12 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, November 12, 1993 THE SPORTING VIEWS: Death is cruel reminder of athletes' mortality Victory the only thing on 'M' harriers' minds By RACHEL BACHMAN DAILY BASKETBALL WRITER Between spring training and the Super Bowl, sports fans can get caught up in the kickoffs, tipoffs and All- Star games. The excitement of the playoff game, the importance of intrastate rivals - they're what make sports so much fun to watch. Then something happens that makes those ESPN highlights seem insignificant. Someone dies. Seven years ago, a young basket- ball star at Maryland died from co- caine intoxication. His name was Len Bias. Most people have heard of him, because the story of his death shocked this coun- try into realizing the extent of its problem with drugs. It also made sports fans aware of the relative unimportance of games. Lonise Bias, Len's mother, came to speak at the Chemistry Building last night. She has devoted her life to speaking out against drug abuse and other ills of society. She has become famous not be- cause her son was famous, but be- cause he died famous, a soon-to-be Boston Celtic. "We have to keep losing things be- fore we appreciate them,"Lonise said. Young athletes are not supposed to die. We, the fans, forget that there is a greater context in which they athletes live. It is not on a hardwood floor with painted lines, but everywhere else. When athletes die, we feel be- trayed. They can no longer dazzle and amaze us, give us material for a con- versation over a beer or a burger. So often, athletes believe their ath- letic ability will immortalize them, yet it rarely happens. Look up into the rafters of your local arena to count the jerseys and find out just how rare immortality is. "Spotsarenotlife," Lonise said.She was right. It usually takes much more for us to realize the humanity of athletes, and how quickly we forget them- It's too bad that Len Bias is more valuable to this nation dead than as a living human being. By AARON BURNS FOR THE DAILY Fresh off its victory at the Big Ten Championships, the Michigan women's cross country team continues its quest for an NCAA title at tomorrow's Dis- trict IV Meet in Bloomington. Theheavily favored Wolverineswill tell you quite frankly thatanything short of avictory would be adisappointment. "We're definitely confident going in," coach Mike McGuire said. If the Wolverines were not confi- dent enough, tomorrow's competition promises to be less imposing than that at the Big Ten meet. Penn State, the second best team in the conference, is also the only one that does not compete in Michigan's district. Among tomorrow's non-confer- ence foes, Notre Dame presents the biggest challenge, but Michigan has already defeated the Irish this year. "If we run according to form," McGuire said. "We should prevail." Something about this scenario may seem too easy. The Wolverines stand out among the competition with their No.3 national ranking and would most likely getan at-large bid for the Nov.22 NCAA meet even if they do not finish first or second tomorrow. So how does Michigan getpsyched for this sort of meet? For starters, there is the haunting memory of last year. After winning the Big Ten crown, Michigan turned around andlostatDistricts. "Ididn'tdo agood job getting them focused," McGuire said. "This year we are." But more than that, this team has a legitimate shot at winning the national title. Getting "psyched" for Districts, or any meet for that matter, is simply nota problem fora team of this caliber. "We are determined to go to Dis- tricts and dominate," said junior Karen Harvey. "Weneedtogo into theNCAA meet with confidence." The only other two undefeated beams in the nation, No. 1 Arkansas and No. 2 Villanova, should win theirDistricts. The Wolverines would lose a significant psy- chological edge if they faced them at the NCAA meet with a blemished record. Although a first or second place finish would give them aberth, Harvey will only settle for first. "If we finished second, I think we'd be embarrassed to come back to campus," she said. 0 0 9 9 DOUGLAS KANTER/Doly Lonise Bias, mother of Len Bias, speaks last night at 1800 Chemistry. U I Aoo 13 Men's cross country strides towards Districts Blue hopes to grab NCAA invitation, first-ever District victory r U of M's only coed a cappella ensemble By BARRY SOLLENBERGER DAILY SPORTS WRITER What a difference a few weeks make. The Michigan men's cross country team was a decided underdog to Wis- consin and Penn State at the Big Ten Championships Oct. 30. Now, the Wolverines are the favorites to win the NCAA District IV Meet tomorrow in Bloomington. The No. 9 Wolverines have their best shot in recent memory to capture their first-ever District IV crown. Forty-three teams will contend for the title, with the top three finishers going on to compete at the NCAA National Championships Nov. 22. Michiganhasaccomplished its goal of winning the conference. Now the Wolverines hope to take the district title and then finish in the top five nationally. The Wolverines struggled early in theseason, butaccording toCoach Ron Warhurst, the early-season troubles weren't a concern. "I knew we were good, we just had to put it all together," he said. The seven runners who "put it all together"for Michigan at the Big Tens will race again tomorrow. Led by freshman Kevin Sullivan, seniors Shawn McKay and Matt Schroeder, juniors Ian Forsyth and Jim Finlayson, and sophomores Scott MacDonald and Theo Moll, the Wolverines will try to make a District IV crown areality for Michi- gan. "We're looking to go in and win this meet," Sullivan said. "Coach Warhurst hasn't won a district meet, and I think for the team to build even more confidence going into nationals, it will be really goodif we can win this meet." Much has been made about Sullivan's success this season. His first place individual finish at the confer- ence championships helped him earn the 1993 Big Ten Athlete and Fresh- man-of-the-Year awards. The fate of the Wolverines tomor- row could well lie in his hands. "Kevin will have to finish in the top three (for us to win)," Warhurst said. An advantage for Michigan, Warhurst said, is that the race will be akin to the Big Ten Championships. "The race will be similar to the one held at Michigan State and will set the tone for us going into nationals," Warhurst said. "(The course) is wide open, fair, rugged and nice. Everyone (on the team) has run on the course except Kevin, but it doesn't seem to matter where he runs." Indeed it hasn't. The true freshman from Brantford, Ont., has run well in every meet for Michigan this season. He has emerged as the best runner in the conference and one of the tops in the nation. As for tomorrow, Sullivan is once again looking to spark the team. "I'm just hoping to continue my success, help the team win and I'll also be looking to win individually again," Sullivan said. "It'll be a few of the same guys I've raced against, so I have an idea of what I'm up against." Perennial rivals standin Michigan's way. Wisconsin, still smarting from its loss to the Wolverines at the Big Tens, and Notre Dame will look to outrun Michigan. 0 '"'+ " a bunch of songs Friday, November 12, 1 993 8:00 p.m. Rackham Auditorium All You Can Eat BBQ Ribs o#4 $6.75. Beef Back Ribs, slow cooked with a spicy Red Sauce. Meat so tender, it just falls off the bone. Served with fries and slaw Sundays 5:00 pm-midnight 338 S. State Make Ashley's Your Spot On State 996-9191 Tickets availible for $6.00, at the Michigan Union Ticket For More Information Call 763-1 Office 107 I I 1993-94 SENIOR PLEDGE PROGRAM The Co-Chairs and Advisor of the 1993-94 Senior Pledge Program cordially invite you to join them for the kick-off of this year's program! The Senior Pledge Program is a annual volunteer effort by students to support the ongoing educational mission of the University of Michigan. The Senior Pledge Program Committee works from November through March of each year to get the word out about the need for private support at the University of Michigan. What we leave behind as a "Class Gift" is more lasting than a bench or a rock. What we leave behind is the chance for future students to get the same quality education we all received. Last year we raised over $55,000 from graduating seniors. This year we want to do even more! ST. MARY'S STUDENT PARISH Announces a lecture by Professor Frank Beaver Department of Communications, University of Michigan In God's Theafer: A Cafhotks Response to parables and Atums in Contemporary Media The second In a series of presentations on faith and thought and the interplay between a Catholic religious commitment and the profession of teaching and intellectual Open to aInterested students, facuNy and others Wednesday, November 17, 7:00 p.m. at the Newman Center 331 Thompson Sheet Discussion tpic 1) Where can we find important religious lessons in media storytelling? 2) How should/can Catholics respond to the controversial materials in todays film and television programs? 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