12A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, December 3, 1998 Big Ten hockey? Weekend pair offers glance at the possibility By David Den Herder Daily Sports Writer After a little tango with the WCHA, the Michigan hockey team is back to same-old, same-old this weekend. Two more CCHA opponents are lined up for the Wolverines - and these games will be much more important to Michigan's season than were Wisconsin and Minnesota. And for some reason, it seems like there is something wrong with that. After attending a game at the College Hockey Showcase in Madison last weekend, you get the sense that there is poten- tial for more than just a weekend "hi-how-are-ya" between these teams. Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Minnesota are four of the most established and prestigious programs in the nation. And the schools have something else in common: the Big Ten. ___- .__--- Depending on who you talk to, theH Showcase was first conceived with the Hockey Big Ten in mind. Commentary Originally, all four programs were ---..-__--- members of the WCHA, but the modern era of college hock- ey swept Michigan and Michigan State into the CCHA. Fearing the rivalries between the big four Midwestern pro- grams would wither, the schools cooked up a weekend batch of games around Thanksgiving, pitting the nonconference teams against each other. In 1993 when the series began, all games were played at the Palace of Auburn Hills. But as the Showcase matured, it moved onto the college campuses of Big Ten country. The fact that all four Showcase teams are also Big Ten schools is no coincidence, according to Michigan State coach Ron Mason. He maintains that the Showcase was created "mainly to regenerate Big Ten rivalries" that had once existed in the WCHA. On Showcase weekend, "You're playing the program more than the team," Mason said. Michigan coach Red Berenson agrees with the latter, but doesn't think the Big Ten connection is all that much of a fac- tor, citing tradition as the cornerstone of the event. "These programs are so steep in tradition. Michigan and Minesota have played more than any other team," Berenson said. "And Wisconsin has had more than their fair share of national championships. There's a mystique behind their pro- gram." But whether the Big Ten constant is a key part of the Showcase or not, its existence is thought-provoking. Is it an altogether silly notion to ponder the possibility of a Big Ten hockey league? Again, it depends on who you ask. Five Big Ten schools sponsor varsity-level, Division I hock- ey programs. Take the four Showcase teams from either leagues, and also add Ohio State, from the CCHA. In order to even consider a new Big Ten hockey conference, almost everyone important agrees that there would be a need for at least six programs. So why even think about it? One team short, right? That could change sooner rather than later. Penn State has a very successful club program that many CCHA coaches feel could make the jump to Division I with relative ease. And then there is the Notre Dame wild card. Should the powers that be decree - for better or worse - Notre Dame part of the Big Ten, that could also raise the hockey school total to six. "You hear all the time about Notre Dame possibly joining the Big Ten," Mason said. "If that ever happened, I think we would have to look long and hard at the possibility of estab- lishing a Big Ten league." Six teams means five opponents, times four games per opponent equals a 20-game season Perfect? Not so fast. Although Mason agrees that a Big Ten league is not out of the realm of rational thought, he and most other coaches agree that any future dialogue should be undertaken with caution. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said the Big Ten will not take a proactive role in founding a league or championship. Delany said he understands that the team configurations in the current college hockey conferences are balanced "on a pin, and will only take action if the schools come to him. Some coaches fear that removing the Big Ten teams from the current structure could have devastating effects. "College hockey is a very close fraternity," Miami coach Mark Mazzoleni said. "It has survived and elevated itself in status because it has not taken an elitist attitude." College hockey has indeed elevated itself in status - even in the past few years - without the existence of any tradi- tional conferences. Although the future may present the opportunity for reorganization, don't expect a Big Ten hock- ey league any time soon. "it would kill college hockey,' said Mazzoleni, just at the thought. That could be a problem. Perhaps we should continue look- ing at the Big Ten through the Showcase glass - for now, anyway. It may be safer in there. Shannon Shakespeare and the rest of the Michigan women's swimming and diving team are without their usual pr, facility - Canham Natatorium is still under construction. ang'.e is 'M'1wa Comrie, Van Ryn make Canadian National Junior camp By Mark Francescuffi Daily Sports Writer The Canadian National Junior team announced its 29- player training camp roster yesterday, and on it are Michigan Van Ryn sophomore defense- man Mike Van Ryn and freshman cen- ter Mike Comrie. "It's such a team sport but when you get recognition like this it's great," Comrie said. Both players attended a summer camp for the team, in which coaches got their first looks at an idea of the Decemberr training camp roster. Comde Comrie and Van Ryn were two of the 19 players from the summer camp that coaches asked back. "I just went in there and tried to play as hard as possible; Comrie said. The two Wolverines still have one more cut to make at the six-day selec- tion camp, which will take place in Winnipeg from December 13-18. The final roster of 22 players, which will be chosen by the 18th, will then play in the 10-country World Championships Dec 26-Jan 5. If any of the Wolverines make the final roster, announced December 18th, they will miss Michigan's appearance in the GLI tournament and a Jan. 2 game at Ohio State. By Uma Subramanian Daily Sports Writer Sleighbells, skiing, Christmas pre- sents ... Women's swimming? With the arrival of December - and what would in any other year be winter - folks around the world prepare for a period of holiday rest. But, for the Michigan women's swimming and div- ing team, winter and in particular December is a time of intense activity. It's a time when the fall season draws to a close and hopes for the winter and Big Ten seasons are created. This winter will be unique - after all, it's the last full winter of the millen- nium. But, more importantly, this win- ter is the last winter of a decade that saw the Michigan swimming and diving program rise to the top of the Big Ten. The past I I years, Michigan has been the dominant team in the conference, winning the championship by sizable margins. But this team has been affected by the spirit of change. A couple of weeks ago at the North Carolina Invitational, the Wolverines lost to Minnesota - a team that in past years challenged, but never beat, the Wolverines at the Big Ten meet - by nearly 100 points. Michigan coach Jim Richardson acknowledges that the team will face a tough challenge in returning to confer- ence glory. Plagued by injuries, the team has been reduced to just 15 swim- mers. Sophomore Stephanie Armstrong, who had a strong season in 1997-98, was involved in a car accident last sum- mer from which she hasn't fully recov- ered. Senior Jenny Kurth and junior Amy Fritsch both had shoulder surgery. "Minnesota has a very deep class," Richardson said. "When you look at what it takes to win Big Tens, you need 18 people who can score individually. With only 15 people, it would mean every person would have to finish in the top eight and score in three events. But, we're going to try to do it." Though the Big Ten and NCAA Championships are a couple of months away, this weekend at the Notre Dame Invitational the Wolverines will have a chance to race in the competitive for- mat used at the NCAA Championships. But like the other meets of the fall season, this meet is just an extended training session. "We're just swimming through and not resting (for this meet),' Richardson said. "I have no expectations and no preconceived ideas. We already know where we stand. "It'll let them get used to operating il this kind of environment. That's what's important." This fall season has also been char lenging for Michigan because the team does not have a place to call hoe. Canham Natatorium has been closed al- semester for renovations and will not open until early January. As a result, the team has not beei able to address issues such as individual swimming styles and conditioning. > This weekend's meet is the las before the Wolverines head to Hawaa i for a New Year's meet. With the winter season fast approaching a warmer wind is blowing over the team. It's a time of change, but some things will remain the same. "We're just going to try and get faster," Richardson said. "I'll be glld when we get back in our own facility and we can get back to focusing on specifics." . Men's swimming heads for a showdown in Lone Star State What Was That Again? Chances are, you're probably growing weary of all the advice about starting a career. Not just a job, mind you, but an honest-to-goodness lifetime decision. If that sounds familiar- and a little daunting - CIGNA is ready to help. We're a worldwide leader in financial services. 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By Raphael Goodstein Daily Sports Writer Today the Michigan men's swim- ming and diving team will compete in the Texas Invitational in Austin, Texas. The Wolverines will need their stars, senior co-captains Tom Malchow and Andy Potts, and sophomore Chris Thompson to provide strong perfor- mances if they plan to win the event. Malchow was a silver medalist in the 1996 Olympics. He was the NCAA champion, and is a five-time All- American. "We don't expect anything more than what we usually expect from him," Michigan assistant coach Eric Namesnik said. "We just want him to go down there and lead in and out of the pool. Same thing for Thompson and Potts." Potts won the Big Ten title in the 400-yard individual medley last sea- son. "He's been through this before so he should be able to provide some senior leadership," Namesnik said. Thompson was the Big Ten fresh- man of the year last year, and the Big Ten champ in the 500 and 1,650 freestyle. In the NCAA Championships he placed second and third, respectively, in those events. "We're just looking for everyone to get better since the last time we were in the pool," Namesnik said. "We real- ly just want to see Chris race tough and better than his last time." As important as the stars are, the Wolverines' freshmen will need to turn in solid performances, too. The Wolverines brought in one of the best recruiting classes in the country last year, and at the head of the class was the top recruit in the country - Tim Siciliano. "This will be an excellent experi- ence for the freshmen," Namesnik said. "It is the first time that we have had a three-day format and it should help out down the road. This will be' our last time racing before the end the semester." "The *Big Ten tournament and NCAA Championships are also three days of races." Fellow freshman Jeff Hopwood also will be looked at to help the team. Hopwood competed earlier this season. on the Big Ten all-star team. He was. accompanied by sophomores Thompson and Scott Werner, junior Mike McWha, and seniors Potts a Malchow. In the sprint events, one area in which Michigan likely improved this year, the Wolverines will be led by freshmen Jordan Watland and Jon Arndt, along with junior Scott Myers. "The expectations are not that high: We are just expecting a steady improvement," Namesnik said. "We are not expecting anything amazing, we just want to continue to get bett throughout the year." CATCH THE GAMES OF ALL SPORTS! GIANT BIG SCREENS & 30 MONITORS Over 25 Beers on Draft Including: Bells, Newcastle, Guinness & Youngs DAILY SPORTS* - - h 4 . -*a'4 G: 8