ody Anyone? It may be 90 degrees, but Mike Van Ryn is still playing hockey, representing Canada in the IIHF In-Line Hockey World Championships this week in California. S PORT S Mon2ay13 July 20, 1997 Take the *money and run, Drew By Josh Kleinbaum Daily Sports Editor His range at shortstop is phenomenal - Rey Ordonez and Ozzie Smith rolled into one. He makes acrobatic dives, incredible throws, overall awe- inspiring plays. He's the best power hitter to ever play the game, hitting the small white ..------.---- sphere 600, even 700 feet from where he stands. Commentary Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Mark McGwire - sit down. He can throw the pigskin with pin- point accuracy 80 yards flown field, threading the ball between three defenders to find his receiver. He shrugs off would-be sackers like yesterday's laundry, scrambling until he finds his receiver. He is Drew Henson, he is only 18 years old, and he is a legend. Lloyd Carr wants him, George Steinbrenner wants him, and, rumor has it, Bill Clinton's got a spot in his cabinet with the Brighton High School valedictorian's name on it. For Henson, barely old enough to shave, it's decision time. Baseball or football? New York or Michigan? American League or Big Ten? Henson has three options. He can sign with the Yankees, spum- ing Michigan and playing minor league ball, and someday play third base alongside Kalamazoo native Derek Jeter - the Yankees want to move him to the hot corner with Jeter at short. He can sign with the Yankees, lose See HENSON, Page 14 Fox still a i Thomas plays in Europe for U.S. squad By T.J. Barka Daily Sports Editor To be chosen to represent one's country is regarded by many as the greatest honor bestowed on an athlete. Of the millions of kids in the United States that have drib- bled a basketball on their driveway, only a select few have worn the red, white and blue. One of these few talented souls is Michigan junior point guard Stacey Thomas. Chosen as a member of the USA Basketball Select Team, Thomas just concluded an eight-game tour of Europe this past Tuesday. "It was a great tour, and we had outstanding young women represent our country," said USA coach"Carol Ross in a released statement. Ross also coaches the Florida women's basketball team. "The players repre- sented USA Basketball in a great manner. It was a won- derful experience for everyone involved." Thomas made the most of her experience in Europe, averaging 6.5 points, six rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Thomas helped key the Americans to three victories over Puerto Rico and Spain and one victory over Poland. A one-point setback to the Poles, 72-71, on July 8 was the only blemish in team USA's 7-1 record. The loss to the Polish team couldn't be blamed on Thomas' play, though. Thomas scored 12 points, her best output of the tour, pulled down a team-high seven rebounds and had three steals against the Poles. Thomas was a leader on the floor in Europe during the tour. In USA's rematch against Poland, a 55-45 victory, Thomas snatched 13 rebounds and stole three passes. he also added 20 rebounds in the three victories over Puerto Rico. Thomas showed the foreigners why she led the Big Ten in steals last season as well. Thomas recorded 14 steals during the games, including six thefts in team USA's final game, a 70-60 beating of Spain. Thomas frustrated the Poles with her steals along with her rebounding, recording three steals in each of the two contests. A 5-foot-10 guard, Thomas also filled the point guard role and dished out 14 assists in Europe. Thomas was particularly effective against the Puerto Ricans, dealing out five assists in an 85-58 drubbing. Thomas also hand- ed out three assists in the first game of the tour- See THOMAS, Page 15 ° " L ' FILE PHOTO Michigan guard Stacey Thomas was a key component in the USA Basketball Select Team's 7-1 record in Europe over the past two weeks. Team USA played Puerto Rico, Spain and Poland during the tour. r By Fred Link Daily Sports Writer College athletes are role models. Maybe it shouldn't be that way. Maybe children should look up to teach- ers or parents or scientists or writers. -------------.. There are hundreds Hockey of people more qualified than ath- Commentary letes to be role -- -----------models. But, for better or worse, it is the ath- letes children admire. Too often, the athlctes so admired for the success on the ficld, court, rink, etc. lead lives away from their sport which ole model et rinting Photo~opes. are not worthy of admiration. Too often, sports pages are filled with stories of te athletes using drugs or getting into trou- - ble with she law. Athletes like Lawrence >t jg svi#05*n ewsv frs Phillips and Michael Irvin are almost as well known for their troubles off the y cks, siness ,nd field as for their accomplishments on it. rgimlztiom Chris Fox's conviction and sentenc- ing for assault is yet another examplea of an athlete in trouble with the law. But in this case, it's important not to let this single incident destroy Fox's reputation or tarnish the image of- Michigan Hockey. Michigan hockey coach Red 401 E. Huron t. (wa ating distance See FOX, Page 1 from campus> 769-0560 Chun-MaTaekwondo Kickboxing Academy (734) 994-0400 o , ave the St ac So Su mr Our Cardio-Fit Kickboxing program takes the music, excite- ment and energy of aerobics but adds important self-defense tech- niques like jabbing, kicking, punch- ing and blocking. You learn while you burn at 800 calories per hour! (According to Muscle and Fitness Magazine who rated aerobic kick- boxing as the number one.. calorie burning workout!