The Michigan Daily - SPORTSMonday - Monday, February 13, 1995 - 3 Howard , Ex-Fab Fiver talks about his first year in the NBA and his memories of Michigan Juwan Howard was the first mem- berofthe Fab Five recruiting class to sign with the Wolverines. That class, which also included current Wash- ington Bullets teammate Chris Webber, Denver Nugget Jalen Rose , and current Wolverines Jimmy King and Ray Jackson, took college bas- ketball and the nation by storm as they reached the 1992 NCAA champi- onshipgame theirfreshman year. With his trademark dependable play, HowardhelpedleadMichigan back to the title game in 1993. After earning third-team All- American honors last year and being named 1994 NCAA Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player, Howard decided to forego his senior year at Michigan. He was chosen by the Washington Bullets with thefifthpick in the NBA Draft. After a long contract dispute, Howard signed with the Bullets and has made an immediate impact on the league. He currently leads all rookies in rebounds and field goal percent- *age and is in the top five in scoring among first-year players. Daily Sports Writer Brian Sklar spoke with Howard shortly after he signed with the Bullets about his ex- periencesatMichigan, playing along- side Webber once again, and his ex- pectations of playing in the NBA. D: You missed all of training camp and the first few games of the season *ue to a holdout. What did you do to keep in shape? H: I started July 7 when I got into training in the summer. A guy who I was working with works with current NBA players like Kendall Gill, Ken Norman, Nick Anderson, and also ex-players like Michael Jordan. I hired him this summer and we worked together throughout the whole summer through the time I 'started training with the Bullets. We did a lot of basketball drills. We worked on strengthening and con- ditioning, like weights. I also worked on cardiovascular stuff like running on the track and the tread- mill. So, you know, I just tried to be in tip-top shape when I reported in because I didn't want to report into training camp trying to get into shape. D: You were the first of the Fab Five to sign at Michigan, showing that you like to get things done early. How frustrating was it for you to start the season late? H: Well, yes, I have to admit that it was kind of frustrating because, you know, I'm a guy who loves to be part of the team. I want everything to start on time. And, you know, just sitting Oback and watching everyone on ESPN and some of the games on TV on TNT ... you know, it was frustrating be- cause I wanted to be apart of that.I hate to sit at home, and people in Chicago were asking me "When are you going to get signed?". They couldn't wait to see me out there. You know, it started being mind-boggling. I just tried to stay focused because, for one, I got to keep in perspective that it's a business. - D: The Bullets acquired your former Michigan teammate Chris Webberonly a few hours after you signed with the team. How did you feel when you found out that you two would be on the same team in the NBA? H: Well, I felt great about it. I never knew something like this would ever happen. I always dreamed about it. I oust wish we could bring Jalen, Jimmy and Ray and have the Fab Five, be- cause that would be great. But to have Chris here again, it makes the atmo- sphere much better for me because I'm familiar with Chris not only from a basketball standpoint, but as far as a friendship. We've been together and been friends for a long time and it's going to continue to be that way. D: When was the first time you eard that you and Webber might havethe chancetoplay together again? H: Well, just like the fans. I heard itonESPN. ForaminuteIjustthought it was a rumor. But then it started leaking and then more talks were be- ;"a AAO-A 'Ant] T ;,c th nh . fa D: How have you been adjusting to the style of play in the NBA? H: I'vebeen comfortable since day one. It's just a matter of time for me. I'm starting to get more minutes and that's helping me. It's also boosting my confidence up, because I know I can be a star at this level. You know, I'mjust going to be honest and true and I'mjust going to show confidence. D: After your last game at Michi- gan last year, you said that it would not be your last game at Crisler Arena. What made you decide to leave school early? H: Well, I had to do what was best for Juwan. You know, I felt I had a great career at U-M and I think it was time for me to move on. I saw my dream ahead of me, theIlight was open, and Ij ust had to go after it. I never knew what the next year would be like. D: Do you plan on finishing your degree at Michigan? H: You know, I'm going to shock you when I say this, but right now I'm taking correspondence. I'm planning on receiving my degree hopefully this May. I only have 12 hours left. D: During your career at Michi- gan, you were active in serving the community. Do you plan to be an active member in the Washington area as well? H:Yes, I plan on being active in the Washington community. And I can't leave out Chicago because that's home for me. There are some needs that need to be helped there. And I'm also going to be apart of Ann Arbor, I would say to Michigan, because that's home for me. It's helped me in so many ways, not only as far as basketball, but as far as me growing as aperson, maturing as an individual. I've got to keep that in mind, too. D: Do you still keep in contact with Coach (Steve) Fisher? H: Yes. I talked to him the day I signed and he was excited for me. I still talk to some of the players, too. I'll be there for a game. Chris and I will go together when we get some time off. D: What do you think of the new recruiting class that's been compared to the Fab Five? H: Well, I think they have some great individuals. I met all of them and as persons, they are all good guys, and as players, they're unbelievable. I've sat down and watched them when they were in Maui. I was kind of sad for the loss when they lost to Arizona State. But they're going to stick with it. You know, it takes time for them to learn the systemjust like it did with us when we were freshmen. They are going to have a long, prosperous ca- reer. D: Did being part of the Fab Five ever have any downsides because there was so much media criticism? H: No, I never thought it had down- sides. The vast majority of the times it had positive upsides. You know, I feel that I was blessed to be part of the Fab Five. It's helped meget to the final game two years in a row. A lot of players who play Division I basket- ball never had that opportunity and never had that chance. I have to be grateful for that. It's helped me in so many other ways as faras the mediaas far as notoriety. D: What's your best memory at Michigan? It doesn't have to be play- ing basketball. H: (He laughs) Living in the dorms. BRETT FORREST Forrest Fires Helmet rule senseless; outlaw other atrocities he Miami, Florida and Florida State football programs all suffered a tremendous setback last week as the NCAA made it illegal for a player to remove his helmet on the field. The players on these teams (and selected others throughout college football) derive unfathomable confidence from the feeling of fresh air on their noggins. Now, though, your favorite Hurricanes, Gators and Seminoles will be penalized if they celebrate after scoring a touchdown, hauling in a three-yard reception or tackling an opposing running back after he has gained five yards. What to do? Certainly the NCAA could have chosen more deserving targets for censure among all sports. First off, football coaches really shouldn't be able to become billboards for the latest styles from Starter, Nike and Logo Athletic. There's nothing I hate more than seeing about 500 cutaway shots of Ohio State coach John Cooper per Buckeye telecast as he wears a baseball hat adorned with writing and insignias on the front, back, brim, left side, right side and across the top. I see a flag - 10-yard penalty from the spot of the hat. Hey, I enjoy marching bands as much as the next nihilist. But sometimes it's just too much. You're forced to hear "The Victors" approximately 37 times per game at Michigan Stadium, Crisler Arena and Yost Ice Arena. The number of undercooked Pizza Hut personal pizzas you've consumed notwithstanding, that's just too many renditions of the famed tune. I'll allow the song to be played ten times each contest - but not just after the opposition scores! If there's a transgression, the home team's first unit sits for one minute for each version over the allotted ten. While I'm on aesthetics, how about basketball warmups? I'll excuse Michigan's atrocities for now. They're new, it could be merely a one- season lapse in judgment. But then there's Indiana. The Hoosiers have had the same pinstriped pants for years and still haven't gotten the gist of it. I'll give them a hint - they're COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS. Hideous warmups call for drastic measures: Double technical on the entire bench. I'm sure certain cheerleaders log countless hours preparing to pep up the home team's crowd. Their efforts are mostly appreciated in this space. Do me a favor, though. Stay away from hockey games. Michigan is smart enough to keep polyester short shirts separate from powerful slap shots, but many schools are not. Pucks plus pom-pons equals penalty shot. I'll let fans have certain rights when they purchase their tickets. They can hurl epithets at opposing players. I'll allow them to litter their surroundings with waste from hurriedly-enjoyed meals. And they can grope complete strangers in the name of championship fever. But if I had the NCAA's ear, there's one thing fans would forever be banned from doing - holding signs advertising a television network's upcoming programming. "Next up: SportsCenter," "Stay tuned for 'The Simpsons"' and "Next: Wide World of Sports" are what's wrong with our society. Punishment: That fan's favorite team forfeits, even if it's playing in another city, and said fan is given the mark of Cain. If these few sore thumbs in college sports were taken care of, we could concentrate on more pressing matters - like where the hell the camera is when I take off my helmet. I I r I IUMMER EMPLOYMET METROPARMI HAVE OVER 500 JO VAVAILABLE THL( /UmmER In OEUGHTFUL PARK EfVIROfmElT/ UFEGUARO. ATURAL/T. PU6UC ERVICE RTTEfo0AT. mAinTEnRACE AnO MORE APPLY RT THE mETROPAR fEARE/T YOU OR CALL OUR TOLL FREE nUM6ER -800-47-PARK/ AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Henn-Cionten metropelian Autherity mumo elac muTolarni Louan MullionOPnhl (tear M lCemetn flooer 8elte'#lIe (313) 463-4581 0313) 697-9181 TonaIrnsMIymoPiA K mllIETPARK new Rochete fleer Gibraltar C313) 781-4242 0313) 379.5020 - e"h'fTOR mrPnaa MU1O9t aILL) mIuaO*iaa noeori le fr-Ann Arbor 0313) 685-1561 (313) 426-8211 MICHIGAN STUDENT ASSEMBLY WINTER '95 ELECTIONS March 22 & 23 POSITIONS AVAILABLE: MSA President & Vice Presidenta WIN[FREEx EXTBOOX5* BY PARTICIPATING IN A FOCUS GROUP ON YOUR FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE AT U OF M Please complete the following information and drop the form off at 6015 Fleming Administration Building or email all of the information to: debmor@umich.edu; by Friday, February 17, 1995. We will contact you to confirm your assigned date, time, and meeting location. Name: Phone #: Mailing Address: Sex: Male Female Race/Ethnicity:. _ Caucasian _ African American Native American Asian American Other: Latino/a > Fourth Year: First Second ,_ Third _ Fourth Please indicate Mon. Mon. Tues. Tues. Wed. Wed. Thurs. Th1r all dates and times you are available to participate. March March March' March' March March March 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 12n-1:30pm 4:00-5:30pm 12n-1:30pm 4:00-5:30pm 12n-1:30pm 4:00-5:30pm 12n-1:30pm A .Aflt.2Awnwvn Mon. Mon. Tues. Tues. Wed. Wed. Thurs. Thbr March March March March March March March Ma rrh 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 1At 12n-1:30pm 4:00-5:30pm 12n-1:30pm 4:00-5:30pm 12n-1:30pm 4:00-5:30pm 12n-1:30pm (Elected together as a slate) I I l%4Q A Y M7C r t#oc 1% f I I I A I I