out each position from the Michigan coaches
d players. The women would have physical
ities in each group as well as a question and
swer section. Each group was quick to men-
n why they were the most important position
the field.
The defensive backs demonstrated the correct
m for backpedaling into coverage.
The linebackers taught the ladies to key the
arterback and react to running and passing
ys.
The defensive linemen and current Detroit
defensive tackle James Hall, who was a
Mor for the 1999 season, showed the women
w to fire off at the snap of the ball.
The special teams group provided the ladies
th a chance to actually kick and punt balls.
"You should use your laces to kick, but most
you will just use your toe - that is what most
the ,ladies do," the less-than-politically-cor-
ct Michigan kicker Hayden Epstein said
fore a chorus of boos.
The offensive line went over blocking foot-
srk and explained why they are so under
eciated.
e might as well be in the witness protec-
n program," offensive line coach Terry Mal-
.e said. "If we do our job right, no one
tices."
When the wide receivers came to visit, the
lies learned how to catch a ball over their
aulder.
The running backs demonstrated the best way
hold a football when running down the field.
" always tell my players, 'It is better to die an
death than fumble the football,"' Carr said.
The tight ends tried to explain the difficult
ncept of eligible receivers, and the quarter-
cks gave the women a chance to give and take
aps.
Facts and figures
What: Michigan Women's Football Academy
When: Saturday, June 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Michigan Stadium and osterbaan
Fieldhouse
Cost: $75 ($55 tax-deductible)
Who: Over 500 women
from around the nation
Directors: Lloyd Carr
and Erik Campbell
Charity: Michigan's
Comprehensive Cancer
Center
2002: For information on
next year's academy or
other charity events
check Carr's website:
Carr wwwcoachcarrfund.org
Assistant coach Stan Parrish needed to moti-
vate the female quarterbacks to "get more per-
sonal" with their center.
Reactions were mixed, but the kicking and
catching drills scored the most points with the
majority of the participants.
But Beth Russell of Ann Arbor, preferred the
linebacker drills.
"It was more intellectual," Russell said. "It
was really fun to see how they react to different
plays."
Russell was working on her master's degree in
Michigan football in this, her second year at the
academy.
WELCOME TO THE BIG HOUSE
After each group had met with the coaches
and players from each position, they broke for
lunch courtesy of Cottage Inn Pizza.
After they had reenergized themselves with
some chicken and some shade, the crowd of
women began their march to Michigan Stadium.
Cousins Susan Bosch and Samantha Truax race through an obstacle course in the linebacker segment.
The excitement could easily be seen as three
friends began applying eye black en route.
Patricia Erdstom, Alyson Ryan and Jen Vana
converged on the Michigan Women's Football
Academy from San Jose, Chicago and Milwau-
kee, respectively. Ryan and Vana are Michigan
alumni.
But the Santa Clara graduate Erdstom said "I
will be spending the rest of my life making up
for not going to a big football school."
Erdstom and the rest of the crowd gathered
outside of the tunnel and waited for their
moment of glory.
Then the doors opened, and the public address
system played the song that the famous John
Phillip Sousa himself rated "best college march
ever written."
After storming down the tunnel while the
Wolverines' fight song blared, the crowd gath-
ered at midfield and joined in their own chorus
of"Hail to the Victors."
"You can't buy that feeling with gold," Carr
said.
Each of the 10 groups practiced in the stadi-
um for about 25 minutes. Later, four scrim-
mages would take place together on different
parts of the field, giving the women a chance to
put their lessons into practice.
But make no mistake, these ladies were play-
ing to win. Some women were cautioned for
tackling opponents, and the blocking on the line
was intense. The quarterback was knocked down
after almost every throw and the atmosphere fell
well short of lady-like.
While this was going on, one solitary man
stood against the brick wall watching the action.
His name was Gavin Magor, and he had jour-
neyed all the way from Sweden to attend this
event. Magor was recently diagnosed with skin
cancer, but the real reason for his trip was to
visit his good friend Dave Schevsky.
Schevsky is in charge of the Coach Carr Fund
website, www coachcarrfund.org. His cancer has
spread to his liver, but his commitment to the
cause has never been stronger.
This event was designed for female football
fans of all ages, but people like Dave
Schevsky and the day's best football player
Kim Turner are the ones who the program
helps the most.
His program may cater to the insane sports
fans and the football-illiterate wives and moth-
ers, but Carr is quick to point out exactly why
this event carries his name.
"Remember, it's all about fighting cancer.
That damn, deadly disease."
What did you learn today?
Each group of women received lessons from 10 different teams of football coaches and players.
Here is what each of those groups tried to convey Saturday afternoon in the practice field behind
Oosterbaan Fieldhouse.
Quarterbacks Defensive Backs
Each woman acted as both center and quarter- Each woman learned to backtrack into pass
back, learning to give and receive snaps. coverage and move up to make the tackle.
Running Backs Inside Linebackers
Each woman learned how to correctly hold the Each woman learned how to read whether a
pigskin to prevent fumbles. play is a run or a pass and react accordingly.
Wide Receivers Outside Linebackers
Each woman learned how to use their hands to Each woman had to run through an obstacle
make an over-the-shoulder catch. course of blue blocking dummies.
Tight Ends Defensive Line
Each woman learned the definition of an eligible Each woman learned how to fire out low at the
receiver and the tight end's three-point stance. snap of the ball.
Offensive Line Special Teams
Each woman learned the footwork and anonymity Each woman was given the opportunity to kick
that comes with offensive line work. and punta football.
Ibecca Posage runs In for a touchdown In Michigan Stadium Saturday afternoon.