Two high school basketball have verbally committed to attend CMU.

CM LIFE has learned that Joseph Carr and Kevin Nelson will play basketball for the Chippewas starting in the 2002-2003 season.

Carr, a 5-9 point guard, is from Detroit Renaissance High School.

Nelson, a 6-2 shooting guard, is from Detroit Country Day High School.

Nelson was selected as a Class B first-team selection for the 2000-01 season, averaging 18.5 points per game while shooting over 50-percent from behind the three-point line.

Kurt Keener, head boy’s varsity basketball coach for Country Day, says Nelson will be a good fit for CMU.

“He’s (Nelson) a very solid student and a good, hard-working kid,” Keener said.

“He’s seen CMU turn the corner last season to becoming an elite program and wants to be a part of a winning program.”

Keener said Nelson’s strengths are his competitiveness, shooting range, ability to get off his feet quickly, ball handling and defense.

“He’s a very skilled player,” Keener said.

“Kevin is a good scorer who can create his own shot, with, or without the ball.”

Nelson, who golfed when first attending Country Day, started last season at 165 lbs.

This summer has been the first time Nelson has done any extensive weight training, Keener said.

“Kevin was a relative unknown until breaking out last season,” Keener said.

“He’s a wiry kid, but golfing didn’t require the weight training that basketball does. He will benefit from this summer and then continue to get stronger and better when he is involved with the weight training program at CMU.”

Nelson will follow two other current Country Day alumni to CMU in David Webber and Mike Manciel.

“I have tremedous respect for the CMU program and Coach Smith,” Keener added.

“I hope we can keep the pipeline from Country Day to CMU open for years to come.”

Renaissance coach Mark White was unavailable for comment.

The National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I Basketball Committee
recently approved new post-season bracketing procedures, enabling more teams to
play closer to home.

Beginning with the 2002 tournament, after the four top teams in each region are
selected, the committee will assign those teams to first-/second-round sites,
emphasizing the placement in the most geographical compatible sites.

The process doesn’t take into account where the teams will play in the regionals the subsequent week.

CMU men’s head basketball coach Jay Smith said the change will benefit everyone
involved.

“The change is good for the welfare of the student-athletes,” Smith
said.

“To remain in the classroom and miss fewer days of class is a good thing.”

The committee will place teams in the eight first-/second-round sites in groups
(“pods”) of four (seeds 1, 16, 8 and 9; seeds 4, 13, 5 and 12; seeds
2, 15, 7 and 10; and seeds 3, 14, 6 and 11).

There will be two pods at each first-/second-round site and the two pods at a
site may feed into different regional sites.

“The committee wanted to maintain the event as a `national’ tournament,
with four evenly balanced regions, while at the same time, keeping as many teams
as close to their natural geographic area as possible,” said Mike Tranghese,
chair of the basketball committee and commissioner of the Big East Conference.

In another change the committee adopted for the 2002 tournament, the committee
will have the flexibility to place the fourth team selected from a conference
into the same region it placed the highest-seeded team from the same conference.

Another adjustment in the procedure is that the committee will not place teams
seeded one through five at a potential `home-crowd disadvantage’ in
the first round.

Previously, the protection only applied to teams seeded one through four.

“This is a win-win situation for both fans and parents plus the players,”
Smith said.

“I think people will like the changes.”

In other men’s basketball news, the NCAA will review two separate proposals
at the October management council meeting for exemptions to the five/eight scholarship
limitation.

Currently, NCAA schools are not allowed to sign more than five players in one
recruiting class, or more than eight in two years.

The NCAA is considering approving legislation that will take into account rare
exceptions, but may not include the NBA draft if players don’t leave in good
academic standing.

Another development the NCAA is investigation is the participation of high school
graduates in university or college run basketball camps.

College coaches have expressed concern to the NCAA about schools using a new enrolling
incoming freshmen to go to summer school to their advantage by enrolling incoming
players into basketball camps.

Even though camps are paid by the players, coaches have expressed concern that
some of the bigger schools have higher level camps, creating an unfair advantage
over other schools.

“We don’t ever do that here,” Smith said.

“I’m for the kids going to school in the summer and getting acclimated,
but it’s disheartening to hear other schools taking the new rule to the extreme.”

“I totally disagree with incoming players attending camps and I hope that
the rule is corrected,” Smith said.

The basketball committee will meet again in Sept. and Lee Fowler, director of
athletics at North Carolina State, will replace Tranghese as the committee chair
starting Sept. 1.

Jerry Hoffman

A former Mid-American Conference basketball player at Akron has arrived at CMU
to help sustain the growth of the Chippewa men’s basketball program.

Cornell Mann, who previously was the head varsity boys basketball coach at Oak
Park High School and assistant coach with the Michigan Mustangs AAU team, started
his duties July 2.

While at Akron, Mann was a three-year starter in addition to earning a bachelor
of arts degree in family development in 1995.

Mann immediately noticed the difference styles in coaching at the Division I level,
especially the recruiting process.

“I’m in awe of the competition in the fact that you have a large number
of schools competing to bring the same kid to a program,” Mann said.

“Some schools may stretch the rules, but it’s my job to be professional,
thorough and sell the bright spots CMU has to offer. From previous experiences,
this is recruiting to the third power.”

Before becoming the head coach at Oak Park, Mann has experience as an assistant
coach at Colby Community College in Colby, KA; Elmira College in Elmira, N.Y.;
and Ferndale High School.

During the 1998-99 season, Mann served as the interim head coach after Bill Morse
left the position.

“I was the interim head coach at Colby and had to perform all the duties
because I didn’t have an assistant,” Mann said.

“I’ve paid my dues and I’m not scared of working hard. Challenges
are the spice of life.”

With Mann’s experience and work ethic, head coach Jay Smith says Mann’s hiring
was a good fit for the program.

“We’re excited to have Cornell on our staff,” Smith said. “He
is a great addition to the program and we’re looking forward to having him
here for many great years.”

Mann is also excited to join the program and found Smith and his staff committed
to continuing last season’s success.

“It’s a lot of work learning the new stuff, but it’s great,”
Mann said. “The hard work is necessary to be successful. I also enjoy helping
young men out so that they become productive citizens in our society.”

“It’s a dream come true to coach at the Division I level and I work
for one of the best coaches in the country in Jay Smith,” Mann added.

“The coaches and staff work hard and do a lot of work behind the scenes that
people may not be aware of. They have also done a lot to help me and get me on
board.”

Last year the Chippewas posted a 20-8 record and capture the regular season MAC
crown, but Mann says he can help push the team to new heights.

“I bring toughness and discipline on and off the floor,” Mann said.

“I can also add some contacts and relationships that maybe weren’t in
place before my arrival. I’m seriously excited about being a part of CMU’s
future and being an integral part of the basketball program’s success.”

Although Mann has been here only two weeks, he has already met the team and believes
they can overcome being the marked team in the MAC.

“I’ve met with the team and they’re a great group of guys. They’re
focused and they want to win,” Mann said.

“We’ve got a great group of players coming back. If we don’t win
the MAC again, it won’t be because we didn’t work hard.”

If there one thing to know about Mann, other than that he works hard in meeting
his responsibilities, is that he likes the people at CMU and Mount Pleasant and
knows how to have fun.

“I knew when I got here, it was a family atmosphere and I’m the new
addition to the family,” Mann said.

“I’ve had the opportunity to visit CMU before when I played at Akron.
My last game was played in Rose Arena. I’ve never come to Mount Pleasant
and not had a good time.”

Jerry Hoffman

Changes in the Mount Pleasant Adult Softball program has increased its popularity
and the number of participants.
According to Eric VanHevel, Recreation and Athletics Coordinator and head of
the adult softball program, an average of 10 new teams are added since he began
heading the program four years ago.
“We made some schedule changes, so that we accommodate more players,”
VanHevel said. “In the past when there were a few teams, they would play
multiple nights in a week. Now, teams play one night a week. With busy schedules
people have, it was the practical thing to do.”
The program currently has 52 teams in eight leagues. There is two men’s
and women’s leagues in addition to four co-ed leagues.
VanHevel said that despite the amount of rain during May, the current season
is going well and that people have been understanding.
The relationship between the Mount Pleasant Parks and Recreation and CMU Facilities
Management is something VanHevel believes is another positive for the softball
program.

“We have a great relationship with facilities management,” VanHevel
said. “Since we started having teams play at the new intramural fields,
the fields are now in the best shape since they were first completed. They still
need to be tweaked, but they are in great condition.”
One thing that VanHevel would like to improve is the process before the season
begins.
VanHevel says that his office starts the upcoming season information process
in February with the registration deadline and managers’ meeting in April,
but finds that teams are trying to get in a league well after games have started
in May.
“At that point, we can’t get anybody in,” VanHevel said.
The league is open to all adults 18 and older and there are two game options
available for prospective teams.
Men’s, women’s and co-ed teams can choose from a 21-game (doubleheader),
or an 11-game (single-game) format.
According to the parks and recreation Web site, fees for the current season
are listed as follows:

Men’s and women’s 21-game format

• $550 with umpire fees
• $235 without umpire fees

Co-ed 21-game format

• $500 with umpire fees
• $269 without umpire fees

Men’s and women’s 11-game format

• $275 with umpire fees
• $110 without umpire fees

Co-ed 11-game format

• $250 with umpire fees
• $129 without umpire fees

In addition, players must have a player fee paid before participating. Player
fees are due with player cards prior to any participation.
Player cards and instructions are supplied to the manager at the managers’
meeting after the team is properly registered.
Player fees are as follows:

• $15 for city residents
• $20 for non-city residents

A resident is a person that lives within the city limits of Mount Pleasant.
One other change that the softball program had was the format of the post-season
tournament.
“Last year we went to a weekend format instead of continuing a week-long
format,” VanHevel said. “Before last year, the tournament was the
only time we couldn’t guarantee when teams would play. What happened is
that we were getting numerous forfeits because of work schedules. With the weekend
format, it’s easier for players to break away from work to play. Last year’s
tournaments went well.”
This season’s co-ed tournament is set for Aug. 11-12, while the men’s
and women’s tournament is set for Aug. 18-19.

Jerry Hoffman

With the popularity in college basketball continuing to rise, attendance records have continued to fall.
The NCAA recently released its figures for the 2000-01 season and in Division
I, the men topped 24 million* for the second consecutive season. The women posted
an increase for the 17th consecutive season.
While the men didn’t break the 1999-2000 record (24,281,774), six conferences
set record highs, including the Mid-American Conference.
Since the 1997-98 season, the MAC reported record highs for home contests every
season and had 698,286 fans attend 180 games or sessions for the 2000-01 season.
At CMU, the men’s attendance has risen every year during the same period
and during last season’s MAC Championship campaign, 54,646 fans attended
14 home games.
“I’m extremely excited about the attendance rising,” CMU men’s
head coach Jay Smith said. “I was also pleased with the attendance at Rose
last year and this shows how popular college basketball is.”
“I’m looking forward to next year,” Smith added.
In women’s Division I, attendance topped six million** for the first time
as 19 conferences posted all-time highs, including the MAC.
The women’s home attendance in the MAC was 147,395 for 162 games or sessions.
At CMU, since the 1997-98 season, the attendance has been more stable than on
the men’s side until last season where the figure jumped 3,182 in two fewer
home contests.
“A big part is because of the success of the program,” CMU Associate
Athletics Director Gary Friedman said.
Friedman said the marketing department prepared for the eventual success of
the basketball program.
“Certainly a big plus is the success,” Friedman said.
“A large part is Jay Smith and his staff marketing his program and things
put in place by the marketing department.”
The CMU women’s attendance for last season was 13,596 for 11 home games.
For the upcoming season, the CMU men’s team will look to continue their
success by defending their conference crown and 20-8 record. The women will
look to rebuild and improve their 4-24 record from last season under new coach
Eileen Kleinfelter.
“It’s been wonderful to witness the growth of women’s hoops the past 20 years,” Kleinfelter said. “We’re hoping to build a successful program and bring some more fans to Rose Arena.”
MAC Commissioner Rick Chryst was unavailable for comment.

* Total attendance
** Home attendance only

Jerry Hoffman

Despite the wet, gloomy weather and a change of location, the 12th Annual Charles
E. Anthony Zipper Open took place Monday.
The open was held at the Winding Brook Golf Course in Shepherd to raise money
for cardiac patients. Over 70 golfers participated who were placed in “zipper”
and “non-zipper” teams.
The zipper teams consisted of former cardiac patients, some of who have the zipper
scar from heart surgery.
Pat Housley, college relations director for Public Relations and Marketing and
widow of Anthony, said the open was another success.
“It’s really nice to have such a fun event that people want to attend,”
Housley said. “The event just gets bigger every year.”
According to Connie McCann, director of marketing and development for Central
Michigan Community Hospital, the Zipper Open raised over $10,000 for CMCH’s
cardiac services program.
Golfers were treated to a variety of special events, contests, and help on the
golf course for the four-person scramble format.
The contests included longest drive for men and women, closest to the pin on a
par-three and longest putt.
Special celebrity events were provided by Bret Hyble, Rep. Sandy and Bill Caul,
Cindy Hales and George Dunn.
Hyble provided teams an extra drive at the number one hole and there was also
a photographer on hand to take commemorative team photos.
The Cauls were at the green on the number nine hole, while Hales and Dunn were
at the number 12 hole, giving an extra putt.
Judge Paul O’Connell, part of the original 12 Zipper Open golfers in 1990,
was thankful to be a part of the event.
“I’m grateful to be here with some good people and friends,” O’Connell
said.
After the round of golf, a heart-healthy luncheon was served to the participants,
something that Anthony carefully did in starting the event.
After lunch, Tom and Mark Anthony, Charles’ sons, welcomed the crowd to the
event. They also passed out various awards won from the contests on the course.
Bob Janson followed with some comments and shared some of his personal stories
involving Charles Anthony. Janson noted Charles Anthony’s love for golf,
his unique swing style and his own application of golf etiquette.
Housley noted that this event is where everyone had fun, something that typified
Charles’ personality.
“It’s nice to have Charlie’s sons and grandsons keep this event
going and have it benefit the hospital’s cardiac services,” Housley
said.

Scores and misses from a Red Wings and total sports fan this week.
Miss (This miss should be a score)
There it goes again!
Can you hear it?
Ring … Ring …
The clue phone is ringing again and I know who it is.
The voice of reason and common sense is on the other end wondering why CMU hasn’t
brought a new women’s basketball head coach on board and why the men’s
basketball coach doesn’t have a new long-term deal yet.
As far as the women’s coach is concerned, yes, it has to be a hard decision
to make with the highly qualified pool of candidates vying for the position.
A decision must be made soon because the signing day (April 11) for high school
recruits is sticking out there like a sore thumb.
Who in their right mind would commit to a school who’s appearance of uncertainty
about the next women’s basketball coach sticks out there as well?
At this stage, the Athletics Department office needs to suck it up and make
a business decision, otherwise, business might not be so good over the next
few years.
On the other side of the coin, men’s basketball coach Jay Smith should
have had a new deal by now.
After all, this should be a no-brainer, but here Smith is with no new deal.
In my humble opinion as an armchair athletic director, Smith would have had
a long-term proposal from me the day after the season ended.
This past season spoke volumes in Smith’s behalf and in four years he’s
shown that Chippewa basketball will a force for years to come under his guidance.
Smith’s enthusiasm is infectious and his players respond to him. Just ask
seniors Jon Borovich, Tim Kisner, Todd Schrotenboer and Luke Johnson about how
Smith affected their lives.
Anything under a four-year proposal from the athletic director’s office
would be the biggest disservice for Chippewa fans.
Score (This score was a quick one)
NBC, in its infinite wisdom, is on the verge of pulling the plug on the XFL.
Last week’s ratings dropped again to 1.6 and Dick Ebersol, NBC Sports Chairman,
said the network will no longer support the league if ratings don’t increase
over the final weeks of the season.
Here’s to hoping the XFL dies a quick and painful death because after watching
Vince McMahon make an ass of himself on Bob Costas’ new show, “On
the Record,” nothing would make me happier than to see this worthless spectacle
fail.
Score (This one was a matter of time)
On Monday, Tiger Woods won his second consecutive tournament by capturing the
Players Championship.
So much for that so-called slump people said he was in the first couple of months
of this year’s tour.
An interesting note has surfaced in that no player in PGA history has won the
Players Championship and the Masters in the same year.
After the amount of history Woods made last year, would you dare say he isn’t
able to make it again this year?
If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, Jerry Hoffman can be
reached via E-mail at sports@cm-life.com.

Yingmeng Yu

With Rick Pitino giving the Michigan Wolverines the 11th hour snub, speculation
around the next men’s basketball coach in Ann Arbor has begun to swirl
again.
In an article in last week’s Detroit News, CMU’s Jay Smith has resurfaced
in rumors that he is being considered as a candidate.
Although still under contract and a potential extension being discussed, Smith,
at this point, has put to rest any rumors about the Michigan job.
“I haven’t been contacted by them (Michigan),” Smith said. “I
don’t worry about when my contract is up. I just do my job, which is coaching
CMU. Things like this usually work themselves out.”
Although a formal deal hasn’t been reached for a contract extension between
Smith and CMU, one should come within the next couple of weeks with National
Signing Day for high school recruits looming on April 11.
Although Smith has not been contacted by Michigan, his name has surfaced due
to his days when he was an assistant for the Wolverines from 1989-96.
Smith then left Michigan to become the Head Coach at Grand Valley State for
the 1996-97 season before coming to Central.
Under Smith, Grand Valley went 23-6 en route to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference title.
Smith, who guided the Chippewas to a 20-8 record and the Mid-American Conference’s
regular season title, was the MAC’s ‘Coach of the Year.’
The Chippewas became the first team in MAC history to finish first after finishing
last the previous season.
The past season was also the first winning season for the Chippewas since the
1987-88 season, Dan Majerle’s senior season.
Other candidates reported by the Detroit News for the Michigan job include Seton
Hall Head Coach Tommy Amaker, Oklahoma Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, Kent State
Head Coach Gary Waters and Missouri Head Coach Quin Snyder.