Page 10- The Michigan Daily -Thursday, January 18,1990 leer Copeland said yes to Michigan Senior turned down Harvard to lead Blue D' by David Hyman Daily Hockey VWriter Being the son of a former Harvard hockey player. Playing hockey ever since you could walk. Growing up in Wellesley, Massachusetts, near the banks of the Charles River. This background would appear to be conducive for an 18-year-old son to follow in his father's footsteps and don the prestigious crimson and white 'H.' However, the path that senior Michigan defenseman Todd Copeland followed to college led him to a maize and blue M.' "I had the chance to go away and Michigan recruited me with what I wanted - good hockey, an cpportunity to play and contribute, and a good education," Copeland said. As an excellent prospect from Belmont Hill (MA), his father's alma- mater, colleges throughout the East and the Midwest expressed interest in the highly touted defenseman. Many schools, however, did not pursue Copeland as actively as Michigan because they thought he would attend Harvard. But the Wolverines went down to the wire with Copeland's decision. "It made sense that if he would leave home and not attend Harvard, he would come to Michigan," Berenson said. "The tough competition of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and that he was looking for a real challenge helped him make his decision. He came to a losing program with the confi- dence he could turn it around and he has helped in doing that." Indeed, Copeland surprised many back home with his decision to leave the East and head for Ann Arbor. "Harvard has a great school, but. I wanted to try something different," Copeland said. "I came to Michigan because I considered the CCHA the best competition and Michigan offered a good schedule and a good school." Yet his transition to college was not as smooth as expected. Many people thought Copeland would shine in his first season, being a second round selection of the New Jersey Devils (24th pick overall) in the 1986 NHL dra Due to the presence of 10 first-year players, including two rookie goaltenders playing behind him, Copeland did not feel much added pressure. "When I first got here, our class was so big and it didn't put pressure on any one of us as we kind of stuck together,"~ Copeland said. "Everyone expected me to do real good things, but I wasn't a star." Berenson agreed: "I think the expectations were a little higher for him, but he wasn't expected to carry the team." Michigan goalie Warren Sharples also understood Copeland's dilemma: "He was in a tough situation and everybody expected a lot. It's hard to stand out on a young team, but he knows how to be successful and was capable of responding." Now playing in his fourth full season, Copeland adds experience and intelligence on the blue line which he shares with the three rookie defensemen this season. "He's a big contributor on defense and definitely helps the younger guys," right winger Brad Turner said. Along with the experience Copeland has provided this season, he has increased his point production, tallying four goals and 12 assists, just three points shy of last season's totals. Besides seeing his points increase, he would like to see Michigan make it to the conference finals at Joe Louis Arena and the NCAAs. "We've gone one step further every year and we want to go further this year," he said. Going against the norm, Copeland made a major de- cision to leave his own backyard, and has enjoyed it all.' "I'm glad I chose Michigan and I wouldn't do it any other way," Copeland said. "I think I'll get a shot somewhere (in the pros) and I think the system here has prepared me for that shot." BENSON Continued from page 9 five recruiting classes in America. He also compiled three recruiting classes of his own while at Illinois.w That experience has taught him to be realistic with the press andt5 public, even though he is optimis * with his potential gridiron greats. He gets aggressive while doing his work, convincing high school football players to begin their adult careers in Ann Arbor. Realizing the expectations of fans, and that he is placing his livelihood on th~ decision-making ability of 18-years olds, he reverts back to caution when talking about his progress. "You are going to visit 70 so'~ kids, in order to sign 20," Moellq~ said. "You are going to get a lot more people saying 'no' than °you will 'yes.' We think we are on the right kids, now we've got to get them here - that's the key." And so far, Moeller likes hi choices, and his chances, of bringiarg godpol oMcia.Trecruits responded in similar fashic "I have had one kid tell me -tha1 he is not interested because Bo is leaving," Moeller said. "Michiganis still a good program. We miss having the big name of coach Schembechler, but I can't be sure of how much we are going to miss h~im~ until the end. Hopefully, it's 'nut going to be that much." Whatever happens, Moelle~r should be given the opportunity # establish himself. Far too muehi pressure is being put on baskeiball coach Steve Fisher and his recruiting success. Moeller should get' the opportunity to prove himself on ti~ field, If high school players see a winning coach at Michigan, they will be attracted to play for him. Express yourself in Daily Arts Call 763-0379 { Senior Todd Copeland chose not to attend Harvard, his fathers alma mater, and now anchors the Michigan defense. 4 ,t 4 0wnj4 Ax £ 144)) f 4 -^ { }F F i ri~q .. 4s. d3 'V4 't ' K> K 444{4 .~ 4 4444 o44 ,! Y k4 j >'4- 4 444444 44 4 3 zy444 t4~4 4 4 Olt4 - 44 ~ - ~ 44 444444~44 44 444 -~ - r ,. 44} '4} -:4 ~ 44 ** 4444.44 -fx -00A $1644-444444.j4,4 4 4 .444-44-4:t Tob excel in any major, minor investment. As a campus representative youll be responsible for ptacing advertising materials on bulletin boards and working on marketng programs for clients such as American Express, Boston University, Eural, and various movie companies, among others. Part-time work, choose your own hours. No sales. Many of our reps stay with us long after graduation. If you are self-motivated, hard-working, and a bit of an entrepreneur, call or write for more ibtormation to: AMERICAN PASSAGE NETWORK 6211 W. 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