"Cmn p next week...
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin
reminisces about Ann Arbor, late nights
at Dooley's and Michigan baseball. Monday IA E
June 29, 1998
CCHA says yes togu x
Nebraska- Omaha

A.y Josh Kleinbaum
Daily Sports Editor
Last Wednesday, the CCHA made
consideration a reality by accepting
Nebraska-Omaha as its 12th member,
effective the 1999-2000 season.
"It's terrific," CCHA commissioner
Tom Anastos said. "It's a good fit for
the CCHA and Nebraska-Omaha.
They have a very committed program
- they're committed to being success-
ful."
The expansion evens out the number
of teams in the conference and will
likely cause the conference to go to a
divisional system to avoid scheduling
problems.
"There was even talk to add divi-
sions this year," Michigan assistant
hockey coach Mel Pearson said. "I
definitely see it as going that way.
(The schedule) won't be balanced, and
that'll be a concern, but I think that's
the direction the conference is going."
Pearson suggested a Michigan divi-
sion, with the six in-state teams, and a
non-Michigan division, but that would
split up rivalries like Michigan-Ohio
State.
The CCHA first considered expan-
sion several months ago, and then-
commissioner Bill Beagan set up a
five-person expansion committee to
look into it. The committee was to
consider expansion in general, not spe-
cific schools. The committee recom-

mended expansion before Nebraska-
Omaha, which just completed its first
season as a varsity team, even
approached the CCHA.
"The process usually has three steps
- the application, due diligence and a
vote," Anastos said. "Since due dili-
gence was completed before UNO
even applied, it sped up the whole
process."
By the time Nebraska-Omaha
approached the CCHA, Beagan had
already announced his retirement, and
he introduced Anastos to the
Nebraska-Omaha staff at the CCHA
Championships in March at Joe Louis
Arena.
The school made a formal presenta-
tion, along with Niagara, at the CCHA
coaches meetings in Naples, Fla., and
impressed the coaches.
"Once they made the presentation,
the decision was pretty easy," Pearson
said. "They have a great facility and
they drew so well. The dollars stag-
gered a lot of people, and it was pre-
sented in a very professional manner."
Last Wednesday, the athletic direc-
tors of the member schools took a vote
on a conference call. While Anastos
said the vote was not unanimous, the
support for the expansion was "over-
whelming."
Pearson said it was the business side
of the deal that made the expansion so
See OMAHA, Page 18

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is takes a faceoff in a game 3-2 loss to Manitoba. The Mavericks won't be playing
9-2000 season, they'll be joining the CCHA.
Busy day for Traylor
By T.J. Berka the Dallas Mavericks with the sixth pick.
Daily Sports Editor But Traylor didn't remain a Maverick
Many analysts said the strength of very long - he was traded to the
Michigan's basketball team last season Milwaukee Bucks in a three-way deal
was its frontcourt. NBA teams echoed also involving the Phoenix Suns.
that notion at the NBA Draft Wednesday In return, the Bucks sent ninth pick
ntght in Vancouver, B.C., as center Dirk Nowitski to the Mavericks and 19th
Robert Traylor and forward Maceo pick Pat Garrity to the Suns. The
Baston were selected. Mavericks also received guard Steve
"I'm just happy for them;' Michigan Nash from the Suns and sent forwar
coach Brian Ellerbe said. "These kids Martin Muursepp to Phoenix.
have a chance to achieve a dream they Traylor, a center at Michigan, is
set for themselves early in life, and they expected to play power forward in the
have a chance to accomplish it" NBA. His draft position was enhanced
Traylor heard his name early in by summer workouts and a dieting plan
Wednesday's draft when he was taken by See NBA DRAFT, Page 16

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