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

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r yv I ike ' s swoosh decorates a University soccer ball as it is kicked by first-year student Marie Spaccarotella, afonvardon the women ' s soccer team. The University- was paid to allow the Nike swoosh on its uniforms and equipment.

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does the nike V- contract ruin r .s a volleyball player prepares to compete, the Nike swoosh dominates her uniform, Critics of the Nike contract felt it took the spirit of competition out of college athletics. The swoosh appeared on all Michigan uni- forms and equipment. the spirit f competition? stry by Dug Stevens In a more innocent, less corporate America, college athletics were played for the love of competition. Whereas professional sports have always been overconcerned with money-making, their collegiate counterparts have traditionally been viewed as a forum for hard-core rivalry. The beauty of college athletics is in the battle hoping to establish athletic supremacy, not in the reward of a commercial endorsement. In this day of the Federal Express Orange Bowl and Poulan Weed Eater Bowl, simplicity and innocence are long gone from big- time college sports. One of the most appealing and charming aspects of a Saturday at Michigan Stadium is that I am not subjected to hundreds of advertisements all over the walls of the Big House. Rather, all I see is the action down on the gridiron. However, this becomes disturbing to me when I consider the fact that the Michigan football team, and the rest of the University ' s her- alded athletic department, has sold its program out to corporate sponsorship. In effect, by signing a multi-year, multimillion dollar contract with Nike, Michigan joins the growing trend of universities who have sold, along with their independence, everything that is great about college sports. The University administration argues that the contract does nothing but good for the school and its student-athletes. The company provides sporting apparel for most of Michigan ' s teams, not to mention a lot of money and publicity for the athletic department. However, these benefits come at a heavy cost. For all intents and purposes, the University of Michigan athletic department has tarnished all that is great about college sports. By wearing the Nike swoosh on their beloved football uniforms, the team has said that they don ' t solely represent Michigan, but the Nike corporation as well. As LSA senior Adam Clampitt commented, The Nike contract makes the University become a slave to corporate profits. by Mnica Plakv The Wolverines are, of course, the leaders and the best, and wearing the Nike swoosh on their uniforms does not change that. When ABC cameras zoomed in on a tackle made by senior linebacker Jarrett Irons or on a dunk made by junior Maurice Taylor, one thing was visible: the Nike swoosh. The entire University benefits from the multimillion dollar deal it signed with Nike in 1995. Some students and University sports fans believe that contracting with Nike can be compared to prostituting the University. I wholly disagree. The University often names a building after a person who has donated a lot of money. The same concept applies to Nike. Nike benefits from Michigan and Michigan benefits from Nike, said former Michigan football linebacker Matt Dyson. Nike gets publicity from televised football and basket- ball games. Michigan gets money for equipment and athletic apparel for all its sports. The Nike apparel has been extremely popular and has sold well at local sportswear stores. As a result of the Nike contract, the University recei vec high-quality sporting uniforms and equipment. The swoosh has no affect on players ' performances. The University saves money on these things, allowing it to spend money elsewhere Nike not only supports the most popular athletic pro grams, such as football, basketball, and hockey, but smalle: athletic programs, as well as women ' s sports, and intramura sports have benefited from Nike ' s aid as well. In return, the University can spend its money in other ways such as buying more computers, improving buildings, and anything else th University may need. In addition, Nike gives extra publicity to the University For instance, when a Nike commercial features Wolverine uniforms or players it helps convey a positive image for th University. iayut by Emma Cartwright 46 + Nike Contract

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d students get iJ undreds of students fill room 1800, th largest lecture hall on campus, located H| the Chemistry Building. Some students fa that this huge environment was impersona and inhibited learning. The enormity ofth University often left students feeling threat ened and lost in the crowd. 3try Michelle McCnibs Covering 2,607 acres, incorporating 36,468 students, and employing 3,000 staff members, the University is one of the largest learning institutions in the world. Some people feel this environment is overwhelming, but the University offers incredible opportunities in education and experience. A large university offers a vast selection of programs. The University has 1 2 undergraduate colleges and 1 50 areas of study. Astronomy professor Gary Bernstein said, Because there are so many faculty members here, you can find one to work with or learn from on almost any topic imaginable. The University ' s population is comprised of students from 50 states and 104 countries. This diversity provides students with the opportunity to interact with others from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The best thing about attending a large University is the diversity of the people there. You get to meet all kinds of people from all different places, and it truly enhances your college experience, said senior aerospace engineering major Chris Melus. Along with a diverse student population, the University provides a wide range of opportunities for student involve- ment. Students can enrich their lives through academic, social, political, religious, athletic, and community service clubs. There are over 500 organizations, including 62 Greek chapters, affiliated with the University. Anyone who wants to be involved has ample opportunity. You get a more rounded education, you interact with more people, and you are exposed to more ideas and political views. You will learn to be more tolerate to other cultures, stated Geology professor Youxue Zhang. The benefits of a large university are almost as numerous as the students that attend it. No one should feel like they are lost in the crowd at the University because there are boundless activities to become involved in. + st@ry by DUg Steele The University of Michigan is an enormous institution physically and psychologically. While many students are abl to adapt to being part of classes with hundreds of students, f | some, the size hinders learning. Some students need clos contact with their instructors, and this is often difficult to fir at Michigan. In addition, students are not able to set themselves apa in classes that have hundreds of students. Meaningful persor interaction with professors is impeded by the number of sti dents in the class. LSA junior Chris Young said, It is diffici to get to know your professors, or even for them to know yc because there are simply too many students. Class size is not the only problem students encounte For many the University bureaucracy is too much to handl The size of the University necessitates a large support sta sometimes creating mass confusion. For example, I needed i determine the status of my student account. After repeated trif to the financial aid office with no results, I finally tracked do my financial aid disbursement at the Michigan League! should have been sent to my residence. Furthermore, students are only known by a number , the University. This lack of individuality is intimidating, idea is further manifested with the counseling system. Instea of having a personal counselor, students are assigned advisoj at random each time they wish to meet with a counsek Suzanne Schafer, LSA junior, recalls how she left counselor ' s appointment in tears because [the counselor] not even aware that her concentration existed. Navigating the University is tricky. For some student the attempt proved overwhelming. Some even considere transferring to smaller schools to escape the incredible enol mity of the University. For many, it was a matter of enduran | - adapt or be lost in the crowd. 48 + Is the University Too Big? iayut by Emma Cartwrigh '