The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things. — Henry David Thoreau W elcome to Michigan, Dr. Mark Schlissel, although the greet- ing stands a bit belated. Your increasing presence in the athletic sphere of the university prompted the shout out, although many in your position might be disinclined to- ward hearing too much from the folks in the toy store. But it's far, far more than that, isn't it? You found that out, in a flurry of conversations leading up to athletics director Dave Brandon's resigna- tion. You discovered firsthand the passion of 110,000 in Michigan Stadium on a football Saturday. You saw the power to bind together, over the generations. You witnessed the passion and the un- fathomably high profile — for better or worse — of the biggest sport at your school in the biggest stadium in the land. You also discovered that saying too much, too quickly, about the athletes involved, the NCAA rules and more can have you walking comments back- ward more quickly than a cornerback backpedaling to cover an All-American wide receiver. We wouldn't presume to instruct a learned man such as you on … well, much of anything. But we'd like to make a few observations here, to supplement the fire-hose gusher of input you've received from those far more savvy and power- ful. 1. If Football Isn't Right, Nothing Is Right — Hopefully that's not a cringe-worthy statement for you or anyone else on your campus. It's just a simple truth. Big donors such as Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross or steel magnate Al Glick may carry a great appre- ciation for Michigan's dedicated cross country runners, water polo pool tread- ers, and field hockey stick wielders. But they aren't the draw that brought in millions to Michigan, not only on the athletic side but also to the university's academic endeavors. Maybe the mention of money itself, especially in the $150 million range an- nually for athletics, leaves you shak- ing your head. But the competition has ramped up to that level, and you either get in or get out. That doesn't mean WOLVERINE WATCH JOHN BORTON President Should Listen Before Acting U-M president Mark Schlissel is in his first year on the job, and he is learning quickly about the importance of foot- ball and athletics at Michigan. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTO