WAR-SEMES TER SUPPLEMENY it.qan 4 atis WAR-SEMESTER SUPPLEMENT ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1942 . THE BENCHCOMBER . . . By Bud Hendel AT THE TIME this column was set to print, the Board of Regents had not yet met for final consideration of the pro- posed physical education program to be established here at Michigan. Their meeting will come this weekend, and their approval of whatever plan is set before them, we believe, will come with it. By this time, a definite plan has been decided upon to be pre- sented to the Regents. Just what this proposal is, cannot be accurately said. But it can be guessed. In all probability, the Board of Regents will pass judgment on a plan calling for active physical hardening of every male student on the Michigan campus, to all practical purposes. Included Twill be all those who have registered for selective service and all those who have enlisted in the reserve corps of either the Army or Navy or their various affiliates. Of all the proposals that were being considered, this one seems to be the most logical and the most beneficial. THE NEW PHYSICAL HARDENING PROCESSING of Michi- gan men will go into effect immediately at the start of the new third term, the summer semester-meaning that the actpal date for its inception will be June 15. There will be no class cutting as there was in freshman gym. Each and every male student who falls into the circumference of the great circle es- tablished to surround him and make a better physical specimen of him will be compelled to participate in the program. LIFE for the typical Michigan man will mean, at first, one day of exercise followed by one day of painful hobbling about and extreme soreness and stiffness of every muscle and limb. Then the next day he'll go back to his phys ed'class, and once again the gymnastics will take their toll and once again he'll spend the succeeding solar and lunar periods nursing his minor aches and pains. But that won't last too long. In a few weeks he'll begin not to notice the stiffness because it won't be there. The calis- thenics will come much easier, and his body will lose that flab- biness to replace it with hard, solid muscle. He'll become physi- cally fit and a healthier person for it all. His total time spent getting physically hardened a week will amount to four-and-a- half hours, split up into three 90 minute periods. And that time will pay dividends. The program itself cannot help but pay rich dividends to a nation at war. The Army and Navy are expanding their branches and allowing college men to enlist in the reserves until graduation, at which time they will be sent to Officers' Training School. And the fighting men that graduate from Michigan will be -physically equipped to fight. Valuable time will not be wasted getting them in shape, and the job of winning will be more expediently and efficiently carried out. DRIFTWOOD AND SPLINTERS: The Benchcomber, having finally attained the .500 percentage mark on predictions by calling the turn in the Preakness after rambling in the grand- stand during the Derby, slides once again out to the end of his bench to foresee the future. He hopes to stay on this time. The New York Yankees will again win the American League pennant . . . they haven't started to hit yet, and at this writ- ing are on top of the heap . . . so look what it's gonna be like when DiMaggio and Keller start to pound the horsehide . Cleveland will fold like they did last year, and the Redsox and Tigers will capture second and third place respectively . . . give the Indians fourth, and then take the Whitesox, Browns, Senators and Athletics. Brooklyn and Pittsburgh will fight all the way down to the wire in the National, and barring injuries it will be the Dodgers beating out the Pirates who won't be able to withstand a whole season . . . St. Louis will find out it should have kept Johnny Mize but will still wind up third, followed closely by Cincinnati . . . Boston fifth, Giants sixth, Cubs seventh and'Phillies the usual last. BOB UFER, ace Wolverine track star, will come to be recog- nized as the greatest cinderman in the nation before he graduates from this University . . . he can run as fast as any from the 100 to the 880 events . . . Dick Wakefield, the famous Michigan slugger who sold his services for $50,000 to the Tigers last year, will make good in the bigtime as soon as he gets over his fielding awkwardness. Michigan's tennis team will repeat as Big Ten champ, and the golf squad may surprise everyone by taking the Conference title here next week . . . and Ben Smith should win the in- dividual championship . . . if there is a better golfer in the Conference, he hasn't teed off in a match yet. Gridders Face Tough 10-Game Schedule _ n OSU Favored In Conference Cinder Meet, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois Fight On Even Terms For Runnerup Honorst Injuries Threatens Varsity's Chancest By GEORGE KOZLOFF l For the first time in seven years the track teams of Michigan and Indiana are not the leaders in the Western Conference track and field meet Saturday at Evanston. Taking over the lead as favorites for the events is the well-balanced team from Ohio State. The Buckeyes will seek to end this domination of Big' Ten track by the two schools., The Ohioans came up surprisingly fast during the past year with such stars as Captain Ralph Hammond and Bob Wright to lead the Buck- eyes. In a dual meet a week ago, Michigan lost to this strong team, 81 2/3 to 40 1/3. Teams Fight For Second Consequently with the OSU team seeded in first place the real battle will be between three teams for the second place. Michigan, Indiana and Illinois all have equal chance to clinch this berth. Each team has its stars. Each team has some sure point winners. So, according to Coach Ken Doherty these potential second place winners can each get about 28 points according to past performances. He added that the second berth may be on about 28 points. Ohio State should get about 50 markers if pre-meet dope sheets are reliable. Michigan's star in the 880 yard run, Dave Matthews rates a good chance in beating the defending titlist, Campbell Kane of Indiana. Davey has been running consistently with some of the fastest times of his track career. Kane, on the other hand, hasn't shown as well in early spring runs. He holds the National Colle- giate title and the present Big Ten record in the event. The mark stands at 1:51.3. The Indiana star's best time this year was 1:55.4 which does- n't compare with the best perform- ance by Michigan's Davey who cov- ered the distance in 1:53.8. Ufer Heads Quarter Milers In the quarter mile Bob Ufer of Michigan heads the list of entrants and undoubtedly is the favorite. Even though he was defeated in the 440 yard run last weekend his previous performances warrant a careful con- sideration of the Wolverine runner's ability. "Hose Nose" broke the Amer- ican indoor record this winter in the event with the time of :48.1. On the cinder track at Columbus last week- end, however, Russ Owen, Buckeye ace, outran the Michigan quarte- miler in :48 flat. One defeat doesn't eliminate Ufer by any means. In fact he will be aiming for the Big Ten outdoor record that has been Wolverine Nine Seems Again Headed For Title Varsity Will Be Tested In Illinois, Chicago Games This Weekend; Michigan, OSU Tied For Lead He'll Clear The Path For Touchdowns -I Michigan Hard Hit As Five By BOB SHOPOFF With the Big Ten baseball race at the halfway mark, Michigan's scrap- py nine seems to be headed for their second straight Conference title. The battle for the crown has nar- rowed down to a four-way fight be- tween Iowa, Wisconsin, OhioState and the Wolverines with Coach Ray Fisher's crew tied for the lead with Ohio State each boasting of a record of five victories against a single de- feat. Iowa is in third with eight wins woefully weak Maroons. These four games will be a real test forCoach Fisher's squad, especially the pitch- ing staff. The starting hurling assignments will fall on the shoulders of Irv 'Pro' Boim, Mickey Fishman and Bill Cain. The WVol verin e mentor isi undecided who he will start in the second game against Chicago, but lie is likely to come back with Boim. Michigan closes its season on May 29 and 30 with games with Ohio State. As the Big Ten race shapes up now, that series might decide the winning of the title. If the teams should split the series, there would likely be a three-way tie for the crown. Piteiing Improves Two weeks ago Coach Fisher was worried over his mound crew as the Varsity dropped three out of four games, one-to Indiana-a Confer- ence tilt. However, Boim and Fish- man mace the old "Vermont Wizard" smile as they turned in a five- and a one-hitter, respectively, against Northwestern last week. Fishman's one-hitter was a heart- breaker because he was within one pitch of a no-hit classic. With two men out in the ninth inning, Wild- cat Ed Hirsch singled for the only safety. This year's team isn't quite as strong as the squad that copped the title for the Wolverines last year, but is a well-balanced nine. They rank1 second in batting in the Big Ten with an average of .290 and are field- ing at a .945 average, which is the (Continued on Page 4) 1 When the Wolverine grid squad oper:s their season against Great Lakes next September 28, they will be led by George Ceithaml, power- ful captain-quarterback. A senior hailing from Chicago, Ceithaml suc- ceeds All-American fulback Bob Westfail as captain. In his freshman year George won the coveted Chicago Award trophy as the most out- standing player on the squad and his brilliant play for the past three seasons has since justified the honor accorded him. Graduate Doc May Ends Long Service This-Semester, To Retire After 41 Years As Head Of Michigan's Phys. Ed. Department By JOHN BENJAMIN1 Doctor George A. May, the diminu- tive human stick of dynamite, is re- tiring after 41 years as head of the physical education department. Throughout his long successful career he has constantly stressed physical fitness, and even now, at 70 years, Doe is'in the peak of condition. He says, "The secret of success at Michigan is cooperation. A 50-50 basis is necessary for both instructor and student." To exemplify this co- operative spirit the mighty little man works out with his students at least three times a week. He begins with the Indian clubs, then calisthenics, and then a twenty minute workout on the apparatus. Doc finishes up with a half-mile jog around the track. He says, "Athletics should be de- velopmental, with rope climbing and weight lifting to develop the arms." As he puts it, "An athlete must have that little drop of dynamite." Born In Philadelphia. Doc May was born in Philadelphia in 1872. As a youth his one ambition was to become a major league ball- player. He hob-nobbed with many minor league baseball men around the city of Brotherly Love. Doc had the ability to make the grade, but he says, "I never grew up." So to com- pensate for his lack of height, he joined the gymnasium in Philadel- phia and began developing his body. Doc met five famous international athletes here, and he exclaims, "I made up my mind to be as tough as they were." After two years he achieved his goal by winning a con- test in Philadelphia. "I could then high-jump five feet and six inches, and that was in long pants at that!" he commented. While in Philadelphia, Doc May won the Indian club and fencing championships. Just for good mea- sure, he kept in shape by giving ex- hibitions. One he remembers espec- ially was at the old Chicago World's Fair. Because of his undying spirit and stamina, Doc was offered a position at Yale University in 1896. For two years he coached the Yale gymnas- tic and basketball teams, winning the gymnastic championship at the East- ern Intercollegiate Meets. He studied Regulars In June Wolverines Have Veterans In Backfield Positions; Must Fill Holes In Line Fritz Crisler Needs Reserve Material By BUD HENDEL (Daily Sports Editor) Facing a tough ten-game schedule in the fall and dealt a hard blow by the graduation of five first-stringers, Michigan's football team ended its annual spring training grind last Saturday with many unsolved prob- lems and a still-glowing hope of re- peating as one of the greatest grid- iron aggregations in the land. Gone from Coach Fritz Crisler's powerful eleven are such stalwarts as fullback Bob Westfall, center Bob In- galls, tackle Rube Kelto and ends Harlin Fraumann and Joe Rogers. Last year the Wolverines were in practically the same spot as now. They had lost Tom Harmon, Forrest Evashevski, Ed FrutighRalph Fritz and Milo Sukup. But they came up with new strength to fill the gaping holes left by the departure of the 1940 team, and Michigan retained its lau- rels as one of the nation's best. Prospects Dimmer This year, however, on the basis of showings during the spring drills, the Maize and Blue prospects do not seem as bright as they did a year ago. In recent years, the reserves have never been banked deeply, and this grid campaign will find that situa- tion aggravated rather than allevi- ated. Crisler needs linemen and needs them badly. He has no strong: second team to hurl into the fray when the first-stringers get injured and are unable to continue. This year the Wolverines must rely on 60 minute men to pull them through their most difficult schedule of years. There are no outstanding linemen like Merv Pregulman and Julie' Franks, who surged to the fore as sophomores last season, coming up: from the freshman ranks. The year- ling backfield candidates look more promising for Big Ten competition, but if any Tom Kuzma's or Paul White's will develop is still unknown. Three Vets In Backfield In the backfield, Crisler has three veterans who will be in the starting lineup when the Wolverines make their public'debut against the Great Lakes Naval Training Station Sep- tember 28. Kuzma and White, the sophomore sensations of a year ago, will hold down the halfback posts, and with a season's experience under their belts these two speedy huskies should be making the headlines with boring regularity Saturday after Sat- urday. Kuzma took Harmon's place, and made the fans forget the Hoosier Hammer last year. White, hampered I-l Offers Varied Athletic Program n ~ _____________________________ MICKEY FISHMAN in 10 games and Wisconsin has played only four tilts, winning three. Vital Test This Weekend Michigan's big test comes this weekend when they play four games in as many days. Today and tomor- row the Varsity tackles a strong Illi- nois nine in a two-game series at Champaign. After the game on Sat-.' urday the Wolverines will travel to Chicago, where they will play a double header on Monday with the By AL STEINMAN One of the things that has helped make summers enjoyable for those who go to school at that time, has been the advantage of participating in the University Intramural Sports Program. This year will be no excep- tion, and University of Michigan stu- dents will have the opportunity of entering into the activities. Intramural sports will be a separ- ate function, having nothing whatso- ever to do with the proposed Physical Fitness program that is almost cer- tain to go into effect this summer. The set up will be completely volun- tary, and is designed entirely for the enjoyment of those who will toil at their studies during the new third term. Larger Scale Activity There will be a regular plan of organization as in the past, but it will be on a much larger scale than ever before. With a great many stu- dents returning, leagues will be form- ed, and fraternities, residence halls and independents will vie for the various championships. As has always been the Intramural policy, everything shall be based up- on competition. There will be many more tournaments than ever in such sports as softball, tennis, golf, and horseshoes. This is in direct con- trast to the proposed Physical Fitness Program which has an emphasis on calisthentics and endurance. The more competitive spirt than can be aroused, the more successful the pro- gram will be. (Continued on Page 2) THE CRACKER BARREL By Mike Dann Ever since World War II started, sports writers throughout the nation have been bemoaning the future of American athletics. The chief reasons they advance for this pessimistic outlook are: 1) All physically capable men will be taken for the armed forces. 2) Teams won't be able to get the necessary athletic equipment to car- ry out their programs. y) Fans will not have time to go sporting personalities are still active- ly engaged in their favorite pastime. In major league basball, for ex- ample, we see that men have been deferred from service because of age, dependents, minor physical disabil- ities and for a number of other rea- sons. Therefore we can assume that men engaged in professional athletics will be taken for the military forces in much the same ratio as they are taken from any other walk of life. the reserve branches of the Army, Navy and Marines. Latest reports from Washington say that these special programs for college students will continue for the duration, consequently we can expect collegiate sports to continue at their present pace. If anything college athletic pro- grams have been expanded since the war. Here at Michigan we have already arranged to meet the Great Lakes program, and especially major league baseball and college football are vital in keeping up the nation's moral. Hank Hatch, Wolverine equipment manager, says that aside from a few odds and ends, Michigan will have a full stock of all needed athletic equip- ment. Recent statistics by the As- sociated Press indicate that crowds have not started to fall off at our baseball parks. Quite to the contrary they have increased in many instan- ces. Only last Sunday 184,879 fans ,-,-,,,wi the Anipriv.n n ~n'r'atinn1