November 23, 2014 :: Volume 8

Big Ten NCAA Representative Selection Committee and Nominees Marina Nazario, women’s swimming & diving   The NCAA and the Division I governance have been looking to reconstruct how schools and conferences govern themselves. In August 2014, the Board of Directors for the NCAA decided to give student-athletes a more prominent voice when it comes to the decision-making process of issues concerning the NCAA. The new model of the Division I Board of Directors will include student-athletes, athletic directors and faculty representatives. It will include an “Autonomous Governance System” composed of representatives from each institution of the Power 5 conference schools dealing with issues specific to student-athletes. Fifteen of the 18 representatives included in this system will be student-athletes – three from each of the five conferences. This gives student-athletes in the Big Ten a chance to have their voice heard at an NCAA level. On November 13, the Big Ten Joint Executive Committee chose one student-athlete from Northwestern, Purdue and Minnesota

to represent the Big Ten in the Division I governance. Although neither of the two Michigan student-athlete nominees were selected, they deserve some recognition for being chosen as a Michigan nominee.

SAAC Vice President Kevin Bain headed the selection process, done by the University of Michigan. He compiled a team of student-athletes who exemplified leadership in the community, as well as a diverse perspective, in order to choose the most qualified nominees to potentially represent the Big Ten. The selection committee included: Lauren Grogen, Leslie Smith, Chris Heald, and Chelsey Miller. This team spent about two weeks on this selection process. “Looking back, we might have went a little overboard with the amount of time and preparation we put into the selection process, but it seemed necessary for this specific opportunity,” said Bain. “We put a ton of heart and effort into this.” The four main criteria used to select a nominee were: relevant experience, communication, commitment and adherence to the position description. The selection committee was looking for someone who knew a lot about Michigan Athletics, the Big Ten and current issues in the NCAA, would be able to handle high level communication with all Big Ten schools, and have a diverse perspective and a unique agenda. Of the 12 applicants to this position, current softball player and SAAC Vice President of NCAA Reform Becca Garfinkle, and former swimmer Kally Fayhee were selected as the nominees to be presented to the Big Ten Joint Executive Committee. “I applied for this position because it is a tremendous opportunity to have student-athletes’ voices heard and it was a huge step that the NCAA took,” said Garfinkle. “It was unprecedented that student-athletes would have this many votes.” Garfinkle is the Vice President of NCAA Reform for SAAC, having a similar role as the Big Ten’s NCAA representative offers. Although she wasn’t selected, Garfinkle expresses that she hopes the three Big Ten representatives won’t be shy in communicating the student-athletes’ voice. Hopefully the three NCAA representatives from the Big Ten will exhibit half the passion that Garfinkle and Fayhee have for NCAA reform.

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November 23, 2014 :: Volume 8

2

Student-Athlete in the Hot Seat Sarah Lee, women’s tennis

Zach  Hyman,  a  senior  forward  on  the  ice  hockey  team  from  Toronto,  Ontario,  has  earned  a  spot  in  the  hot  seat  after  an  impressive  season  thus  far.  Prior  to  his  time  as  a  Wolverine,  Hyman  earned  a  silver  medal  for  Team  Canada  East,  was  named  the  Canadian  Junior  Player  of  the  Year  and  RBC  Junior  Hockey  League  Player  of  the  Year.  He  not  only  played  for  the  Hamilton  Red  Wings  of  the  OJHL,  but  was  also  named  captain  for  two  consecutive  years.  With  an  impressive  career  thus  far,  Hyman  has  a  lot  to  look  forward  to  after  his  time  at  Michigan.  He  is  a  fifth-­‐round  pick  with  the  Florida  Panthers  and  he  plans  to  pursue  hockey  for  as  long  as  he  possibly  can.    The  South  Campus  Times  asked  him  a  few  questions  while  being  in  the  Hot  Seat.    SCT:  What  is  your  biggest  strength?  ZH:  Work  ethic,  being  a  hard  worker.  It  applies  both  on  and  off  the  ice.    SCT:  What  is  your  fondest  memory  at  Michigan?  ZH:  Going  to  the  NCAA  tournament  my  freshman  year  with  those  group  of  guys.  We  hope  to  do  that  again  this  year.    SCT:  What  has  been  your  most  embarrassing  moment?  ZH:  Freshman  year  Mock  Rock.  Luckily,  I  was  only  standing  in  the  back  [of  the  skit]  holding  a  sign,  but  that  was  pretty  embarrassing.    SCT:  What  are  three  ways  to  describe  yourself?  ZH:  Hard-­‐working,  driven  and  family  oriented  

How Well Do You Know Your Coach?

Pete  Brumm,  men’s  swimming  and  diving    To  most  University  of  Michigan  student-­‐athletes,  the  Women’s  Softball  team  is  revered  as  one  of  the  most  high-­‐achieving,  well-­‐honored,  and  respected  programs  on  campus.  Led    by  Coach  Carol  Hutchins  since  1985,  her  teams  have  appeared  in  22  Nations  Championship  tournaments,  claiming  17  of  the  last  22  Big  Ten  regular  season  titles.  Along  with  this  culture  of  excellence,  Hutchins  has  made  lasting  impressions  of  many  of  her  student-­‐athletes.  With  hobbies  that  include  cycling,  boxing,  and  hiking.  Along  with  a  variety  of  other  interests,  Coach  Hutchins  possesses  an  array  of  different  attributes,  but  how  well  does  her  team  know  this?  South  Campus  Times  asked  senior  pitcher  Haylie  Wagner  some  questions  about  her  coach.  See  how  well  she  knows  Hutch!  Who  is  your  coach’s  favorite  celebrity?  Wagner:    Pink!  She’s  obsessed  with  Pink  and  listens  to  her  all  the  time.  Hutchins:  Pink  What  was  your  coach’s  Halloween  costume?  Wagner:  Herself  Hutchins:  Me,  but  if  I  did  dress  up,  I  would  be  Amelia  Earhart.  Where  would  coach  go  to  relax?  Wagner:  The  gym,  boxing,  outside,  or  anywhere  she  could  exercise  and  get  a    good  workout  in.  Hutchins:  I  would  walk  my  dog  (golden  retriever)  in  the  woods  somewhere.  

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November 23, 2014 :: Volume 8

Student-Athletes Around the World

Taylor Harrower, men’s gymnastics

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  Whether  you  are  swimming  in  Australia,  playing  volleyball  in  Shanghai  or  rowing  in  Italy,  international  competition  is  one  of  the  many  privileges  and  commitments  to  being  a  student-­‐athlete.    There  are  a  select  few  student-­‐athletes  who  have  taken  their  collegiate  competition  a  step  further  to  an  international  level.  Jessica  Eiffert,  a  senior  on  the  women’s  rowing  team,  took  her  talent  to  Varese,  Italy  this  past  summer  to  compete  in  the  U23  World  Championships.  This  was  not  the  first  time  she  has  competed  on  an  international  platform—this  world  traveler  has  already  added  the  Czech  Republic,  Great  Britain  and  Germany  to  her  résumé.  Eiffert  was  chosen  from  a  selection  camp  that  took  place  in  early  June.  Team  USA  needed  a  pair  and  Eiffert  proved  that  she  was  capable  of  filling  the  open  position.  In  late  July,  she  found  herself  on  a  plane  destined  for  northern  Italy.       “We  train  for  a  week  upon  arrival,  and  then  the  regatta  lasts  a  couple  days,”  explained  Eiffert.  But  she  made  it  very  clear  that,  although  there  is  a  higher  level  of  competition  on  the  world  stage,  it  is  a  still  a  business  trip.  “We  only  eat,  sleep  and  train.”     During  her  time  in  Varese,  Eiffert  captured  a  silver  medal  in  the  Pair  Race  and  a  gold  medal  in  the  Women’s  8—something  not  done  by  many.  Most  women  will  only  enter  into  one  race.    “Doubling  up”,  as  Eiffert  describes  it,  is  very  rare,  as  it  splits  up  the  allotted  training  time.  After  her  successes  in  Varese,  Eiffert  found  herself  in  Milan  and  Venice  tasting  the  local  cuisine  with  a  group  of  New  Zealanders  she  met  during  the  championships.  “I  didn’t  ever  think  that  I  liked  pizza,  until  I  went  to  Italy,”  said  Eiffert.  “You  can  get  the  biggest  deep  dish  or  the  thinnest  thin  crust,  and  it’s  all  amazing.”  

The  bit  of  travel  advice  that  she  offers  to  aspiring  travelers  or  international  competitors:  “Make  sure  to  watch  your  stuff.  I  am  always  careless  with  my  stuff,  so  this  is  something  I  really  tried  to  do.”  Along  with  this,  she  urges  travelers  to  learn  a  few  words  and  phrases  in  the  native  language.  But  no  matter  where  she  is  around  the  world,  one  thing  that  she  can’t  travel  without  is  her  unicorn  pillow  pet.  For  future  international  travel  plans,  Eiffert  and  her  unicorn  pillow  pet  have  nothing  set  in  stone.    But  she  is  hoping  to  make  it  to  the  U23  World  Championships  next  summer  in  Bulgaria.  Look  out  for  her  internationally  in  the  upcoming  years!    

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November 23, 2014 :: Volume 8

1

  Hey  student-­‐athletes,  what  are  you  usually  doing  on  Monday  evenings?  Homework?  Watching  Netflix?     There’s  an  opportunity  that  many  of  you  might  have  heard  of,  but  don’t  really  know  much  about.  On  Monday  nights,  water  polo  alum,  Wesley  Ellison,  teaches  yoga  in  Cliff  Keen  arena  from  6-­‐7  p.m.,  for  free!  This  was  something  I  had  personally  heard  about,  but  never  saw  any  formal  announcements.       On  Nov.10,  I  decided  to  check  it  out,  but  to  my  dismay  the  instructor  never  showed  up.  After  speaking  with  Wesley,  she  told  me  it  was  cancelled  due  to  

2

no  one  attending  the  week  before.       Wesley  teaches  60-­‐minute  sessions  and  focuses  on  flexibility,  strength,  balance,  recovery  and  mental  fitness.  Participating  in  yoga  helps  serve  as  a  great  study  break,  in  addition  to  improving  athletic  performance.         I  wanted  to  check  it  out  myself,  so  I  tried  again.  Here  is  a  review  of  my  experience:    First  and  foremost,  I  really  did  enjoy  the  session,  BUT  I  did  realize  that  I  am  extremely  inflexible.  The  poses  that  we  went  through  were  all  do-­‐able,  but  when  I  had  to  twist,  turn  

3

and  bend,  my  body  said  no.  My  favorite  pose  was  the  pigeon  pose  or  happy  baby  (where  you  lie  on  your  back  with  your  legs  up,  hands  grab  your  ankles  and  roll  around).  Yoga  was  very  good  for  relaxation  and  stretching  my  muscles.  But  what  I  really  liked  about  this  yoga  session  was  that  it  gave  me  a  study  break  amongst  writing  a  paper  I  have  due  this  week.  Overall,  I  suggest  you  try  out  these  Monday  night  yoga  sessions,  you  won’t  regret  it!  

The Yoga Review Danielle  Robinson,  women’s  water  polo  

Taylor  Harrower,  Men’s  

  We’ve  all  heard  it-­‐  recycle,  take  a  shorter  shower,  eat  locally,  be  sustainable.  Sustainability  is  based  around  the  fact  that  we  depend  on  the  environment.  We  must  exist  with  nature  in  harmony,  in  order  to  continue  to  have  the  resources  we  need  for  now  and  for  future  generations.       Michigan  Student-­‐Athletes  for  Sustainability  (M-­‐SAS)  is  a  group  of  student-­‐athletes  who  care  about  the  athletic  department,  our  community,  and  the  planet  that  we  compete  on.    

    One  key  idea  in  sustainable  living  is  the  triple  bottom  line.  The  bottom  line  focuses  on  profit,  but  the  triple  bottom  line  focuses  on  three  key  things:  people,  planet,  and  profit.  M-­‐SAS  wants  to  help  the  athletic  department  and  student-­‐athletes  become  the  leaders  and  best  in  this  idea  of  a  triple  bottom  line.       As  student-­‐athletes,  we  can  contribute  to  the  triple  bottom-­‐line  by:  eating  locally  to  reduce  transportation  energy  and  costs,  recycling  to  drastically  limit  the  amount  of    

waste  that  enters  landfills,  and  conserving  water  to  maintain  a  freshwater  supply  for  marine  life  and  clean  drinking  water.       This  is  only  the  start  of  the  impact  you  can  make!      

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MSAS: Michigan Student-Athletes for Sustainability Kaitlin Wright, women’s rowing

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November 23, 2014 :: Volume 8

A Candid Conversation with President Mark Schlissel and

Interim AD Jim Hackett

    After a chaotic month with the resignation of former Athletic Director Dave Brandon, student-athletes were invited to take part in a conversation with University President Mark Schlissel and Interim Athletic Director Jim Hackett. Student-athletes were given the chance to get to know Brandon’s temporary replacement.  On November 4, over 100 student-athletes attended the general assembly meeting to participate in conversation with Hackett and Schlissel, bringing questions, concerns and recommendations for the two university leaders.       Schlissel began by telling the audience that he believes that student-athletes deserve to be centrally aware and involved with what’s going on within the athletic department. He proceeded to give a brief introduction of Hackett, who played football at Michigan under legendary coach Bo Schembechler before going on to become the CEO of Steelcase, an international office furniture company.   Upon being introduced, Hackett greeted student-athletes with a brief introduction of his own. Hackett described his approach to management as centered around the fan experience - going into detail on how student-athletes, coaches, athletic support staff, spectators and supporters should interact as a whole. As the question and answer portion of the evening began, people asked questions specific to the student-athlete experience, the future of plans for new facilities, and what the President, Interim AD and student-athletes can do to reverse the negative atmosphere surrounding Michigan Athletics.    “We have to begin with the belief that having athletics here is a fundamental part of having a great experience,” said Hackett. “I believe that the broader, lateral expansion of sports is a good idea in the modern world [and at the University].”         More specifically, when asked about the status of plans for facility renovations throughout South Campus, President Schlissel quelled anxieties by explaining that there have been no changes made in the plans for upgrading existing facilities. Finally, Hackett described himself and President Schlissel as working to understand how we can be world class. He suggested that we can all work together to reverse the negative atmosphere surrounding Michigan Athletics by blending high performance and high values, while having integrity in the way we do things.   After over an hour of conversation, Schlissel encouraged student-athletes to “hang in there with us” and promised to come back to a SAAC general assembly meeting to touch base again. He ensured the audience that the administration is committed to having everything move in a positive direction.  

 

Road to Mock Rock

Sarah  Zieve,  women’s  cross-­‐country   The three-month mark to Mock Rock is quickly approaching and the work has already begun. This year Mock Rock will be back at Hill Auditorium on February 18, 2015. The beneficiary that SAAC chose to partner with is the Ann Arbor YMCA, which is a great fit because it will connect the student-athletes and the beneficiary like never before. The Ann Arbor YMCA provides sports programs and after school activities to kids in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area. Additionally, some of these programs are free to kids who otherwise could not participate. Without the YMCA, many of these children would never have the opportunity to play sports and exercise. Rather than solely focusing on the monetary donation, the student-athletes can donate their time and athletic expertise by helping young athletes develop and grow in their sport. The Mock Rock sub-committee, headed by Emily Sejna, has already had events with the YMCA to connect the student-athlete events with kids. One of the events took place on November 16. The event “Building Stronger Athletes” brought together 200 kids and 150 student-athletes to Oosterbaan Field House to play various sports. The event was a great opportunity for the student-athletes to connect with the kids while interacting with them and teaching them about their sport. Stay tuned for more exciting and engaging events with our beneficiary in the upcoming months as we come closer to the Mock Rock show!

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Kayla Douglas, women’s swimming & diving

November 23, 2014 :: Volume 8

Lorem Ipsum

Punch front full to double front, layout Thomas. Whether flying through a floor routine or sticking a vault, the Michigan men’s gymnastics team continuously works to be champions. After winning back-to-back NCAA titles and back-to-back Big Ten championships, the men’s gymnastic team has proven that they have what it takes to be the leaders and best in every way.  South Campus Times wanted to know what a typical day at practice is like for these champions. Senior captains Michael Strathern and Nicholas Hunter lead us through a typical practice in the gym.    2:15- 2:30 p.m.  The team arrives at the gym to do pre-practice taping, rehab or treatment before official practice starts.  2:45 p.m.  The team lines up shortest to tallest in front of the coaches and discusses what is expected at practice for the day, as well as upcoming events for the week. After line up, they go through their team warm up and stretch, which takes about 20-25 minutes. They then break off and do additional individual warm-up exercises specific to what each gymnast may need.  3:30 p.m.  The gymnasts are on their first competitive events. Because each gymnast specializes on a specific event, they have a workout plan that is geared towards it. A typical workout on an event includes showing the coaches one full routine, then breaking a full routine up into halves and showing them one or two half sets. They practice dismount work and sometimes have ‘stick it’ contests with other teammates who work the same event.  4:30 p.m.  Then they move onto their next event with a similar workout plan as the first event that was practiced. Usually during preseason, a gymnast will not exceed more than three events a day, but this can change during the season for the all-arounders who do all the events.  6:00 p.m.  Finally, at the end of the practice the team has conditioning specific to what events each gymnast does. Gymnasts who work floor and vault tend to do more leg conditioning, while those who work rings will do ring strength and more upper-body work. The team gears up for Fridays in which they all have a difficult 15-minute circuit with 11 or 12 stations, followed up with either a core circuit or a pushup machine.  After an excruciatingly difficult, yet productive practice, the gymnasts do rehab, which they take very seriously. They emphasize on icing, stretching and foam rolling at the end of a practice to minimize soreness for the next few days.  South Campus Times asked senior captain Nick Hunter about his experience training at the University of Michigan:  SCT: What makes training for Michigan so special?  NH: The people. The people that you are surrounded by define your life experiences. To have such a diverse group of individuals, ranging from walk-ons to national team members with international experience, collectively coming together to continually strive for a common goal is truly amazing. Our team chemistry is unique in a sense that it fosters a willingness to sacrifice whatever it takes for people that are not just a team but also a family.  SCT: How does your training reflect what is takes to be a champion?  NH: Our team’s success reflects our unwavering motivation. Championships are not won the day of the competition, they are won by individuals committing themselves to a multiple yearlong process of sacrifice and trusting the process. We want to win for the team and the University - so we train like it.

A Typical Day At Practice

Allison Skaggs, women’s water polo

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Men’s Gymnastics

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November 23, 2014 :: Volume 8

  On November 13, Ann Arbor saw the first snow flurries of the season, unfortunately signifying that winter is officially upon us in Michigan. If this season proves to be anything like last year, we should fully expect campus to be continually covered in snow and ice from now until about the first of May. Since at least three-fourths of the Wolverines have survived one of the worst Michigan winters on record, student-athletes can better prepare for this years’ polar vortex with these helpful tips. Hopefully your team had the luxury of investing in the enormous Michigan winter coats - even though you may look like a giant blueberry. If, for some reason, your team didn’t get this luxury, then make sure to devote a good amount of money to a North Face jacket or Canada Goose parka. Although the price may put a dent in your credit card statement, warmth and the lack of pneumonia will be worth it. Function over fashion, my friends. Unfortunately, all of those with mopeds will need to start taking the bus. I would recommend downloading the Michigan Bus App to know when each bus will be at your specific stop on south campus. Just plan on sitting at the bus stop in the freezing weather for longer than anticipated. Layer up! One of the good things about the winter is that training rooms are able to be environmentally friendly by not wasting water for ice baths -- grab your teammates and plop in a snow bank for about 10 minutes. I can guarantee you won’t be able to feel your shins splints anymore. Speaking of which, if you happen to play a water sport or sweat a lot when working out indoors, be prepared to have your hair instantly freeze the moment you step outside. Don’t be too alarmed if it breaks off in some places ... it happens. Grab some hot chocolate. Go around singing Christmas carols at the top of your lungs. Snap a pic of the Law Library covered in snow for Instagram. But keep these tips in mind to (hopefully) make this year’s polar vortex a little bit more bearable.

For all of you living in close quarters this semester, listen up. Whether you’re living with your BFF or a random stranger, these three C’s apply to you: Cleanliness, Courtesy and Communication. The person living in the tiny bed across from you is not your mother, so don’t treat them like they are! Keep your side of the room tidy. No one wants to smell your dirty socks or last weekend’s late night cheesy bread. Also, keep in mind that the dorms are small, so when you’re having friends over, make sure to check in with your roommate first. If and when you experience a problem arising, discussing issues first hand can prevent any passive or direct aggressive confrontations. Even if a conversation with your roommate leaves an uneasy feeling of broken eggshells within the soles of your feet, grab them an extra dining hall cookie and most peace will be restored. If the dining hall cookie trick doesn’t work (it works 99% of the time), you can contact your RA and they will guide you to your options of changing dorm rooms. However, time does fly by and before you know it, second semester will be rolling around and you’ll be looking to off-campus housing as an option for your sophomore year. Do some snooping and ask your seniors what they are doing after graduation - their house or apartment might be available! If not, I suggest using the new app, Zillow. It gives you the option to choose a street, click on a house and find out all the important details including the cost of rent and the contact information of the realtor. This saves a lot of time walking up and down streets and knocking on doors hoping someone will let you in for a tour. When you do find a house or an apartment you love, don’t wait - act! Call the landlord and make sure to check it out for yourself (pictures can be deceiving). Similar to choosing a college to attend, it will just feel right! No matter the situation, remember to be respectful. Happy living!

The Advice Corner

Dorm Advice and House Hunting Katelyn Norton, women’s rowing

Tips for Surviving the Polar Vortex Kristin Eisenhauer, women’s cross-country

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November 23, 2014 :: Volume 8

  As winter approaches, the squirrels around campus will begin to gather food in order to prepare for the cold winter. Although these furry friends have the right idea, do not look to them as role models, my fellow student-athletes! There has been speculation that some student-athletes have taken too many tips from the squirrels by hoarding food from fueling stations and Grab-N-Go breakfast. While winter is approaching and some of us may want to hibernate, hoarding food is not necessary. We are fortunate enough to have food at Yost every morning and out of respect to the rest of the student-athlete community, it is important to follow the rules that are set in place for a purpose... Remember, the food WILL be there the next day. Don’t be squirrels!

By:  Kayla  Douglas,  women’s  swimming  &  diving  

Student-Athletes or Squirrels?

The Ins and Outs of Mopeds

By:  Marina  Nazario,  women’s  swimming  &  diving  

We all see the mopeds drive through campus; some of us with feelings of envy, others with uneasiness. But when you take a look at who’s driving them, it’s not hard to notice that it’s most likely a student-athlete. It’s becoming a trend to have a moped, and although you wouldn’t think it’s convenient to have one in Michigan, it’s actually the most reliable form of transportation available on campus. Having a moped as a student-athlete allows for the quickest form of transportation to and from classes on central campus and practice or living on south campus. With a moped you can quickly zoom up to north or central campus in five minutes with the added luxury of easy and free parking. Forget the bus; nobody has time to wait in the cold for its unreliable arrival. Yes, the cold is a huge disadvantage to riding a moped. It’s definitely an unpleasant feeling to have your eyes water so much that your tears turn into icicles. But you’ll defrost once you get inside. And of course, there’s always the safety hazard of riding a moped through inches of snow and black ice. But what’s life without a little thrill? I’m not advocating having a moped, but as someone who has one herself and is quickly realizing that life without it would be different (miserable), I highly recommend looking into purchasing one, or at least making friends with someone who has one. You can always sell it for the price you paid for (or more) at the end of your time in college. To those who have one, be sure to wear a helmet and adhere to the traffic laws. Biker-gang anyone?

Writers: Sarah Lee, Danielle Robinson, Allison Skaggs, Kristin Eisenhauer, Katelyn Norton, Kayla Douglas, Taylor Harrower, Kaitlin Wright, Pete Brumm

Graphics & Design: Julia Campbell

Managing Editor: Marina Nazario

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South Campus Times Credits