'M' swimming to open museum

By Kristen Fidh (ag)g2

Daily Sports Writer

The Michigan men's swimming team took the summer months to reflect on last season's Big Ten championship and to watch teammate Chris Thompson win a bronze medal in last month's Summer Olympics. Now, the Wolverines will celebrate their winning tradition in style.

Saturday, former Michigan swimmers will travel to Ann Arbor, joining current team members for the Decade of Dominance Reunion Weekend.

An alumni invitational, a presentation of the 2000 Olympians and the long-awaited opening of the Michigan swimming and diving museum will all take place at the newly-renovated Canham Natatorium beginning at 10 a.m.

The Decade of Dominance reunion commemorates the 1985 - 1995 teams which, under coach Jon Urbanchek, produced numerous Olympians, All-Americans and Big Ten championships.

These teams are just one part of the Michigan swimming and diving legacy being honored at the museum opening.

"We want to dedicate the wonderful heritage of Michigan swimming because it is the most prominent program in the country," said Dr. Wally Jeffries, who co-founded the project.

"The history needs to be recognized and made public so that people will want to continue supporting the program."

Just a few years ago, there was a problem nationwide with the discontinuation of men's athletic programs because of gender-equity issues related to Title IX. In some instances water sports are seen as a drain on athletic budgets due to the large rosters and facility upkeep. For some schools - such as UCLA and Illinois - men's swimming was cut.

While becoming aware of this problem, former Wolverines swimmers Jeffries, Mary Walker and Charles Moss began their quest to not only preserve the program, but also to publicize the university's tradition of excellence.

"It is by far the most prominent sport on Michigan's campus in producing Olympians and national champions," Jeffries said. "So we stayed within the swimming community and raised enough money to accomplish the project."

Construction by volunteer committee members over the spring and summer helped to produce the museum, which is already being considered a treasured piece of Michigan history.

Photos of teams dating as far back as the 1922-23 season hang throughout the hallways. Two trophy cases are dedicated to Wolverines Olympians, one to NCAA title-winning teams, one to general memorabilia and one each to noteworthy men and women.

Still to be completed are the two panels for the current men's and women's teams as well as the addition of water polo memorabilia. Jeffries explained that, as long as funding prevails, expansions are expected every four years, concurrent with the Summer Olympics.

This year's Michigan swimming teams will be encouraged to help preserve the Michigan tradition by joining the M-Club and excelling, both academically and athletically, while at the university.

"There has been a Michigan swimmer on every Olympic team since 1928," Jeffries said. "It is an understated accomplishment that will finally be honored."