-Ann Arbor) mentioned an incident that occurred about ten years ago when a Schembechler player had legal problems and ended up incarcerated. Baker said Schembechler worked with the player, visited him in jail every week, and helped him continue his education. Schembechler gets results from his players and those around him through firm, and somewhat notori- ous, discipline. "BO NEVER varies from the right path. If a guy deviates - Bam!- Bo'll say 'Come here,' and straighten him out right then," Lund said. "He's a fair, square, honest guy with a lot of compassion. He sets a tough standard, but when your general is leading you properly, you rise to the occasion." "Players as individuals and as a team are Bo's num- t, PASS IT - AROUND I ber one priorities, along with honesty and running a clean program," said Michigan Assistant Athletic Di- rector Will Perry. "He was brought up that there is only one way to do things - the right way." This desire to do things "the right way" contributes to the tremendous respect Schembechler is given both at Michigan and throughout the country. "I ADMIRE the man as a human being. I don't think Bo Schembechler would even think about doing something unethical. He's a man's man," Fry said. "He's very opinionated. If you ask Bo a question, he's got an answer. He doesn't hee-haw about and he calls it like he sees it." "Sure Bo's competitive. When he plays in a contest, he wants to win, though not at any cost," Lund added. Publicly, Schembechler has refused to discuss how many more years he will coach, but privately he has commented that he will give himself another five years to improve his mark as Michigan's all-time winningest coach. With new Associate Athletic Director Jack Weidenbach to assist him in the office, Interim University President Robben Fleming and the regents feel the new AD will be able to handle both jobs. "ONE THING about Bo that everyone pays lip service to is that his fondness, attachment, and interest in kids is unbelievable," Perry said. Everyone has seen the volatile Schembechler on television, but that's not the Bo Schembechler he wants them to know or remember. "The things they already know are that he's a tough, hard, demanding guy. If ever they have a chance to deal with that guy, they'll know exactly where they stand." JOHN MUNSON/Daily Bo chuckles with Interim President Robben Fleming at the press conference naming him AD. Fundhig, wome's sorths top -new A thk tic Director's agenda BY STEVE BLONDER Michigan Athletic Department insiders say Bo Schembechler will inherit a program from Don Canham that is in good shape financially and academically - and ready to concentrate on its fundraising and promotion of women's athletics. "There aren't any loose ends. Ev- erything is pretty well in place, and we're not facing any crisis right now," Assistant Athletic Director Will Perry said. "The Michigan athletic depart- ment is not a struggling operation. It is recognized throughout the na- tion as a leading athletic depart- ment." ALTHOUGH the budget is al- ready in place for next year, Schem- bechler's biggest task will involve long-term fundraising. "I think the new athletic director is going to have the same problems all athletic directors have, including rising costs and liabilities. He will have to go into fundraising. These are the problems he will face, but everyone's facing these," said Mich- igan Sports Information Director Bruce Madej. The athletic department currently has its personnel scattered among several buildings because no single facility exists that is sufficient for the department's needs. "People are scattered all around. Swimming, gymnastics... and the ticket office are all in different buildings. It would be good if we could have consolidated," Perry added. "We don't have the constant contact we need to have because we don't have the space." "F A C I IT Y wise, we have some work to do. Our football facilities are not up to snuff and we're going to change that as quick- ly as we can," Schembechler said. The athletic department currently does not have the money it needs to build these new buildings. Football ticket prices recently were raised two dollars per game - from seven to nine - in an effort to increase rev- enues. More revenue is needed be- cause of the increase in tuition costs 'I would hope that the new athletic director will con- tinue to support and in- crease current support for women's athletics. The plans are on the drawing board, and I just hope they will be completed.' -Phyllis Ocker, the as- sociate athletic director in charge of women's athlet- ics at Michigan. the department pays for athletes. Athletic department Business Manager Bob DeCarolis explained this increase. "Scholarship costs keep increasing by double-digit per- cents, and we pay the going rate for general students. Whatever inflation does, costs rise, and there's got to be something to cover this." Perry said, "With tuition going up, and expenses increasing, we need to raise money some place." He added that Michigan's tuition is higher than all the other Big Ten schools except Northwestern. REGENT Philip Power (D-Ann Arbor) sees this need to raise money as both a "health and a disease." "It's a health because the athletic department can afford to provide more scholarships, but it's a disease because when athletic departments raise money and have pools of cash at hand, there are often abuses and cheating," he said. The athletic department brings in a sizable amount of money from the television contracts the conference holds for football and basketball. Schembechler said he is concerned about the tremendous amount of coverage Michigan receives. "With the overexposure of foot- ball and basketball, I feel we must guard against it having an adverse effect. A couple of bad seasons could cause problems. College football is overexposed on television. The most important people are the ones at the game," he said. SCHEMBECHLER'S de- partment is also developing new plans to ensure the flourish of women's athletics at Michigan. Phyllis Ocker, the associate ath- letic director in charge of women's athletics, says Michigan is on the verge of fielding championship teams in almost every women's sport. "I would hope that the new ath- letic director will continue to sup- port and increase current support for women's athletics," she said. "The plans are on the drawing board, and I just hope they will be completed." "Women's athletics are in a de- velopmental stage and will need the interest, support, guidance, and un- derstanding of the athletic director," Interim University President Robben See Director, Page 7 B didn'twant to he's entering his JOHN MUNSON/Daily be AD if he couldn't coach; 20th Michigan season;- AVO .: A . Recreational Sports Welcomes Students *Get Excited " Get Energized " Get Exercised. " Intramural Sports . Sports Clubs - Outdoor Recreation Center - and much, much more! _Qtnn by nnP ofni nirthrPP inrinnr fnn /hips