Sports are as much a part of 'U' as classes and professors

John Leroi Out of Bounds

That is fine -- diversity is what makes this campus so great. This column is not for them, and while I appreciate their ideas, I believe they are wrong.

For the rest of us, the Wolverines who march into Michigan Stadium, Crisler Arena and Yost Ice Arena will have an effect on our lives. People that we do not even know will move us to tears, or induce us to party in the streets.

Athletics foster kinship, not just among the players, but among the fans. Contrary to what naysayers believe, there is intellect involved, too. And for that Poli Sci major who thinks our Athletic Department could contribute nothing to his pursuit of intellect, see how politically Lloyd Carr is handling a four-man quarterback controversy.

The bottom line is this: Michigan athletics will tug at your heartstrings. You will rejoice when the Wolverines win and you will suffer when they lose. You will remember comebacks versus Duke, shocking finishes against Colorado and overtime games on ice that last forever.

And whether you were a big Maize and Blue supporter in high school or just a casual fan, it will get worse now that youÕre a freshman, now that you go to Michigan. You can file into Michigan Stadium with 100,000 others, you can watch away games on TV in your dorm.

You can even drive all the way to Penn State one weekend for a game -- your parents will have no idea.

No matter what, in your four years here, you will be disappointed and you will be surprised. Who will be MichiganÕs quarterback? Can the Wolverines survive without Maurice Taylor (answer is certain to be yes, by the way)? How much longer will Steve Fisher last? How will a hockey team that has been the best in the nation for two years react after losing seven of the most decorated players Michigan has ever seen?

You will be stunned by bad plays and bonehead calls. Somebody will fumble, somebody will miss a free throw. You will be elated by lucky bounces and improbable comebacks.

Just as important, you will learn about people you knew nothing of before. You'll learn that the best athletes at this school aren't Charles Woodson, Marty Turco and Louis Bullock, but Sara Griffin, Stacey Thomas and Jeff Catrabone (okay, Woodson is, too).

You will be amazed at how good our swimming programs are. You'll find out just how daunting a task Sue Guevara faces turning our women's basketball program around (she's been outstanding so far). YouÕll learn that the only Big Ten titles Michigan won last year went to the baseball, softball, women's gymnastics and women's tennis teams.

You'll sing Hail to the Victors. You'll buy Michigan sweatshirts. You'll throw marshmallows at football games and not know why.

Now, you are a Wolverine, just as much as Robert Traylor is.

Attending Michigan is special. Athletics is just as much a part of college as classes. When youÕre 40, you'll remember where you were sitting when Michigan beat Notre Dame. Chances are you wonÕt have the foggiest idea what you scored on your first exam.

For all these reasons, you will care.

Michigan can do that to you.

-- John Leroi is a Daiy sports editor. You can reach him over e-mail at jrleroi@umich.edu.

09-03-97