4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - January 11, 1999 Michigan hockey team entertains fans, but few students take up offer By Mark Francescutti Daily Sports Writer Yesterday beyond the blowing snow and the arctic wind, almost 200 people spent some time with the Michigan hockey team. The Dekers Blue Line Club, whose goal is to raise funds and support for the Wolverines, held its second annu- al "Deker Night at.--............... Yost," which Hocke included a tour ofy the lockerroom, ommeua y autographs from-............... players and Greg Crozier acting as the official greeter as fans came through the door. For a $5 entrance fee any member ($25 annual general membership, $10 student required), gained access to the world of Michigan hockey. But money wasn't the thought on this night. The defining word was "fun." All of the players made an appear- ance, signing autographs and greet- ing the fans, but the real treat of the night is gaining access to the usually A negative showing The Michigan wrestling team defeated George Mason, 46-(-1). Negative one! George Mason lost every single match to the Wolverines, but took a one-point deduction for forfeiting the 285- point weight class. ft's doubtful that the loss will be on George Mason's highlight reel. "closed" Michigan lockerroom. Not even the media gains access to that area usually. But on this night, all could see the "hidden" areas - from the lockerroom with the team's list of season goals, to the secret door in the shower area - ironically it led to the outside hall where it locked from the outside. And the fun was just beginning. Mike Comrie led my tour with Craig Murray doing backup color commentary, but almost every player received the opportunity to lead an entourage of guests. And every fan's eyes, young and old, were wide as the sky as the "secret area" was revealed. In the actual "locker" area, the team's jerseys hung neatly all color- coded by line position - dark blue and white for the defensemen, black for the goalies and red, yellow, light blue, and maroon for the forwards. One had to just imagine the great- ness of talent that had once graced this area. And not one person didn't have a smile on his face. Goalies Josh Blackburn, Greg Daddario and Kevin O'Malley worked the photo booth where fans put on the goalie pads and had their pictures taken. Little kids like pads. Blackburn even admits that's why he first picked up the goal stick. Yes, pads are cool, pads are fun, but as the fans found out, pads weigh a ton. Near the end of the event, the aroma of sandwiches and chips led all to the table area in front of the concession stands, where players and fans together enjoyed dinner. The raffles were drawn and prizes such as sweaters and posters were given away. This type of atmosphere just does- n't happen with a professional hock- ey team. But while almost everything at this event fitted, something was missing. Of the 200 or so fans who showed, the only university students that attended seemed to be the Michigan hockey players. There are many diehard student fans out there, as any Yost hock game would demonstrate. But to perfect opportunity to get to know a team that one cheers for wasn't snatched up by the students. The club's officials say they have undertaken efforts to try to get stu- dents involved. This season two Dekers' booths are available in Yost to give information about the events and membership. Blue advertisements about the event blanketed the Yost seats t past weekend. The Dekers even o a 60 percent discount on student memberships. Yet Michigan students seemed to stay away. Maybe it isn't that important that students didn't show. Maybe the higher ticket price soured some fans. And mother nature certainly didn't help yesterday. But just remember, it is called t University of Michigan hockey teai. MARGARET MYERS/Daily After two nights of facing Ferris State, the Michigan hockey team took a break yesterday and hosted the second annual "Deker Night at Yost." JTOP GAMBUNG AND START INVESTING @ALL FOR FREE TRIAL OFFER 111 mAui.@ 111111 I3*33 RAuI. VII Grapplers drop final in Virginia Wolverines take 19 of first 20 matches in tourney's first two rounds 888-188257) Wi V'I WI I By Michael Shafrir Daily Sports Writer Bouyed by the confidence of a productive Christmas training peri- od, the Michigan wrestling team took a trip to the Virginia Duals looking to carry its momentum into the new year. Over winter break, the Wolverines won the 17-team Sunshine Open in Florida. They almost rode that momentum all the way to the championship round. Only a final-round loss to first-seeded Illinois prevented the Wolverines from taking home the championship. The Virginia Duals, in its 19th year, is a single elimination tourna- ment featuring 16 teams including North Carolina, Virginia and Cornell. It also featured two lesser known schools, George Mason and Lock Haven, the Wolverines first- and sec- ond-round opponents, respectively. Apparently, there is a reason few people have ever heard of these schools, as Michigan thumped George Mason 46-(-1) before rolling over Lock Haven 40-3. The 47-point victory over George Mason was Michigan's largst margin of victory since a 50-point win over Morgan State in 1988. 125-pound Chris Viola was domi- nant in both matches. He recorded a technical fall against George Mason's Steve Daggett before pin- ning Lock Haven's Mike Kusick at 1:30. The only match the Wolverines lost in either contest was Art Romence's 7-4 loss in the heavy- weight division against Lock Haven's Craig Tefft. No. 14 Oregon State stood in the way of Michigan and a date in the finals, but like the two opponents before them, the Beavers found themselves on the losing end of the match. Performing well in the match against the Beavers was 174-pound Otto Olson, Damien Logan at 141, and junior Frank Lodeserto at 197. "This is the best we've wrestled year" Michigan coach Dale Bahr said. "The kids were really dominat- ing." The win over Oregon State set up a championship match with first-seed and Big Ten rival Illinois. Familiarity did not work in Michigan's favor as they dropped a 22-17 decision to the Fighting Illiri on Saturday night. Michigan was hurt in the fite match by the absence of heavyweight Matt Brink. This forced the inexperi- enced Art Romence to wrestle in his place. "Missing Brink didn't hurt us in the first three rounds, but it really hurt us against Illinois," Bahr said. Michigan's Joe Warren was named the outstanding wrestler of the tour- nament. "He really impressed me," B said. "He dominated three opponen and beat an all-American.' Spdng Commencement Student Speaker Ca or Entdes The Office of the Vice President for Communications is issuing a Call for Entries for a Student Speaker at Spring Commencement. Saturday, May 1, 1999 9:30 a.m. Michigan Stadium The student speaker must be receiving a bachelor's degree during Winter 1999 or Summer Term 1999. Submit - Curriculum Vitae (or resume) highlighting U-M scholarship and campus leadership - Typed draft of speech (less than 5 minutes In length) - Audiocassette tape of the author reading the speech Questions - Contact Beth Moceri at 615-0520 or by e-mail, bmoceri@umich.edu m