How does Jessie Mae Carter prepare Robert Traylor's food? Read the NBA draft preview on page 15 for details. SPORTS Monday June 15, 1998 1 Wrestling coach Bahr to step down after next season By Josh Kleinbaum Daily Sports Editor Dale Bahr has been involved in wrestling for most of his life, but Bahr announced Wednesday that he will resign as Michigan wrestling roach after the 1998-99 season. "I'm not resigning," Bahr said. "I'm sick of people using that word. I'm going to coach for one more year, then work on the summer camps." Bahr cut short the interview moments later. In a released statement, Bahr announced that after next season, he will join the Michigan Athletic Alliance tannounces ranking system By Tracy Sandler Daily Sports Writer It's not as if Michigan fans have ever been frustrated after being cheated out of the No. 1 spot in the scollege football rankings or any- thing. But just in case, it may be of inter- est that the Alliance has devised a new four-point plan of determining which teams will participate in the title game, to be played Jan. 4 in the Fiesta Bowl. Standings will come out once a week beginning in November. These standings will consist of either the top-10 or top-12 teams, and each of these teams will have a certain amount of points, stemming from four different classifications. "Personally, I think it's a good -dea," said tight end Aaron Shea. "People had split decisions in the past, and this new system is a fair way to determine who is number one. "It didn't just happen to us. When Penn State went undefeated, they weren't national champs either. This is the best thing, so there aren't any- more splits. Now there can be a true national champion." So, what are these four new cate- gories? The first is nothing new but will be used in a different way. Just as last season, each team will possess a ranking in both the Associated Press '"and the USA Today-ESPN coaches' poll. The variation lies in how these rankings determine points. Each of these rankings will be added and then divided by two. See ALLANCE, Page 13 Department's administrative staff, working on the summer camp pro- gram. He will no longer hold the head wrestling coach position. Michigan athletic director Tom Goss vsill use the next year to search for a ness head coach, Goss said in a released statement, "Coach Bahr and Senior Associate Athletic Director Peggy Bradley- Doppes have been talking about this arrangement for quite awhile,' Goss said in the statement. The announcement comes on the heels of Bahr's most tumultuous year, which saw the death of Michigan wrestler Jeff Reese during a supervised sorkout at Crisler Arena. But both Bahr and Goss deny that Bahr was forced out. Reese s stry- ing to make weight for an upcoming meet Bahr tgainst Michigan State. lie was riding an exercise bike in a rubber suit in a steam room utnder the supers ision of assistant coach Joe McFarland. "I'm excited to coach one more year then go into administration," Bahr said in a released statement. "I have been coaching vrestlie ever v year since grdating in 196 and this opportunity allows sme time to pursue a new ssenture wshile remain- ingyi with the athletic department." At owa State, Bahr sias a three- time All-American and the NCAA champion in the 145-poitnd weight class inII 968. ie csaclied as an assistant at lowa Stue for four Years under former Wolverine Harold Nichols And for the past 20 years. he has coached Miliua, leading the Wolverines to ses cittop-10 finishes, Bahr's record at Michigan, 210- 115-6 in 20 seasons. is the second- best victory total its tichigat coach- ing history. behind Clilft Kei. ts s restlers have cirnted all- \imerica honors 40 tinses and Biii Ten titles 13 tines hIs teams hase 17 top-25 fin- ishes. Last season his teas finished ranked 12 in the nation iswith three tAl- Americans and two Big len chasmspi- ons. 19 - Y: Q L 3 r ' q f , 4 r a Notre Dame, Big Ten in * discussions By B.J. Luria Daily Sports Writer For years, the Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry has been one of the most heated in all of college foot- ball. But starting in the near future, the Wolverines and the Fightin( Irish might be playing for more than just bragging rights - they could be battling for the Big Ten title. The Ann Arbor News reported that a source within the Big Ten said that Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney and several Big Ten presi- dents are in talks with Notre Dame officials that are "more than just preliminary." Both Delaney and other official in the conference denied that any serious talks are taking place. Notre Dame assistant athletic director John Heisler reftised to comment on speculation that Notre Dame could become the 12th mem- ber of the Big Ten. The school WoUld only issue a statement from Executive Vice President Reverend E. William Beuchamp that read, "We at Notre Dame are very pleased with our athletic positioning, both as a independent in football and as a member of the Big East in most other sports." Notre Dame, a school with a 112- year football history, has always been an independent in football. The Irish recently joined the Big East in all sports except football and hock- ev. Notre Dame has tiaditionally cher- ished its standing as an independes4 The changes that hase taken place in college football over the past several See NOTRE DAME, Page 13 Marcus Ray zeroes in on Notre Dame's Autry Denson during this year's 21-14 Michigan victory. The Big Ten is reportedly try- ing to zero in on Notre Dame and make the Fighting Irish the 12th member of the Big Ten.