Men's Swimming at Eastern Michigan Invitational Tomorrow, 6 p.m. Ypsilanti SPORTS Women's Swimming Michigan Open Today, 5 p.m. Canham Natatorium The Michigan Daily Thursday, December 5, 1991 Page 9 Around the Big Ten faces bowl beatings by Ken Davidoff Daily Sports Writer As we approach finals time here at Michigan, we at the Daily thought it would be only natural, and downright proper, to provide for you, the reader, a final version of Around the Big Ten. Besides, we've got some leeway here; what are you going to do, keep this article under your pillow until New Year's Day and see if our picks are correct? A highly unlikely scenario. Holiday Bowl: Iowa vs. BYU As we all know by now, Big Ten logic dictates that the second-place team plays on December 30, while the team finishing in third gets to participate in a New Year's Day bowl (see Hall of Fame Bowl). I liked this better when it was the Sea World Holiday Bowl because Shamu the killer whale jokes are pretty easy to conceive. But now it's the Thrifty Car Rental Holiday Bowl, and the only rental car gags I can think of involve O.J. Simpson running through the airport - even though that's the wrong company. Anyway, expect a slugfest, as this Ty Detmer kid is a looker. Iowa 48, BYU 47. John Hancock Bowl: Illinois vs. UCLA Last year, Michigan State and USC played in this contest. This year, again, it's a Big Ten team against a Pac Ten squad. What's going on here? Could it be that supporters of these schools are being duped into believing they're actually playing in the Big One out in Pasadena? Considering the intelligentsia of the student bodies of these institutions, this could very well be the case. Well, they should see a quality exhibition, for quarterbacks Jeff George and Troy Aikman are two of the finest. UCLA 29, Illinois 4. Copper Bowl: Indiana vs. Baylor The epitome of lameness. Imagine Indiana players calling their parents in glee: "Guess what? We made the Copper Bowl!" Not the Gold, not the Silver, not even the Bronze, but the Copper. It doesn't get much lower than that. Hell, even the penny is actually made of silver. The only thing copper has going for it is that Crayola includes it in its Box Of 64. Anyone who even feels the need to ask, "What's the betting line on this one?" should immediately consult Gamblers Anonymous. Baylor 31, Indiana 30. Hall of Fame Bowl: Ohio State vs. Syracuse Syracuse beat Florida. Florida beat Florida State. Florida State beat Michigan. Michigan beat Ohio State. Ohio State beats its players for spending too much time in the classroom. Moreover, now that Buckeyes coach John Cooper has been rewarded for his efforts with a contract extension, why should he bother trying? He'll probably be tanning in a lounge chair while his assistants will be attempting in vain to win the game, yelling out questionable advice like, "Try the pick and roll!" Syracuse 42, Ohio State 12. Sports forum covers hot topics Howard, Albom among highlights on LSA-SG panel KENNETH SMOLLER/I Football players Tony McGee (left) and Desmond Howard at last night's sports forum. Young men's swim team prepares for Eastern meet by Mike Rancilio Daily Sports Writer The LSA Student Government was belligerent in its attempt to land columnist Mitch Albom and football player Desmond Howard for its "Pros and Cons" forum last night. It felt the two names would peak interest in students, and that they would add relevant informa- tion to the discussion. "We wanted Mitch Albom and Desmond as head-liners," Rep. Tim Hurd said, "but we were adamant about having Desmond's strong viewpoints about the student ath- lete." They were successful, on both ac- counts. Desmond Howard's introduction was met by a standing ovation, and chants of "Heisman" rang through Rackham Auditorium. Many specta- tors bowed reverently as he ap- proached his seat next to the other panelists. The participants in the forum also included television anchorper- son Bernie Smilovitz, Interim Vice .President for Student Services Mary Ann Swain, hockey coach Red Beren- son, football player Tony McGee, and hockey player Aaron Ward, who replaced basketball player Sam Mitchell. But the biggest surprise of the night was the nature of Berenson's comments. The audience often met his remarks with resounding ova- tions, as he attacked current ath- letic-academic issues. He was asked his opinion on recruiting and first- year eligibility, and his responses were straightforward. "(The coaches) must keep their perspective in order," Berenson said. "If you cheat, you get fired. You shouldn't have to cheat to win." He also felt that all first-year students should not automatically be ineligible because of the repercus- sions it would have on hockey pro- grams and players. "The University would not be able to attract the top athletes," he said. "The average age of a (hockey) freshmen is 19 and a half. One year is already taken away - the career would be taken down to two years." Ward also felt that all first-year athletes needn't be deemed mel- igible because of the academic pro- grams that are involved with the athletic teams. "The support group care is pre, sent for the student (to take advan- tage of)," Ward said. Albom had an opposing position on the first-year eligibility issue. He is a strong proponent of having mandatory ineligibility for all rookie athletes. "There is too much pressure placed on the freshmen athlete to perform," Albom said. In personal comments, Albom' and Smilovitz showed their profes- sional rapport, relating comical anecdotes about each others' indus- try. Speaking on the extended col- lege careers of red-shirted athletes, Albom and Smilovitz went at each other. "I was personally on the seven- year program," Albom said. "Bernie's using the home shopping network." Although these were entertain- ing outbursts, serious comments soon followed. Howard was asked to comment on the issue of paying college athletes; he was in favor of compensating the athletes, but with certain stipulations. "The athlete who graduates with a degree should receive some type of compensation," Howard said, "but not on the level of the pros." McGee echoed Howard's feel- ings, and added a cultural aspect to his reasoning. "When the athletes from the ur- ban, inner-city area come to the up- per middle class university," McGee said, "the athlete should be compensated to bridge the gap." When the issue of Proposition 48 - which mandates certain academic standards for athletes - was brought up, the panelists agreed on its necessity, and the progress that has resulted from it. "It's good for college athletics because it will force the high schools to do a better job," Beren- son said. "Freshmen need more time to adapt," Swain said in supporting the measure. "The University should think about (making all freshmen ineligible)." by Jim Foss Daily Sports Writer A few experienced members of the Mich- igan men's swimming team had impressive showings this past weekend in the U.S. Open Swimming Championships. Now it's time for some of the younger members of the team to head out in search of competition. The Wolverines will compete in the East- ern Michigan University Invitational, held this weekend in Ypsilanti. Michigan will send a very young team to the meet, to take on a field which includes the host Hurons and Oakland University. Junior Steve Bigelow heads the charge to Ypsilanti. The defending Big Ten Champion backstroker is favored to win his event. Also, junior butterflyer Tom Hay, and junior sprint freestyler Noel Strauss will be competing. These individuals met the standards in their events to qualify for the U.S. Open Champ- ionships and had the option of competing over Thanksgiving break. However, they will swim in the Eastern meet instead. Some of the newer swimmers will repre- sent Michigan this weekend, since they did not compete at the national meet. Sophomore Kevin Glass will be competing for Michigan in the middle distance freestyle events. Meanwhile, rookie Bill Pettitt and Chris Veber will swim in the distance events for the Wolverines. Also, Thomas Blake will be competing in the backstroke, while Drew Hansz and Jason Field will swim in the breaststroke and but- terfly events, respectively. Michigan coach John Urbanchek realizes that Michigan is not sending its top unit to the meet. "Our team is more like a 'B' team with the exception of the upperclassmen," Urbanchek said. "The majority of the squad is freshmen with the exception of Bigelow, Hay, and Strauss." The meet should provide the Wolverines with a moderate challenge. "Because of the team members that we are sending, this should be a very good competi- tion for most of the boys," Urbanchek said. The meet will take place over the course of three sessions. It begins at 6 p.m. Friday, and finishes with two sessions Saturday at 9,a.m. and 5 p.m. BYU women plunge into Ann Arbor by Kim DeSempelaere Daily Sports Writer Diving into its second home meet of the season, the Michigan women's diving team will host Brigham Young in Canham Natato- rium today at 10 a.m. Penn State and Harvard were scheduled to compete in the three- day Michigan Open, but they withdrew. Senior Lisa Cribari will be among the six Wolverine divers competing. Cribari has had a highly successful season thus far. At Michigan's other home meet, Cribari placed first in both the 1- meter and 3-meter events. "I was really happy with my performance," Cribari said. "I think I performed pretty well." Unlike when the team travels on the road, the entire Wolverine squad can compete this weekend. When Michigan dives away from Ann Ar- bor, only its top three performers can participate. Senior Margie Stoll has also performed well this season. She placed fifth in the 1-meter and third in the 3-meter at the Wolverines' last double-dual meet. Both Cribari and Stoll will likely compete for a position at the Olympic trials in April. Rounding off Wolverines' com- petitors will be senior tri-captain Julie Greyer, senior Karen Sinclair, junior Martha Wensel, and sopho- more Cinnamon Woods. The Michigan men's diving team will be traveling to the Eastern Michigan Invitational tomorrow and Saturday. Detroiters lobby for stadium tax DETROIT (AP) - Civic leaders say they back efforts to build a new Tiger Stadium in downtown Detroit rather than renovate the existing stadium or move it elsewhere. Paul Hubbard, president of New Detroit Inc., and Arthur Johnson, president of the Detroit chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, held a joint news conference about the stadium yesterday. They said they planned to lobby today before the state Senate Government Operations Committee which is considering legislation that would allow new car-rental, hotel and meal taxes in Wayne County to finance a new stadium. "A new stadium will mean new jobs, real economic growth and a restoration of our image," Hubbard said. The team has said it needs a new Junior Wolverine Missy McCracken swims during a meet last season. McCracken and her teammates will take on Brigham Young University today through Saturday. WOMEN'S SWIMMING M looks ahead to Cougars and roses by Rich Mitvalsky Daily Sports Writer Initially, the 4-0 Michigan wo- men's swimming team planned to host Brigham Young, Harvard, and Penn State this weekend. However, for the Wolverine's final com- petition before the holiday break, only Brigham Young will make the trip. With the cancellation of Har- vard and Penn State from the lineup, the format of the meet changed from a three-day, prelim andfinal invitational, to a three-day timed final dual meet. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, competition will begin at 5:00 p.m. at Canham Jenny Sutton, all contributors that deep breaststroke group, will not swim this weekend, as each has sus- tained an injury. While a few of the Wolverines performed exceptionally well last weekend at the U.S. Open Champ- ionships in Minneapolis, the squad hopes to raise the overall level of team performance in this meet before their training trip in late December. "We had a mixed-bag reaction of the U.S. Open," senior co-captain Michelle Swix said. "We were 'ta- nere for it (rhe meit) and when in the world, swam to a third-place finish in the 100-meter breaststroke in Minneapolis, the highest place of any Wolverine at the meet. In past seasons, the Wolverines holiday haven has been the islands of Hawaii. However, over this win- ter's holiday break, the team will travel to California for their annual training trip. Interrupting Mich- igan's fun in the sun will be dual meets against national powerhouses UCLA and USC as well as a trip to the Rose Bowl. To this point in the season, Swix f-10 .hA -lA-fAt.Arimnh-1. ,. °' ': , ., _ . ,.. v.