Blue sports set standard

By Sharat Raju
Daily Sports Editor

It's a sight that cannot be done justice by mere words.

Game day.

On those days when the burden of classes isn't too great and the weather is still bearable, the masses gather together with one unifying desire - to see a Michigan football victory.

Tens of thousands of students crowd the campus, making the pilgrimage down State Street, down Hoover and finally to the Mecca of college football - Michigan Stadium.

The excitement, the electricity generated by 106,000 members of the same faith is something that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.

Michigan athletics is a full-fledged religion, practiced by all sorts of people from zealots to the occasional fan. Coaches dedicate their lives to trying to reach the promised land - a national championship.

Places of worship aren't hard to find, for they are generally located in the area south of Hoover and east of State. They include hockey's Yost Ice Arena, basketball's Crisler Arena and baseball's Ray Fisher Stadium, among others.

And each person can follow the religion as much or as little as he or she wants.

But Michigan sports will always be a major aspect of students' lives, as has always been the case. Sports at Michigan is as much a part of the school as the Diag, Nichols Arboretum or the Bell Tower.

In fact, the Wolverines have been around longer than the Big Ten. The first recorded Michigan football game was in 1879 - 17 years before an organized conference was even assembled.

Many countries from that time no longer exist - but Michigan athletics are still vibrant and thriving.

And as sports dynasties come and go, Michigan will usually have a winning program in some sport.

Michigan has won 28 NCAA titles - not including the 17 unofficial titles claimed before 1948. The most recent national championship was won in 1996 by the hockey team.

The hockey program, now entering its 76th year in existence, has truly generated a cult-like following. Students have cheers that have not been written down, but instead passed down through oral tradition, like mantras.

But it's the men's swimming team that has proven to be the most dominant over the years. The Wolverines have captured 11 national titles officially and seven unofficially (those won before 1936).

Everyone loves a winner, and Michigan has proven that it is one.

"I certainly think there is a feeling of something special about Michigan," Michigan athletic director Joe Roberson said. "When I ask our coaches what they sell when they go out recruiting, they sell Michigan first and the program second."

Amen.

MARK FRIEDMAN/Daily
Michigan tight end Jerame Tuman not only carried tacklers, but the bulk of the offense as well last season. This season he should receive more support from cornerback/flanker Charles Woodson.

Summer Orientation 1997