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 CONFLUX IS HERE brought to you by capitol records and ticketmaster win bigtime prizes by logging I -c 1 rz-1t v f-l rY rr+ iFr-ter z 111 1 A rririrv I 1 ~ A T~~i~w w7W9 -~ fI 'IAT'r~-'va' ________________ ------------ iA. '