100%

Scanned image of the page. Keyboard directions: use + to zoom in, - to zoom out, arrow keys to pan inside the viewer.

Page Options

Download this Issue

Share

Something wrong?

Something wrong with this page? Report problem.

Rights / Permissions

This collection, digitized in collaboration with the Michigan Daily and the Board for Student Publications, contains materials that are protected by copyright law. Access to these materials is provided for non-profit educational and research purposes. If you use an item from this collection, it is your responsibility to consider the work's copyright status and obtain any required permission.

September 21, 2005 - Image 13

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Michigan Daily, 2005-09-21

Disclaimer: Computer generated plain text may have errors. Read more about this.

The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, September 21, 2005 -13

Soccer team
. gets insync
with local
drummers
By Anne Uible
Daily Sports Writer
Every movement in life can be linked to the
sound of music. The challenge can be getting the
rhythm down and finding the beat. The Michigan
men's soccer team has only to look into the stands
for its musical counterpart, the Like Water Drum
Group, and the rhythm of their game is set.
When Michigan coach Steve Burns contacted
the local drum group, his primary goal was to
have the musicians play in sync to the tempo and
pace of the game to get his players more in tune
with the feel of the game and the movement on
the field.
"Soccer has a definite rhythm to it," Burns
said. "Sometimes it's back and forth and end-to-
end action. And sometimes it's pretty damn bor-
ing and both teams are tentative and not really
getting into the attacking third at all. The drums
can play to that rhythm."
Now in its third year of playing at home games,
"Like Water" has become a regular addition to
the U-M Soccer Field.
"The drums make the stands much louder," band leader
Ryan Edwards said. "There's a better connection between
the fans and players, like having the marching band in the
football stadium. Drums are used at most games in Brazil
and Africa, where soccer is the most popular sport, so it
just seems natural to have them at (Michigan) games."
Edwards played soccer for many years before
becoming serious about music. He says that
being a part of the game means understanding
the tempo on the field. By playing the drums,
Edwards has been able to connect to the sport
and set music to the pulse of the game.
"Soccer is definitely a combination of long ebbs and
flows of energy," Edwards said. "The concept of tension
mounting and the timing of a soccer game is very similar
to what musicians do with their compositions. You have to
establish something and build on it 'til you find a climax.
You know when you're doing your job right because you
can make audible the movement on the field."
Edwards founded the Like Water Drum Group
five years ago. After spending time in Western
Africa studying the cultural music of the area,
the Chelsea native returned to Michigan and was
inspired to teach people about it. As he began

Hill investigates
Palmeiro scandal

WASHINGTON (AP) - Still
trying to figure out whether Rafa-
el Palmeiro lied under oath about
using steroids, Congress wants
to hear what other players might
know.
The House Government Reform
Committee is interviewing major
leaguers connected to the Balti-
more Orioles slugger, including a
Colorado outfielder suspended this
year for failing a drug test.
A congressional source familiar
with the committee's work, speak-
ing to The Associated Press on
condition of anonymity because the
investigation is ongoing, said Mon-
day that "several active players"
have spoken or will speak with the
committee about Palmeiro. That
source would not identify who was
interviewed.
But Colorado Rockies outfielder
Jorge Piedra told AP on Monday
that he spoke on the phone with the
committee.
He said investigators contacted
him through his agent about a week
ago, found out "all they wanted to
know" in a matter of minutes and
didn't plan to contact him again.
Piedra, the second player publicly
identified under the sport's new ste-
roid rules when he was suspended
for 10 days in April, said the com-
mittee "had a few questions, and I
just answered them honestly."
"I told them I didn't have any-
thing to do with Palmeiro," Piedra
said after the Rockies played the
Padres in Denver. "We only worked
out a few times together."
Palmeiro was the seventh to be
identified publicly, and he was by
far the most accomplished - one of
only four players in baseball histo-
ry to collect at least 3,000 hits and
500 homers.
The congressional source indi-
cated that players asked recently
to talk to the committee were cho-
sen because they have relationships
with Palmeiro, such as teammates
or workout partners, and could have
knowledge about whether he might
have used steroids before his testi-

mony.
"I guess they were searching to
see if we had discussed anything
concerning enhancement drugs,"
Piedra said. "But we didn't. He's
kind of a veteran. I'm kind of a
rookie."
Piedra said it was difficult to
talk to investigators about another
player.
"He is one of the greatest play-
ers," Piedra said. "Obviously, I'm
not going to condemn him for
something I've done too. Whether
he took something or he didn't, he's
still one of the best to ever step on
the field."
On March 17, Palmeiro appeared
before the House Government
Reform Committee alongside
Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa,
pointed his finger for emphasis and
declared:
"I have never used steroids. Period."
When baseball announced his
suspension Aug. 1, Palmeiro stood
by his statements to Congress, say-
ing he didn't know what caused the
test result.
When he rejoined the Orioles
after his ban, Palmeiro said he
would not speak about the case
until Congress concludes its per-
jury investigation.
He had just two hits in 26 at-bats
after returning and was booed by
spectators at Baltimore and on the
road.
Palmeiro hasn't played since Aug.
30; he went home to Texas to reha-
bilitate knee and ankle injuries.
Palmeiro has not been inter-
viewed by the committee since he
was suspended, but he did agree
to allow Major League Baseball
to turn over his test results and
other documents to Congress, and
the committee has praised him for
being cooperative.
It doesn't appear likely that the
Government Reform panel will hold
another hearing on steroids in the
near future because its chairman,
Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) will be
running hearings on the response
to Hurricane Katrina.

Men's soccer head coach Steve Burns confers with junior co-captain Kevin Hall.

leading classes, he built an ensemble of his stu-
dents and other interested people from around the
Ann Arbor area. As the group advanced musical-
ly and professionally, Edwards added dancers to
the mix to create more authentic African music.
The group now has 13 full-time members who
perform three to seven times a month at schools,
bars and community centers.
The original idea for the name of the band,
"Like Water", was that culture is like water and
everyone needs a connection to their culture.
"We're all in this life for a reason," Edwards
said. "There needs to be an inspiration to wake
up every morning, more than just surviving.

Music serves as a kind of medicine for the dif-
ficulties of life and water is very much like that
in everyone's life."
The Like Water Drum Group will be playing
on the U-M Soccer Field this Sunday when the
Wolverines take on their first Big Ten opponent,
Northwestern, at 1 p.m.
"I can't say how lucky I feel to be paid to
watch soccer games and mix both my love of-the
game and music," Edwards said. "Soccer is an
American underdog sport. It feels good that we
can apply ourselves to make it more exciting and
popluar."

Bi Ten teams prepared
to egin conference play

By Kia Hamadanchy and
Chris Herring
For the Daily
With all the nonconference games out of the way, it's
time for the Big Ten to spring to action. Ten teams will
see their first Big Ten opponent this weekend, with Indi-
ana receiving a bye. Here's the roundup of all the four
non-Michigan games.
No. 21 Iowa (2-1) at No. 8 Ohio State (2-1) - Noon
- ABC
This game is extremely important for both the Hawkeyes
and the Buckeyes. Both teams lost in week
two, and the loser of this week's premiere
matchup will have to dig themselves out
of a big hole. Iowa struggled offensively
against Iowa State a few weeks ago, but
part of that had to do with the gap left
by injured quarterback Drew Tate. Even
with Tate playing his best, the Hawkeyes
will have their hands full on the road. Led by A. J. Hawk on
defense, the Buckeyes were awfully close to beating Texas in
week two. Had that happened, Ohio State would be trying to
steal first-place votes from Southern Cal. instead of trying to
climb back into the top-five.
Ohio State 24, Iowa 10
No. 17 Michigan State (3-0) at Illinois (2-1) - Noon
- ESPN Plus
Ron Zook has already made an impact on the Illini.
A year ago, they wouldn't have even had a shot against
Cal. Last week they were beating the Golden Bears into
the fourth quarter. And how about them Spartans? Who
would have guessed they would score 44 at Notre Dame?
With Michigan State coming off a huge overtime victory

in South Bend, this would be a perfect spot for Illinois
to play spoiler. But that seems unlikely. Also, Illinois's
defense isn't quite set up to stop a mobile quarterback
like Drew Stanton. Look for the Spartans to ruin Zook's
Big Ten opener and remain unbeaten.
Michigan State 38, Illinois 17
No. 11 Purdue (2-0) at Minnesota (3-0) - Noon
- ESPN
Coming off a closer-then-expected 31-24 victory over
Arizona, Purdue travels to Minnesota. The Boilermakers
have high hopes for the Big Ten campaign since both Michi-
gan and Ohio State are off the schedule. Minnesota is fly-
ing a little under the radar at 3-0, but it's understandable
considering the Gophers have yet to play a decent team this
season. Purdue and its 11 returning defensive starters have
been solid against the run so far, but Laurence Maroney is
the best running back in the Big Ten and will pose the stiff-
est test yet for the Boilermaker D. The Gophers will ride
Maroney to a victory over the Purdue and expose the Boil-
ermakers as overrated.
Minnesota 24, Purdue 13
Penn State (3-0) at Northwestern (2-1) - Noon
Northwestern host Penn State in the Big Ten opener. The
Wildcats have a record of 2-1 so far this season but they
struggled with Northern Illinois and are coming off a game
where they allowed 773 yards to Arizona State. Penn State
might not have the greatest offense in the world, but even
they will be able to find holes in the Northwestern defense.
Penn State has opened the season with three easy victories,
and Saturday's game should be no different. Penn State will
roll over the Wildcats.
Penn State 34, Northwestern 10

AP PHOTO
Laurence Maroney and the Minnesota Golden Gophers will be tested this weekend against talented Purdue.

m

m

Back to Top

© 2024 Regents of the University of Michigan