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." Since O 1983 O 2RD' S CG W C' 'f METSANil' L' E A C E SUBS SO FAST YOU'LL FREAKI 929 E. ANN ST. - 734.913.9200 JIMMY 600 PACKARD - 734.741.9200 JOHNS 1207 S. UNIVERSITY - 734.827.2600 * 342 S. STATE ST. - 734.222.7000 CO 2615 PLYMOUTH RD. - 734.930.2000 Uo 0206 JI M MY JOHNN'S FR#A NCHIS E . I NC.