The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1516256
12 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2024 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS MICHIGAN AD NAMED CHAIR OF PLAYOFF SELECTION COMMITTEE Athletics director Warde Manuel has been appointed to the College Football Playoff chairperson role, according to a media release from the CFP on Feb. 8. Manuel replaces NC State athletics director Boo Corrigan, who held the position the last two seasons. Manuel, who has been on the selection committee for the last two seasons, will be the front-facing leader of the CFP selection committee, which will select a 12-team field next season for the first time. "We are delighted that Warde will serve as chair," Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP, said. "He has been a valuable member of the committee last two years, and that experience will serve him well in leading the group. As a former student-athlete, he will also be a good spokesperson to let fans know how the committee reached its rankings." "My first two years on the committee have been a great experience," Manuel said. "I have so much respect for the time and effort each committee member puts in each week because of their commitment to the game. I'm honored to be asked to serve as committee chair." Manuel will lead the weekly meetings this fall in addi- tion to being the prominent voice that speaks on the record about the CFP's selection process each week. This season, the playoff field will be comprised of the five highest-ranked conference title winners and the next seven highest-ranked programs. The four top seeds will earn a first-round bye, while the first week of matchups will be held at campus sites with the higher team hosting. Michigan plays a loaded 2024 schedule with games against Texas, Washington, USC, Oregon and Ohio State on the docket, which could either bolster or break the team's bid to repeat as national champion. Now, we know that Manuel will lead the committee that decides U-M and the rest of the country's fate. ALCOHOL SALES BEGIN AT CRISLER, YOST The Michigan athletics department recently was approved for state liquor licenses and began selling alcohol at on- campus athletics venues in February. In October, the U-M Board of Regents approved alcohol sales in select U-M athletic facilities, following bipartisan legislation enacted last summer, which permits such li- censed sales at university athletic competitions in the state. Alcohol was available for purchase for the first time Feb. 2 with a wrestling meet against Iowa at Crisler Center. The rollout continued with the Feb. 3 men's basketball game vs. Rutgers, women's gymnastics (Feb. 4 vs. Michigan State), women's basketball (Feb. 6 vs. Nebraska) and the ice hockey team's Feb. 9 contest with Michigan State at Yost Ice Arena. All patrons are required to show ID at every purchase, and each transaction has a limit of two alcoholic beverages per legal drinking age guest. Implementation for potential alcohol sales at Michigan Stadium this fall will be considered after reviewing data and the experiences at the other two venues. AALIYA BACKS OUT OF COMMITMENT TO MEN'S HOOPS U-M men's hoops will no longer plan for a future with Argentinian big man Lee Aaliya, who officially announced on Jan. 31 that he will not attend the school due to clearance issues with the NCAA. Aaliya was identified as a late target in the 2023 recruiting class by Michigan head coach Juwan Howard. He committed to the program on Aug. 26, but never appeared in the univer- sity directory or joined the program this season. Instead, he will head to Spain to play basketball. "Last year, as many of you may know, I formalized my commitment to the University of Michigan," Aaliya said in a statement. "However, due to circumstances beyond my control involving the NCAA, I had to redirect my path from the USA to Spain. Despite this unexpected and significant change, I am pleased to announce my upcoming move to Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM), going on loan to Palmer Basket Mallorca for this season. I express my deep gratitude to everyone for their ongoing support and the word of encouragement I have received and to the UCAM and Palmer Basket for opening the doors to this new path." Aaliya averaged 17.7 points in seven games (21 minutes per game) for Argentina in the U19 FIBA World Cup. He blocked 2.1 shots per game and hauled in 9 rebounds per contest. At the same time, while he made 4 of 12 three-pointers, he made only 8 of 26 attempts from the free-throw line. In 10 games in Argentina's La Liga, he went 7-for-17 at the line and 0-for-5 from behind the three-point arc. — Anthony Broome MAIZE AND BLUE NOTEBOOK After serving as a committee member for two years, Michigan athlet- ics director Warde Manuel was named chair of the College Football Playoff selection committee on Feb. 8. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL