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Thursday, June 24, 2010

GBMWolverine is moving

Posted at 8:00am -- 6/24/2010

GBMWolverine followers,

Our site, GBMWolverine, has moved to GBMWolverine, so please bookmark our new site into your favorites.

At this time the previous blogspot site will be idle.

We will be shutting down the current message board as well. We will have a message board that goes with the new site that will enable readers easier access to the new message board. Please note, you will have to register to post on the new message board. Here is the link for the new message board: GBMWolverine Message Board

The site will remain a place where fans can participate in our blog and be able to discuss Michigan athletics on the message board.

You can contact us at our e-mail address: GBMWolverine

Follow us on Twitter:
@ErocWolverine
@GBMWolverine

Written by GBMWolverine Staff  

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!

 

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

2011 Michigan Football Recruiting: Dee Hart


Posted at 8:00am -- 6/22/2010

2011 Michigan Football Recruiting: Today’s Spotlight on Dee Hart

Dee Harts improvement from the sophomore film to junior film is striking. One reason, among many, for this improvement is simple physical maturation. Hart is noticeably thicker in the thighs and has not lost any of his quickness or acceleration. He has excellent hands catching the ball out of backfield and maintains good body lean and pad level.

What impressed GBMW the most were Dee’s super hips, he cuts on a dime with no loss of speed. More than the recent running back recruits, Dee is a great fit for the Michigan zone schemes.



Why is Dee Hart important to Michigan recruiting? The Rich Rodriguez (Michigan) version of the spread offense depends heavily on two positions, quarterback and tailback. For this offense to be clicking points off at a high pace, both the quarterback and running back must be of the highest caliber, at least near All-America talent level. Two guys who can take it all the way on any given play, in any given yardage situation, is what makes the offense click. With moderate talent at quarterback and running back, ball control goes out the window and only moderate or even flat mediocre results will result.

Michigan has improved at the quarterback position and the next two years could bring a performance level nearing Pat White (time will tell). But the running back position is not of the same ilk. Vinnie Smith is a nice control runner that can frequently get 2-5 yards (maybe UM could actually benefit more from control than the quick strike). But Vinnie is not going to break Slaton type runs. None of the other running backs have proved much, period. Give some credit however, the entire stable was working very hard this spring.

Dee Hart can take it to the house better than anyone on the current roster. He has a lot of talent and like Vinnie Smith and Jeremy Gallon is a very good athlete who can play football.

Dee Hart would give this offense a chance of being a true two-headed monster. One head may not be enough to get the team to the next level.

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


Tuesday, June 22, 2010

GBMW: Were Expanding Coverage


Posted at 8:00am -- 6/22/2010

GBMW: Were Expanding Coverage

GBMW has always promised to seriously consider suggestions from our much-appreciated followers. As a result, GBMW is going to be adding more recruiting coverage to the blog page. The breakdowns of Michigan recruits and associated scouting reports have been very well received both here and on other web sources. As a result, the staff will extend recruiting coverage.

GBMW typically covered Michigan commitments with our breakdowns and film evaluations that we normally do. Also, GBMW covered recruiting as a result of mailbag e-mails, questions about certain recruits, areas of recruiting, or how the staff thought recruiting was going. More recently, GBMW has hit the sideline for scouting and published stories about local Ohio and Michigan recruits.

The site has decided to expand its presence in the recruiting domain to not only benefit our viewers, but also to expand coverage of Michigan football, by discussing who UM is recruiting. There will be some, limited carry-over to other sports as well.

GBMW is planning on doing one or two breakdowns a week of potential Michigan recruiting targets. These might not be recruits that are high on Michigan, or high on the Michigan coaches’ list, but we think some of the recruits should either look at Michigan or Michigan should look at them. Also, the site is going to at least attempt to set this up so to be on a certain day, so the readership will know when to expect recruiting news.

This might be a slow time in covering Michigan football right now (nothing seems too slow at UM circa 2010), but things behind the scenes are picking up and expanding recruiting coverage becomes an opportunity for a more informative site.

The staff has not forgotten the other sports that GBMW covers, but the main focus will remain football because that is our overriding expertise. GBMW will continue the great hockey coverage with Yostmeister and also “dabble” in basketball, softball, baseball and everything else on the Michigan campus.

As always the site will value the e-mail questions and will continue printing and answering those as well. The mailbag questions, as earlier stated, have helped make this site much bigger than the staff envisioned when GBMW started.

By adding to the site, all of us hold the objective of retaining loyal readers and gaining new ones. The plan now is to grow by providing great information and highly independent material. There is more to the growth plan and some information may be made available soon at GBMW.

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


Monday, June 21, 2010

Big Ten Expansion Alignment Possibilities


Posted at 8:00am -- 6/21/2010

Big Ten Expansion Alignment Possibilities

Many have weighed in about the conference realignment, that is, the grouping of the conference teams into two divisions.

Some takes are geographic in nature, such as north/south, east/west, while some seek to balance the power between the two divisions, paying little heed to geography.

We at GBMW, like many of you, are still debating on which potential alignment is best, not only for Michigan but also the conference. It would be unfortunate to have the conference split into two divisions and be dominated by one division, like we have seen in Big Twelve football.

Regardless of the eventual number of teams and the eventual alignment, an important query is does the Big Ten conference, with twelve teams, play another conference game or will the league keep scheduling eight conference games?

Some at GBMW strongly favor the continuance of rivalry games. On the other hand perhaps now is a good time to have both members of each perceived rivalry voice agreement or disagreement as to whether the game should be mandated as an annual date on the schedule. If a team wants out of an annual game, and have the traditional opponent placed in the general rotation, this is the time to switch. Will some teams only have one mandated rivalry game, while others have two? Will all number one designated rivalry games be played the last week of the season, or will the conference start rotating this factor as well?

So, the debate of what is best naturally must start with where to place Michigan and Ohio State. Most here agree that "The Game" needs to be played at the end of the year and should remain an annual event. The Big 12 made a huge mistake when the conference took away one of college football’s best rivalries, Oklahoma and Nebraska, which those among us who are seasoned enough remember being played on Thanksgiving weekend. The stakes were very high in many of those classic games.

Does the conference place Michigan and Ohio State into separate divisions or in the same division, eliminating the possibility of the two rivals playing on back-to-back weekends?

Some predictably want both in the same division to continue the strength of "The Game.” The game may never be diminished but some wind may be taken out of the sail if both teams do not play annually.

Many, certainly Michigan fans, wanted to see a re-match between Ohio State and Michigan after the 2006 game, where Michigan lost 42-39 at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State fans didn't want to see this since they were on the winning side. ESPN certainly did not want to see a rematch as well. The only reason Columbus fans would want a rematch would be to achieve the distinction of beating Michigan twice in the same year.

Jerry Dinardo of the Big Ten Network set up his realignment and we like the three different scenarios, but which one is the best for the conference over the long haul, after all the ups and downs of individual teams run the course? Which grouping could raise the Big Ten Conference to a new level or which grouping could have a negative impact by turning the Big Ten into a lop-sided arrangement?

Jerry Dinardo East/West Divisions

East:
Indiana
Michigan
Michigan State
Ohio State
Penn State
Purdue

West:
Illinois
Iowa
Minnesota
Nebraska
Northwestern
Wisconsin

Obviously in our opinion the East division is the better division with three solid programs in Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State.

The West division has Nebraska and Wisconsin, neither now as strong as OSU or PSU. Yes, Iowa has lately contended for the league title in the Big Ten Conference, and Wisconsin remains solid.

Here, Michigan and Ohio State are in the same division so no worry about a carry over game. In this scenario Michigan could have the Minnesota game as a carry over game to play for the Little Brown Jug every year since Michigan State and Ohio State are in Michigan’s division.

A common problem with any divisional scenario is some of the big games would be rotated off the schedule, such as Nebraska vs. Michigan or Wisconsin vs. Michigan. Yes, good match-ups were also lost in the 11 team, one division, Big Ten conference.

Assuming there will be two divisions, we would like to see new rivalries started, such as Ohio State and Nebraska playing every year in a crossover game. There are many factors that support this game, most importantly both are historical programs of national stature. This gives OSU a second rivalry, whereas Michigan still has three rivalry games in Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Michigan State.

Jerry Dinardo North/South Divisions

North:
Illinois
Michigan
Michigan State
Minnesota
Northwestern
Wisconsin

South:
Indiana
Iowa
Nebraska
Ohio State
Penn State
Purdue

In this grouping the south division appears to be the better division, with Ohio State, Nebraska and Penn State as members.

Now, if Michigan State can continue to raise the football program then maybe this would provide good balance between the two divisions.

The schedule would involve playing everybody in the division plus one annual crossover game, rotating the rest of the opposite division teams on and off the schedule.

This grouping has more games that would need to be carried over as crossover games, such as Michigan/Ohio State, Minnesota/Iowa, Illinois/Indiana, Michigan State/Penn State, Wisconsin/Nebraska, and Northwestern/Purdue.

Or does the league just divide the power teams like everybody did as a kid at recess?

Dinardo Plan:

Bo:
Michigan
Nebraska
Michigan State
Minnesota
Iowa
Illinois

Woody:
Ohio State
Penn State
Wisconsin
Purdue
Indiana
Northwestern

Crossover Games assigned to the above alignment:
Michigan/Ohio State
Nebraska/Purdue
Michigan State/Penn State
Iowa/Wisconsin
Illinois/Northwestern
Minnesota/Indiana

In this scenario you split Michigan and Ohio State, obviously, and seem to have power teams being balanced out.

Sure, in this division set-up (like the other set-ups) one division may each year appear tougher, but that will happen, especially with programs such as Iowa, Michigan State, and others that can be contenders one year and the next year are back in the middle of the pack. Some teams have to be on a 3-4 year plan to contend for the conference title, while others, such as Ohio State, do this every year.

One of the major factors, beside what to do with Ohio State and Michigan, is the extra expenses that teams will have with travel. Minor sports will face extra travel time and expenses, likely covered in part by the extra income the conference will generate. The effect of alignment is important to basketball as well.

So, of the three division plans which one is best for Michigan, what is best for the Big Ten Conference, and what is best for college football as a whole? Smart people are looking into this decision and the rest of us wait with interest.

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


Friday, June 18, 2010

Mailbag question: USC players


Posted at 8:00am -- 6/18/2010

Mailbag question: USC players

Hey guys, great stuff lately as always. Just a quick question, a couple of years ago we were recruiting a kid out of the PSL (I think) named Nick Perry. He was one of the top DE's in the country for that class. We thought we were in it but he ultimately chose USC.

So my question is now with the USC sanctions allowing players to leave without sitting out a year might he come back home? If not him are there others who may be interested?

Keep up the good work!!

Tom T.

------------------------

Thanks for the question.

That is a tough question, and any maybe is not even in the early developmental stage. USC is still going to be on national TV a ton, so exposure is not a problem.

USC is still going to attract NFL scouts in droves. so that is not an issue.

Defenders like Nick Perry will be playing for one of the most respected DC's in the business in Coach Kiffin. Coach Carroll and many other noted coaches credit him as a mentor, a plus for the USC program.

Players like Perry, who have limited eligibility remaining, are less likely to transfer, but it is not out of the question. Ronald Johnson likely will not come back to Michigan, among many factors not in Michigan’s favor is the style of offense and how the split ends have been used the last couple of years at Michigan certainly would be unattractive to a potential high draft pick.

Is it possible either would come back? Possible, yes, but highly unlikely in our opinion -- we could see either going to Michigan State before Michigan.

People need to remember that no matter how Michigan fans can minimize what is going on in Ann Arbor, others around the country have a different perception.

So, not many players would want to leave a team like USC soon to be under sanctions to go to another team like Michigan that has been investigated, self-penalized, and are waiting on the NCAA in August for final sanctions.

Now if the NCAA ruling had came out earlier then we could possible see USC players looking into Michigan, but since nothing will be finalized until mid-August that means that the players would have to trust the word of coaches they really don't know, an unlikely scenario after being burned by coaches they did trust.

This is a situation that is bad for the current USC players, because they are at a place they wanted to be part of, and in most cases the current USC players were not even in high school when these events occurred. They will be the ones that have to suffer the consequences, not the school, the president, the current head coach, the previous head coach, the assistant coaches, the athletic director, boosters, or former players.

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


Thursday, June 17, 2010

Mailbag question: Making excuses


Posted at 8:00am -- 6/17/2010

GBMW,

Does it seem like Michigan has become the "excuse" program lately, at least by some sites?

It does appear that plenty of blame for all the problems surrounding the football program has been levied to many, excepting the people in charge of the program and the university.

Excuses are like "you know what" and everybody has them. I want to see results on the field -- isn't that what really matters?

Your thoughts please?

Craig R. From Syracuse, NY.

------------------------------------------

Thanks for the question.

Our opinion has been consistent since the beginning of this entire (semi or total) fiasco; there is plenty of blame to go around. A venture as big as Michigan football may have only one Captain, but there are plenty of mates, and all have a meaningful purpose and delegated assignment(s) past the decoration or figurehead status.

Many old expressions could be used concerning the past 18 to 24 months. “Another fine mess”, “I know nothing,” fill in your own here ____________________________. The current football program’s status, while not in shambles, is messy and it is a flat out shame.

There are many good guys on this site who wish a time eraser could turn back some pages and create better results. But Alice left Wonderland and the Grinch has dropped in by parachute.

Sooner or later, good people, seeking to rebuild the foundational support and restore the prestige of the Michigan football program, will carefully analyze the inglorious and very sorrowful mysteries floating around the Wolverine world like whispy ghosts. This is/was the expectation of the NCAA and the vehicle for explanation was Michigan’s report.

Our staff collectively does not believe the potential position that the Michigan football staff should be insulated from ANY blame in the current “situations.”

Again, as in past mailbox responses, coaches are in charge of understanding and applying the institutional rules and are also in charge of the Michigan football program in actuality, not by a de facto status. As the old saying goes "the buck stops here". This is an old saying the NCAA believes in.

Just as accurately, the coaches should not be made to assume “full blame” for all the happenstance that has quickly turned a mildly bubbling pot into a high-end vortex. No one short of administrative status is in a position to place a quantitative or qualitative amount of blame on any single individual (yes, names were named). Finding of fact, already undertaken, can (assuming a good process) clearly demonstrate: (1) a flow chart of responsibilities; (2) who or what entity had assigned responsibility; (3) the timeframes involved; (4) documented attempts to comply with prescribed duties and timelines, and (5) errors committed during the process and the nature of the errors.

This is not that difficult, hundreds of sports programs successfully navigate through this maze annually. Yes, the paperwork is thick and the context can be somewhat vague, but there are dozens of people within an athletic department along the assignment continuum and the NCAA has an available phone line.

Frankly, it should become obvious that many people and departments made mistakes of omission or commission, and in the normal path of such events individuals are held accountable, either in an actual vein or as a scapegoat. In any big enterprise, intra and interdepartmental happenings can fall through the cracks or fall victim to bad communication. The nature of the failings here, far exceed a normal/typical threshold of error.

There will be quick (and further) scurrying in August when the NCAA comes down off the mountain and gives the judgment (yea or nay) to Michigan’s suggested remedy to the allegations, whereupon, the commandments will be issued, and some housecleaning may result out of necessity. There is nothing pleasant for the university staff that will have to live through this personal nightmare for the next two months, or longer.

The biggest, and maybe the only, possibility of a silver lining is a well thought out and well-managed compliance plan that should put the program on good administrative footing in future times.

Concerning other sites, we will give our comments solely on these happenings. Our viewpoints, like every other enterprise assessing the blame game, are not privy to a finding of fact in totality or guaranteed certain accuracy. Even those in the midst of the actual process cannot likely guarantee a perfect final product based on perfectly accurate findings.

Just like the BP situation, many of the players in this several act comedy (or tragedy) are trying to cover their buttocks and their pocketbooks (livelihood). By the way, everyone here knows that football is a game and the Gulf situation is a disaster that pales any athletic program malfunction.

Again, this situation can best be described as, “It is what it is.” Sometime in the future this somewhat depressing novel will be traded in, rewritten, or edited for a better chapter of Michigan football. That comment is directed at administrative method, anticipated change, and program success, not personnel from any branch of the football program or university departments.

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


GBMW TV Programming for Today


Posted at 12:00pm -- 6/17/2010

GBMW TV Programming for Today

College Football Live
3:00pm - 3:30pm
DirecTV Channel 614
ESPNU

College Football Live -- replay
3:30pm - 4:00pm
DirecTV Channel 614
ESPNU

College Football Live -- replay
10:30pm - 11:00pm
DirecTV Channel 614
ESPNU

College Football Live -- replay
3:00pm - 3:30pm
DirecTV Channel 614
ESPNU

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


Wednesday, June 16, 2010

GBMW TV Programming for Today


Posted at 12:00pm -- 6/16/2010

GBMW TV Programming for Today

College Football Live
3:30pm - 4:00pm
DirecTV Channel 209
ESPN2

College Football Live
4:00pm - 4:30pm
DirecTV Channel 614
ESPNU

College Football Live
10:30pm - 11:00pm
DirecTV Channel 614
ESPNU

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


GBMW Response to R.E.L. about Dorsey


Posted at 8:00am -- 6/16/2010

GBMW Response

Mr. R.E.L.

The staff at GBMW wishes to thank you most sincerely for your recent email discussing the Demar Dorsey situation. The letter is viewed by all to be respectful and informative. All of us wish to thank you for your time and informed perspective.

Below is a short “somewhat itemized” response by our staff. It is not meant to be defensive, but at times may seem to be through outside perception, similar to the internals of the Demar Dorsey “situation.” Toward the end will be a suggested “remedy” you may or may not agree with, or be partner to such an effort.

As a preamble know that one of our staff is a former Big Ten professor and visiting professor at a MAC school (six years), who happened to earlier on coach college sports (albeit a much smaller institution than Michigan) and worked frequently with admissions for evaluating the academic standing of recruits and offering judgments to admissions based on data, interviews, and as you mention, plenty of external variables besides grades.

There was quite a bit of advanced reading and discussion before the writing of the article. One thing that came up in a large audience site was the use of on-line (self-directed?) credits for high school courses. It was also stated clearly by many sources that Demar was essentially in an alternative branch of the local educational system, a branch stated as being for students who have not done well in more traditional curricula.

Although stated on several sites, and being aware of his “new curricula,” the call here was to mention the alternative angle and leave out the on-line coursework. Many sources mention the recent “alternatives” for Demar, but only a couple implied or stated he took on-line courses that to scholars might present a viewpoint of a situation of creating a clear chance to “bump grades in an expedient manner.”

All of us understand that Admissions (and other entities) are in a position where a university is bound not to discuss in detail, or even comment on, decisions related to admissions and academic standing. Our former college coach mentioned that he could not even talk to parents when an athlete’s grades were going south. Your implied or explicit view the Dorsey situation is overblown and does not help privacy is correct. Your statement Mr. Lyons that many other students are in difficult admissions circumstances and do not gain a final positive disposition is certainly correct, at every institution, not just Michigan. The non-athletes’ plight indeed does not make national news. Our nation, perhaps with great injustice, has placed athletes in a situation (prying eyes) far different from typical people, leading to different standards of privacy and commentary.

Privacy is indeed in dire straits in this country and the journalistic credo of “Our right to know supercedes your right to exist,” is in full swing with the expectation of instant media information about everything from cockroach endangerment to the size of a hat on a celebrity taking a cruise 5,000 miles away. Simply put, not everyone needs to know everything about everything.

We all totally understand the concept of unacceptable or incomplete circumstances/results/academics/added stipulations/etc. that can hold up or cause refusal for admission. It is understood that grades are not the sole determiner of admission to a powerhouse academic institution (or any higher education venue for that matter). There are indeed variables that may be equal to or actually exceed grades as meaningful criteria for admissions, including behavioral or legal conditions, rigor of curricula work, etc. There are some who have flooded the web with assertions that if Demar met X criteria, admission would be the Y result. Obviously, this was no so.

Any university has the right, assuming that fair play, individual rights, and ethics are all above board, to scrutinize and make an admission decision deemed proper. The perceived or actual rigor of on-line courses and a significant increase in the final ACT score (reported by some) could easily signal an NCAA flag. And many in admissions must have had enough of flags after last year (and perhaps even this year). In short, the question of rigor obviously must be one of the associated factors implied within the content of your communication. The standards of a university are the top priority to its greatest stakeholders, the alumni and faculty.

We all agree that the coaches need to know the risk behind such a recruiting effort and state that it is without merit to constantly state that nothing was known about a recruit’s background. To our former coach, and current coach, having a firm and complete understanding of the candidate supercedes athletic talent.

We all agree that this situation has been likely overplayed and distorted by media of all types and levels (from top national to the smallest blog). We also agree that the conspiracy theories are greatly overextended in scope and accuracy.

There was an attempt to clearly state that all the dots may never be connected. There are several “players” in the created soap opera, some of which have likely simply done their job in a correct and prescribed manner. Most of the arrow pointing has been from the media, not the university, and statements made by AD Brandon clearly support Admissions and university standards. Our staff believes it was proper to offer a disclaimer in our article that there is/was no way the resources or opportunities were available to present a perfect portrait of truth.

Mr. R.E.L., you have graced us with a polite and informed letter, we now wish to offer a possibility of a remedy. The remedy would involve writing a short article essentially stating some of the positions contained in your letter, with no mention made of a source, some “further possibilities from a different perspective” if you will. This could be quickly drafted and sent to you for your opinion as to whether this would serve the truth. One unfortunate truth is that the Dorsey situation has an almost universal perception of being muddled. We agree that blame is not always a mandated condition, sometimes things just happen. Whether muddled or not, this situation could have some ramifications for the future of the program and if there is a small way we at GBMW can help by providing truthful, accurate information, by all means we would be delighted.

The construct most critical for this site is the eventual truth. Certainly, everything is not cut and dried, or black or white. The less information available and the less access to the primary players, the greater the chance of error (which was discussed in the Dorsey article). Blame in this situation (if there truly is blame) will never be quantified precisely. But with the support cast that Michigan has in place it is puzzling to assume great communication and cooperation occurred with the final outcome of this unfortunate situation.

It would do well for many to accept (if so) the reality that this situation was a highly publicized admission decision, done so by proper channel and proper procedure, and not bungled by agenda, conspiracy, factions, etc. Our understanding is this is clearly what you state to be so Mr. R.E.L.. Again, if this site can be of help, the goal is the truth.

Again thank you Mr. R.E.L. for your time and response and we look forward to your opinion as to our suggested remedy.

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


Tuesday, June 15, 2010

GBMW TV Programming for Today


Posted at 12:00pm -- 6/15/2010

GBMW TV Programming for Today

College Football Live
3:30pm - 4:00pm
DirecTV Channel 209
ESPN2

College Football Live
4:00pm - 4:30pm
DirecTV Channel 614
ESPNU

College Football Live
7:30pm - 8:00pm
DirecTV Channel 614
ESPNU

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


Regarding Dorsey from a poster


Posted at 8:00am -- 6/15/2010

To GBMW Staff: Regarding Dorsey

You need to do MORE research about the issue. I think you will find that On-Line courses for the last semester may not be the way to get in to UM. I suggested that all the blame for his non-admission be looked at in the south. Thought you might enjoy this not from AD.

Much has been made of the recent news about a prospective student-athlete who had signed a letter of intent for our football program and his admission status at the University of Michigan. To the extent that I am able, I’d like to set the record straight. I use that qualification because the University can’t and won’t reveal the particular academic issues for any specific prospect….for reasons that are both proper and compassionate.

I can, however, talk about the process in general, and correct some misconceptions. The first is that there is some disconnect between Michigan Athletics and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. There is not.

The admissions office has been very supportive of Michigan Athletics for many years and there is no way they are doing anything more than what they believe is in the best interest of the prospect and the university. The admissions office is very separate from Athletics (reporting to the Provost of the university) and does not have any interest in the drama and intrigue brought to these matters by passionate football fans.

There are no factions. There is no conspiracy. This is not about politics. The simple truth is that meeting minimum NCAA GPA standards alone has NEVER qualified someone for admission at the University of Michigan. Coaches, administrators and prospects are all very much aware of this fact and go into the recruitment process with their eyes wide open.

Why, then, do letters of intent get signed, before admission is secured? On occasion, we have prospects who have unacceptable or incomplete qualifications for admission and more facts have to be gathered (post the signing of the LOI) to allow our admissions office to reach the stage where they can make a final decision. Coaches fully understand the risks associated with signing these prospects – including the reality that they don’t always successfully make it through admissions. Grade-point average is not the only criteria. There are plenty of other factors that are considered by admissions, including such things as where and how the GPA was created, specific course work requirements, test scores, etc. And in the end, some of the prospects will just not make the cut.

Another misconception is that the individual being subjected to all of the news coverage is a unique situation. He is not.

His unfortunate situation has been distorted by misinformation that is being accepted as fact by some folks who clearly don’t understand the process or the number of these situations we manage as part of our regular signing/applications for admissions activities.

Our admissions office has dealt with similar circumstances many times over the years and when they have chosen to not admit a prospect, nobody has ever questioned their integrity or motives. They are just doing their job with the utmost integrity.

I hope this is helpful in bringing some balance and a more objective perspective to this unfortunate situation.

R.E.L.

Monday, June 14, 2010

GBMW TV Programming for Today


Posted at 12:00pm -- 6/14/2010

GBMW TV Programming for Today

College Football Live
3:30pm - 4:00pm
DirecTV Channel 614
ESPNU

College Football Live (Replay)
7:30pm - 8:00pm
DirecTV Channel 614
ESPNU

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


Nebraska Cornhuskers added to the Big Ten Conference!


Posted at 8:00am -- 6/14/2010

Nebraska Cornhuskers added to the Big Ten Conference!

The dominos are falling and leagues are realigning. Certainly Nebraska’s move will be the first of many possible in the Big Ten conference.

Fun Facts:

Academic Profile:

Chartered in 1869

Association of American Universities Member

Land Grant University

Among U.S. News and World Report top 50 public national universities.


Athletic Profile:

One of the top 40 in the Director’s cup standings almost every year.

Athletic Director: Tom Osborne

Varsity sports: 21 (9 men's -- 12 women's)

Unofficial nickname: Big Red

Colors: Scarlet and Cream

Mascot: Herbie Husker

Fight Song: Dear Old Nebraska U


Our thoughts:

Like about everyone else GBMW believes Nebraska will be a great addition to The Big Ten Conference, whether the conference ends up with Twelve, Fourteen, or Sixteen teams.

Nebraska not only brings a rich tradition of winning football, the football program has some super rabid fans that travel well to games (upwards of 30,000 for big games), similar to how Ohio State fans travel.

Those of us old enough to remember still have visions of Johnny Rodgers winning the Heisman, with big corn fed offensive linemen like Dave Remmington leading Nebraska to two NCAA championships. For decades, a bad year at Nebraska was losing 3 games.

As recently as 1997, Nebraska was in the National Title hunt, as many people remember Nebraska and Michigan shared the National Championship that year in football.

Cornhusker fans bleed Scarlet and Cream every bit as much as we Michigan fans bleed Maize and blue.

Nebraska will provide a natural rival for Iowa and hopefully be a featured format for Michigan in the television markets in America’s heartland.

The Nebraska program is on the rise with Bo Pelini in charge of the football program, a coach we really like who may just be itching to make an impression, being from Ohio and attending Ohio State. This might make a becoming a good rival for both Nebraska and Ohio State. This will be one more team that everyone in the Big Ten will have to worry about.

In other sports at Nebraska:

Twenty-one varsity teams (9 men's teams; 12 women's teams)

Fourteen different sports (Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Tennis, Track/Field, Wrestling, Volleyball, Soccer, Bowling, Rifle, Swimming/Diving)

Twenty-three National Championships in five sports:

o Football (5): 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997
o Volleyball (3): 1995, 2000, 2006
o Men's Gymnastics (8): 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1990, 1994
o Bowling (5): 1999 [IBC], 2000 [IBC], 2004 [NCAA], 2005 [NCAA], 2009 [NCAA]
o Women's Track & Field (3): 1982 [AIAW], 1983 [NCAA], 1984 [NCAA]

Football Success:

o Won 41 MVIAA/Big Eight championships, including 30 outright
o Won two Big 12 Championships and won Big 12 North Division championship six times

Conference Success:

o Other sports have combined to win over 120 conference championships

Three Heisman Trophy Winners:

o Johnny Rodgers - 1972 (Two National Championships - 1970, 1971)
o Mike Rozier - 1983
o Eric Crouch - 2001

Other Notable Athletes:

o Darin Erstad, outfielder/first base - first player in Major League Baseball history to win Gold Glove awards for both infield and outfield positions
o Tommie Frazier, quarterback - Won two National Championships (1994, 1995)
o Sarah Pavan, right-side hitter, volleyball - Honda-Broderick Cup winner in 2007 - Nation's Top Female Student Athlete
o Ndamukong Suh, defensive tackle - 1st-Round, 2nd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft (Detroit Lions)

Notable Coaches:

o Tom Osborne, Football (1973-1997)
+ Three National Championships (1994, 1995, 1997)
+ Led team to 17 consecutive major bowl games
+ 1999 College Football Hall of Fame inductee
o Bob Devaney, Football (1962-1972)
+ Two National Championships (1970, 1971)
+ 1981 College Football Hall of Fame inductee
o John Cook, Women's Volleyball
+ Two NCAA Championships (2000, 2006)
+ NCAA Runner-up (2005)
+ Five Final Four Appearances since 2000

In conclusion, Nebraska is a great first piece of the Big Ten expansion puzzle, which we believe when all is said and done will increase to the new mega conference standard of sixteen teams!

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


Friday, June 11, 2010

Mailbag question: Demar Dorsey


Posted at 8:00am -- 6/11/2010

Mailbag question: Demar Dorsey

All right guys. You seem to have been very well informed in the past, so I am bringing this to you. Why it is that Demar Dorsey can make the grade and academically qualify and not be admitted to Michigan?

Please explain in detail, because something seems very fishy to me.

Thanks

Bruce K. S.

-----------------------

Thanks for the question. There was no doubt this question was coming. GBMW will answer, painfully. The latest chapter of another fine mess may force us to some old time medication.

But, Bruce and readers please accept the following realities that hinder an attempt at a definitive (final and totally accurate) answer regarding the Demar Dorsey “situation.” Only a few top university personnel, from within separate entities, can put the entire picture together and be counted as primary sources witness to discussion and decision. Someone from admissions, someone from the athletic department, and someone from the football staff were probably together all at one time to determine or receive a final disposition. Admissions will not talk because grades are of a personal nature and saying anything may violate a broad range of Act of Privacy guidelines. A football coach will not talk in extreme public quarters, for the same reason and also for the pragmatic realization that football coaches should not take on Admissions at a university of Michigan’s stature (or anywhere else). The Athletic Director either went to bat for the recruit, or stayed out of the fray, we do not know. He is not going to stir the pot further after the fact.

Now this ugly scenario could be construed as a historical love or hate triangle used successfully for two hundred or so years in opera, Aida comes to mind.

Before opera, there was Billy Shakespeare, who once penned a line spoken by the character Marcellus in Hamlet’s Act 1, “there is something rotten in the state of Denmark,” using this phrase as a metaphor for a political group rotting like a fish from the head down. So, Bruce something being fishy here would not be so good!

Modern cinema has long picked up on this successful three-way recipe and the beat continues. The three antagonists, or protagonists, are clear. Well, at least one (Coach Rod) has been antagonized. But unfortunately added into the mix is a fourth element, student athlete Demar Dorsey. So, a question can be raised: is this now a four-way deal, or instead the classic triangle with the young Dorsey in the center helplessly surrounded by three powerful entities that are not exactly in harmonious form? The vote here is for the later, and that is why the outrage has boiled over; the student will bear the immediate effect, but later on Michigan and some of the players in the triangle may have the effect boomerang back.

Bruce, let us start of by listing what is known, probably beyond argument (although things change):
• Demar Dorsey met NCAA qualification guidelines
• Demar’s Clearinghouse status is uncertain and flagging is a possibility
• Demar made progress, albeit with credits from an alternative setting
• Most (very large percentage) NCAA student athletes who qualify and have signed a LOI are eventually admitted and attend that school, but not all
• Admissions is almost exclusively responsible for admissions decisions, other entities can play a role, but only admissions can produce the final decision

What is unknown to our knowledge:
• What were the conditions stated to Demar for Michigan admission?
• To what degree were the participants for and against Demar’s admission?
• By all reasonable standards of fairness, did Demar meet the criteria Michigan laid out? By the same standards, did Michigan breech a reasonable standard of fairness, explicit or clearly implied? What were the criteria?
• Was this a simple Admissions decision, or is the decision part of any antagonistic action?

On to the discussion, understanding full well that connecting the dots is not a perfect science.

Currently, the arrows are flying, with the first batch flying squarely at Admissions, but as the week has progressed some of the mob has shifted anger toward Athletic Director David Brandon. There are few arrows pointed at Coach Rodriguez, in contrast to the media arrows that flew around the February signing day taking umbrage (convenient umbrage) about recruiting a player of Demar’s academic standing who also had a questionable behavioral past. Those arrows died down as it was assumed the UM Admissions folks had signed off, likely with qualifications, and that was that. And so Demar set to work and lo and behold, he met his academic NCAA standards. Therefore, no arrows have been aimed at Demar, now believed to be the victim in the final act.

The dots say that admissions is 100% in charge of admissions and that due to the past furor, or whatever, at least some within must believe Demar is/was not a good fit for Michigan. Students with less than stellar admissions criteria graduate from big name universities all the time. Sometimes the toughest thing about a big-name, exclusive school is getting in. Once in, the student who works hard, does things right, can make it, simple as that. The fuzzy dot on the page is the support or nonsupport Brandon threw into the mix. Nonsupport can be defined as neutral or negative actions, quite different to be sure, but both in this case not serving the applicant in a positive manner.

There is a reality here: admissions has standards, the general university body expects these standards to be upheld, especially by the higher-up administrative types. It is Michigan's distinct right to have standards higher than the NCAA's, similar to Stanford, Northwestern, Notre Dame, and Cal. These schools want student-athletes who can play football and compete with the rest of the student body in the classroom. Michigan is under no obligation to accept a student-athlete simply because a letter of intent was signed. Again, this almost always happens, but not always.

The dots say that since Demar was previously given a letter of intent to sign (indicating interdepartmental support) someone (singular or plural) in the Admissions and/or Athletic Department decided (for whatever reason) to play hardball, with not only Demar, but other recruits as well. The Demar story has made the news, but other casualties could include one or two others from this year’s class and some future recruits.

So, the big question is why did Michigan not admit Demar Dorsey? Did admissions change unstated but assumed (read for athletes) standards without letting Coach Rod know? Did the new Athletic Director indicate a willingness to pursue or accept a new path, or did admissions personnel indicate a need for a new path? This would seem strange since much has been written about improved football players’ GPA’s.

Was Coach Rod aware that all of this could eventually ferment, or did Admissions indeed send a message that if Demar succeeded in meeting concerns, he was in, cut and dried?

With David Brandon’s statement about too many marginal students in the program, why is it that many of them appear to be getting the job done in the classroom, yet the program comes under even more scrutiny? Is this a harboring for the future? Is this a placation to the NCAA as a result of impending sanctions? Likely not, the most plausible answer is this is what the Athletic Director believes should be happening at Michigan.

Noted by some, but not all, is the reality that there is no guarantee that Demar will clear the NCAA Clearinghouse without being flagged. His grades stem in part from alternative high school courses and curriculum designed to provide help for students who have encountered some difficulties. Some may place a stigma here, others may say this is what education should provide, alternatives and opportunities. Not everyone goes to prep school, but at every university there is an expected standard of curricular rigor (not just simple course grades) for college admissions.

The dots will probably never be truthfully connected concerning the effect of Demar’s past on Michigan’s decision. Even if this variable was considered and determined to be of substantial importance, it would be imprudent to publicly state such a position.

America is a land of second-chance opportunity and at least on the surface Demar appeared to be making progress in achieving a big dream. The program is under NCAA scrutiny and the extra scrutiny brought about by the willing media fury conceivably could have worked against Demar.

Two items remain for discussion; the first is Demar’s future. He clearly is skilled enough to play anywhere and now that he has qualified there will be several schools very willing to take a chance regarding the Clearinghouse. Demar has been dealt some adversity. But one way or another he will almost certainly play college ball. When given a chance Demar must make the best of it, keep his nose clean, and get the grades. This is easier at some schools than at others. In February, Michigan took a chance on Demar and since then Demar ended up, likely unknowingly, taking a chance on Michigan. Victim may be too strong of a word in this discussion, but certainly it is hard to fault Demar for anything post LOI signing.

The last item of discussion is Michigan’s future. There will be a broad range of analysis regarding the carryover (hangover) from the “Dorsey situation.” No prediction will be made here but think about the following questions, because this decision and related actions by Michigan concerning Dorsey is not insignificant.

• Will the football program greatly change recruiting strategies and what will such a change entail regarding the talent brought into the program?
• What damage did this decision do to the Florida pipeline successfully built up by the coaches?
• Where will the angry arrows eventually land, Admissions, Brandon, RR?
• Will coaches be so infuriated that the next line of business after the current season is to flee Ann Arbor?
• Will this all pass away quickly?
• What is next in this saga of All My Wolverine Children?

As a postscript consider that Michigan has likely entertained poor judgment and communication throughout this entire process. Clearly, even before the NCAA difficulties (in progress), Michigan had a perception of infighting and a lack of decisional stability that remains to some shocking. Many people are making a great university look bad, and to the nation that is the clear perception. There will always be a human element needed to make judgments about admission to true institutions of higher learning, but the human elements in this case appeared to be more flawed than the process or product.

Sometimes in this world a little pragmatism goes a long way. Maybe all of this could have come down after Demar Dorsey, not simply because he is so talented, but because Michigan had, on the surface at least, made a commitment. Catching a student in the crosshairs of such a mess/turf-war/change of policy/strong message/whatever is repugnant to some, if not most.

So, in the mode of Billy Shakespeare, is this a Hamlet or Macbeth type of tragedy, or a Falstaff type of comedy?

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


Thursday, June 10, 2010

GBMW TV Programming for Today


Posted at 12:00pm -- 6/10/2010

GBMW TV Programming for Today

College Football Live
3:30pm - 4:00pm
DirecTV Channel 206
ESPN

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


Chris Rock and Coach Wiggins exclusive interview -- Part 2


Posted at 8:00am -- 6/10/2010

The Visit

Many readers have expressed interest in how Chris made his decision to recently commit to the University of Michigan. Chris did not commit during the visit, but he really enjoyed his Ann Arbor trip. With each succeeding day Chris came closer and closer. He visited with Coach Wiggins, who counseled Chris down the “be sure” track. Eventually Chris believed he was sure and pulled the trigger on the commitment.

When asked what was the deciding factor in accepting the scholarship offer from Michigan, Chris, like many before him, quickly referred to the total overall package and experience Michigan has to offer. Chris, again like many before him, enjoyed visualizing himself playing in the largest football stadium in the country (soon will again be the largest).



Chris was also impressed with Coach Tall and enjoys the prospect of Coach Tall being his position coach. Of note is the obvious impression Coach Rodriguez made on Chris Rock. Like so many others these two years, during the recruiting process Chris referred to Coach Rod as being a really neat guy, really cool. It bears noting that this is an almost universal pattern among recruits, those who sign and those who do not alike.

Chris, on a tour with Coach Singletary and family, saw about everything on campus and in the surrounding Ann Arbor area. He likes both areas and described his future home as clean with a nice look. Chris also seems to understand how Ann Arbor is somewhat divided into the college and city areas.

Chris was asked to comment on two people who likely will be very important in his development as a student athlete the next two years, Shari Acho and Coach Barwis. Predictably Chris was impressed that Shari is all about academics, he views the academic support for athletes as a very serious venture and loves the learning center (great facility).

Well here is a tough response to predict, what does Chris think of Coach Barwis? Of course, he loves him and stated that an immediate, positive first impression was made. Chris, like all recruits, speaks of Coach Barwis’ high energy and is convinced that Coach Barwis will bring the very best out of him.



The Present

Football is near and so the discussion turned to Coach Wiggins’ plans for Chris Rock this fall. Coach mentioned that Chris’ role and use on defense will be dictated by the reality that the 2010 DeSales defense will be very young. As a recourse, the talented defensive end must become a versatile resource, read used within the defense in a variety of ways to maximize his impact. Such strategy is a work in progress.

Coach mentioned that attention to detail must be given to getting good leverage through lower pad level and gaining more strength. Coach and player alike know these are common needs for young, six foot five high school linemen.

Chris has set as his 2010 goals those common among talented upperclassmen: get better at everything, be a leader and accept the responsibility that comes from being a leader in a very visible program.

Michigan fans take note that DeSales will play Orchard Lake St. Mary’s this year at St. Mary’s on September 24 (Friday).



Tidbits

Grade point average -- 3.5
ACT -- 27
Official or unofficial visits planned -- none
Benchpress -- 245
40 time -- 4.9
Height -- 6’4 to 6’5
Weight -- 235 to 240

Coach Wiggins was asked when was the last time that he saw Patrick Omameh and Coach answered last Thanksgiving. Coach continues to be a little in shock about how athletic Patrick now looks (near 300 and in great shape). The final word Coach Wiggins had regarding Chris was that he was indeed proud of how well Chris thought out the decision, a mature manner was a descriptor used.

Gratitude is given to Coach Wiggins, Chris Rock and DeSales High School for the time and courtesy provided for the interview and this subsequent article. Best of luck to the entire DeSales team as another tough fall schedule approaches. But as Coach Wiggins mentioned- you get better by playing tough people. By that standard DeSales will be pretty good.

Below is a picture of Coach Wiggins and Chris Rock standing between the two banners awarded to DeSales for being a United States Department of Education Blue Ribbon School.



Written by Doc4blu -- GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!


Wednesday, June 09, 2010

GBMW TV Programming for Today


Posted at 12:00pm -- 6/9/2010

GBMW TV Programming for Today

College Football Live
3:30pm - 4:00pm
DirecTV Channel 206
ESPN


College Football Live
7:00pm - 7:30pm
DirecTV Channel 209
ESPN2

Written by GBMW Staff

Go Blue -- Wear Maize!