University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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ts now generally accepted that the Great American Novel nev- er was or witt be written. There is also widespread belief that that other idea, the American Hero, is itself nothing more than a figment of the public imagination. Even if such a hero once did exist in reality, some would say, he [or she] is now long gone from the American scene. And certainly there is some truth to the argument, propos- ed frequently of late, that we live in a society devoid of heroes. Obviously the business leaders of the nation-the Fords, Rockefellers and the rest-do not command the admiration and respect that they did earlier in our history. Neither, it seems, do religious leaders. And in the wake of Watergate and other recent scandals few would contend that politicians on the whole have provided an example worthy of the title heroic. Perhaps no class of people has inspired more of the dreams of American youth over the years than the athletes. Men like Rockne, Louis, and DiMaggio, with their tremendous physical skills and competitive spirits have been an inspiration to thousands, maybe millions, in decades past. But some- times it appears that big money has taken over even sports in America, and lately some of the most talented individuals have come off as dollar-grabbing buffoons. One might expect, or at least hope, that things would be different at the level of collegiate athletics. There, supposedly, will be found competition in its best sense, pitting man against man so that each may tap me limits of his own capabilities, with the outcome of secondary importance. But alas, too often the struggle for personal improvement has been subordinated to an alfout quest for victory and the financial gain it brings. And the win or else philoso- phy prevalent in major college sports has taken its toll at the University of Michigan. Pressure to win practically destroyed a promising Michigan basketball squad in 72-73. And a group of athletic directors more concerned with the prestige of the Big Ten than with rewarding outstanding athlet- ic achievement deprived this year ' s football team of a well earned trip td the Rose Bowl At the same time, a very fine UM cross- country team missed out on a trip to the NCAA finals in Washington because it was thought that its chances of winning were too slim to justify the costs involved. The efforts and achievements of Michigan athletes in the major sports should not be minimized. They have performed remarkably well, often in the most unfavorable circum- stances. But the ancient ideas of sportsman- ship might be better represented in the less publicized branches of athletics. Members of UM teams in wrestling, gymnastics, swim- ming, tennis and other sports bear a certain resemblance to the athletic heroes of old. Their skills, developed through years of hard work, are often awesome, and their deter- mination cannot be questioned. The same can be said for those who belong to the various sport clubs on campus, whose rewards are never fame or fdrtune, but more personal, perhaps more noble ones. And even the thousands of participants in intramurals can be athletic heroes in a sense, if by that we mean simply that they strive for me highest level of performance which their abilities attow.