5/20/06- BEGGARS AT THE FEAST?

National Champions Get Crumbs From the Table

Amongst the angst about future of Michigan football stadium you might have missed it so I'll recap it for you. 

The team that went 7-5  and went to a mediocre bowl game got a $226 Million dollar facility upgrade while the defending nation champions got a mere $5.5 million to spruce up their field.

Of course, I'm talking about the UM women's softball team.  The team that last year was the first team east of the Mississippi to win a National Championship,  graduates its players, and doesn't shy away from aiming at a National Championship despite playing in a sport dominated by warm weather schools.  No excuses, just excellence.

The softball team plays at Alumni Field which is shoehorned between the old Track and Tennis building, Oosterbaan Field House, and the railroad tracks. If you haven't been there before you might have trouble finding it.  But beggars can't be choosers.

Saying One Thing While Doing Another

The athletic department gives lip service to providing all athletes with a great collegiate experience.  But in 2010 after the $226 million dollar renovation of the football stadium is complete and it comes time to honor the Michigan sports teams that win a big ten championship as pre-game entertainment at the big house the student athletes who aren't wearing football helmets can look up at the private suites and know exactly where they rate. 

And then they can look to the Regents private box and know who's responsible.

Go Blue!

Phil Callihan
UMGoBlue.COM, Editor-in-Chief
phil@umgoblue.com

Phil Callihan is the Editor-in- Chief of UMGoBlue.COM.  Phil graduated from the University of Michigan in 1993 and has been a football season ticket holder since 1994.

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