14 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, July 17, 2000 Smith to become an Aztec Bo's final charity golf tourney a success Memorial event raised millions for adrenal cancer research By Raphael Goodstein Daily Sports Editor Three years ago, senior forward Brandon Smith committed to play for Steve Fisher and Michigan. Fisher was fired in the fall of 1997 before Smith ever got to wear the baggy Michigan basketball shorts under the embattled coach. But now Smith will get to finish his collegiate career under the tute- lage of Fisher. On Wednesday, Smith told The Aichigan Daily that he's transferring to San Diego State, where Fisher has coached since last season. Ten days ago, Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe announced Smith's pending departure. In a statement, Ellerbe cited Smith's desire to be closer to his family. Smith's career at Michigan never materialized as he envisioned. He expected to play for Fisher, make four runs in the NCAA Tournament and have a healthy, successful career at Michigan. None of those expectations panned out for Smith. After Fisher was fired amid swirling rumors, Michigan regrouped under Ellerbe and made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in the 1997-98 season, Smith's freshman season. That was the most recent timse Smith or Michigan made the NCAA Tournament. The next season, school officials removed the interim label from Ellerbe's job title. But the added sta- bility did not equal success as Michigan finished 12-19 and missed postseason play for the first time in 16 years. A few months later, during the off- season, Smith suffered a major knee injury, tearing his anterior knee liga- ment. But rather than take a medical red- shirt and maintain two years of eligi- bility, Smith rehabbed in time to play in the last two games of the non-con- ference schedule and the Big Ten sea- son. Smith cited his desire to finish his career with best friend Josh Asselin as the reason for not taking a medical red-shirt. Michigan finished last season on a 3-1 I skid that culminated with a first round NIT loss to Notre Dame. Smith averaged eight points per game last season and six points per game for his career. Smith leaves as a two-year starter who was popular with his teammates. He appeared to be a leading candi- date to be the team's captain. By Albert Kim Daily Sports Writer Lightning flashed, thunder rum- bled, and the rain came down, wash- ing away the last nine holes of golf and thus ending the eighth and final Millie Schembechler Memorial Golf Classic at the University golf course last Monday. The final tribute to Millie Schembechler - who died of can- cer eight years ago - was cut short, but it was by no means a failure. Various celebrities and former Michigan players were still able to play nine holes, and support the Adrenal Cancer Re search Foundation. All participants . were reminded of cancer's frighten- ing effects, stem- ming from the Schembechier death of former Michigan football captain John Vitale over the weekend. "With the death of John Vitale, this tournament came at a very poignant time. There is definitely a need for more research," former Michigan football player and cur- rent broadcaster Jim Brandstatter said. Millie Schembechler passed away of adrenal cancer in 1992. Ever since, legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler has labored to further the work on cancer. "it takes a great team effort and great cause to put something like this together, and Bo's put together both," Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr said. To date, $2 million has been raised, and $4 million donated for cancer research. Schembechler's goal for this year was to raise $5 million for the adrenal cancer research fund. Last Monday, there was no doubt in many people's minds that his dream was going to be realized. "What he's (Bo) done is tremen- dous. This year we'll put him over the top," former Pittsburgh Steeler and Monday Night Football sideline reporter Lynn Swann said. In order to make the Memorial Golf Classic an attractive event, Schembechler knew that there would need to be some big names among the golfers. So he brought in former Michigan great Dan Dierdorf, leg- endary manager Sparky Anderson and Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight. These three have played all eight years of the tournament. "They have been the backbone of this tournament since the begin- ning," Schembechler said. The amount of respect for Bo was evident from the different celebri- ties that were present. NBA great Isiah Thomas, Michigan Governor John Engler, LPGA Futures Tour player Jenn Brody, and many others had no affiliation to the University at all. They came just as friends, and as supporters of a cause. The Michigan connection includ- ed former players and All- Americans Dierdorf, Jim Mandich, Bump Elliot, Rick Leach, Anthony "the Catch" Carter, hockey coach Red Berenson, interim Athletic Director Bill Martin, U.S. Open qualifier Mike Harris and Brandstatter. "It's a great tourney for a great cause, for a great man and a great woman," Thomas said. Those who knew Millie Schembechler all remembered her with fondness and extreme respect. "She was a wonderful lady. She would blush at all the attention, but I think she would be proud. All that suffering she went through has helped many people," Michigan football radio voice Frank Beckmas said. The format of the tournament was simple, with a shotgun start at 9:45 A.M. There were 36 celebri- ties on hand, each with a group of four other players. The mood was light, and jovial. All of the partici- pants were in good form, and auto- graphs for the fans were in abun- dance. One person who felt the event was important enough to put aside the affairs of an entire state for day was Governor Engler. He focused more on what Bo has done for the state of Michigan in general. "It's a super cause. Adrenal can- cer is somewhat rare, but what Bo has done has made Michigan the pre-eminent leader in adrenal can- cer research," Engler said. For Bo, it has been a very satis- fying and successful eight yearsq "Every tournament has been suc- cessfiul and I never thought it'd get this large, and go this long. After a while I stopped sending brochures and invitations and just sent invoic- es," Schembechler said. 7~ 0 c n m E-m*w Europe * Africa ' Asia * South America ~ S More Than 100 Departure Cities! g SEurailpassese* Bus Passes * Study Abroad :CD Sstudent 802-6 CD ww.uro en Aiv ouhericam0 MoeTa800272-tre9itis! RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN: blockIng. You learn-while you burn at 800 calories per hour! 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