14- The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, October 11, 1995
'M' faces Eastern today
for Washtenaw Cup
Volleyball gets ready
to Rock the House
By Chaim Hyman
Daily Sports Writer
Although the game will take place in
Ann Arbor, the Michigan men's soccer
team will not be the only squad feeling
at home when it faces Eastern Michigan
today. Since both schools are located in
such close proximity, a neutral field
was found at Pioneer High School.
Since the field is used for football, it
is narrower than Elbel Field where the
Wolverines usually host their oppo-
nents. But in addition to being a neutral
.pcation, Pioneer also allows for a big-
Zor crowd - about 1,000 is expected.
The Washtenaw Cup, which is cur-
rently in the Eagles' possession, goes to
the winner.
This game gives Michigan (9-3-1) a
chance to extend its eight-game win-
ning streak. Despite their record, the
'Wolverines are expecting a tough battle
from the Eagles.
< "Eastern is definitely one of the bet-
Aer teams we face this year," senior Ian
Furth said. "They're comparable to
:Western (Michigan) and Detroit, and
'those are two teams that we've lost to
:this year."
The Wolverines hope to play better
than they have in previous games -
including some contests in which they
;hve won.
"We have to stay in the game men-
tally for 90minutes," Kurth said. "We're
accustomed to hanging around for part
of the game and that won't work against
Eastern."
In addition to being one of its biggest
games of the year, Michigan believes it
will get a chance to prove its ability.
"Athletically, Easter matches up real
well with us," Burn said. "They con-
trast our style of play which should
"e have to
stay in the game
mentalfly for 90
minutes"
-lan Kurth
Michigan men's
soccer player
make for a good game."
The importance of the game is not
lost on the younger members of the
team. Wolverines playing in the rivalry
for the first time also feel the excite-
ment.
"This is our biggest game," freshman
Steve Scanio said. "We're going to get
the Washtenaw Cup."
It's time to rock the house at CliffKeen
Arena.
The Michigan volleyball team will
be holding "Rock the House IV" when
Michigan
Notebook
it does battle with
Minnesota at 7 p.m.
Friday. The Wolver-
ines (4-2 Big Ten,
10-6 overall) have
been on a hot streak
of late, winning six
of their last eight
matches, including
four of six in confer-
ence. The Golden
Gophers come in
This promotional event is designed
primarily to provide the fans with an
opportunity to enjoy Michigan volley-
ball. In addition to the match, a com-
memorative T-shirt will be given to the
first 500 fans. Additionally, numerous
drawings and giveaways throughout the
night. The event has been a consistent
success as over 4,700 fans combined at-
tended the first three "rock" matches.
On Saturday, Michigan does battle with
Big Ten foe Wisconsin (4-2, 11-6).
The Wolverines might be forced te
play these two matches without the ser-
vices of Kristen Ruschiensky, who is out
with a knee injury.
- by Doug Steven
with a record of 2-4 in the Big Ten, 7-8
overall.
Fisher gives squad's 10th
scholarship to Morton
The Michigan men's basketball
team has added a 10th scholarship
player for the 1995-96 season.
Coach Steve Fisher gave former
walk-on Neal Morton a full scholar-
ship for his senior season.
Morton transferred to Michigan af-
ter playing in Grand Rapids for
Aquinas College..
He played for Ann Arbor Gabriel
Richard High School prior to that.
In limited play last season, Mortor
scored two points and had two re-
bounds in seven minutes.
- by Paul Brgei
The Michigan men's soccer team looks for its 10th victory today.
Mortimer still sharp
Men's soccer to remain without varsity status
By Avi Ebenstein
For the Daily
Men's soccer is not a varsity sport.
This might seem like a pretty straight-
forward statement, but it's filled with
controversy, frustration and outrage.
A varsity sport, by definition, is one
in which the University provides fund-
ing and scholarships. Ideally, such pro-
visions then allow for a nationally com-
petitive team.
Men's soccer and other club sports
receive no money from Michigan and
each player on the soccer team must
pay $400 a season, plus expenses, to
play.
There are various consequences to
the Athletic Department's decision not
to elevate men's soccer to the varsity
level.
"We would eventually be in the
Top 20 in the nation, if we were var-
sity, with the strong soccer talent base
in Michigan," senior forward Ian
Kurth said.
In fact, one player said that if men's
soccer was .varsity, the Wolverines
could emerge as a soccer power in a
short period of time.
"Most of the good players are from
Michigan, and in only two or three
years we would be very strong," se-
nior Rob Sirrine said.
Others feel strongly about men's
soccer status as a club sport.
"Well, it's sort of frustrating," Sirrine
said. "When we were freshmen, we
were told that (varsity status) would
happen, but it just hasn't."
Kurth agreed.
"When I came here, they said we
would be varsity by my sophomore or
junioryear," Kurth said. "But they have
been saying that for years. Now I know."
Michigan players have even started
to give up the hope of soccer becom-
ing a varsity sport, as rumors of it
happening seem to be just that.
"There have always been rumors that
it would become varsity," Eric Frickle
said. "(They said) that two years from
(now) it would be varsity. But, truth-
fully, I don't see it happening."
Coach Steve Burns said that the situ-
"Keeping gender
important, bt I
don't think
football should be
taken into
consideration ..
- Eric Frickle
Michigan men's
soccer player
ation existed when he was a freshman.
"Back in 1984, I was starting to
play for Michigan, and I was told then
that it would be varsity," Burns said.
"If you would have told me that by
now it still wouldn't be varsity, I
would have said, 'You're crazy."'
The University has not elevated
men's soccer to varsity status because
of Title IX - a decision made by the
NCAA in 1972 that mandates that
schools must have a proportional num-
ber of men's and women's sports and
a fair ratio of scholarships.
Michigan takes this gender equity
issue seriously.
"A school like Brown could lose fund-
ing for violating the rule, so you have to
be serious about it," Burns said.
In compliance with this regulation,
Michigan elevated women's soccer
to the varsity level about a year ago.
"It was thought about six years ago
men's and women's soccer would go
varsity together," Burns said. "And
that would keep the cost to the Uni-
versity down, but it hasn't happened
that way."
The University needs to keep the
scholarships equitable - a definite
challenge since football alone takes
up 85 scholarships. Many believe that
since there is no female sport equiva-
lent to the size of football it should
not be counted in the ratio.
Additionally, some argue that foot-
ball should not be counted in the tally
since it generates revenue for the Uni-
versity, while most other sports run
on a University subsidy.
"Soccer is such a big sport, it is crazy
(that it's not varsity)," Frickle said.
"Keeping gender equity is important,
but I don't think football should be
taken into consideration, since it is ba-
sically paying for all other sports."
Though the men's soccer team felt
that its predicament was unfortunate,
the team expressed resounding enthu-
siasm for the women's team's recent
promotion and the advance of
women's sports in general.
"I'm glad to see women getting
their due in college athletics," Burns
said. "Michigan definitely is (meet-
ing the gender equity requirement),
bringing women's soccer and
women's crew in, and to their credit,
they haven't cut any men's sports like
some other schools."
Burns said that these changes were
necessary in light of past inequities.
"This is good for women, who have
had to sit in the back of the bus in
college athletics, now they finally have
a chance to sit in the front seat," he said.
Aside from Title IX, some players
believe that soccer's popularity is bal-
looning to the point where the Univer-
sity will have to reevaluate the situa-
tion.
"Soccer has had such progress on
an international level," Bums said.
"Men's soccer will become varsity,
it's just a question of sooner or later.
I'd like to think sooner. But it could
be five to 15 years."
Women's soccer coach Debbie
Belkin expressed enthusiasm for the
men's soccer team.
"I think Michigan has great talent
in state and men's varsity would be a
success," said Belkin.
Also, Belkin said that once a team
becomes varsity, it takes a while for
the team to become competitive at
that level.
"We're doing OK - not a lot of
wins," Belkin said. "But it takes about
six years after turning varsity."
Michael Stevenson, Michigan's se-
nior athletic director, was not optimis-
tic about soccer's chances for promo-
tion.
"It is not a question of a sport deserv-
ing to be varsity, but of gender equity,"
Stevenson said. "The University has
made an effort in good faith (to estab-
lish gender equity) and has promoted
women's soccer and crew. This is taken
very seriously at Michigan."
Stevenson agreed with those who said
football could not be ignored in the
ratio.
"A lot of folks like to think that
(football can be ignored), but no court
has ever considered that a reasonable
solution," Stevenson said. "The 85 foot-
ball scholarships have been counted
(towards the ratio) by every court. No-
body but football folks, and some other
sports people, have ever considered that
a solution. It gets nowhere on a legal
level and has not been seriously consid-
ered at Michigan."
Though Stevenson did not say that
men's soccer will never be varsity, he
expressed that the outlook is bleak.
"You never want to say never, but
until we reach true equity between
men's and women's sports, we can-
not add a men's sport," he said.
John Mortimer just keeps rolling
along.
The freshman, who was newly ap-
pointed as Scott MacDonald's replace-
ment on the Michigan men's cross
country team, has been consistent of
late.
MacDonald is redshirting this sea-
son because of an injury.
His strong second place individual
finish this weekend at the Maine Invi-
tational was a mere 17 seconds be
hind All-American Kevin Sullivan,
Michigan's No. I runner.
Mortimer's strong showing helpec
boost the team to an impressive vic-
tory in Maine.
The New Hampshire resident de-
feated the more experienced eastert
runners in helping the Wolverines wit
in his native New England.
- by Mark Snydei
Carriere ignites kickers
The Michigan men's soccer team
welcomed the return of senior co-cap-
tain Ryan Carriere last week. Carriere,
who was inactive due to a knee injury,
saw action in Michigan's victories last
week over Albion and Northwestern.
"He's been playing a lot better,"jun-
ior Dave Colliver said of his teammate.
"He will definitely help us out when he
is back full force."
Carriere acknowledges that he hasn'
made an immediate impact since re
turning, but is happy with the teams
success regardless.
"It's going to take a while for me t<
get back into (my game). We are play
ing way above ourselves right now, s<
I'm really happy about that."
- by Susan Dan
Jones earns first victory
Freshman goalkeeper Jessica Jones
notched her first win as a Wolverine
in Michigan's 5-0 victory over
Creighton.
Her stellar performance in the net,
including six saves, paved the way fo
the Wolverines' second shutout ofth
season. The frosh is a Northville na
tive.
-by Marc Lightdal
A two-time walk-on?
w I
One kind of stick for another.
Keith Hinton is attempting to make
the transition from golf clubs to hockey
sticks this month as he tries out for the
Michigan hockey team as a left wing.
,The sophomore already golfs for the
Wolverines and, if he becomes an icer,
would be walking onto his second var-
sity team in two years. He played his
way onto the golf team last season and
was impressive enough to make the
starting lineup for the final two fall
tournaments.
"I just enjoy hockey," said Hinton,
whose father was an assistant hockey
coach at Michigan in the mid-1970s.
"It's been toughjuggling the schedules,
Blue looks to
The Michigan field hockey team (3-
2 Big Ten, 10-4 overall) is on a roll,
having won three of four and eight of
ten.
Sherene Smith is the team's scoring
leader (13 goals) and has scored in 10 of
the 14 games. Smith almost averages
one goal per game and leads the Wol-
verines in shots on goal and total points.
Michelle Smulders also had an excel-
lent weekend. She tallied three goals,
increasing her total for the season to six.
but I think it's worth it."
Hockey coach, Red Berenson said
spot is open due to the loss of Rob
Gordon to junior hockey.
INJURY UPDATE: Freshman forwar
Bobby Hayes has-been hampered by
pulled back muscle the past two day
He missed practice Monday and onl
skated for 45 minutes yesterday. He
expected to skate hard today.
Junior center Brendan Morrison
still on crutches due to an aggravatic
of a knee injury. He will be out two
five more weeks.
- by Nicholas . Cotsonik
stay on a rol
Michigan faces two Big Ten opp<
nents this week. The Wolverines me
Northwestern and Iowa. Ironically,
both games revenge might be a facto
Michigan stunned Northwestern wh
the Wolverines scored with less than
second to play in overtime and lost 1
Iowa in overtime after blowing a 3-
lead.
- by Michael Let
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