Monday
July 10, 2006
sports.michigandaily.com
sports@micbigandaily.com
SPORTS
13-
Women's tennis Patrons of the Big House
hires new coach can learn a few things from
By Scott Boll
Daiy Sort Edtortheir international brethren
The Michigan women's tennis team announced the newest member of
its team on Thursday. But it wasn't the typical off-season addition of a
new freshman with the task of finding her way into a lineup. A
Instead, Amanda Augustus was announced as the newest coach of the
team, who now has the task of replacing the program's biggest coaching O
legend.
Augustus replaces former coach Bitsy Ritt, who led the Wolverines BERLIN - You ma
for the past 22 years. Last spring, Ritt announced she would step down all, this is the University
at the end of the season to accept an associate athletic director job with The Big House is our
the University. We wrestle with foes
Even though Augustus has some big shoes to fill, athletic director Bill But while we enjoy re
Martin is confident she has what it takes to do the job. of passion doesn't alwa
"We are thrilled to have Amanda lead our women's tennis program," the biggest crowd watch
Martin said through the athletic department. "Her collegiate and profes- we're certainly not the 1
sional playing credentials clearly prove her knowledge of the game. We packing our bleachers, y
look forward to Amanda taking what is already an accomplished pro- more than just a tiny rot
gram to new heights." Looking around any f
Augustus mirrored Martin's excitement and is eager to become the chatting on a cell phone.
seventh coach in the program's 33-year history. someone has the guts to
"I am very excited to step into this role and guide Michigan to new - people will try to do t
frontiers," Augustus said through the athletic department. "I want to quiet enough for them to
thank Bill Martin for giving me this amazing opportunity and appre- How can this be reme
ciate how helpful and supportive the entire athletic department has ration? Camp Randall's
been in my first year at U-M. I hope to mirror the longevity of Bitsy's - as horrible as it seem
respected career." No. Let's think bigge
The Manhattan Beach, Calif. native spent her first season with the pro- NCAA. Let's think gi
gram last year as the team's assistant coach. The Wolverines posted an observe a month-long to
impressive 17-win mark in dual play and finished with an 8-2 conference talk about the World Cu
record en route to a Big Ten Tournament finals appearance. The team It's a different kind of
also qualified for the NCAA Tournament. also a different brand of
See AUGUSTUS, Page 16 country draws an army o
Viva Italia! First World
Cup title since 1982
BERLIN (AP) - The beautiful game turned were hard to beat."
vicious, even venomous Sunday. They were impossible to beat, and gave up only
It was all still beautiful to Italy. one goal actually scored by an opponent. And no, it
The Azzurri outlasted France to win their was not pretty.
fourth World Cup 5-3 in a shootout after a I- Outplayed for an hour and into extra time,
1 draw marred by French captain Zinedine the Italians won it after Zidane committed the
Zidane's ejection in the 110th minute of his ugliest act of a tournament that set records for
farewell game for a nasty head butt to the chest yellow and red cards, diving and, at times, out-
of Marco Materazzi. right brutality.
Never masters of the penalty kick, the Italians And it was the last move for Zidane, who is
made all five, setting off an hour of hugging, danc- retiring.
ing and fist-pumping celebrations. Asked if French soccer would miss Zidane,
"This squad showed great heart," Genaro coach Raymond Domenech said:
Gattuso said. "Maybe it wasn't pretty, but we See ITALY, Page 16
MBER COLVIN being a fan is about.
Outside each game, you could really learn about being a
N FANDOM fan. For the first time in tournament history, each host stadi-
um threw a giant party for people without tickets. These "fan
y think you know what big is. After fests" projected each match on giant screens, and the fans
of Michigan. came in droves to cheer on their team. Their cries couldn't be
playhouse. heard in the stadium, but each fan still acted as if their cheers
in the Big Ten. would zoom directly into the players' ears.
cord crowds in our stadium, our level The thousands upon thousands of fans from around the
iys seem to coordinate. We're often world are perfect role models for a timid Wolverine crowd. So
ing a football game in the nation, but let Berlin be your classroom and the fans be your professors.
oudest. With more than 100,000 fans Here are the lessons from a World Cup fan fest.
ou would think we could summon up
ar. Never underestimate the importance of the pre-game. Get-
ootball game, it's easy to spot someone ting into game mode shouldn't happen as you sing, "Oh say,
. This is a huge problem. Not because can you see?" You should be ready to cheer way before play-
disregard the game for a phone call er introductions. The night before the Germany vs. Argen-
that anywhere. The problem is that it's tina quarterfinal match, fans on an overnight train to Berlin
carry on the conversation. packed each cabin. The dining car transformed into the offi-
edied? Who can we look to for inspi- cial Argentinean pre-party. They controlled the bar the entire
seismic stands? Maybe even fans at train ride, donning their blue and white with pride. Those not
ns - the Horseshoe? at the bar sang songs in their cabins. Thought overnight trains
er than the Big Ten. Bigger than the were for sleeping? Not at the World Cup.
Jobal. Let's cross the Atlantic and
ournament that ended yesterday. Let's To be early isto be on time. To be on time isto be late. Fil-
p. tering in the stands in time for the first play just isn't accept-
football than we're familiar with. It's able. The fan fest in Berlin, stretching about one mile, was
fan support. Match after match, each jam-packed with more than half a million bodies. Shoulder to
of fans to games that understand what See FANS, Page 16
Italy celebrates Its fourth World Cup title in Berlin after defeating France 5-3 in a shootout.
DEAR ZINEDINE ZIDANE,
You ARE AN IDIOT.
SIGNED,
DAILY SPORTS.
P.S. CoNGRATULATIoNS TALY!