Page 2F THE MICHIGAN DAILY NEW STUDENT EDITION SPORTS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1994 Gender Equity Spared another year, men gymnasts overcome with successful season By JOSH KARP Daily Sports Writer All good things must come to an end. Unfortunately for the No. 7 Michigan men's gymnastics team, this was to be their fate last season. After a rich 50-year tradition, the team was going to be dropped. The reason for doing so can be summed up in two words - gender equity. If you ask 10 different people to define gender equity, you'll get 10 different responses. Michigan wanted a 60-40 ratio of male and female athletes. To do so, the athletic depart- ment proclaimed men's gymnastics finished, and gave woman's soccer Varsity status. "That goes totally against the phi- losophy of gender equity," Michigan coach Bob Darden argued. "You don't provide women opportunity by cutting men. That's strictly a numbers game and can be easily seen through." Much to Darden's dismay, the de- cision was almost definite. But rather than end their history quietly, the Wol- verines came together and had one of their best seasons ever. The Michigan faithful expected little of a squad which had finished the previous year 9-14. In its first meet against No. 13 Minnesota, however, Michigan shocked the critics, winning 274.80-272.70. "(The victory) was great," Darden said. "That pretty much put the stamp on the season." The Wolverines continued their stellar performances, prevailing against No. 10 Penn State 278.85- 277.05 and placing first in the eight- team Michigan Invitational. But the biggest accomplishment was at No. 2 Ohio State. Although the Buckeyes won the meet with a 284.80, Michi- gan set a new standard, scoring a school-record 282.25. "We lit things up when we walked into that gym and (Ohio State) was not prepared for it," Darden said. Garnering success was something the Wolverines were getting used to- that is until the Big Ten Championship arrived. With plans of placing second and challenging the Buckeyes for first, Michigan fell apart and placed fifth. "It was just one of those things that got away from us," Darden said. "(You) hate to have it happen at a competition like that, but it did. It wasn't in the cards that particular day." The Wolverines faced disappoint- ment again when it qualified to the Eastern Regional in West Point, N.Y. Michigan had to finish in the top three from its region to advance to the NCAA Championship-Michigan took fourth place, and not only concluded its sea- son, but its very existence. The only bright spot for the squad was two of its gymnasts, namely se- niors Rich Dopp and Raul Molina. Both Dopp and Molina moved on to the NCAA Championship individu- ally in high bar and floor exercise, respectively. Dopp placed 16th and Molina 24th. The sun was then supposed to set on men's gymnastics. But after re- viewing the situation, the athletic de- partment decided to reinstate the Wolverines program, at least until the meaning of gender equity could be agreed on. Michigan will temporarily keep its varsity status but will lose the 6.3 schol- arships it receives once the recipients graduate. This limits progress because the Wolverines can't recruit the blue- chip gymnasts it needs. But just having the program back is good enough. "(I feel) positive that we get another year," junior Bob Young said. "We all have a positive outlook on next year. We're going to be really strong." Young has good reason to believe so. The strong nucleus of Young, Dopp, Molina and senior Brian Winkler is back. Sophomores Flavio Martins and Jason MacDonald, who both obtained invaluable experience last season, are also big assets to the team. And Michi- gan has the 1994 Big Ten Coach of the Year in Darden, which he shared with Ohio State's Peter Kormann. "It's the guys on the team that really deserve the credit," Darden said. But more than recognition, the Wolverines deserve a future, which they now have. For Michigan gymnastics is one good thing that must never come to an end. All Things Equal The Gender Equity Act adopted by the Big Ten in 1992 mandates that schools increase their percentage of women athletes to 40 percent by 1997. The athlete composition at Michigan is 65 percent male and 35 percent female. The plan to drop men's gymnastics was postponed after intense lobbying by the team, coaches and supporters. 8 The University's plan to drop the men's gymnastics team and elevate women's soccer to varsity would bring the percentages to 61 percent male and 39 percent female. Back to School BLOW OUT mi September 1st to 15th only! 4 Free U-Lock w/any new bike purchase!* M i ARo~lerblade. 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