Viewpoint

Michigan is still the leader in academics, athletics

First, let's hit academics. The "U.S. News and World Report College Guide" is the unofficial Bible of school rankings. It is the oldest and the most recognized. But before you get dismayed at the University's borderline top 25 ranking, look at the most important statistic: academic reputation. Even U.S. News agrees that it is the most important aspect, and your future employers or grad schools won't argue. Every other part of the ranking formula is meaningless in terms of the value of a college's degree, and the formula favors private schools over public ones, which are always subject to higher acceptance rates and class sizes. Berkeley's academic reputation is the sixth best in the country, yet it is ranked 22nd overall as the highest ranked public school. In terms of academic reputation, only 12 schools have a higher reputation than the University, and only Berkeley's is higher among public schools. So where it truly matters, the University is borderline top 10, not top 25.

When U.S. News ranks graduate and undergraduate programs individually, the University's strength is even more apparent. Almost every single program or department is ranked in the top 15, with many in the top five.

In the past 10 years, Michigan has national championships in football, basketball, hockey and swimming, with a ton of top five finishes in nearly every other sport. We are ranked in almost every varsity sport this year, with the notable exception of basketball, which is an oft-heard complaint these days. But remember this: in the past 10 years, our basketball program has had seven 20-win seasons, 10 postseason invitations, four Great Eight appearances, three Final Fours, three championship games and one national championship. We aren't even really a basketball school, and yet schools like UMass, UConn and Cincinnati that have only basketball can't even rival our success. Football and hockey are Michigan institutions, and with good reason. We have won more football games than any other school, and our recent national championship validates our long-held standing as the best. It won't be our last. Our hockey program has more national championships than any other program, and two in the last three years only strengthens that domination.

As if all our athletic successes aren't enough, we have been first and foremost in other areas as well: more research money flows through here than any other school; we are consistently tops in college apparel sales; we have the largest alumni group.

As you head out for spring break, whether to the slopes or the beach, keep this in mind: You attend the finest academic and athletic school in the country. You'll run into Tar Heels, Bruins, Cavaliers and Badgers who may all claim the same, but the simple fact is this: We own them. No university does as many things and does them as superbly as ours, and that's a fact. Pick up a college guide and remind yourself of why you chose Michigan. If you see your friends from the Ivy League, remind them that you are getting an equal education - minus some rampant grade inflation and for less money.

Michigan is truly home to the leaders and the best, and don't treat that as hype.

Note: To those of you who let Michigan State have the home court advantage at Crisler: be ashamed. The fact that State "students" have more pride and support for their team is disgusting. We have owned State in every way for decades, and we should never let our little sister forget it.

- This viewpoint was written by

LSA senior Matt Pizzedaz, who can be

reached over e-mail at pizz@umich.edu.

02-25-99