8 - Tuesday, October 31, 2006
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
SAmaker, Izzo unite to
speak out against Prop 2
By DANIEL LEVY that way anymore. It will send students." of conversations" about produc-
Daily Sports Writer the message that the state doesn't Takingthe podium after Zeigler, ing a television advertisement
care about opportunity or diver- Izzo and Amaker responded to the condemning Proposal 2. One
Nn y znurmild Pvt,- Mi e + dh I% ye guu+t:
io one woui expect vicnigan
coach Tommy Amaker and Michi-
gan State coach Tom Izzo to be
exchanging friendly words just
as the 2006-07 college basketball
season is about to tipoff.
But that was the scene yes-
terday, when college basketball
coaches around Michigan joined
One United Michigan - a coali-
tion comprised of more than 200
organizations that have banded
together in an effort to prevent the
passage of Proposal 2 - to speak
out against the proposal.
At a news conference held in
Okemos, the group, which also
included Central Michigan's Ernie
Zeigler, Michigan State's women's
coach Joanne McCallie and Wayne
State's David Greer, cited the
importance of diversity and the
threat Proposal 2 poses to diver-
sity on college campuses as well as
in the workforce.
"I want to be proud of my home
as a place that is welcoming to all,"
Amaker said. "I'm afraid that if
Proposal 2 passes, it won't seem
sity, ana that wil not be good for
Michigan."
The coaches emphasized that
they were there representing
themselves and not their universi-
ties in the fight against Proposal 2.
They also said that while it is rare
for them to speak in public about
political matters, they felt too
strongly about this issue to stay
silent.
If passed, the proposed con-
stitutional amendment will ban
some affirmative action programs
in Michigan.
Speaking from personal experi-
ence, a former assistant coach at
UCLA, Zeigler was adamant about
the potential ramifications of Pro-
posal 2.
A similar initiative called Prop-
osition 209 was passed in Califor-
nia in 1996.
"When you look at what hap-
pened at UCLA just this year, you
only had 96 African Americans
that were admitted into that fresh-
man class," Zeigler said. "That was
out of a freshman class of 4,852
current situation in California.
"That is a shocking statement to
me," Izzo said. "I said to (Amaker),
'Are you kidding me?"'
Said Amaker: "I hear the sto-
ries and the things that have hap-
pened in California and some of
the schools there. We don't want
to have that situation develop here
in our state. Schools which aren't
inclusive and don't make sure
everyone is welcome are lesser
places for all of us."
He also attacked the approach
taken by the proposal's lead-
ers, who named the proposal the
Michigan Civil Rights Initiative,
saying the title is misleading.
"If you look at the state of Mich-
igan, it's a melting pot," Zeigler
said. " To allow this proposal that's
probably named wrong or unjust,
using civil rights as its name is
somewhat in vane."
Debbie Dingell, One United
Michigan's steering committee
co-chair, said that the coalition,
which is comprised of more than
200 organizations, has had "lots
United Michigan received good
news recently when The National
Association of Basketball Coaches,
which represents men's college
coaches around the nation, voted
to oppose the proposal.
"The NABC has consistent-
ly championed the importance
of providing opportunities for
minorities in higher education,"
NABC's Executive Director Jim
Haney said in a press release.
"Affirmative action is a corner-
stone in the ongoing campaign to
eliminate discrimination and to
provide diversity in our society.
This is especially meaningful on
the campuses of our colleges and
universities."
Detroit Mercy coach Perry
Watson, Western Michigan coach
Steve Hawkins and Eastern Mich-
igan coach Charles Ramsey, a for-
mer assistant with the Wolverines,
were unable to attend the confer-
ence due to scheduling conflicts,
but lent their names in support
of One United Michigan's fight to
defeat Proposal 2.
RODRIGO GAYA/Daily
Michigan coach Tommy Amaker speaks in Okemos yesterday against Proposal 2.
Longtime teammates Jackson and
Woodley persevere in senior year
By SCOTT BELL more successful on the field than
Daily Sports Editor Jackson, both have suffered some
ups and downs and have helped
It began as an elementary school each other through them.
rivalry, but it's turned into a life- Woodley suffered an arm injury
long friendship. at the end of last year's disappoint-
For seniors Jerome Jackson and ing 7-5 season.
LaMarr Woodley, their journey Jacksonhelpedhisroommateout
together at Michigan has been at the time after realizing Woodley
quite the ride. was going through something out
It would have been hard to pre- of character for the All-American
dict this back when the two were candidate, a person Jackson said is
playing in the Pee-Wee ranks. The a Superman-like figure.
first time Jackson saw Woodley, "I knowhe was affected,because
he thought thpc the defensive end a guy like LaMarr, ever since sev-
might have been trying to pull the enth grade, he'd never been hurt,"
wool over the eyes of the other Jackson said. "It was hard for him
kids. to handle, because I'd never seen
"Fourth, fifth and sixth grade, him hurt before until last year....
we played against each other," He was really hurt, to see him in
Jackson said. "I always wondered, that pain, to see him not playing, it
'Hey, who's this big guy overthere?' almost hurt me."
Then in seventh grade, we joined Woodley's been there for his
teams together, so I've known him housemate, too. During Jackson's
for a long time. freshman year, Jackson lost his
"He looked huge, I was like, grandmother. Woodley was right
'Man, we might need to check his there for Jackson and ready to con-
birth certificate, I know he's not in sole him through a tough time.
the fifth grade."' "He was the only one that really
The two have played together helped me through that situation,"
since, including on Saginaw High Jackson said. "Without LaMarr,
School's state championships I don't know what I would have
team. done."
Jackson and Woodley signed Then last February, more adver-
with Michigan in 2003 and have sity came Jackson's way.
lived with each other every year Michigan coach Lloyd Carr sus-
since. pended Jackson, along with team-
Although Woodley has been mates Tyrone Jordan and Landon
Smith, because of his involvement
with a derogatory rap song.
The trio made a song about a
Michigan student that they titled
"Measly Penny." The track includ-
ed several threats directed toward
the female student.
After making the former four-
star recruit sit out for spring prac-
tice, Carr gave Jackson a second
chance, allowing the Saginaw
native to return for his senior
year.
"It's a life lesson, everyone here
has life lessons that they learn
from, and that was one of them for
me," Jackson said. "I don't have any
regrets, I'm happy that I learned
from this.
"... It made me a better person,
and made me have a better atti-
tude and really cherish these last
moments of my senior year here at
Michigan."
Since his return to the team this
fall, Jackson has been relegated to
back-up duty. He has seen the field
mainly during mop-up time late in
games. Despite the decrease in his
role (he rushed for 230 yards and
two touchdowns, including the
game-winning touchdown in over-
time at Iowa last season), Jackson
has no ill will toward any of the
coaches. He's just happy to get a
second chance.
"There have been times where
I've really wanted to get into the
ME N'ST IS
game and compete, because I'm
a competitor, but I never second
guess the coaches decision, never,"
Jackson said. "The coaches know
what they're doing. They've been
doing this football thing for way
longer than me, so I never second
guess any decisions the coaches
make.
"Coach Carr, he's a greatguy, and
he's fair. He's always been fair to
every player on our football team,
so I have no bad things to say about
that. He's a fair guy, he gave me a
second chance and I have to thank
him for that."
Carr not only respects Jackson
and his change of demeanor off the
field, but also expects great things
from him on it.
Four weeks ago, the coach called
Jackson into his office and told him
to keep his head up because histime
to shine on the field would come.
After Jackson's 59-yard perfor-
mance in the second half against
Northwestern last weekend, it
looks like that time could be now.
"When a guy does what Jerome
Jackson did a year ago in Iowa City,
you can't buy that kind of respect,"
Carr said. "When you do that, you
earn everybody's trust."
Now that Jackson has regained
his coach's trust, he's ready to
do what he can to make a run for
another championship with his
long-time friend.
RODRIGO GAYA/Dail
Cheryl Burnett's squad looks to improve upon its last-place, M Ten finish.
Coaches, media pick
woen's hoops to
finish higher this ye-ar -
Netters of past and
present clash in A2
By ANTHONY OLIVEIRA
Daily Sports Writer
The men's tennis teamlikes three
things about Michigan.
The tradition,the teamandfootball.
This weekend, the Wolverines
took on the tradition in the annual
homecoming alumni exhibition.
Seven alums returned to the Var-
sity Tennis Center, and a laid-back
atmosphere surrounded them as
they faced the current Michigan
squad. But the young guns proved
too much, grabbing three of four
doubles matches.
The "alumni" notched their lone
win when the mixed team of 2002
graduate Greg Novak and current
sophomore Mike DePietro defeated
senior Steve Peretz and freshman
Matt Parks, 8-5.
"I got lucky," Novak said. "I got
a good partner, and we pulled it out
against these guys."
A vocal court two featured sev-
eral abnormal shots as senior Ryan
Heller and sophomore Andrew
Mazlin played against 2003 gradu-
ates Chris Rolf and Chris Shaya.
Down 3-2, Rolf fell over backwards
after hitting a forehand winner.
Later in the match, Rolf continued
to impress with a passing shot over
everyone's head to the deepest part
of the left corner. But the Wolver-
ines were too quick, prevailing 8-5.
"I think they lost a step here and
there," Heller said. "But they enjoy
it. They come out here; they want
to play; they want to compete; they
wantto beat us; they wantto take us
down. It ain't gonna happen."
Other recent graduates, Henry
Beam, Jr. and Anthony Jackson
faced, the nationally ranked No. 5
doubles team of senior Brian Hung
and junior Matko Maravic. Losing
8-5, Beam was honored to step on
the court with one of the best duos
in the nation.
"I feel like I'm very lucky because
I was able to play with the two best
players in the country," Beam said.
The youngest team, sophomore
Peter Aarts and freshman George
Navas, triumphed over the young-
est alums Vinny Gossain and David
Anving. Despite a few struggles,
Aarts and Navas pulled out an 8-6
victory.
Theweekendfocusedlessonwins
or losses and more on telling stories
and getting in touch with the cur-
rent Wolverines. With 1980 French
Open Men's Doubles Champion Vic-
tor Amaya observing, the alumni in
town noticed a change in the team
they hadn't seen in years past.
"I knew that they were very, very
good as a team, but I didn't realize
how tight of a unit they are," Beam
said. "Not only are they great tennis
players, but these guys - they're a
pack of 11."
As close as the team is, Michigan
coach Bruce Berque is determined
to keep the tradition closer.
Reconnecting with past players,
trying to schedule events and even
inviting graduates to the tennis
team's spring break trip to Hawaii,
Berque is sending a message to the
young Wolverines.
"When our players feel that what
they're doing is bigger than them-
selves, then it's going to motivate
them more to work hard," Berque
said.
As the1957NCAA Championship
banner hangs proudly in the rafters,
history is just what the Wolverines
look to repeat. The alumni feel it
isn't far away.
"(Michigan is) on the right track
to be a topteam inthe nation," Novak
said. "Bruce is a great coach. What
they're doing with the facility and
how he's bringing these people out
and the scoreboards, and just hav-
ing these events to bring people in.
(It's) definitely on the right track."
By DAN FELDMAN
Daily Sports Writer'
CHICAGO - The Michigan
women's basketball team didn't
win a single one of its 17 Big Ten
games last year, making it more
than 10 months since its last vic-
tory.
But that hasn't stopped the
Wolverines from making prog-
ress in the conference.
The Big Ten preseason coaches
and media polls tabbed Michigan
at No. 9 and No. 10, respectively.
"If I were (Michigan coach)
Cheryl (Burnett), I'd feel good
about being a preseason No. 9
rank after last year finishing
11," Iowa coach Lisa Bluder said.
"That shows progress over the
summer of two spots already."
But most other coaches don't
put any stock in those rankings.
"I think preseason rankings
are the silliest thing ever," Ohio
State coach JimFoster said. "How
do you evaluate something that
hasn't shaped and formed yet?"
But what's clear is. that teams
need size to compete in the Big
Ten this season. Of the five pre-
season all-Big Ten players, three
are centers (preseason player
of the year Jessica Davenport
of Ohio State, Megan Skouby of
Iowa and Amanda Brown of Penn
State). Michigan State freshman
Allysa DeHaan was the talk of
Big Ten media day because of her
intriguing 6-foot-9 frame, even
though she hasn't played a min-
ute of collegiate basketball.
Michigan - who was one of
only two Big Ten teams last year
not to have a player taller than
6-foot-2 - brought in 6-foot-6
Krista Philips to keep up with the
Joneses.
"It's nice to have a big body,"
Burnett said. "(Krista Philips)
has come in, and she's learning
quickly. I think she's acclimat-
ing quickly. I think she's a very
intelligent post player. She's very
savvy with what her knowledge
is. And size does make a dif-
ference. Years ago, every men's
team needed that 7-footer. It's
an era now where every women's
team has to have a 6-5 or a 6-6 in
very specific roles, so we're very
happy to have her."
Both Davenport and Skouby
said that a tall player would go a
long way in defending them. But
both are very developed offen-
sive players and height alone isn't
enough to shut them down.
Skouby has an effective turn-
around jump shot that can neu-
tralize her defender's height.
And Foster said that Davenport
is the second-best three-point
shooter on the Buckeyes roster.
And she still has the advantage
of playing against other tall play-
ers in practice. Even though the
rest of the Big Ten is catchingup
by getting one true center, Ohio
State - a unanimous first place in
both the coaches and media polls
- allowed Davenport to develop
by practicing against LaToya
Turner and 6-foot-5 freshman
Andrea Walker.
With Philips as Michigan's
first player at or over 6-foot-4
since 2004, the Wolverines have
plenty of ground to make up in
establishing a low-post threat.
"Big is one thing and skill is
another, and bigs develop their
skills a little bit slower for any
number of reasons," Foster said.
It appears Philips is no excep-
tion. In theteam's Preseason Pre-
view scrimmage, the Wolverines
were much more reliant on the
three-pointer than posting up
and had some trouble getting the
ball into the paint.
Burnett was not upset with
her team's shot selection, but said
they will be more of an inside-
outside team in the future.
"Our team knows, when we
have the advantage offensively,
they have a lot of confidence that
they have the freedom to shoot
the basketball," Burnett said.
"That's our philosophy. I think
they like it. It makes us a great
offensive rebounding team when
we have that advantage."
And although the passes into
the post weren't always right on
target or handled cleanly, Bur-
nett is not worried about that
either.
"We're looking in the right
places," Burnett said. "That's
what I liked. Did they always
connect? No. When teams look in
the right place, those are things
that they'll end up connecting.
... We'll become more in tune to
whatkind of passes (lob, over the
shoulder, or bounce) we need to
make as time goes on."
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