12 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 The Family Gu Senior co-captain Colin Dill proves you don't have to be the star of the team to make your presence felt By Daniel Bremmer Daily Sports Editor 0 Michigan senior co-captain Colin Dill is more than willing to joke about enter- ing the NBA draft after the year is done - a pretty unrealistic plan. The truth is that Dill plans on attending law school when he's done with his undergraduate degree at Michigan. Dill's sense of humor is prevalent in much of what he does and has become a way to lighten up his team and those around him. "It's easy to get caught up in the pressure," Dill said. "Guys get really stressed out, and I think we're a bet- ter team when we're not too uptight." Last month at a practice that was open to media members, Dill was answering questions over his cell phone. After Dill hung up, one reporter asked him who had been at the other end of the line. "It was Dan Patrick - he wanted to get a few quotes from me (for his ESPN radio show)," Dill joked. All in the Family Dill can be more serious when the situation calls for it off of the court. Since the start of his Michigan career, Dill has had to cope with the death of each of his four grand- parents. Though painful, these experiences prepared the captain for a very tough task - helping his roommate and teammate, senior Bernard Robinson, cope with his father's death after a year-long battle with cancer over winter break. Spending Christmas with the Dill family, Robinson was in Saginaw when he heard the news of his father's death, which came on Christmas day. Unable to make the long trip home to Washington, over many vacations, Robinson spent extended periods of time with Dill and his family. "I think they treat me as if I'm a part of their family, with a lot of love," Robinson said. Even though Dill had gone through similar grieving periods with the deaths of his grandparents, it was much harder to deal with the passing of a good friend's father. Dill's parents were able to initially comfort Robin- son. "I was shocked and unprepared when Bernard told me what had hap- pened, so I was fortunate that my mom and dad were there to help him out and to talk to him," Dill said. "I felt just as bad as he did, so I was glad they were there to help him through it." Robinson also recalls being thank- ful that the Dills were there to sup- port him. "I was glad I was at a situation like that when I found that news out, rather than being alone, and not knowing what to do," Robinson said. "It was tough. They showed a lot of care. It kind of surprised me that they cared that much. It was definite- ly tough, but they wanted to know what was going on, and they showed care." After getting over the initial shock of the bad news, Dill comforted Robinson by helping him keep his father with him in the future. "What they've told you and what they've taught you is how they'll live on in your life forever," Dill said. "That's how they stay involved in your life." The Odd Couple Although they've gone through some rough times together, most of Dill and Robinson's relationship is much more lighthearted. The two have lived together for three years and have grown accustomed to each other's mannerisms and actions. Robinson studies with the television on. Dill would rather study in a quiet, library- type setting. Dill says that Robinson eats all his food and uses all his toiletries. Robinson is quick to point out that Dill domi- nates the thermostat. Robinson doesn't shut the lights or the television off. Dill has to turn everything off for the both of them when they leave the house. But neither fails to own up to his own faults. "I don't have the desires to walk over there and turn the TV off (when I leave)," Robinson said. "I figure I'll be back, (and) the TV will be on when I get back." No chance of using the remote to turn it off? "Sometimes you can't find the remote, or sometimes it's by the TV, so it defeats the purpose," Robinson said. "I always come back and its off, so I know Colin turned it off. He's been doing it for three years, so he can do it for one more year." Robinson also has issues with Colin and the temperature at which he keeps their apartment. "He definitely keeps the air on about 40-below zero, all the time," Robinson said with a smile. "I know when it's cold, Colin turned it down, so I turn it back up until he turns it down again." Dill and Robinson are comfortable enough with one another to playfully rib each other now, but it wasn't always as easy living together. Dur- ing their first year as roommates, Robinson and Dill's contrasting styles led to some minor disagree- ments during their sophomore year. "That happens with anybody," Robinson said. "Any person who lives with a person for the first time, isn't used to certain things. Then, once you get used to them, you're used to them." Now, the biggest argument is over who is better at H-O-R-S-E. q "It's kind of a rivalry that ' we've been having back and forth," Dill said. "He thinks he's the better jumpshooter, but I'd say that I'm head and shoulders above him when it comes to shooting and playing horse." Dream Job Growing up, Dill was always in the game when it was all on the line. So coming off of the bench and being one of the team's last options was a tough change for him. But the senior exhibits a very mature, team-oriented approach. If it gives the team a better chance to win, Dill welcomes being one of the last guys off the bench. "I was a player who, when I was younger, was that go-to guy, and I've seen it now from both ends," Dill said. "I kind of feel like I know what I have to do to make sure that this team performs at the highest level. "This has always been a lifelong goal of mine. To play here, and then to be named captain - it's kind of like I'm living out a dream right now." Dill's role might not show up in the box score, but his leadership is para- mount to the team's success. "I think he recognizes and embraces and enjoys his role on the team," Michigan coach Tommy Amaker said. "He recognized that it won't be so much on actual playing time, but it will be on more of a daily basis and things behind the scene that everyone else won't see." The team's two co-captains, Dill and junior J.C. Mathis, have contrast- ing styles. Mathis's style is very direct and very loud - he often yells ener- getically at all of his teammates in a group and is one of the loudest voices in the lockerroom. Dill's style is more personal and more one-on-one. You won't see him yelling in the lockerroom, and you'll rarely see him yell at a practice. "In practice, I definitely have more of a hands-on role," Dill said. "I'm actively out there on the court, talking to guys, pushing them and trying to lead by example." Said sophomore Graham Brown: "You can tell that he really cares about his teammates. You need somebody like that, who really cares about his teammates and will do anything for you. And just knowing that, gives a little more stability on the team." And every Wolverine knows that Dill can play the game. He's been known to "light it up" in practice, according to Brown, and often plays the role of the other team's best shoot- er on the "scout" team that plays against the Michigan starters every day in practice. Despite playing in just 22 games in his career, Dill has gained experi- ence from spending nearly four years on the team and going through the rigors of a tough schedule as a stu- dent athlete. Dill doesn't believe that seeing such little game action throughout his career is a strike on his record. "I might not have played in these games, but I've been through all of them, and I've gone to all these gyms," "oosoy U"yRYAN S/Daily (oove, ana iDAI DUMAN/Daily (Ieft) Though senior co-captain Colin Dii has seen action in just 22 games In his career, his contributions outside of game day have made a big impact on his team. Dill said. "I can prepare (my team- mates) and tell them what they can expect to see. So I think that's probably what my game-day role has (become)." Although most of Dill's teammates have seen more gam'- action, they still have a tremendous amount of respect for the senior leader. "He's a lot older than me, and he's been through a lot more than me," freshman Courtney Sims said. "I might've played more minutes than he has, even in his career, but he's still been through a lot more than me, so he always has a lot of advice to give me." Dill is used to being surrounded by great players. As a sophomore at Detroit Country Day High School, Dill played on the same team as Shane Battier, who went on to be a captain at Duke and now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies. Dill also picked up some pointers on being a captain from his father, Craig, who was a captain and an All- American while at Michigan from 1964 to '67. Whether it's at practice or at home, in a serious situation or a lighthearted moment, Dill keeps his life in per- spective. And even if Dan Patrick or an NBA team doesn't come calling, Dill hopes that his leadership and experience gained in his time as a captain will help him one day in the courtroom. OVIEPHOR U U 4 A I