SPORTS michigandaily.com sportsdesk@umich.edu MONDAY AUGUST 5, 2002 L3 Unforgettable Alumni say four years the best way to go By Charles Paradis Daily Sports Editor It seems that some Michigan hockey players have been treating the Wolverine program as a way sta- tion to the NHL. Recently, premier players have been coming to Michi- gan for a few years, getting drafted and then bolting from college hock- ey in search of the pro game and the money it offers. But for many of those who gathered at the 2002 Summer Hockey Showcase this past weekend, Michigan was more than just a stopping point in their hockey careers. Before a boisterous crowd at Yost Ice Arena, alumni of the Michigan hockey program gathered for a series of three games. The highlight of the night was the under-35 game, which featured NHL talents like Marty Turco, Steve Shields, Bren- dan Morrison and Mike Knuble. It also featured those like Andy Hilbert, still trying to make an NHL team. But the undercard included a game for the 35-50-year-old alumni and a game for the over-50 alumni, which included Michigan coach Red Berenson - who scored the first goal of the showcase on a break away and notched a hat trick in the day. But much of the success of the weekend was overshadowed by the recent departure of Mike Cammalleri and Mike Komisarek who chose to leave Michigan early. Turco, the Dallas Stars' No. I goalie next season, has been a vocal advocate of the Michigan hockey program and the four-year experience. Amassing 127 wins from 1995-98, Turco set an NCAA record that still stands as the win- ningest goalie in college hockey history. But it is Turco's love of Michigan and dedication to the program that is one of the most amazing aspects of his personality. In a time where money lures col- lege players away, Turco finds the experience of college is worth more than money. "I think it is well documented how I felt about leaving here and 2,500 fewer students will fill up Big House By Bob Hunt Daily Sports Editor Another year, another price increase, another drop in student season ticket holders. For the second straight season, fewer students will be filing into Michigan Stadium each Saturday as just 16,500 students bought season tickets this sea- son instead of the approximately 19,000 students who bought tickets last season. The drop comes after it was announced that students would be required to show their M-Cards before entering Michigan Stadium this year. Before this season, students could scalp their tickets or sell them on EBay, taking advantage of the $17.50 to $43 price difference that students get in comparison to the public. But now students will have to pay $25 to validate their tickets in order for someone from the general public to be able lo usethem. Directoruof Ticket Operations Marty Bodnar believes that the new ID policy had something to do with the price drop, but that it was not the sole reason forthe decline. "If you look at it long term, there are a variety of reasons why students want or don't want tickets," Bodnar said. "To say it's just because of the ID policy, you really can't sit there and say that because we haven't done any market research or any- thing like that." The new ID and validation policy was announced in March, after mem- bers of the athletic department met with the Michigan Student Assembly to dis- cuss the amount of student tickets sold See TICKETS, Page 15 TONY DING/Daily Top: Michigan hockey alumni go at it Friday night at Yost ice Arena. Right: Fans show former Wolverine Andy Hilbert, who chose to leave Michigan early, what he missed this past year. my four years at Michigan," Turco said. "How much they meant to me and how they shaped my life, and I would certainly trade all the money in the world for another four-year scholarship. That's how special it was. I'd give up pretty much any- thing to do it again, it was that fun to me." To Turco, senior year is some- thing a player should not pass up, given the chance to play. "Probably half of my greatest memories, if not more than in any of the three previous seasons, came in my senior year," Turco said. "That came with not being naive anymore on campus, growing up, the tutelage of Red and the other guys, friends, not only in the hock- ey program, but all over campus that I still stay in touch with, that I wouldn't have met if it wasn't here my senior year." As a senior, Turco not only set the NCAA record for wins by a goalie, but also won his second national championship. "The chance to come back and be a leader and evolve into a cham- pionship team - you can't take that away from any of us," Turco said. All of Turco's hard work and ded- ication were solidified on Senior Night, when four years of practice, class and games came to a climax in front of fans at Yost. See ALUMNI, Page 14 E- a K- dap9 Sfa 2002 S lys salaries_ 7 558 ubliteon of UM factitYcalteee a a fNOW or $ for tnt 3 .:::.::.. ... i .tH?^ ^ 1 iMrrrGii+rir'Y++iMr+ r rri'r lrlr+lrr irf " R,3. . ___