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

Page 33 text:

Obviously not your average A cyclist on his way to class the U.S. cycling team held promotional race in Ann Arbor this June. 29 Getting Around

Page 32 text:

Getting Around - . - Could this be the extravagant pure hase of some overly emphatic alumnus? If only student transportation was as elaborate or is this the next design for the North Campus busses?

Page 34 text:

Football has made my grades stay high and has helped me put school in perspective. No, these are not the words of a Michigan football player, but Randy Tharp, team manager for three years. Randy must put many hours into the football program before the players can run onto the field on a football Satur- day. Becoming a manager was not an acci- dent for Randy he became interest- ed in the idea his freshman year and pursued the goal until an opening came up the following fall. When I first start- ed, the worst thing was to get mixed up and have a coach yell at you, he re- flects. Now, Randy realizes that the manag- ers are often there to remind the coaches what to do. His job as a man- ager is basically to facilitate the prac- tices and make sure everything runs smoothly on the days of the games. The managers see that the players have all the equipment they need, they untan- gle the coaches radio cords and even run movies for the players ' relaxation on the eve of the games. Randy ' s tasks have ranged in diversity from filling in as a player during practices to waking up Bo Schembechler the day of the Rose Bowl! Always in the background of the team ' s rituals, Randy feels he can fore- see the game ' s progression by watching how the players feel and act. The way they practice during the week is the way they ' ll play on Saturday, he pre- dicts. Practice involves approximately 20 hours per week for the managers, and they are not paid for their work. Yet Randy puts much more of him- self into the job than the required practice time. He recalls times when he has consoled dejected players; when they are successful, he shares in their excitement as would a member of the team. When there ' s a victory, we try to get off the field as quickly as possible once we ' re in the locker room every- one sings Hail to the Victors at the top of their lungs. You ' re so close to the action, he continues, the enthusi- asm evident in the tone of his voice, the time we beat Ohio State, in 1980, I was right there when Don Cahham ran into John Faulk (equipment manager) arms. When there ' s a loss, we just stay out of the way and keep quiet. The guys are so emotionally and physically drained that sometimes we have even had to go as far as to help them undress after a bad loss. Because of his academic commit- ments, the architecture student and ac- tive fraternity member is in his last year as a manager. I can ' t imagine what it ' ll be like sitting in the stands for a game again, he says. Will he miss the hectic life of keeping the games in order? Just hearing him recount his experiences on the field answers that question. As a manager, Randy has witnessed the excitement of Michigan football as no spectator in the stands could ever conceive. M Saturday ' s Unsung Heroes 30 Team manager Randy Tharp helps Center Larry Sweeny make adjustments on his uniform. Ten managers make sure the games and practices run smoothly. Unbeknownest to the 100,000 fans, 225 people are singing the Alma Mater in the tunnel before each home game. This is just part of the firing up ritual existing to calm the nerves of the mem- bers who anxiously await to hear the announcer proclaim, ... and now, the Michigan Marching Band. Once you hit the field, all fear is gone, explains senior and four-year band member Jan Zielinski. Even though we open the game six times every year, it still holds the same thrill. At first it ' s very hard to concen- trate and I have to stop and get my bearings. Prior to the beginning of the term, the band members go through rigorous eight or ten hour practices. Through- out the term, practices are held for over two hours daily. It ' s so much hard work that it ' s really athletic, Jan said. Though under new direction of Eric Becker, the band is still in keeping with Stories by Mary Claire Hughes and Katherine Wandersee At Hinted Men ' s foie often ream faleims.