After many years of medicore teams with occasional success, the field hockey program is undergoing changes. To follow the progress, see page 14. SPORTS Wednesday August 13, 1997 1 Youth fills 'M' soccer '97 roster By Chris Farah Daily Sports Editor Who would win in a head-to-head fight, Luke Skywalker or Obi-Wan Kenobi? In other words, youthful vigor or tested experience? Michigan soccer coach Debbie Belkin doesn't really have much choice in the matter. For better or worse, the Wolverines are going to have to rely on a whole lineup of figurative Skywalkers for their success in 1997. Michigan begins its season Aug. 29, when it travels to Kentucky's home field to tangle with Missouri. The Wolverines will face host Wildcats two days later. The big question mark for the open- ing games - as well as the rest of the season - will be the impact of the freshman class. Six newcomers will don the maize and blue for the first time. "I've had the opportunity to see a few play this summer, but some I haven't seen," Belkin said. "I think we have some freshmen that will make an Hoff impact right away, and the others we'll just have to find out." The Michigan soccer program is only in its fourth year of existence, so the vet- erans aren't exactly old and gray. The Wolverines will be led by sophomore forwards Amber Berendowsky, Mari Hoff and Marie Spaccarotella -the top- three point scorers on last year's team. Although two of the recruits are goalies, they may have a tough time earning minutes with the return of Jessica Jones. The junior set a Michigan record last season with 89 saves. "Right now we have a great base," Belkin said. "Everybody has an equal chance for playing time, but it will be tougher to get this year than in the past" Missouri and Kentucky should prove to be difficult tests for Michigan. Missouri is a second-year team facing a scenario similar to Michigan's - an outstanding freshman class. The Wildcats, on the other hand, are a little more seasoned. The Wolverines fought them to a standstill last year-an impressive feat, considering Kentucky is a fairly consistent NCAA tournament team with an SEC championship. "It's a tough start," Belkin said. "But because it's so early, most of the teams " haven't gotten into their groove. We're Whoping to jumpstart our season with two wins, and that's what we'll set out to do. "It's not make or break - it will give us a gauge of where we are." Next for Michigan sports? A babysitter By Sharat Raju Daily Sports Editor When University President Lee Bollinger organizes a search committee to find the "ideal" athletic director to replace Joe Roberson, he shouldn't follow his predecessor J a m e s Duderstadt 's model. Duderstadt wanted a busi- ness-minded person to direct athletics at Michigan. After Bo Schembechler stepped down as athletic director in 1990, Duderstadt got his wish. Jack Weidenbach and Roberson, each hired in the 1990s, propelled Michigan to the forefront of the athlety ic scene in marketing and apparel. Roberson, whose nickname should be "Swoosh" spearheaded Michigan's groundbreaking contract with Nike. Many others copied Roberson's deal, and now it has become the standard in college sports marketing. But with this increased responsibili- ty of living up to the standard of excel- lence dictatedby a shoe company, other problems have surfaced - internal ones which suggest something wrong in the department. Roberson's replacement will be the fourth athletic director in the '90s. Between 1898 when Charles Baird became the first athletic director at Michigan and 1988 when Don Canham retired, the University had a total of five athletic directors. See SEARCH, Page 15 MARK FRIEDMAN/Daily After athletic director Joe Roberson finalizes his retirement plans, Michigan will have to conduct a search for a suitable replacement. RESIGN Continued from Page 1 he'd be a part of it." Neil Gardner, a former member of the men's track team, said Roberson's office sent him flowers when he competed in the 1996 Olympics. He said he hopes the new athletic director is just as personable as Roberson, if not more. "The athletic director should try to get to know everyone," Gardner said. "Not necessarily every name, but come to the track meets and hockey games. Meet the team and have a good relationship with them." Coaches said they would miss the professionalism Roberson brought to his job, but remained confident that his replacement would also be satisfactory. "Joe was very supportive of gender equity, so that was beneficial to us," women's volleyball coach Greg Giovanazzi said. "But I'm sure any future athletic director will be just as supportive.' James Henry, coach of the women's track team, said he valued Roberson's accessibility. "His doors were always open," Henry said. "He was always there to converse with the coaches." Ron Warhurst, coach of the men's cross country team, said the University needs to find a sports-orient- ed athletic director to handle the NCAA investigation. "I think a guy that has experience in athletic admin- istration isn't going to have a problem coming in," Warhurst said. "They have to get somebody who can anticipate what to expect with an investigation. "You're not going to take a guy that runs a flower shop and put him in a factory." Spikers set By Sharat Raju Daily Sports Editor Last Monday, the Michigan volleyball team had its first practice of the 1997 season. The session was a significant event for a few reasons. It marks the beginning of the 25th sea- son of Michigan volleyball and coach Greg Giovanazzi's sixth year at the helm. But those facts aren't as important as this one: Michigan plays Idaho on Aug. 29 - a mere two weeks away. The Wolverines travel to Seattle for the Husky Tournament and will face Idaho, Rhode Island and host Washington, Aug. 29-30. for season "It should be a very good tourna- ment' Giovanazzi said. "Idaho is a real- ly athletic team and Washington is always in the upper third in the Pacific- 10. "So it will be a good test for us right off the bat." The Big Ten season doesn't begin until the Wolverines travel to Minnesota for the opener on Sept. 26. The Wolverines have a full slate of competi- tion ahead of themselves before the con- ference season begins. Except for the All Sport Challenge hosted by Michigan on Sept. 5-6 and a See SPIKERS, Page 14 Grade A Notes Your source for... High-Speed Copying Self-Serve Copiers Lecture Notes Bindery Custom Publishing Copyright Clearance Resumes Business Cords Letterhead $ Envelopes Rubber Stomps AND MOREl 313-741 96 eF X313-741,8877 549E. 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