M' leaders meet nation 's leaders ASHINGTON - Senior Kevin Hilton stood on the White House's North Lawn on Monday, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, wearing a boyish gn. A couple hundred feet away, a little girl pressed her face between the bars that separate the public from the privileged, and Hilton realized what a special moment he was having. "When I came here before, I never thought I would be shaking his hand" Hilton said. "I never thought it would be at a personal level like this." When Hilton took his eighth-grade class trip, he never dreamed his name would be men- tioned by the Vice President. He never pictured he would get to say "hello" one-on-one. He never ever imagined himself hugging the trophy at a ceremony honoring the NCAA hockey champions. Until Monday, many Wolverines probably never considerd exactly what they had done. Hilton and his teammates still say the win hasn't sunk in. The fact that they won Michigan's first national hockey title since 1964 isn't lost on them. But the magnitude of their feat needed to be outlined by a "higher authority" to become really significant. NICHOlAS J. "This is the first time in awhile that the Michigan fight song COTSONIKA has been played here" Vice President Al Gore said. "As you The Greek know, it's not how big or talented you are. It's how you compete. Speaks And this year, no one competed better than the University of Michigan." The players listened. They nodded, with their sweaty hands ded in front ofthem, and took in every word with more concentration than they would at ed Berenson chalk talk session. These Wolverines, who can strut around campus all they want, were now timid kids. "I'm in awe just being here," Michigan captain Steven Halko said. It's not that the Wolverines are usually cocky, arrogant and obnoxious. For big time ath- letes, they ate truly far from that. Its just that when you see other kids your age wearing jerseys with your number on them, its hard to have perspective. Monday's trip solved that problem. Ironically, on a day that put them on the nation's high- est pedestal, the players were as humble as ever. They walked around Washington among tnds of tourists, and the only things that made them stand out were their suits and their What they did - on the ice and in the nation's capital - was special, and as Kevin Hilton dozed on the bus while riding home, I'm sure he knew it. It may not sink in when thousands of fans tell you you're great, but when the Vice President does, even a national champion can be in awe ofjust being there. - Nicholas I. Cotsonika can be reached over e-mail at cotsonik@umich.edu. SPORTS SLUMP Continued from Page 12 its half of the first against Michigan hurler Luke Bonner. After Greg Ryan led off the inning with a double off the base of the left field wall and second baseman Jeff McGavin walked, short- stop Don DeDonatis lined a single just past the glove of a leaping Brian Kalczynski at short. Ryan scored, and was followed on the next play by McGavin when outfielder Curtis Baker hit into a 4-6-3 double play. The Eagles tagged Bonner again in the next inning. With outfielder Brent Miller on first, third baseman Josh McCarthy cranked one over the center- left field wall to put the hosts up, 4-0. Three of Michigan's five runs came in the top of the sixth. Second baseman Kirk Beermann started things off with a one-out single up the middle. Right fielder Derek Besco followed with a walk, and after shortstop Kelly Dransfeldt popped out to short, Eastern pitcher Mike Borkowski walked Bryan Besco to load the bases. Kalezynski drove a single to left field, scoring Beermann and Derek Besco. Scott Kapla replaced Borkowski, only to walk catcher Mike Seestedt. McCarthy found a Ryan Kelley chopper too hot to handle at third, and Bryan Besco came around to score, making the score 4-3, Eagles. Up next for the Wolverines is Michigan State, this season's Big Ten cellar dwellers. The teams face off in home-and-home doubleheaders, with Saturday's first leg to be held in East Lansing. Sunday's game will be the last game of the season for the Wolverines. Wednesday, May 8, 1996 - The Michigan Daily - 15 JOE WESTRATE/Daily Michigan's Kirk Beermann walks back to the dugout in disgust after the Wolverines made the final out in yesterday's 7-5 loss to Eastern Michigan. The defeat extends Michigan's losing streak to eight games. . VICTORS Continued from Page 12 *d the team, talked about his college ays in Boston, and recalled how he liked to attend the prestigious Beanpot hockey tournament at the Boston Garden. Gore lightened things up later with references to "old time hockey," "Eddie Shore" and the "Hanson Brothers" from the movie "Slapshot." "I think it was very appropriate (that e team met Gore and Levin)" Berenson d. "Levin is a hockey nut, and Gore knows the game. The first thing he asked me when we went into his office was, "How did Detroit do yesterday?"' The Wolverines spent much of the day touring the nation's capital, toting their championship trophy everywhere. The Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans' and Korean War memorials were all morn- ing stops.After a ceremony at the White House, the players were given a VIP tour. * Michigan chartered a private plane for the trip, which was operated by none IN 3 DAYS LITEiChromium Picolinate AVAILABLE AT Rite Aid " Meijer's Inc. other than "Champion Air." The experience was relished by all of the players --even the nine Canadians. "I'm in awe just being here" said Michigan captain Steven Halko, a native of Bolton, Ontario. "Going back home (to British Columbia) and saying, I've been to the White House is a thing I will cherish and remember," sophomore Bill Muckalt said. "This is a really special thing.' Next season's captain, Brendan Morrison, was so impressed, he had his mind on next year. "If we win it again, maybe Bill Clinton will be here;" he said. i3erenson preferred to take a more educational view of the trip. The honors were nice, he said, but the athletic department didn't shell out more than $25,000 so the players could just take home a souvenir photo with the Vice President. "We always talk about leadership on our hockey team. Well, this is where the leaders of our country are. I'm glad they got a chance to see this." [STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN] INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM ENJOYABLE! UPCOMING ACTIVITIES SOFTBALL Managers Meeting (Mandatory): Thurs 5/9 5:3Opm IMSB instant Scheduling: Thurs 5/9 5:30pm IMSB Entry Fee: $50.00 per team Play Begins: Tues 5/14 at Elbel Field (HiwoivsionlHeeve SAND Managers Meeting (Mandatory): Thurs 5/9 6:30pm IMSB VOLLEYBALL Entries Taken: Thurs 5/9 6:30pm IMSB Entry Fee: $40.00 per team > Play Begins: Tues 5/14 at Elbel Field (Hiatvis4iWnver) 3-on-3 Managers Meeting (Mandatory): Thurs 5/9 7:30pm IMSB BASKETBALL Entries Taken: Thurs 5/9 7:30pm IMSB Entry Fee: $25.0 per team Play Begins: Tues 5/14 at Elbel Field (Hillt[ivision/Hoover) The deadline for GOLF TOURNAMENT (2-person team scramble) entries is Wednesday May 29. TENNIS - Sgis & Dbis entries are due Thursday June 6. OFFICIATING OPPORTUNITIES OFFICIALS NEEDED SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL Clinic began 7:00 pmTuesday May 7; and, continues tonight May 8 at the IMSB. For additionaW Information concerning IM activities and oflating contact: IM Sports Program 763%3%2 ROM i t 340-1/25S. 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