The Michigan Way

The University of Michigan is synonymous with winning. 9 NCAA Ice Hockey Championships, the highest total, and the longest current active streak for NCAA Ice Hockey tournament appearances at 25, is impressive to say the least. Even more incredible is that the university holds the record for all time number of wins (860) and winning percentage (.745) in Division I-A football. Given just a few of the many athletic achievements it is no wonder why the university proclaimed itself "the leaders and best," because they are. Or well they were. As of late the Wolverines have been more linked to the term underachieving rather than winning, but where do I begin? How about a sport that has not had as much success as of late, basketball. Could the class of 2007 seniors have underachieved just a little bit more than they did? At any other school those seniors, yes I mean you Courtney Sims, Lester Abram, Brent Petway, Ron Coleman and Dion Harris could've at least made it to the tournament, but not at the University of Michigna. Congratulations on one N.I.T. tournament championship and well not a whole lot else. You 5 made me believe in Michigan basketball at the beginning of each season that maybe, just maybe we could make the tournament, but every year you let me down and even last year you were one dunk, yes one DUNK away from the dance. Granted, this is basketball so I guess I can't get too upset. How about hockey, yes there is no way one of the most decorated hockey programs could underachieve especially in a season where they only lost 5 games. Think again folks. This past Thursday was just another item on the list of recent under achievements by Michigan athletics. After cruising through the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, I thought this would be the year, all this underachieving had to end this year. It was our turn. Apparently no nobody told Notre Dame, who Michigan outscored 8-3 in two games earlier in the season. After one of the worst defensive performances I have ever laid my eyes upon in the first period, the wolverines battle back and things were on the upswing. Fast forward to overtime where Notre Dame decided it would crush all of Ann Arbor's hopes with its victory over Michigan. No way a team with 15, yes 15, loses could defeat a team with merely 5, well folks this is Michigan. But neither of those sports were our pride and joy - football. No way the winningest program in history could underachieve, not a chance. Enter the class of 2008. Coming into the season the words that described the Michigan offense were along the lines of explosive, a well oiled machine, a vortex of awesomeness, etc. Enter Division I-AA Appalachian State, who was apparently ill informed about this juggernaut team that had national title hopes. 3 hours into the season those hopes were gone. This class of 2008 had arguably the most talent to walk through the Big House halls in years, led by 4 year starters Mike Hart and Chad "Ballgame" Henne. How can a class that put up numbers that were astonishing over their careers go 1-3 in bowl games and more importantly 0-4 against Ohio State. As soon as you enter Ann Arbor only one game matters and thats the game against Ohio State. Way to drop the ball there seniors, both metaphorically and literally speaking. It just frustrates me how a school bound to the tradition of winning can stand for such under achievements in athletics. Getting to the Frozen Four or winning 11 games means nothing without one thing - a fat championship ring. The last team to do that - women's softball in 2005. Maybe "the leaders and best" are just slumping, we can only hope, or maybe this is a pattern that we will see in years to come - accepting mediocrity when nothing but the best should be accepted from the best. Michigan: Get your act together before its too late.