SP orts

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Saturday, August 15, 1981

The Michigan Daily

Meter loves football life

By BARB BARKER
Daily sports writer
Football-it's a word that holds dif-
ferent meanings for different people..
For most it's a way to pass a fall Mon-
day evening or Saturday afternoon. For
some it's a means of earning a high
school letter and maybe even a ticket to
a college education. For a select few, it,
becomes a career. Then there are
those, like Michigan's defensive line
coach Jerry Meter, who claim it's their
life.
"I love the sport and don't really
think I could be as happy doing
anything else," said the 24-year-old ex-
Wolverine linebacker who possesses
the type of All-American looks and
manner that astronauts thrive on.
"WHEN YOU do
something-anything for as long as I
have been playing football, it becomes
such a part of your life that you just can
never forget about it. Look at all the
Michigan alumni who return to Ann
Arbor every Saturday to see the
games."
Meter, who was named the defensive
line coach last spring after serving as a
graduate assistant for two years, has
had a long association with the sport.
During his three seasons as a Michigan
linebacker, he made 273 tackles, was
named to the 1978 Big Ten second team,
and was co-captain of the 1978 Big Ten
champion Wolverines.
After being drafted by the Minnesota
Vikings and receiving a late cut, he
returned to Ann Arbor where he
finished earning his degree in physical
education and became involved with
the football coaching staff.
Meter said the fact that he played as
a linebacker on the team helps rather
than hinders his ability to coach the
defensive line.
"THE EXPERIENCE that I gained
from playing Michigan football that
helps me most is that I already under-
stand how the system works," he said.
"It is a different perspective coaching
the defensive line from being a
lineback~er. I mean these guys-they're
right up in front. Lord knows I still have
a long way to go, but I've pretty much

grasped the basics.
Meter said he feels there is a big dif-
ference between playing and coaching
football.
"As a player, the game revolves more
around yourself and your position. As a
coach, my involvement in the game has
completely expanded. There is so much

more you must understand about the
game. One beautiful thing about football
is that you never can learn enough.
That goes for any coach, even including
Bo."
Meter said that it was not only his
love for the sport but his respect for the
Michigan program that drew him back

to the team.
"The football program is like one big
family here," he said. "Bo and the staff
do a great thing for these players on
and off the field. I entered this univer-
,sity as a naive, immature freshman
and they helped me become a mature
person. It's just the feeling I got-they
treat you asa real man."

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Sports Information Photo

FORMER MICHIGAN linebacker Jerry Meter grasps his arms around a Stanford running back in pursuit of a tackle in
this 1975 game. Meter (inset) is now in his initial season as the defensive line coach for the Wolverines.


Wilcox
pitches
Tigers
past
Yankees

By TIM YAGLE
Daily sports writer
Special tothe Daily
DETROIT - Milt Wilcox halted the Detroit Tigers three-
game losing streak as he silenced the New York Yankees
with a three hit, 1-0 shutout at Tiger Stadium last night.
The only hits off Wilcox,now7-5, were a fourth inning double
off the right-center field wall by OscarGamble, a Dave
Revering single in the seventh off third baseman Tom
Brookens' glove and a sharp base hit to center off the bat of
Reggie Jackson in the ninth.
ONLY TWO OTHER Yankees reached first base, one on a
walk and another on an error by Lou Whitaker at second
base.
The Tigers, who rapped eight hits off Yankee starter Rudy
May, scored the only run they needed in the bottom of the
third. With one out Whitaker beat out a grounder to first, Al
Cowens walked and Alan Trammell singled in Whitaker with
a line shot up the middle.
The only other Tiger scoring opportunity came in the
eighth when Trammell and Steve Kemp stroked one out
singles to left. But Lance Parrish ended that threat by groun-
ding into a double play.
NEW YORK HITTERS could manage only routine groun-

ders and weak pop-ups against the nearly invincible Wilcox.
But after Jackson's two out single in the ninth, Tiger
Manager Sparky Anderson, taking no chances, summoned
Kevin Saucier from the bull pen to cork any possible Yankee
threat. Graig Nettles then bounced out to shortstop to end the
game.
In absorbing the 1-0 defeat, May's record dropped to 4-6.
May was lifted in the eighth inning for former Chicago Cubs
pitcher Rick Reuschel, who went the rest of the way, yielding
singles to Trammell and Kemp.
THE VICTORY WAS Detroit's first against the Yankees in
eight games this season. The win upped the Tigers' "second
season" record to2-3.
The loss marked New York's second such setback since the
baseball season resumed following the 50-day player strike.
In both such losses, the Yankees were defeated by the narrow
score of 1-0.
A crowd of 23,395 was on hand at the game to witness
Wilcox's masterpiece. Wilcox left the game in the ninth to a
thunderous ovation. Wilcox lasted six innings in the first game
of the second half of the season.
The two teams play the third of a four game series tonight
at Tiger Stadium. The starting pitchers will be Tommy John
(6-4) for the Yankees and Dan Schatzeder (3-5) for the Tigers.

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