Page 10 -The Michigan Daily-Thursday, October 4, 1990 0 .. T- -E SPORTING VIEWS Locker room is no place for the press by Theodore Cox Daily Sports Writer Item: Following Monday night's football game, Cincinnati coach Sam Wyche barred USA Today reporter Denise Tom from the locker room. Item: Five New England Patriots allegedly sexually harassed Boston Herald reporter Lisa Olson after a game last week. The law: Women shall be allowed as much access as male reporters. The defense: "Our guys don't want a woman to walk into a situation like that," Wyche said. "I'm not doing it to these guys. I'm not doing it to their wives." Many reporters have portrayed the above mentioned men as 'sexist,' saying women should have the same access to players as men. However, the question that hasn't been asked yet is: Why do reporters need to be in the locker room at all? Last year, I covered both women's volleyball and women's basketball. I never considered entering the locker room, and frankly, I didn't need to. While the women were changing, the coaches came out to talk to the reporters. The players soon followed. Granted, sometimes I had to wait five to ten minutes before the players trickled out of the locker room, and a few times players slipped by me. If I was working on a deadline story, I could lose valuable time by waiting for the players. But there was an easy way to deal with this: I grabbed the players that I needed to talk to before they left the playing surface. I have done this on a few occasions when a story had to be written in less than 15 minutes. For a deadline story, a reporter is never going to need more than a minute or two with a player, and the athlete usually doesn't mind. The main reason reporters like locker room access is because they can always find the player there at some point. And players are forced to say something because they have to finish dressing before they can go any- where else. I have been in several men's locker rooms for professional sports. It was one of the strangest feelings I've had. Here I was in nice clothes, act- ing as professional as I could, interviewing a grown man who was naked. Put yourself in the athletes' shoes. Here you are, hot and sweaty, so you take a shower. But as soon as you step out, you are faced with cam- eras and tape recorders while you're putting on your underwear. Now imagine if there are some females behind some of those recorders. It's embarrassing. So how do some players handle the situation? They make crude jokes. Though I don't condone these remarks, I do understand their motivation. The naked player is making the comment in order to cause the reporter to feel just as awkward. You can't allow men in the locker room and then turn around and deny women access. So the only solution is to bar all reporters from the locker room. Set up a press conference outside. The locker room was never intended to be a media room. It is a place for the players to change and talk among themselves. It should be the one place in the stadium or arena where they don't have to face a camera. All-American returns for more by Jeff Lieberman Daily Sports Contributor The Michigan cross country team did a strange thing last year. They redshirted a senior All-American track star. Brad Barquist is that All-Ameri- can. After watching his team place eighth in the Big Ten last season, he is ready to help bring the Michigan men's cross country team back to the top of the standings. By redshirting Barquist and two other seniors, Jeff Barnett and Tony Carna, some of the younger runners on the squad were able to gain more experience. This has set up a much stronger team for the 1990 season. "It was in the best interest of both the team and myself, that the three of us redshirted last year," Bar- quist said. Now the two-time All-American in track is looking to attain his first All-American honor in cross coun- try, after just missing it two years ago. However, All-American honors are secondary to Barquist. He would rather see his team win a Big Ten ti- tle. "I've put the burden on myself to carry the team," he said. Cross country coach Ron Warhurst, who has developed his share of All-Americans during six- teen years at the helm of the Wolver- ines' cross country team, is pleased with Barquist's attitude. "This year he's taken on the role of leading by example," Warhurst said. "He has made a commitment to the team and it has showed." Barquist has finished first and second in the team's two meets this year while the team has won both. "I've never experienced anything like it in racing," Barquist said. "I turned around and looked over my shoulder and all around there were Michigan jerseys. It was such a feel- ing of dominance in the race. "In the past two years, the focus was more on individual placing, where this year we're so much more concerned about the team score." Barquist said the key to this unity is running a more strategical race rather than running for personal records. The team can pick up im- portant points by placing more run- ners near the top of the pack. Bar- quist has done an excellent job thus far, slowing up the pace just enough to allow more teammates to enter the front pack. Dominating races is nothing new to Barquist. Two years ago, Barquist finished second in the 8,000 meters at the Big Ten Championships with a time of 24:25. In addition, he is eighth on the Michigan all-time list for the 10,000 meters and holds Michigan's fifth best time in the 3,000-meter run. feel that you've got to earn that po- sition," Barquist said. "I think I've put my time in." "He's got all the tools to be a great one," Warhurst said. "He's just got to get them channelized and or- ganized. So far, he's doing a heck of a job." If all goes well this year, Barquist could reach All-American status in cross-country, joining a long list of Michigan runners before him. John Scherer, who has won thr NCAA championships, is the laP All-American Warhurst has coached. Scherer also ran on the same team as Barquist for three years. "He's kind of on top of things," Scherer said. "It's given him an extra charge to know that he's the guy set- ting the pace up front." Said Warhurst: "Brad kind of ran in his (Scherer's) shadow over the years. But now, I think it's Brad's turn." Barquist believes both he and Scherer benefited greatly from train- ing together and pushing each other. This year, he's hoping that every- thing will fall into place and lead to a top finish in the Big Ten. 'it was in the best in- terest of both the team and myself, that the three of us red- shirted last year' - Brad Barquist It has been a long four years, but Barquist is now the team leader. "I SPORTING VIEWS Legendary Specials HIPATI FU OUN ER Available Monday through Thursday Chaxe $2.60 Fielder hits 50, 51 NEW YORK (AP) - Cecil Fielder became the first American Leaguer to hit 50 home runs since Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle did it 29 years ago, connecting yesterday night in the fourth inning of the fi- nal game of the season. Later in the game, Fielder ripped his 51st homer. The Detroit first baseman is the 11th player to hit 50 homers and the first since George Foster of the Cincinnati Reds in 1977. The feat has been accomplished 18 times. FOR THE BEST: Crew Cuts-Flat Tops Princetons-Military THE DASCOLA STYLISTS Liberty off State 668-9329 -50 years of service- New-look open seas( by Jason Bank Daily Sports Contributor Two and a half years ago, the Red Wings were poised for greatness after making it to the Campbell Confer- ence finals two years in a row. Last season, they had the third worst record in the league. In 1988, Jacques Demers won his second straight NHL Coach of the Year award. This year, Demers is out of coaching, and is commentating for Quebec. The Detroit Red Wings' descent last season was almost as perplexing as their dramatic turnaround after the 1986-87 season. The Wings will try to regain their lost form and pride under Brian Murray when they begin their season tonight at New Jersey. The former Washington Capitals coach is taking over in the dual role of General Manager/Head Coach for the Wings. Here's a preview: Despite the team's disaster last year, Steve Yzerman had another MVP caliber season, finishing sec- ond in goals scored and third in over- all points. Gerard Gallant and Joe Kocur combined with Yzerman to form Detroit's only solid offensive line. The underrated Gallant is one of the best left wings in the game. Kocur had the best year of his career, proving he can score goals and also punch out the opposition. After a year plagued by injury, Jimmy Carson will try to regain his prolific scoring touch that once made him a 50-goal scorer. He will have plenty of help in heavyweight Bob Probert. Love him or hate him, the Red Wings need Probert. They win with Probert in the lineup, and, as last year proved, they lose when the big guy is not in there. Probert's intimi- dating presence should give Detroit the intensity it lacked last year when Probert was forced to sit out most of the season. With the exception of Kocur, De- troit lacks consistent right wingers. Brent Fedyk has had great training camps the last few years, but tends )fl tonight. to disappear during the regular sea- son. Randy McKay and Daniel Shank are physical players with po- tential, but are unproven thus far. Keep an eye on Soviet defector Sergei Fedorov. If he is able to ad- just to the NHL's physical play, he could make an immediate impact. The injury ridden defense had horrible season last year, and mane off-season transactions were made. Rick Zombo is a future all-star and Lee Norward is a rugged veteran, but after that some big questions remain. Steve Chiasson has become a major disappointment and could be traded or sent to the minors if he doesn't perform well this year. Although newly acquired Rick Green and Brad McCrimmon are vet erans with Stanley Cup experience, the Red Wings' disastrous veteran signings of years past make fans skeptical of the contribution that Green and McCrimmon can make. Tim Cheveldae's outstanding work between the pipes late last year was one of the Wings' few bright spots. Former Black Hawk Alain Chevrier and veteran Glen Hanlor should be dependable backups, and Greg Stefan should retire right now. Dave Gagnon, who backstopped Colgate to the NCAA finals, waits in the wings in Adirondack. Bryan Murray is the ninth most successful coach in league history, but unfortunately he has the reputa- tion for not being able to win the big games. Murray is a strict disci- plinarian who should be a positive change for the Red Wings. As long as the Red Wings stay injury free, they should improve dramatically over last year. Injuries to the defense and Cheveldae could really cripple this team's chances. Look for the Red Wings to finish third in the Norris Division this year behind Chicago and St. Louis. If this team can stay healthy and kee improving throughout the year, don't be surprised if they beat Chicago in the playoffs to get to the Campbell Conference Finals. If they make it that far, they will certainly be swept by Edmonton or Calgary. I" (ings AP Phfoto Former Soviet national team hockey player, Sergei Fedorov, 20, has his eye attended to by Detroit Red Wings' athletic therapist, Kirt Vickers. Although Fedorov later had stitches put in, he should be ready for the Wings' season opener tonight in New Jersey. MASS :MEETING STUDENT'S COUNSELING OFFICE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS! S.C.O. is an office run by students for students. We offer: *Peer counseling services *Course evaluations *Large old exam file *Largest grad school catalog library on campus To volunteer requires only a 2-3 hour commitment per week. 'tnrBTT 111.1'VI Newsletters Newsletters Newsletters Newsletters Big savings on newsletters for all clubs, businesses, and organizations. ; What does the Bible say about... 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