PORTS

MONDAY
JUNE 18, 2001

michigandaily.com/sports


A degree ofdificulty: Diploma
sometimes comes er career

Amaker
connects

By Steve Jackson
D)lily Sports Editor
Michigan baseball coach Geoff Zahn's primary
goal is to graduate good baseball players and
good young men.
"Education is the most important thing," Zahn
said. "I tell that to every recruit. I tell them that
I'll be making sure they attend class."
But last week two of his players - senior Scott
Tousa and junior Bobby Wood - signed profes-
sional contracts before they finished their
degrees.
The New York Yankees inked Wood after select-
ing him in the 24th round, while Tousa went
undrafted before the Detroit Tigers signed him as
a free agent.
Tousa has used up his eligibility at Michigan,
but he will return to Ann Arbor for fall semester
to complete his degree in Communications.
Wood, who was majoring in Organizational
Studies, departed one year shy of his degree.
Zahn's bigger concern is for sophomore left-
hander Rich Hill.
After just two seasons with the Maize and Blue,
the Anaheim Angels drafted Hill in the seventh
round.
Although Hill did not accept the initial offer
from the Angels, he remains a significant flight
risk for the program. Zahn said that it was 50-50
on where Hill will pitch next spring.
"I really hope he stays at least one more year,"
Zahn said. "With two years left, (graduating) is
going to be difficult."
Zahn speaks from experience. He was drafted
four times before he signed with the Los Angeles

Dod' rs during January of his senior year.
" 'he offers were going down." Zahn said. "I w i h p s
felt hie if I didn't sign early, I wouldn't get any-
Thi t d'csions presented Rtse 1967 Michigan co- By Ben amin Singer
MVP from competing in his final season. But he Dai y'Spots Editor
did stay and complete his degree in physical edu-
cation that April. Tommy Amaker was hired as
Zaht went on to 13-year major league career. first man since Bo Schembechler
The lifestyle of professional baseball does not coach either the football or bask
lend itself well to college students. Many of the ball team without strong ti
players that left the program early for the pro 7. 'Michigan.
ranks have not completed their degrees. Since then, he's been working
But some of Michigan's most famous baseball '°'" 'make all the right connections. O
alumni hae approached Zahn about completing ' ers have reached out to him as we
those degrees. After Amaker was named h
"I' e spoken with (Barry) Larkin and Jim coach, he was contacted by seve
Abbott," Zahn said. "Both expressed interest in s . , former Michigan players.
finishing their schooling." "A couple guys stopped in. Jim
Larkin, currently an All-Star shortstop for the King and Mark Hughes were here
Cincinnati Reds, needs just 12 additional credits. was exciting to see them stop
Zahn said that those would be made up soon "mot Amaker said. "We're just exciti
through correspondence and distance learning have a chance to get to know the
courses. _<...,Others who did not physica
"He doesn't need that degree. If he doesn't have AP PHOTO stop by his office called or sent
enough money by now, that's sad," Zahn quipped. Barry Larkin, one of Michigan baseball's best known, messages like former Fab Fiv
"But seriously, it's very important to him. I under- is just 12 credits short of his diploma, Jalen Rose and Juwan Howard.
stand he made a promise to his mother." of class. While Amaker appreciates
Zahn pointed out that often times it takes years Current Yankee minor-league catcher David support he has received from
for pro players to finish their schooling. Parrish was courted strongly out of high school. Wolverines of the past, what he u
Just a few years ago, Chandler Simonds com- His father, current Tiger third base coach Lance mately wants is for his current te
pleted his degree. He earned his last Michigan let- Parrish, told him to skip class during the first to benefit from the former players
ter in 1966. week while he negotiated contract terms. "We are hoping to get them
As for Hill, he will be playing with Chatham in Parrish opted to stay and play at Michigan. in the fall. We want to do
the Cape Cod league for the rest of the summer. Hill's decision could also come down to the final things to get them back to be arot
And the deadline for his decision is his first day hours. See CONNECTING, Page
 Bies named to Big Ten Tour tean
By Benjamin Singer Bies was supposed to go on the tour last year with G
Daily Sports Editor vara, who was the coach for the 2000 team, but missed it
to injury. This year, she will be playing under Wiscon
Michigan women's basketball center LeeAnn Bies was coach Jane Albright.
selected for the 2001 Big Ten Conference Women's Basket- Albright is used to coaching the likes of a 6-foot-3 cet
9 ball Foreign Tour Team for Aug. 7-18. like Bies, as the Badgers are the tallest team in the con
um mer."I think first of all it'll be a good experience to play ence.
against international competition," Michigan coach Sue As a sophomore, Bies led Michigan in scoring
with Guevara said. "A lot of them are older women. She's going rebounding with 12 points and seven boards a game.
to be playing against other post players in the Big Ten in year before, she was named to Big Ten's All-Freshman Ter
S practice.' The tour will take place in Switzerland and France.
- - _ _ _


.. :.. $ $%$


Sticking Around this St
Make Easy Money
FLEXIBLE HOUF
11 Church, 4th fi
333-7420
pynne
S.~~rdi

I .J
.s.
)or
: ' o -,

r y t r ~ , Hor sy ' -Irv'( 'utsd ty ,pocit
C r t e ke
of 2 veyayspcalo