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Weekend meet serves as significant preparation for championships

In many respects, big time college sports are as popular, if not more popular than their professional counterparts.

There are many reasons for the tremendous interest attributed to Division I athletics in this country. Whereas professional sports are notorious for their overpaid, spoiled athletes, lack of loyalty to fans, and poor sportsmanship, the collegiate level is sparked by its pageantry, fair play, and long-standing rivalries.

It is good to know that even in an age where Division I sports is becoming more corporate and less innocent, those involved in even the highest levels of amateur athletics haven't lost their focus.

This is no more evident than in the relationship between Michigan men's swimming coach Jon Urbanchek and Michigan State swimmer Iian Mull.

Although Urbanchek's top-ranked Wolverines and Mull's Spartans, in addition to No. 22 Indiana, are slated to compete against each other tonight at 7 p.m. and tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Canham Natatorium, the Michigan coach has been an influential force in helping the MSU senior achieve his Olympic dream.

Urbanchek has allowed Mull, who is training for the Olympic Trials in the 400 IM, to practice for two hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the 50-meter pool in Michigan's Canham Natatorium. Urbanchek has provided the Spartan swimmer with this opportunity because Michigan State's facility, the Charles McCaffree Pool is only a 25-yarder.

"It is a nice gesture on our part to give opportunities to potential Olympians," Urbanchek said. "It is very common in our sport to share our facilities. We want to give him the best opportunities to prepare."

While all NCAA events are competed in a 25-yard pool, the Olympics and the Trials utilize the 50-meter, long-course pool. It is essential to be familiar with a 50-meter pool to be a threat in the Olympics.

What makes Urbanchek's gesture even more generous is the fact that Mull's two primary rivals for the spots on the Olympic team is a current and a former Wolverine.

Michigan junior Tom Dolan is currently the world record holder in the 400 IM and is considered the United States' top threat in the event. The second spot will probably come down to Mull and former Wolverine stand-out Eric Namesnik.

"It's really unique how (Urbanchek) wants to help me," Mull said in an interview with the Detroit News. "He's the kind of coach we need more of. He's not into egos. He just wants to see people improve."

While this weekend's competition is crucial to Mull because it is his big chance to show the Wolverines how big a threat he is, the meet is also very important to Urbanchek's squad.

"This meet is significant because it is the last preparation for the Big Ten Championships (in three weeks)," Urbanchek said. "Some swimmers need to make times (to qualify for the Big Ten Championships) and the relays need to improve their times to get into the final relays."