The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1252590
8 THE WOLVERINE JUNE/JULY 2020 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS MICHIGAN-KENTUCKY GAME IN LONDON POSTPONED TO 2022 Michigan basketball was slated to play a game against the Kentucky Wildcats as a part of the London Showcase in December during this upcoming season. Instead, due to COVID-19, the game has been delayed. The Wolverines will now take on the Wildcats in London on Dec. 4, 2022. The matchup is a part of a three-game series between the two schools, which will begin in 2021 at Crisler Center. U-M will then travel to Lexington, Ky., to conclude the series in 2023. "We know precautions and new guidelines are being cre- ated and used every day due to the coronavirus," head coach Juwan Howard said in a statement. "The Hall of Fame [which is helping put on the event] took the time to review what is happening around the world and explore all options — all the safe options for the teams and most importantly the fans. "The best thing is this tremendous event isn't canceled, it's just delayed." STRAUSS MANN NAMED BIG TEN GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR, OTHER WOLVERINES HONORED The announcement may have come late, but U-M hockey sophomore goalie Strauss Mann was named the Big Ten Goaltender of the year after a two-month delay in voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mann was named The Wol- verine's Male Athlete of the Year last month for his outstand- ing sophomore campaign. He is the first U-M player in history to earn Big Ten Goal- tender of the Year honors and the fourth to be named an all-conference goalie. Mann was also recognized nationally. He was a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, annually given to the nation's top goaltender, and was a finalist for the Big Ten's Player of the Year award. This past season, he finished third in the country in save percentage (.939) and was sixth in goals against per game average (1.85), both of which are new program records for a single campaign. Mann also notched six shutouts, which is tied for the U-M single-season record. Five more Wolverines earned Big Ten honors. Senior for- ward Jake Slaker was dubbed second-team All-Big Ten after leading the club in scoring with 31 points, thanks to team highs in goals (14) and assists (17). Senior forward Will Lockwood, sophomore defenseman Nick Blankenburg and freshman defenseman Cam York nabbed honorable men- tion honors. Forward Johnny Beecher and York were named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team. JIM HARBAUGH PENS OPEN LETTER TO 'THE FOOTBALL COMMUNITY' Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh wrote an open letter to the football community, outlining his proposed changes to college football and NFL rules. The theme of the letter: Giving student-athletes more options when it comes to a professional career and an education. First, Harbaugh wants college players to be able to declare for the NFL Draft at any time (currently, players have to wait until after they are three years removed from high school graduation), and return to school if they go undrafted or unselected within the first 224 picks of the draft. He also believes that if a player declares early, they should be able to return to school after their pro career is finished to complete their degree. Next, he hopes that players will be given five years of eligibility, which would eliminate the current redshirt rules. Other highlights of the letter include his continued support for players that have graduated to have the ability to transfer without having to sit out a season of competition and the proposed "one-time transfer" rule that would allow athletes to transfer once, at any time, without having to sit out a season. Harbaugh said his proposal "would allow the individual to pursue his dream as a student and as a professional athlete in the time frame that best suits his best interests of his own free will and ability." MICHIGAN TEAMS EARN APR PUBLIC RECOGNITION AWARDS Eight U-M teams received Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR) Public Recognition Awards from the NCAA. Each U-M team recognized had multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all teams in their sports. APR is calculated by looking at a collegiate team's class- room success each semester by tracking the academic prog- ress of each student-athlete. It includes eligibility, retention and graduation. To be awarded, teams must post an APR score of over 987, while a perfect score is 1,000. The U-M teams that received recognition are baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball, women's golf, men's lacrosse, softball, men's swimming and diving, and women's tennis. Impressively, the men's basketball program has now earned the award in nine consecutive years. Additionally, five U-M programs achieved perfect multi- year scores in the 2018-19 APR data that was released May 19. Baseball, women's basketball, women's golf, softball and women's tennis all accomplished the feat. — Clayton Sayfie MAIZE AND BLUE NOTEBOOK Strauss Mann became the first Wolverine to earn Big Ten Goaltender of the Year honors. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS