Go Fish! Every cancellation is one less chance to see the Michigan baseball team at Fisher Stadium. Check out our website to see the rest of the Wolverines' home schedule. michigandaily.com/sports Z IR a ±cr i3 T T 0 WEDNESDAY APRIL 12, 2000 12 y ,r; ' x 6 s~ ' Snow way! Both the Michigan baseball and soft- ball teams had games cancelled yes- terday due to the mixture of rain and snow that pounded the Ann Arbor area yesterday. The softball team was supposed to head up to Central Michigan for a midweek doubleheader, while the baseball team was scheduled to face Ball State at Fisher Stadium. Yesterday's cancellation marks the third home baseball game that has been called off for the Wolverines this season. The home opener against Eastern Michigan was halted by unplayable field conditions, and bitterly cold weather forced Bowling Green to stay home. The Wolverines travel to Toledo today. First pitch is at 3 p.m. Crisler hopes to move students closer By Mark Francescutti Daily Sports Editor ff 1'r If all goes well in Michigan Marketing Director's Tom Brooks' eyes, more Michigan students will have more to cheer about when next men's basketball season comes around. The Wolverines' main marketing guru is currently working with Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe to change the students seating arrange- ment by giving them more front-row seats behind the Michigan bench. The criticism of Crisler Arena has gone on for years, from its shaky sound system to a "tomb"-like atmos- phere that can't even scare a mouse, much less opposing teams. But Brooks hopes to change that. And when trying to build excitement at games, both he and Ellerbe know who to look at - the students. "Students are one of the most important factors to our team's suc- cess," Ellerbe said this season. "We want the students to have a good time." The amount of student tickets and the seating available for them is one of the hottest topics regarding Crisler. Students currently have only one front row of seating, two rows total in the lower bowl, and delve all the way to the top of the upper bowl. Brooks' plan would double the front-row capacity for students. Many other co'lege arenas, includ- ing the Breslin Center at Michigan State and Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke, have students seating arrange- ments right next to the court in a long row on one side of the hardwood or behind one basket. After selling almost 4,500 student tickets and thousands more of split season during the mid 1990s, sales dropped to a mere 712 in the 1998-99 season. One of the biggest problems, other than a 12-19 1998-99 season, was the fact that Michigan students are still 'behind' their Big Ten brethren. Brooks would like to eventually move the students down all along the court, but talks haven't started with interim athletic director Bill Martin - who is still learning the ropes - and Michigan Ticket Manager Marty B,odnar, who is handling football tick- ets. At this point, Brooks said a slighter change may make more sense. "(Bill) is still coming up to speed on issues." Brooks said. "The timing just is not right now. The drop in students tickets led to a drop in overall attendance. Michigan basketball now ranks ninth in the Big Ten. Several coaches and players have identified Crisler as one of the least I { WE'LL ERASE YOUR COLLEGE LOAN. Igyou're stuck with a (federally insured) student loan that's not in default, the Army might pay it off. If you qualify, we'll reduce your debt- up to $65,000. Payment is either 1/3 of the debt or $1,500 for each year of service, whichever is greater.1 You'll also have training in a choice of skills and enough self-assurance to last you the rest of your life. Get all the details from your Army Recruiter. Colonial Lanes Plaza #211 Ann Arbor 734-747-8506 a I II ° I I I III DAVID ROONKIND! Daily The Maize Rage might have more to cheer about next season. The Michigan Athletic Department hopes to extend the student seating area at Crisler Arena. m OO Lessons That Will Last A Lifetwime toughest places to play in a very diffi- cult Big Ten road carnpaign. But there is a lot of promise, from the success of his Maize Rage T-shirts given away to all student season-ticket holders, to the loud, raucous crowds at the Duke and Michigan State games this season. The marketing department won over crowds with programs aimed at entertaining the fans - from handing out Jamal Crawford-style headbands to offering free trips, paid tuition and a big-screen television at halftime shootouts. "We felt that we came up with a good response this year," Brooks said. "We're trying to build on that. We want to treat our students and make it as easy and enjoyable as possible at games." Brooks has several ideas for next year, including working on the con- cession stands. Michigan recently began a multiyear contract with a new food company, while some mainstays at Crisler like Mr. Spots have dis peared. "We want to improve the overall food options, especially finding healthier alternatives. We're talking to a bunch of companies right now. Thankfully, (our concessions compa- ny) has been open to new options - things like maybe a 25-cent hot dog night for students." The marketing department will-s* out surveys to all students, alumni and general public ticket holders in late May to get feedback on next season. "We really want their opinions," Brooks said. "They know how to improve things." Student basketball ticket applica- tions will likely be sent with football ticket packages, as they were last year. Bodnar could not speculate on any ticket increase for next year if a-se t- ing change does take place, altho any decision to raise prices would likely be made by the athletic direc- tor's office over the summer. Put that college degree to use by enrolling into the Air Force Officer Training School. Upon successful completion of the OfficerTraining School, you will become a commissioned Air Force officer with earned respect and benefits like -- great starting pay, medical and dental care, management and travel AIM HIGH opportunities. 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