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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1056
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WITH DAVE GREY
A Sports Editor's Welcome
HE CLASS of 1960 . .. It sounds strange, because it seems only a
chort while ago that many of us entered Michigan as members of
the Class' of 1957;
During that time a lot has happened on the Michigan sport
scene that I, among many, will long remember. By the time you are
ready to graduate, you'll feel the same way; but there will be one
added thought that will come particularly to mind-the Michigan
w" athletic tradition... .
It's hard to feel something you may not have seen; but over the
many years, a winning spirit, "way of life"-or whatever you want to
call it-has grown soundly in Ann Arbor.
It's unmistakably there in the record .books, the ever-expanding
physical plant, the old athletic landmarks (Ferry Field) the great
lnares (Fielding H. Yost), the great teams (Dose Bowl, 1948) and the
qndless "great days" in Michigan sports.
Michigan ranks fourth among all schools in the country in total
number of national titles. It has shown the greatest diversity in cap-
' turing crowns in five 'sports-even more different sports than Yale,
Southern California, and Oklahoma A&M have led in. Those three
schools, however, surpass the Wolverines in championship totals.
Al-Time Power .. .
MICHIGAN stands as an all-time power in the Western Conference
and is near the top in many pages of intercollegiate football
history.
The various superlatives and claims-the first field house, the
largest college-owned football stadium, one of the best athletic plants,
one of the finest intramural programs, and some of the best all-time
teams and stars-could be elaborated. But, instead, they are going to
give way to the more important
idea of what you can expect in
the immediate future.
Whether you realized it or not
when you chose to come to Michi-
gan you'll be blessed this fall with .
a good football squad that has a
chance to be one of Michigan's
better. The seven-game home
schedue 'starts off with a bang-
UCLA, Michigan State, and Army.
Michigan has a fighting chance
for the Conference crown; and,
perhaps, a somewhat better op-
portunity to represent the Big Ten
in the Rose Bowl.
Last year's champion, Ohio
state, is on a year's probation
from the California trip. Michi-
gan. State went last January and
will be, therefore, also ineligible
for one season.
Two Great Ends
You'll hWve an opportunity to
see two of the best ends ever found FIELDING R. YOS
on one team together-Ron Kra- ... helped start 'M' tradition
mer and Captain Tom Maentz. h ...<M.
Kramer will also probably be in-
volved in "operation experiment,"
F as he plans to try his hand at the
right halfback spot.
If the past seasons are' any indi-
,cation, you'll see a basically con-
servative offense that uses the
split-T formation and the single
wing, an often effective carry-
over of the famous spinner plays
of the Michigan teams in the mid
and late 1940's. M
You'll see a good deal of sub-
stitution, a stubborn defense, and
probably as many as three regular
quarterbacks handling the offense
-senior Jim Maddock, junior Jim
Van Pelt, and sophomore Bob
Ptacek,
But the season isn't just the
games. There's the cheering (might
as well learn the favorite songs
now) and the organized pep rallies
sponsored by the Wolverine Club. BENNIE OOSTERBAAN
In brief, you had better prepare to .. helps carry that tradition
"back Michigan" for a whole
season right at the start . . . . It should be an interesting year.
And if you can tear yourself away into the winter and spring, the
prospects remain positive. Michigan has veteran teams returning in
almost every sport with promising sophomores in many.
What's Michigan's number two sport after football? Spectator-
wise, the largest interest seems to be built around hockey. If you
haven't been a hockey fan before, there is a good chance that
you will develop into one. Michigan has the best intercollegiate
record in the business, but the rest of the Western Intercollegiate
Hockey League is getting stronger each season.
From Hockey to' Basketball.. .
BESiDES the Hill Street Ice Coliseum, Yost Field House will draw
large crowds for basketball. It's been quite a while since Michigan
has been a cage powerhouse, you'll learn, but a veteran team with
some new personnel will raise hopes again 'this winter.
A strong swimming team will have a beautiful new pool to practice
and compete in. The Wolverines are still near the top of the national
swimming scene, and this season can help foresee the future. You'll
also find that gymnastics is gaining in popularity, that wrestling has
a two-year title streak in the Big Ten at stake, and that the track
squads-indoor and outdoor-also rank as solid defending champions.
t: pions.
Into the spring, Michigan's tennis fortunes will be even brighter,
and you'll have a chance to see one of the nation's better courtmen
in Barry MacKay. Golf has a veteran team back from last spring's
second place Conference finish. Baseball also seems to be in better
shape with most of last year's key players returning.
Anyway, that's the general picture. You have entered upon a
Lettermen,
To Occupy All Positions;
Rulings FavorMic-higan
MICHIGAN FOOTBALL STADIUM-It is here that upwards to 100,090 fans come seven Saturdays
a year to see college football at its finest. Here is where the "Michigan Tradition" mose awesomely
unfolds before the eyes of the nation.
Wolverines Come ose,
Fail To Gain1955 Goals
By DICK CRAMER
Associate Sports Editor
There are great expectations for
Michigan's football team again
this year.
Despite the disillusioning exper-
iences of 1955, Wolverine fans can-
not help but see a rosy future,
aread for the 1956 edition of the
Maize and Blue gridders.
One big reason for this opti-
mism is the expected high caliber
of players.
Returnees at Most Positions
Almost every position has a re-
turning regular as its chief occu-
pant. Only at two backfield spots
has graduation left a void of ex-
perienced players and even there
the problems seem solvable
through the use of highly-rated
sophomores and the shifting of the
returnees.
Michigan's all-.American ends
Ron Kramer and Tom Maentz will
be back, but Kramer may be play-
ing a new position. During spring
practice, the East Detroit senior
prospects for 1956. Jerry Goebel,
second string center in '55, suf-
fered the injury in a fall from a
balcony during the spring and will
be unable to play this fall.
In the backfield, quarterbacks
Jim VanPelt and Jim Maddock re-
turn as do steller halfbacks Terry
Barr, Jim Pace and Ed Shannon.
Other New Backs
Besides Kramer, other newcomers
to the backfield alignment in-
clude Meyer W. Morton Award
winners (for most improvement in
spring practice) John Herrnstein
at fullback and Bob Ptacek at
quarter or half. Also, Jim Byers,
ineligible last fall, will play.
The list of graduated stars,
while including some important
players, is not overly long. Branoff
and Ed Hickey are gone at right
halfback. Lou Baldacci and Dave
Hill leave fullback in an uncertain
condition. Last year's captain G.
Edgar Meads at guard, center Jim
Bates and tackle John Morrow are
r
By STEVE HEILPERN
Associate Sports Editor
It's a l-o-n-g way to Pasadena.
Just ask any member of Michi-
gan's 1955 football team. Winner
of its first six games, rated num-
ber one in the country for two
weeks, packed with a powerful
lineup - Michigan couldn't be
stopped.
But it was-and the Rose Bowl
and the Big Ten championship be-
came nothing more than a dream.
Illinois halted the Wolverine
Bowl Express at Champaign, 25-6,
pulling off one of the big upsets
of the 1955 grid season.
Michigan got back on the victory,
track a week later against Indi-
ana, but stumbled over its last
hurdle-its hated rivals from Co-
lumbus, Ohio.
Crucial Battle of Rivals
Ohio State is to Michigan what
Arpy is to Navy, what Yale is to
Harvard-so it was appropriate
that these two teams should battle
it out for the coveted Western
Conference championship at Ann
Arbor, November 19.
Over 97,000 people jammed
Michigan Stadium to witness the'
-big clash. Ohio State had no Bowl
trip at stake-the Buckeyes had,
gone the' year before-but the
Buckeyes still had the incentives:
one-winning the Big Ten title,
and two-stopping the Wolverines.
Meanwhile, up at East Lansing,
Michigan State fans were anxious-
ly awaiting the result; an Ohio
victory would mean second place
and Pasadena for the Spartans.
The revenge motive was deep in
Michigan, for the Buckeyes had
beaten them, 21-7, the previous
year in an outright.battle for the
Bowl bid between the two teams.
Another Chance
This was another year, - how-
ever, and a new chance for the
Maize and Blue. The experts rated
it a toss-up, and the huge crowd
expected a close contest.
It was close-for one half.
Freddie Kriss of Ohio State
broke the scoreless deadlock in the
second quarter by lbooting the pig-
skin through the uprights from
the 24-yd. line. The ball hit the
crossbar, then skidded over to put
"M" at a 3-0 deficit.
With Howard Cassady display-
ing his great All-American prow-
ess, and Ken Vargo and Jim Park-
1955
Results
MICHIGAN 42, Missouri 7
MICHIGAN 14, Mich. State 7
MICHIGAN 26, Army 2
MICHIGAN 14, Northwestern 2
MICHIGAN 14, Minnesota 13
MICHIGAN 33, Iowa 21
Illinois 25, MICHIGAN 6
MICHIGAN 30, Indiana 0
Ohio State 17, MICHIGAN 0
er leading the brutal attack from
the line, the Buckeyesma over the
Wolverines in the second half. The
home team fought gamely, but
was' up against a better team.
When the final gun sounded, the
big twin scoreboards hed record-
ed the score as:
Visitors 17, Michigan 0.
Not Up To Expectations
Most teams consider a 7-2 won-
lost record respectable, but Michi-
gan exepcted a lot more last year.
The pre-season dopesters had
Michigan on top in the Big Ten..
Ron Kramer, the huge end from
East Detroit, was everybody's all-
American. Runners like Tony
Branoff, Terry Barr, Jim Pace
and Lou Baldacci gave Bennie
Oosterbaan's team a p o t'e n t
ground attack.
Add to this a solid line, sprinkle
with depth and you have a Sep-
tember favorite for the Roses.
Everything started according to
form. Missouri visited Ann Arbor
for the opener, and was rudely
treated to a 42-7 thumping. Kra-
mer scored three touchdowns and
caught seven passes-a douple of
them unbelieveable circus catches.
The Wolverines looked good,
but the heavier part of the rough
schedule was yet to come.
The Spartans of Michigan State
were next on Michigan's list. This
was Michigan's first Conference
game-and it was close all the
way. The host Wolverines stymied
State's ground attack and got the
nod by a slim 14-7 margin.
Defense Holds Spartans
The Wolverine offense was far
from terrifying, but the Ann Ar-
borites were able to hold the.
Spartans with a fine defense.
The next Saturday afternoon
was another sellout. The visitors
were Army-the only team in
modern football history which had.
never tasted defeat against Michi-
gan. The Wolverines were battling
a jinx-but battled hard to smash
the Black Knights of the Hudson
to the tune of 26-2.
The victory placed Michigan in
the number one spot in the weekly
Associated Prass poll, and Ann Ar-
bor senced a great year. An omin-
ous note occured during the Army
game, howevel, when Kramer was
injured. The big 6'3" end, was to
miss the next two games because
of a painful rib injury.
Still, the Maize and Blue plowed
through the opposition.
Weak Northwestern, Michigan's
fourth competition at .home in as
many weeks, put up a fine show-
ing before bowing, 14-2, to a more
powerful team. The Wolverines
proved that a good defense is the
best offence by turning Wildcat
mistakes into scores.
Journey to Minnesota
Then came the first road game
of the season-the fight for the
Little Brown Jug-against Minne-
sota at Minneapolis. Tom Maentz,
an end who was seriously injured
early in the season, made some
See 'M', Page 12
UCLA, Michigan's opening game
adversary Sept. 29, has been crip-
pled by a year's ineligibility tag-
ged on many veterans of last sea-
son who received illegal financial
aid.
Seniors Miss This Year
Although the penalized UCLAns
may sit out any year that they-
would have been eligible to play,
this must be that year for guilty
seniors.
Thus, a potentially gigantic task
-that of beating the traditionally
strong Bruins who have been best
in the Far West for several years
in a row-has been reduced in pro-
portions for the Wolverines.
Still, Michigan's schedule ap-
pears as murderous as ever with
seven Conference teams and al-
ways powerful Army testing the
Wolverines on the eight weeks
following the UCLA contest..
MSU Barred From Bowl
Another rule that may help to
lessen the burden is one affecting
Michigan State--the second of
five straight teams to visit Michi-
gan Stadium this year. As defend-
ing Rose Bowl champions, the'
Spartans may not return to Cali-
fornia this winter.
The odds are, however, tlat
such a measure will not be enough
to quell MSU's incentive when it
comes to Ann Arbor. Not only is
the Michigan-Michigan State riv-
alry one of the keenest in the na-
tion, but the Spartans will be eag-
erly trying to avenge their lone
defeat of last year-an early sea-
son 14-7 loss' to the Wolverines.
A similar situation will probably
exist when Michgian goes down to
the wire in its last game of the
year against Ohio State at Colum-
bus.
Here again, the Wolverines will
be facing a team that cannot go
to the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes
were found guilty of violating reg-
lations concerning financial aid to
players.
Last year, the Buckeyes were
barred from the Rose, Bowl, but
that didn't deter them from ruin-
ing Michigan's chance to go in
the final game of the season.'Their
17-0 triumph marked the second
year in a row that they ha4 com-
pletedf an undefeated / Big Ten
campaign by blasting the Wolver-
ines' title hopes.
Still Enough Incentive
Like Michigan State, Ohio State
seems to have enough incentive to
win just from the fact that tra-
ditionally it has been bitter enemy
of Michigan on the gridiron.
What also provides the will to
win is the oft-forgotten quest for
the Big Ten championship.
Much in the running for both
goals, Michigan is nevertheless
more optimistic about its Rose
Bowl chances. At least there will
be less contention for the Bowl
bid, while the battle will probably
be as torrid as ever for the place
at the top of the Big Ten.
-Daily-Dick Gaskili
TYPICAL SIGHT--Ron Kramer outjumps two Missouri opponents
to snare a pass in last year's opening day triumph for the Wol-
verines. Kramer scored 23 points
during the 1955 season.
performed amazingly well at right
halfback and may be used there
to replace departed star Tony
Branoff.
Other ends, such as Mike Ro-
tunno, Gordie Morrow, Charlie
Brooks and sophomore Gary
Prahst,'have proven that they can
carry on adequately if Kramer
moves to the backfield.
Line prospects are good other-
wise, too, with returning tackles
Dick Heynan, Jim Orwig and Al
Sigman, guards Mary Nyren, Clem
Corona and Dick Hill and center.
Gene Snider of the '54 squad form-
ing an impressive defensive and
blocking nucleus.
A severe broken leg has cost the
Wolverines one of their top line
in the contest-his highest total
among the few non-returning
linemen.
Although there is some concern
over a weakness in second-line
strength to back up the very prom-
ising first string, it cannot be de-'
nied that Coach Bennie Ooster-
baan's squad has the potential for
great success in its striving for a
Big Ten championship and a
berth in the Rose Bowl.
Three separate rulings now
stand that seem to fit right in line
with such ideas. They involve
three of the Wolverines' opponents
for 1956, including two rivals' ii
the Big Ten, and they're possibly
another factor contributing to an
optimistic oytlook for the- coming
season.
JOHN HERRNSTEIN BOB PTACEK
... sophomore co-winners of Meyer W. Morton Award
TERRY BARR JIM PACE
... fleet halfbacks who return this year
TOM MAENTZ RON KRAMER
... Michigan's all-American ends
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