F 10 - The Micnigan Daily - Tuesday, October 31, 2000 ----- fI Families reunite for 'M' win I ,.4 . .---. ' _. >5 By Joe Smith Daily Sports Writer 9AW -.,. DAVID KATZ/Daily Sophomore Mike Cammalleri (13) was one of several Michigan hockey players who received a visit from his parents this past weekend. rdue woen early fAVorite in Big Ten On Friday afternoons, many parents line the streets in front of residence halls on campus, anxiously awaiting for their son or daughter to greet them before they make the drive back home -- or some- times to merely replenish Michigan stu- dents with groceries and freshly washed laundry. Having every weekend from September to April fully booked, Michigan hockey players don't have that luxury - with one exception. This past week'end marked the annual "Parents Weekend" for the Michigan hockey team, with many families mak- ing the cross-country flights to see their kids in uniform for a two-game series against CCHA conference foe, Miami (Ohio). "It was a treat, Joel Jillson, defense- man Jeff Jillson's father, said. The Jillsons made the long trip from North Smithfield, Rhode Island for they knew it was one of the few times when they may get to see their son play. Especially when the All-American also played for Team USA in a December tournament the past two years - leaving the family to spend the past two Christmas holidays without Early frontrunners At Big Ten media day in Chicago, the writers and coaches released their preseason predictions for the top three finishers in the confer- ence, as well as their picks for the all-conference team. Media/Coaches TOp Three poll 1. Purdue 2. Penn State 3t. Illinois Wisconsin All-Big Ten team (media) Camille Cooper, C, Purdue Allison Curtin, G, Illinois Katie Douglas, G/F, Purdue LaTonya Sims, G, Wisconsin* Maren Walseth, F, Penn State *Penn State guard Lisa Shepherd replaced Sims in the coaches poll. Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year their son. This year, Jeff is too old to play for the squad, giving him the opportunity to go home. "This year is going to be a special Christmas for our family," Joel Jillson said. Another proud parent was Murray Kosick, father of senior forward Mark Kosick (Victoria, British Columbia). The 14 hours worth of flights was all worth it to spend time with his son-who scored two goals this past weekend. The Kosicks plan on coming down to Michigan for Christmas, with last year being the first holiday that Mark hasn't been around. "It means so much to me because they've been my biggest supporters," Mark Kosick said. "There are a lot of ups and downs in hockey, and whenever you can have people close to you come down and watch - it's special." While the Kosicks had to make the cross-continent flight, many other par- ents live in the area and are regulars for each game. "We love it, said June Cammalleri, mother of center Mike Cammalleri. The Cammalleri's make the four-hour car drive down from Richmond Hill, Ontario for every home game. "We feel at home when we're here." This family atmosphere is due to the close bonds that are developed between all the parents, no matter if they're from the state or from another continent. "There is definitely .a natural affinity based on what we feel when we listen to these games on the internet - trying to envision what it looks like to be here," Joel Jillson said. All the hockey parents can relate in one respect -the huge commitment that comes with raising a hockey player. It is definitely not a cheap sport to play, and with practices often running year-round - hockey essentially becomes life. "We have a lot in common," Murray Kosick said. "Many come from back- grounds like us, where we were up at 4 a.m. for practice. "That was our life, but we wouldn't trade those days for anything." The players and families had dinner at Schembechler Hall after the game on Friday, and the parents had a unique , opportunity to spend time with their sons, among other things. "We get to hang out as much as we want for the four days that we are here," Dave Murray, father of forward Craig Murray, said'. With a smile he added, "Even buy groceries and clothes - whatever he needs." Bluesurgesat end against top competition, nabs 13th Competing against some of the best teams in the country, the Michigan men's golf team used its round on Sunday to move up from 18th-place to a 13th-place finish with 894 strokes at The Nelson Invitational in Palo Alto, Cal. Michigan fired rounds of 297 on Friday and 306 on Saturday before making their charge in the tourna- ment's final day, finishing just seven shots out of the top ten. Duke won the tournament with a 54-hole total score of 862. Senior Scott Hayes paced the Wolverines with a three-day total score of 220, seven-over-par for the tourna- ment and 12 shots back of individual tournament winner Steve Sokol of Florida Southern. Junior Andy Matthews finished with 223 strokes, while fellow junior Andrew Chapman carded a 225. Rounding out the Michigan scores for the tournament were redshirt freshman Scott Carlton with a 229 and a 232 from freshman David Nichols. The tournament marked the end of the fall season for the Wolverines, who will compete next on the 3rd and 4th of March at the Wolverine South Invitational in Georgia. a 6 By Benjamin Singer Daily Sports Writer CHICAGO -- Big Ten teams have competed in the last two women's Final Fours. Penn State fost in the semifinals to eventual champion Connecticut last year and Purdue won it all in 1999. The Boilermakers are the confer- ence's best bet again. Purdue was selected to finish first in the confer- ence by 10 of the 11 Big Ten coaches. Purdue returns two all-Big Ten players in Katie Douglass and Camille Cooper. Douglass is also the unani- mous preseason pick by the coaches for Big Ten Player of the Year. "We have the opportunity to make it a special season," second-year Purdue coach Kristy Curry said. "We have high goals and high expectations." Michigan was absent from any pre- season selections by the Big Ten. Although the conference only revealed the top three finishers, the Wolverines aren't not even in the top four with Wisconsin and Illinois tying for third. "Let's see where we are in March," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "I think that's the only attitude you can take. I can't control what they think. I know that we've finished higher than anybody ever thought we would in the past. "As far as the future, you can't pre- dict it, you can only create it." Sharing in Michigan's surprise was Illinois coach Theresa Grentz. "I was shocked that we're ranked there," Grentz said. "I had (Michigan) picked ahead of me. I think they've done a good job." Last year, the Wolverines put them- selves on the map with a win over then-No. 12 Purdue in a nationally televised game. With the Boilermakers favored to win the Big Ten this year, the recent history against Purdue makes Michigan feel that much more com- petitive. "It definitely gave us a boost last year when we went out and beat Purdue," Michigan point guard Anne Thorius said. "I don't think we are scared to go out and compete with those teams. If anything, we see it as a challenge and as a way to prove our- Katie Douglas, unanimous selection selves." Thorius herself was left off the pre- season All-Big Ten lists, a title Guevara believes she could earn come March. "I'm disappointed for Anne," Guevara said. "I think Anne Thorius put us on her shoulders last year in some games. I'm a very biased coach, but I happen to think she's one of the best point guards in the Big Ten. She isn't given enough credit." AP PHOTO With his impressive second-half performance in a 14-10 win over Illinois, freshman Jeff Smoker won the starting job at Michigan State for this Saturday. Van Dyke s-moked: QB switch for State STATE Continued from Page 9 close games, special teams can make a huge difference." B1ACKBURN tPDrE: After sustaining a shoulder injury this past weekend, Michigan goalie Josh Blackburn remains "ques- tionable" for Saturday's battle with Michigan State. SATUI "He's improved," Berenson said. YosT ICE "He was really sore Sunday, but I think -we'll give him anether day. If' vs. Michigan (44C he's not 100 percent or close to it, we'll vs. Michigan State (3- have to start somebody else." Tickets: Sold out Senior L.J. Scarpace filled in for Te latest: The team w Blackburn this past Saturday and picked low for its second-annu up the win for the Wolverines, saving 1,000 fans receive a fre seven of eight shots in the third period. STELLAR SOPHOMORES: Andy Hilbert had three consecutive three-point games to take the team lead in points with 16. Fellow sophomore Mike Cammalleri's seven-game scoring streak was snapped last Saturday against Miami, but he looks to start another one against one of his favorite opponents Michigan State - the center ha- three goals in just four games against the Spartans. 1 think he's just a great player," Mason said. MILLER TIME: Scoring may be hard to come by for the Wolverines this Saturday, as Spartan netminder Ryan Miller holds a stifling 1.81 goals-against average with nearly a 94 per- RDAY ARENA CHA, 6.02 overall) 1-0, 4-1-1) day ants fans to wear yel- al Maize Out. First ee Maize Out T-shirt. cent save percentage. The sophomore dethroned former All-American Joe Blackburn last year, taking the starting job and posting shutouts in one-third of his games between the pipes. MASON CIT: Prior to the season, league officials decided to name the trophy that goes to the CCHA Tournament Champions, "The Mason Cup" in honor of Mason, Division I hockey's all-time winningest coach - who has won nine CCHA touma- ment trophies in his 22-year tenure with the Spartans. But was the legendary coach suprised to receive such a dis- tinction before his retirement? "1 was pretty ambivalent to it:' Mason said. With a smile he added, "Usually you get named when you're six feet under." By Mark Francescutti Daily SportsFAtor It's Smokin' in East Lansing. Yesterday, Michigan State coach Bobby Williams replaced junior quar- terback Ryan Van Dyke with freshman Jeff Smoker, after Smoker led the Spartans to a 14-10 victory over Illinois this past weekend. Smoker, who is 4-1 when he's taken over for Van Dyke, will start for the Spartans (1-3 Big Ten, 4-4 overall) Saturday at Ohio State. "It's time to give Jeff Smoker an opportunity to lead this team and he will start Saturday at Ohio State," Williams said. "Ryan Van Dyke made some poor decisions and bad throws in the Illinois game. Ryan really struggled and tried too hard to make plays." Through Saturday, Smoker has com- pleted 51.9 percent of his passes for 910 yards, with five interceptions and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, in Van Dyke's five games he has a slightly better com- pletion rate (55.3 percent) but fewer yards (645), and eight interceptions with only three touchdowns. "These guys played the same number of plays, from a production standpoint," Williams said. "We thought Jeff was a little more productive than Ryan and didn't have as many turnovers." Van Dyke injured his thumb on his throwing hand in the first game of the $18!! CAP AND GOWN at GRADWEAR.COM NO TAX! U. of Michigan $35 plustax Same Quality, Better Price Money Back Guaranteed season - his starting debut against Marshall. Smoker took over to lead the Spartans to victory - then started and won games at Missouri and home against Notre Dame. Van Dyke returned and struggled in losses to Iowa and then was replaced by Smoker in the 17-10 loss to Wisconsin. A healthier Van Dyke started at Michigan - and despite a 14-0 loss, things looked up for the junior, after he set career highs in completions (26-of- 37) and yards (292). But Saturday, Van Dyke completed six passes for only 35 yards with two interceptions before Williams replaced him with Smoker early in the third quar- ter. Smoker came in to complete 7-of-I 3 passes for 83 yards, including a key four-yard scramble on third and four to seal the victory for the Spartans. "He came off the bench and made six big plays," Williams said. "On the game-winning drive, he completed big throws to the tight ends and converted a key third down." Michigan State players responded well when Smoker came into the game, and the offense proved more efficient and comfortable with Smoker at the gun. Williams also likes Smoker's ability to roll out of the pocket and scramble, along with the flow of the offense. "This young man has performed well in a lot of situations," Williams said. "Jeff played like a veteran. For a fresh- man to have a game like that, I thought that was outstanding on his part:' Van Dyke, a top Michigan high- school prospect from the same class as Michigan's Drew Henson, may still have a shot at winning back his posifion. "He's disappointed," Williams said. "I want him to come and be really sup- portive, because the opportunity could come back as early as next week, and he has to be ready to play" Williams also said running back T.J. Duckett would play against Ohio State after carrying just once for two yards against the Illini. "T.i. should be ready this week," Williams said. "He could have played nore last week, but I thought it was bet- ter that he rest." Paid Advertisement .. -a- .... .... .a Griese takes respgnsibility for dmnk-driving arrest DENVER (AP) - Denver Broncos quarterback Brian Griese takes com- plete responsibility for actions that led to his weekend arrest on charges of driving under the influence. "I'm going to stand up and take it like a 'man, go on from there" he said Monday. Griese was pulled over Saturday on an interstate outside Denver. Police said he was traveling 80 mph in a 65 mph zone. He said at a news conference that he had a couple of drinks at dinner with a friend before heading home. "I understand the seriousness of the charges and I'm going to take full responsibility for it because that's just the way that I am,' he said. Griese faces a Jan. 16 court date. He failed roadside sobriety and breathalyzer tests and was taken to a detoxification facility in Aurora, Colorado State Patrol trooper Rob Marone said. Griese's blood-alcohol content was above the 0.10-percent legal limit, but Marone would not be more specific. Griese was the NFL's highest-rated passer until injuring his right shoulder Sept. 17 against Oakland. He missed a game because of the injury and has said he might need surgery during the offsea- son to repair torn cartilage. Griese, who helped lead Michigan to a national championship in 1997, threw for 3,032 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Buffalo coach fired after worse loss in almost seven decades AMHERST, N.Y. (AP) - Craig Cirbus, whose teams are 18-45 in six seasons, was fired Monday by the University at Buffalo, two days after the Bulls suffered their worst defeat in 68 years, losing 73-10 to Northern Illinois. Athletic director Bob Arkeilpane said Cirbus will coach the remaining three games on the Bulls' schedule. "After analyzing the past six years and taking everything into consider- ation, I felt a change was neces- sarv,"' Arkeilpane said. "It's very, very difficult, but you need to do the right thing for the program. Their only victory this season was 20-17 over Bowling Green. I 6 01 S ?. T MKiII:HK.AN PoeRPIS 0411HEST RA PRESINTS 100 EYIARS O AARON COPLAI S IVEN J/RVI. Mt iK: DIRE C T OR N THUiRSDAY. NOVEMBER 2. 2000 8:00 IvM THE MICHIGAN THEATER FANtI-ARE 1OR I HEW COMMON MAN R OD O Ot) AMERICAN SONGS AI'VALACHIAN SITING $5.00 FOR S ItDE NI S. SENIORS. AND CHVllIDlN $&OO GNERAL ADMISSION ) Player Hilbert Langfeld Cammalleri Kosick Shouneyia Matzka Mink Ortmeyer Jillson Komisarek Vancik Burnes Wyzgowski Roemensky Koch Trainor Blackburn Player Blackburn Scarpace A 12 7 9 4 4 5 4 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 P 16 12 11 8 7 7 6 5 5 5 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 GAA 2.43 3.00 Michigan hockey leaders E; KF. FSIN \\AIAIM F AT 1 1i l)(DOOR OR 'Ir 1t-utj(-4 I rMiUTO AT FO)R MORE INFO. .CALI (713S4) 7G3I-1101. '.~ M" 0 Record 5-0-2 1-0-0 CCHA conference hockey leaders