12 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, March 14, 2001
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A look at the
underside of U of M

Mixed reviews for athletic director
Martin's actions drawing fire, praise
from members of University community

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The University of Michigan
Career Planning Placement
Division of Student Affair

By Joe Smith
Daily Sports Editor
Now that the deed has been done and Michigan Athletic
Director Bill Martin confirmed the firing of Michigan bas-
ketball coach Brian Ellerbe, there have been differing opin-
ions about the racial implications of the decision.
This includes clarification on a statement made by
Richard Stacy, a member chair of the Michigan's African-
American Alumni Association, who the Detroit Free Press
reported sent an e-mail last Friday to University President
Lee Bollinger, regents and administrators.
It stated in the subject line "Black Alumni (upwards to
10,000) supports Ellerbe STAYING."
The letter continued to state that he and the members of
the association would be greatly angered by Ellerbe's firing.
But Charles Beckham, the chairman of the African-
American Alumni council told The Michigan Daily yes-
terday that his organization has "no particular position"
on the issue of Ellerbe's dismissal. Beckham explained
that Stacy was "speaking for himself and not the coun-
cil," and that the actual views of the council "vary so
much that it would be difficult to hold a definite position
publicly."
Beckham said the reason Stacy sent the letter was
because he was told that he had to have the council's posi-
tion in by 5 p.m. on Friday. Since Beckham was unable to
get in contact with Stacy to discuss the board's position,
Stacy "felt the pressure to make a statement" and made it as
an individual.
"We took a pretty hard position last year (in former
Athletic Director Tom Goss' situation) and we're not pre-
pared to take that type of position now," said Beckham, who
said the wavering opinions by his association differentiates
itself from the stance of Rev. Wendell Anthony and the
Detroit chapter of the NAACP.
Anthony could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, several members of Michigan's Board in
Control of Intercollegiate Athletics still voice strong con-
cerns and disapproval over how Martin and the athletic
department handled the problems facing Ellerbe and the
basketball program.
"I'm embarrassed by the process undertaken by the
athletic department in this inatter," said James

Stapleton, a member of the Board who is also the chair-
man for the Detroit Urban League. "It would be one
thing if we could, as the University, all look ourselves in
the mirror and say we've done everything we could to
help this man and his program. Instead, we've done next
to nothing. And it should shame us all - especially Bill
Martin."
This statement came two days after Robert Sellers, a
black member of the Board, told the Daily he felt that firm
Ellerbe would be "unfair and malicious."
"I have a deep and undying concern of the integrity of the
department in the last year," said Stapleton, who feels th at
race has to at least be considered as a factor in the decisitn
to fire Ellerbe. "And I intend to figure out what is going .n
here."
On the other hand, Martin is supported by Michigan
women's track coach James Henry, who is now the ,one
African-American coach in the 25 varsity sports offered by
the University.
Henry said that in his 26 years affiliated with Michig
including 17 as coach - spanning over six athletic dir
tors - the athletic department has never been in better
hands.
Henry said that Martin's frankness in every issue, his
willingness to take action and "roll-up-your sleeve"
working style has impressed him and made him feel com-
fortable in his position, creating much confidence that
Martin will do whatever is needed to absolve each and
every concern.
"He's the only (athletic director) that has said 'Hey, yqur
roof is leaking and we're going to do something about
said Henry.
Henry said that Martin has been to his office more times
in his first year than half of the previous athletic directors
that he's dealt with combined - showing a personable and
down-to-earth nature in an athletic director that he's
impressed with.
Henry said he is the only coach on a committee consist-
ing of four African-Americans, which Martin startedn
order to create more internship opportunities and imprd e
the status of minorities in the department.
"For the first time in 26 years, I'm sure that something is
going to happen," Henry said. "I feel very confident ba
on (the status of our) department."


I

Big Ten


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ycwans

coaches
send best
to Ellerbe
REACTIONS
Continued from Page 10
as a group," Robinson said. "We said
that whatever we decide to do, to let
the team know first. No surprises."
Robinson said that the team
not confer about possible coach
replacements.
The next few weeks may be an
awkward time for the players, with
no head coach to guide the begin-
ning of their work towards next sea-
son.
Besides lifting weights and prac-
ticing on their own, Martin will like-
ly call upon a number of players to
join a committee that will h
decide Michigan's next head coach.
In addition to the players, many of
the coaches from other Big Ten
schools had come to the support of
Ellerbe in recent weeks, including
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo,
Penn State coach Jerry Dunn and