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.