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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM

Monday, December 10, 2018

Ann Arbor, Michigan

michigandaily.com

10 in a row

Michigan improved to 10-0 after defeating South Carolina in a high-scoring, offensive shootout on Saturday.

» Page 1A

Former students allege 40 years of misconduct by SMTD professor

SAMMY SUSSMAN Daily Staff Reporter

The University of Michigan hired Stephen Shipps as an associate professor of music on Sept. 1, 1989. Since then, he has had a successful academic career at the University. From 2001 to 2004, he served on the Executive Committee of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. From 2002 to 2007, he served as the associate dean for academic affairs. He is currently the chair of strings and the faculty director of the Strings Preparatory Academy,

a university-affiliated pre-college music program for local middle and high school students. A Michigan Daily investigation unearthed previously undisclosed allegations of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct against Shipps. These reports span nearly 40 years, from Fall 1978 to a Universityaffiliated summer program in the last five years. They include accusations of unwanted touching, sexual assault, prolonged sexual relationships with teenage students, and misogynistic and sexist verbal statements. Shipps declined to comment for

this article. His lawyer, David Nacht, also declined to comment. The Daily also found reports that at least one faculty member in the Music, Theatre & Dance school, Prof. Yizhak Schotten, was made aware of some of these allegations soon after Shipps’s hiring was announced and before he started teaching. It is unclear whether he communicated these concerns to the University at the time, or if the University has ever been made aware of these concerns. *** Shipps taught at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts — known then as the North Carolina

School of the Arts before a 2008 name change — prior to coming to the University of Michigan. The Daily spoke with a former North Carolina School of the Arts college student, who wished to remain anonymous, citing professional and privacy concerns. She currently serves as the associate principal second (the second-ranked member of the second violin section) in a full-time professional orchestra. In this article, she will be referred to as Meghan.

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Michigan in Color

The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com

Monday, December 10, 2018— 3A

Goodbye Seniors: What We’ve Learned NISA KHAN Senior MiC Editor Hello! In a staggering demonstration of self-flagellation, I wanted to go over my college essay I used to apply to the University of Michigan. Maybe this could be a nice send off for myself. Before we start — who was 17-year-old Nisa Khan? She was an insecure thing — not much different from the soon-to-be college graduate (Inshallah!!) she is now — but she was a little sad. I will not dive so deeply as to why — I am not quite certain that I remember — but I know that I felt very disconnected with the community around me. I could not relate with Americans. I could not relate with desis. I did not feel like the University was my home. It was just another pit stop in the series of places my family moved to. Let’s get started. Fair warning, she wasn’t a fantastic writer. Bold are the comments from present day me. I was born in Hershey, Pennsylvania. I moved from the US to Saudi Arabia, then to Pakistan, then to Qatar, then to Maryland, and finally to Michigan. When I relay this in conversations, I get a variety of replies: “Why do you move so much?” to “That must have been hard.” I relate to the latter one the most. Already she’s getting dramatic!! I love it. The small town of Hershey was the center of my world for eight years. (From what I remember, it felt like such a bright first few years. It’s a bizarre place, very, very small-town-like that also has huge tourist attractions. We lived near the amusement park and I still remember our vacations in the summer, Halloween, Christmas — the four of us walking through the park’s carnival-like existence, with the neon lights and pure joy from everyone around us.) A wild Pennsylvanian youth shows her mother the reaps of her hunt. My family ate Chinese on Christmas because it was the only place open. I had a name that made substitute teachers cringe as they came across it. (If I can be completely honest, there is a good chance that I am pronouncing my old name incorrectly due to

my accent. Fun facts: The oldest root that I personally know of was that it was the last wife of the Mughal emperor Jahangir— she went by Nur Jahan but her real name was Mehr-un-Nissa. She even died in Lahore, which is my family’s home town. However, I don’t think my parents knew this. My dad claims it’s from an old female family member— Khair-un-Nisa. My mom claims it was from my dad’s ex-girlfriend.) (Nisa (rhymes with Lisa), for the record, was a name born out of my sister’s mispronunciation of my name. The true “Nisa” sound in Mehrunisa is more like “Nyssa.”) I always hailed these as making me a unique individual. Bad grammar. Yet, while I was proud that I could dress up as a pretty mean Hermione Granger due to my unruly hair (I still make a great Hermione, but oh Nisa, you would not imagine how much JKR would let you down.), I was also rather ignorant of my culture, or my parent’s culture. My mother, father, and both sides of the family — everyone, really — would beg me to speak Urdu. But I was insistent that it was ultimately useless. The pride! The assimilation! Drag her! Ignoring my serious threats of chaining myself to the house, my parents moved us to Lahore, Pakistan, after the death of my grandmother. My swashbuckling confidence would soon come to a sudden halt. My most piercing memory in Lahore occurred when I was in my fifth grade classroom. My hands were clenched to the stair railing as I listened to the bombs going off in the distance. My legs were weak and my heart was lodged in my throat. We hid in the classroom’s closet where I lamented my parents’ decision to move me here. I did not fit in this strange country with its spicy food and people who laughed at my lack of knowledge concerning my culture; the latter filled me with shame. I could never imagine myself getting used to this way of life where explosions were commonplace. I missed Hershey, where the chocolate smell wafted in the peaceful air.

But then, with my time spent in my new home, with my classmates, and with my extended family, I came to appreciate the Pakistani lifestyle: its clothes, food, and language. I could finally carry on a conversation in Urdu, although with an extended “A” sound that I struggled with due to my American accent. Still have it. I no longer felt the need to hide from my background because I was where the background was accepted. I wanted to join in with my cousins and the kids at school. I wanted to assume a greater identity. After only a year, I was far more adjusted than my father. He would be scared to send us to our school after bomb threats but eleven-year-old Nisa would assure him we couldn’t live in fear. Three year later, I visited Hershey. This magical little town — the sweetest place on Earth — seemed like it was just any other suburban town. The city seemed to have lost its whimsy. In reality, the town did not change; I just grew up. I knew a life outside Hershey and childhood nostalgia no longer had as firm of a grasp. If we had stayed in Hershey, I would have never truly embraced my Pakistani culture. Some people do not have to leave home for that experience, but I did. This is actually a lot more honest than I remember it being. But it is, of course, not always so simple. Perhaps a part of me still has that bit of resentment for Lahore from my experience — a part of me that still remembers those few, horrible days. A part of me still scared for my sister, my extended-family, even though I am so, so lucky to live in a city and country that is mostly stable and that my loved-ones are safe. And sometimes I feel ashamed about it. Because I do love Lahore. I think coming back to the United States has made me more attached to my Pakistani identity. Coming back to this country did not feel like a homecoming — it felt even more alienating than the international schools I went to growing up. I became a quieter person — a stark contrast to that bright, bubbly girl from Hershey. My first day back in an American school, a girl asked me if I knew how to put together to bomb. If I knew Osama Bin Laden. I smiled tightly and said, “Please don’t joke about that.”

And her smile disappeared, shaken at my sudden change in demeanor. (And she was 14 — and 14 year olds can say dumb things. I don’t hold it against her. I barely remember her name.) I think it makes sense — when you are in the States and you feel alone, you want something to call your own. To grab on and say, “Hey, this is me. I look like them, my name sounds like theirs.” I think this, and my own expansion of what social justice was, gave me this boost to be like: Yeah, I am Pakistani-American. It taught me the value of communicating and connecting, to be more open to our world. Yes, moving around was hard, but my eyes were opened to the world with all its challenges and possibilities. And going to the University of Michigan helped. It’s been the longest I have stayed in one place. My parents feel at ease in this state. And, because of The Daily, I find myself weirdly passionate about the culture and politics of this state. Because of the friends I made here, I feel suddenly attached to the Midwestern identity (at the chagrin of my East Coast raised sister who I love dearly and demand to be present more in this essay). Being in Michigan, finding more people of color and Brown and Asian and Muslim friends, finding people who care about politics and journalism and social justice and talking about bad horror movies and comic books and artsy nonsense, gave me my home. And Michigan in Color made me think about my place in the world, my identity in relation to it, and what I can do to be a better and more thoughtful person. I will always aim to grow — I will always want to grow. I will slip up, say something wrong, do something wrong. I know the people around me will make sure to help me correct my mistakes, to be a humble and gracious person. I do not know where I will be in the next few years but, despite any of the rough times I had in college, I will miss being in Michigan. I will miss The Daily and this wonderful space. I will miss this part of my life but I hope that leaving college will not stop me from growing and expanding my world.

ZAINAB BHINDARWALA Senior MiC Editor Though my time at Michigan in Color was short, it was memorable. My experience at The Michigan Daily seemed to be a culmination of all the lessons I learned in college. This space taught me how to navigate complicated and controversial issues without losing sight of my values. I learned how crucial it is for platforms like this to exist in a world that isn’t inclined to give people of color the space

to voice our opinions. This is a community that truly strives to live our values. Michigan in Color has been a space where I’ve felt affirmed, appreciated and accepted. I want to thank the entire Michigan in Color family for being a part of this community that meant so much to me this year. I’m happy I decided to be a part of this incredible group of people this past year, and I’m sad to say goodbye.

HALIMAT OLANIYAN Senior MiC Editor I joined Michigan in Color as an eager sophomore that just rediscovered her love of writing. I did not know exactly what I was signing up for but never imagined I would gain the support system and home I have in MiC. Being a Senior Editor was one of the most challenging yet rewording things I have ever done. I came in knowing the stories of my peers varied vastly, but I left with an appreciation and understanding of the magnitude of the weight they carry on their shoulders. MiC has opened so many doors for me, metaphorically and literally. Growing up I did not have the privilege to even think of a career in writing. I did not realize and could not even to begin to imagine myself as a professional writer, let

alone editor. MiC has given me the space to publish my work and release some of the weight of my deepest thoughts. MiC has lifted my writing to new heights and helped me receive the attention of foundations that want to pay to hear my voice. But above all, MiC has give me the opportunity to uplift other voices. Even though my MiC family started with just 8 people, it is the most meaningful network I have. I watched my fellow editors land jobs of their dreams in D.C., New York and California, and knew no matter where we all ended up I will always have them. Now as I get ready to head to medical school, a feat they supported me every step of the way through, I am incredibly humbled to have been a part of Michigan in Color.

Interested in writing for MiC? Email michiganincolor@umich.edu for more information.

JASON ROWLAND

ASHLEY TJHUNG

Managing MiC Editor

On December 6, 2015 — the night of my 18th birthday — I received an email that began, “Congratulations! We are very happy to inform you that you will be one of the five Senior Editors of the Opinion section for the Winter 2016 term!” The paragraph went on to name the four other editors I’d be working with, and ended with an invitation to brunch the next morning. In hindsight, that email was one of the best birthday gifts I’ve ever received — although I didn’t know it at the time. I was nervous, shocked, but, most of all, excited. Nonetheless, I never could have imagined what the next few years would bring. From my one semester as an opinion senior editor, to my two years as a MiC managing editor, no evening in the newsroom was identical to another. As a result, it’s tough to distill my time at 420 Maynard into a short ref lection — but I’m always up for a challenge. First, to Ashley: I truly can’t believe you didn’t rip my head off over the past few years (although I suppose there’s still time). While I had a blast during my time in the newsroom, I’d be lying if I said we didn’t also have our fair share of stressful nights. However, even in the depths of our most chaotic moments, you were still able to prioritize the needs of the section and the paper — even if that came

at the price of a late night or missed assignment. Your dedication, drive, and passion are truly admirable, and we couldn’t have accomplished a fraction of what we did without it. Thank you for being my co-ME, and, above all, thank you for being one of my best friends. Second, I’m so thankful to have been a part of an

“In a world... gone mad, The Daily remained my sanctuary.” organization with as much tradition and history as The Michigan Daily. While being surrounded by century-old copies of The Daily offered a sobering reminder of how short my time on campus is, the knowledge that I was contributing to such a renowned space never failed to excite me. More importantly, however, I’m so honored to have had the opportunity to help shape these traditions as the paper evolved over the past four years. And third, in light of our

turbulent social and political climate, I’m even more thankful for the broader Daily community. Without this space, I honestly don’t know how I would’ve expressed my frustrations with inequities both on campus and beyond. Furthermore, I feel lucky to have been able to give others a similar opportunity. From working with student organizers to publish their lists of demands, to exposing incidents of hate and vitriol around campus, I feel immense privilege that I was able to be, in some small way, a bullhorn for the voiceless. And in a world seemingly gone mad, The Daily remained my sanctuary. To all of the friends I’ve made over the past four years — Sophie, Adam, Tanya, Christian, Alexa, Emma, and countless other — thank you. Thank you for crying with me during my lows and celebrating with me during my highs. To Na’kia and Carly, I have no doubt you’ll do wonderful things next year. You’re two of the smartest and hardestworking people I know, and I am so eager to see how you will carry the space forward into the future. And finally, back to Ashley, thanks for the wild ride — I think we made a good team. I can’t wait to see how the paper evolves over the next year and beyond. Here’s to 128 more years!

In a way, The Daily is the one constant throughout my college life. From my start as an Opinion writer to the strange events that led me to becoming an ME, The Daily gave me the space to learn what it means to be a writer, an activist, and a leader. I continue to be thankful for, and look back fondly, on the opportunities I’ve had here. Some of it is the nature of the job: I just got to do some incredible things as a member of Michigan in Color. Others are from being around wonderful people. Nights spent talking until 5 am, Jeopardy kickbacks, and wreaking havoc with Jason and Sophie — it’s difficult to describe the beautifully weird moments that happen when

you put sports stars, theatre kids, social justice warriors, meme creators, responsible journalists, and more in the same room 5 nights a week. I like to think The Daily and MiC have changed and evolved over the last few years. MiC grew from upstart column to full-f ledged section (with a desk!). The Daily became more willing to accommodate the needs of this campus’ most marginalized — in our coverage and our workspace. I feel privileged to have witnessed and been a small part of that change, and hopeful that the necessary changes will extend far beyond my time. As I write this senior goodbye, I struggle reconciling what it means to be a part of

both Michigan in Color and The Michigan Daily. In my mind, the two are distinct entities — though perhaps closer together than they first appear. In a perfect world, MiC wouldn’t need to exist, yet here we are. Working for The Daily is a privilege. The ability to have your work spread across campus or meet alumni who work for this country’s most esteemed publications is not an opportunity afforded to everyone. From my time here, I look back on warm memories; looking forward, I see opened doors. It is my hope that one day every student who strives to find those same opportunities in our newspaper can — and will.

Opinion

4A— Monday, December 10, 2018

The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com

KIANNA MARQUEZ | COLUMN

Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@michigandaily.com

ALEXA ST. JOHN Editor in Chief

DAYTON HARE

ANU ROY-CHAUDHURY AND ASHLEY ZHANG

Managing Editor

Editorial Page Editors

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS Emma Chang Ben Charlson Joel Danilewitz Samantha Goldstein Emily Huhman

Tara Jayaram Jeremy Kaplan Lucas Maiman Magdalena Mihaylova Ellery Rosenzweig Jason Rowland

Anu Roy-Chaudhury Alex Satola Ali Safawi Ashley Zhang Sam Weinberger

Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily’s Editorial Board. All other signed articles and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors.

ELLERY ROSENZWEIG | COLUMN

Are you taking care of yourself ?

ately, when people ask Last week, a friend of mine me how I’m doing, I with strep throat continued explain how I’ve been to go to her classes — even though the best pretty overwhelmed way for her to get and stressed by better was to stay my workload and home and rest — commitments this because she did not semester. Either want to miss class. they respond Obser ving this need sharing the same to push through it feelings and we gab all, I have noticed on and on about the we have a really struggles of failing hard time taking to juggle it all, or ELLERY a break from class they say they hope I’m finding time ROSENWEIG and our obligations, to take care of myself. I’m even when we are physically relieved yet sad to know I’m sick or dealing with our not the only one experiencing mental health. This message is not just all-consuming stress. But when given the second fostered at our universit y but response, I’m often annoyed in our societ y overall. It is the that people mention taking framework of our economic Competition is care of myself, because I’m system. trying to do that, I just often what drives our markets don’t feel like I have the time. In my Community Action and Social Change classes, many of them have lessons on self-care. They mention how in professions where you are working with others or for causes where there is little immediate gratification, common in the social services, you need to take care of yourself. Self-care is crucial to avoid burnout, where you cannot do your work any longer due to not prioritizing and f uels economic g row th your needs. Everyone has in our capitalistic societ y. different self-care practices, I remember learning in from reading or watching economics that competition some TV at the end of the has been known to create day to journaling, listening better goods and drive people to music, going on a run or to work harder, because taking a bath. These self-care they can compete with one practices are supposed to another. I think this competitive allow one to unwind and take some time out of the day to drive that is felt in the economic world generalizes spend on oneself. My professors encourage to our academic world as well. us to create some of these This competition is damag ing practices for ourselves. when students put their My practices are watching physical and mental health several NPR “Tiny Desk” on the line to compete with concerts, re-watching old their fellow students to get sitcoms like “New Girl”, the best g rade point average taking a shower, going on a and impressive résumés to get walk or playing my ukulele. into the best g raduate schools But on nights when I have and jobs. But there is the multiple assig nments, a house overarching ideal that we will emergency and an exam the not get into the best g raduate next day, I do not prioritize school or job we want unless taking care of myself. I put my we are doing better than commitments and obligations those around us. This notion of always f irst, because I of ten worr y having to work and perform about falling behind. f undamental to our I see this competitive drive is in my friends and fellow societ y. People are not even classmates at our universit y. g uaranteed good health care

This notion of always having to work and perform is fundamental to our society

unless they are a working person in our countr y. If one cannot work or compete at the same level as ever yone else, there are real consequences in the resources one receives. This means even if one doesn’t care or doesn’t want to compete with others, one has to participate in a societ y where the reason one is doing better is because others are not as well off. Throughout high school, I was always tr ying to do well in my classes so I could get into a competitive college, but now that I’m at this competitive college, I cannot turn off the need to perform exceptionally well in classes. Even though I don’t have any competitive g raduate prog ram driving me, I still feel this need to do my best or be better than those around me. La st academic yea r, I made a promise to myself t hat I would focus on me f irst a nd my relationships, t he t hings t hat bring me joy a nd my cla sswork second. I still performed well in my cla sses, but I felt so much happier. But t his semester, somet hing felt dif ferent. Maybe it is t hat my time is ending a s a senior or t hat I have a ha rder a nd la rger workload. Honestly, I t hink t hat I lost t his promise I made to myself. I have beg un to prioritize my cla sswork, commit ments a nd obligations over my ow n wellbeing, a nd I’m not okay w it h it. Now t hat t he semester is com i ng to a n end, I’ve been able to ref lec t t hat I took on too ma ny com m it ment s a nd got caug ht up i n ou r compet it ive college at mosphere. It is not ea sy to pr ior it ize ou rselves a nd ma ke t i me when it ca n i mpac t ou r abilit y to succeed i n school or work . It is upset t i ng to me t hat I live i n a societ y t hat va lues compet it ion a nd work before well-bei ng. A nd t he t r ut h is I don’t need to be t he best or beat ot hers to feel com for t able, happy a nd successf u l. I just need to do me. Ellery Rosenzweig can be reached at erosenz@umich.edu.

CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONVERSATION Readers are encouraged to submit letters to the editor and op-eds. Letters should be fewer than 300 words while op-eds should be 550 to 850 words. Send the writer’s full name and University affiliation to tothedaily@michigandaily.com.

JOIN OUR EDITORIAL BOARD Our Editorial Board meets Mondays and Wednesdays 7:15-8:45 PM at our newsroom at 420 Maynard Street. All are welcome to come discuss national, state and campus affairs.

Being a realist in another world

hat began as a debate over the dinner table at the Mosher-Jordan Dining Hall festered into the ominous realization that we are all unsuspecting advocates for a consumerist society. Well, not necessarily all, but most of us. As we ate dinner with each other on a busy, workfilled Sunday, my friends and I found ourselves engaged in an intense discussion over a rather odd controversy: green grass. A friend of mine had pitted himself against the entire table of 11 people, voicing his individual acrimony toward the green lawns many of us had been raised to love. The rest of us were infuriated; we couldn’t fathom why our beloved green grass was even up for question. Many of us justified that lawns are good for the property boundaries, the multitude of recreational uses they can provide and for being one of the more admirable components of the suburban aesthetic. I, too, arg ued against him, but as I soon as I said, “We want it for the aesthetic,” I shuddered. I know why he continued to arg ue even when we were so appalled by his ridiculousness. Intuitively, he knew that our concept of beauty should transcend beyond mere aesthetic. He was crying out for a society that values the natural beauty of our world instead one that orients our likings to the lifestyles we were raised with and leads us to avoid being independent, real and natural. What he realized is what many of us have not come to terms with: We will always uphold our culture before we give our attention away to our environment. We interact every day with the people around us, waking up and eating breakfast, traveling to school or work, earning money at work and giving it back to our economy at the store, using social

media and investing time in our physical and mental health. But we are never truly thinking in the best interest of our society each day we interact with it — we are merely using it, consuming it. Every day, millions of us consume the electrical and nonrenewable energ y in our infrastructure, consume the satisfaction of data presented in all sorts of forms on our various social media apps, consume the conveniences of processed goods and acquiring necessities digitally and consume the idea that the way we serve back to our

We will always uphold our culture before we give our attention away to our environment resourceful society is through money. As we spend money toward the irrigation of our green lawns, for instance, we are usually wasting 50 percent of our water in runoff and experience the consequences of dry spells in large regions like California as a result. Thus, what we should have come to realize by now is that this idea we have created for ourselves is dangerously far from the truth — the way we give back to our civilization is to act so that it may persist well into the future. For some, the aesthetic of a manicured backyard, artsy social media account or display of wealth in the form of a house or a car is worth it. Our society has somehow ingrained in our psyche that we are missing out if we don’t have these things or if we are not striving to achieve these things in the future. When our circumstances put us outside of or away from these

goals, we will naturally feel excluded and can develop depression because of it. When we are placed outside of an environment we are predisposed to prefer, we will naturally strive to become a part of that environment again. For instance, we are prone to changing cities with the mental goal of reigniting the chance for new opportunities to continue our growth if our current surroundings prevent that. Many physically travel to scenic, more pleasurable places during the winter to avoid seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that reduces the body’s ability to feel mentally and physically energized during gloomy seasons. I blame our materialistic society for causing us to orient ourselves toward material achievements and to do all that we can to avoid being excluded from that material lifestyle based on the hard feelings that would follow. Had we prioritized and normalized a society oriented around the health of our environment, we would be able to project a bright future for our civilization today because we would have understood that our future is inevitably more important than an aesthetic culture. In theory, we should be able to resolve what we are to blame for. But as we seek to discover ourselves and to be able to tell our individual stories, we will never truly stay connected with the power that exists in the masses and therefore will never be able to make a drastic enough change to our society’s ways. At this point, I would just like to thank my friend, the rebel and the idealist in this society, for enlightening me on how to be a realist in that other world where we value the common sense of sustaining our future.

Kianna Marquez can be reached at kmarquez@umich.edu.

JULIA MONTAG | COLUMN

Next semester’s courses stay relevant

harmSci 420, a new in introducing the College of University of Michigan Pharmacy to the larger interest course beginning Winter in and benefits of cannabis. 2019, will explore all aspects of Earlier this semester, the Green the medicinal use of cannabis. Wolverine Science Symposium promoted discussion Legalization in the realm of of recreational business and politics marijuana in by hosting a dozen Michigan indicates leading experts, voters are interested including Rosania, in the idea, yet to speak at the event. contradictory The club exists within federal laws limit the Ross School of our ability to explore Business, and the it academically. club’s members are The University of JULIA eager to take their Michigan is known MONTAG well-respected for its variety of classes that present experiential business degrees to the cannabis learning opportunities, and it industry. Undergraduates in the maintains the legacy with the club, Rosania said, “showed me new cannabis course that meets how serious they were about student demands and ends the learning and that there was an unmet need that really needed disconnect. The endocannabinoid system to be addressed.” A majority of states, Michigan is versatile and ubiquitous. In an interview with The Daily, included, have legalized access pharmaceutical sciences to cannabis in one form or professor Gus Rosania explained another, leaving only four how THC receptors are involved states with no public access. with stress and sleep, appetite In Ann Arbor, legalization has and gastrointestinal function, spurred talk about recreational even pain and inflammation. dispensaries in addition to the The endocannabinoid system 24 medicinal ones we already is also the part of our biology have. Still, cannabis remains a that responds to cannabis, and Schedule 1 substance, meaning according to Rosania, it “is our federal government does just not taught in our curricula not justify its use as medicinally because of federal prohibition.” valid. “A lot of what we teach has Rosania began planning the class four years ago; he been mandated by the federal was encouraged by colleagues government and centralized and distinguished College of accreditation entities,” Rosania Pharmacy professors Gordon said. “Clearly, there is a Amidon and James T. Dalton, disconnect.” The standard curriculum who is also the College of Pharmacy dean. Most faculty, was, in Rosania’s words, “out of however, believed the course to touch with reality.” There are still open seats, and be a joke. “A medicinal cannabis course a diverse crowd of University is as relevant and real as a students are already signed up to course gets for our students,” fill PharmSci 420’s first lecture Rosania said. The course will room. Thus far, half the students teach the science, concepts and are Pharmacy students, as the laws that ultimately amounted course is primarily designed to to cannabis prohibition and supplement the pharmaceutical undergraduate legalization, and exists thanks sciences program. The other half to student input. undergraduates Student organizations, comprises biochemistry, such as cannabis club Green studying psychology, Wolverine, played a large role neuroscience,

botany, engineering, computer science, public health … the list goes on. The only similarity among the enrolled is their interest in cannabis research. “Our teaching needs to address the needs of our students,” Rosania said. PharmSci 420 does just that. Other new classes for Winter 2019 meet student demands and keep up with the times, including a psychology course “American Addictions”, American culture course on virtual reality, and Comm 408: “Understanding Self-Control, Media Habits and Media Addiction”. Though not the first school to offer a cannabis course, the University already offers unique classes that keep our curricula relevant and constantly expanding. This past fall, the School of Art & Design created an inspirational and entertaining “Voting is Sexy” campaign for the midterm election, and LSA offered an art history course called “Emoji Worlds” that discussed the trend that changed the communication of emotion. Communications and history courses examined fake news, the School of Education addressed inequalities among the homeless and one course currently investigates cold cases regarding racial crime and injustice in Michigan. Some may call the course a sign of the times, others may find it controversial. Regardless, the vision Rosania has in mind supersedes that of the federal government. “My teaching is not paid for by Congress, the Supreme Court or the White House,” Rosania said, explaining that his mission is to address the educational demands of our students, and of the U.S. citizens that live here in Michigan. “I can only hope that it is the beginning of an educational revolution.” Julia Montag can be reached at jtmon@umich.edu.

Arts

The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com

Monday, December 10, 2018 — 5A

FILM INTERVIEW

Director Daniel Goldhaber talks ‘Cam,’ collaboration and the normalization of sex work through cinema Conquer all had. We didn’t get into the Sundance Labs. I didn’t Senior Arts Editor ever have a short film at a major film festival. It really was just faith in the ideas and that we A few days before writing this could answer any question that article, my Instagram briefly got we were asked. hacked. My initial reaction was TMD: I read that the film’s confusion, followed by a sudden screenwriter Isa Mazzei surge of panic and a series of worked as a camgirl, which unanswerable questions: How helped inspire and shape the could this have happened? Who story. How did you two get could have done this? Why together to collaborate and me? Once I logged back into what was that collaboration my account, I found that my like? username and email address DG: We’ve known each other had been changed to something since high school. We actually completely different. After dated in high school. And we’ve hastily putting the correct been collaborating since that information back in, I thought point in time too in some form more about this collective fear or another. Ultimately, what embedded in our culture of happened is she hired me to online identity theft, that at shoot… long after that, she went any given moment, a random into camming and when she stranger could access and distort started camming, she needed the intimate details that define to make a bunch of promotional how we are perceived on the video content for her show Internet and beyond. and thought that I might make This bewilderment, paranoia some good porn for her. That and dread that manifested from was my introduction to the this momentarily scary situation world of cam. Her story and her are the same emotions endured approach to her own practice of to an extreme by the protagonist sex work … I think that we both of the glossy, thought-provoking felt like there was a film to be psychological thriller “Cam,” made about it. Through a series which premiered at the Fantasia of conversations, we kind of International Film Festival just found that making a genre in July and on Netflix in Nov. movie set in that world would The film follows cam girl Alice be the best way to communicate (Madeline Brewer, “Orange is our ideas to a large, commercial the New Black”), who faces an audience, which was really the unexpected dilemma when she goal. is locked out of her account and TMD: “Cam” tackles a finds a doppelgänger has taken dense bevy of topical themes her place. — namely, the obsession While Instagram is not with maintaining an online at the forefront of the film’s identity, the commodification premise, “Cam” reflects the of desire, the male gaze and the same existential horror someone conflation of sex and violence. might encounter when their What were you hoping people online profile has been violated would get out of watching the and exploited out of their film? control. In the specific case DG: Politically, I think that of Alice, who operates as an the goal was to tell a story online sex worker, this issue is that would ask an audience to particularly anxiety-inducing. empathize with a sex worker As Alice sets out on a desperate who was a creative professional and to make a film that was from her point of view formally, Call: #734-418-4115 that it’s from a Email: dailydisplay@gmail.com woman’s point of view, portraying her sexuality as she sees herself. Release Date: Monday, December 10, 2018 From a filmmaking standpoint, I think that was another goal. Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis But ultimately, I 51 Tells it to the 34 Mishmash 3 *Nominal leader ACROSS 36 *Failed, as a judge 4 Beachgoer’s 1 Strains to lift think that movies AVAILABLE FALL 2019 business 54 Pound’s 100, in color 6 Scribble (down) are empathy 905 Church St (near Hill St). Newly 39 *2016 film England 5 “Good grief!” 9 Former Russian machines on a wrongly 55 Totally full 6 *Atmospheric despots remodeled three bedroom apartment certain level. We announced as 56 Be dressed in wind that aids an 14 Dickens’ Heep with Granite, SS appliances, and Best Picture 57 Regarding, on eastbound U.S. 15 Cain raiser wanted to reflect hardwood floors. Parking and laun‑ 41 Singer Warwick memos flight 16 Florida’s __ Isa’s experiences dry available. Free Heat. $2395/mos. 44 Wrestled 58 Pelican St. city 7 Lacto-__ Center of being a cam keysmanagement.net 46 Battleship 59 Fed chasing vegetarian 17 Nabisco cookie initials Capone 8 Look after girl, being a sex with a pastry STORAGE FOR STUDENTS 9 *Boston tax 47 Turkish chief 64 In the past jacket worker, talking studying abroad. Indoor, clean, safe, 49 Peacock tail 65 Doorstep protest of 1773 19 “Cold Case Files” about putting closest to campus. AnnArborStorage. feature welcomer 10 Cousin of a airer forth an example com or (734)‑663‑0690. snowfinch 20 Seminoles’ sch. ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE: 11 Most common 21 Lukewarm of how she feels skin condition in reviews? like her experience the U.S. 22 Sadden of a sex worker 12 Fishing sticks 24 Gulf Coast was for her and a 13 Fr. holy women Florida city 27 Scrape or scratch 18 End of many a way of thinking riddle 28 F equivalent, in about portraying 23 Holy Roman VIP: music sex work in media Abbr. 29 Investigations 25 Japan’s largest in a more ethical, 33 Hostess snack active volcano 35 Sound from a representational 26 PFC’s address tabby capacity. Also, just 30 Net profit, and 37 Wee hr. wanting to make a what the answers 38 Barley brew to starred clues 39 __ Fáil: Irish movie that felt true have coronation stone to our experiences 31 Lessen, as pain 40 Joseph of ice of being online… 32 Hook’s right cream fame hand there’s no moral to 42 “Cats” monogram 12/10/18 43 Mazda sports car 33 Soccer great Mia the story outside of 45 City bond, briefly the politics of its 47 Suit to __ representation. 48 The “M” in LEM TMD: 50 Like red-line traffic, on Google Madeline Brewer Maps gives a striking 52 For example performance 53 Lights that darken as the main 56 Kate of “Steve Jobs” character Alice. 60 SSW opposite How did you land 61 Bucolic setting on casting her as 62 __ Gay: WWII bomber the lead? 63 Succeeded DG: My dad big-time actually saw 66 “Over the Maddie (Brewer) Rainbow” composer Harold in an episode of 67 Grow older “Black Mirror” 68 The Lindy, e.g. and was like, “She’s 69 Tally again really perfect for 70 Hide-hair link 71 Jouster’s ride this.” So, we just really beat down DOWN our manager’s 1 Blows like the Big Bad Wolf door. Luckily, 2 Pension law By Frank Virzi someone on our 12/10/18 acronym ©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC team knew her SAM ROSENBERG

quest to investigate how this “clone” took over her life, “Cam” gradually blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, resulting in a twisty, unnerving and utterly captivating viewing experience. Although “Cam” is his featurelength directorial debut, Daniel Goldhaber has directed music videos for ambient rock artists Michal Menert and StaG and worked on several short films and commercials, including an ad for MapQuest that won the 2016 Emmy Award for Best Commercial, Single Spot. In an exclusive phone interview with The Michigan Daily, Goldhaber talks about the process of making the film, finding his lead from a “Black Mirror” episode and normalizing sex work through an immersive narrative. The Michigan Daily: Tell me a little bit about your background, what got you interested in filmmaking, where you went to undergrad, what you studied, etc. Daniel Goldhaber: I grew up in Denver, CO. I went to Harvard for undergrad. They have a department called the Department of Visual and Environmental Studies. Essentially, it’s a combination of film, photography, studio art and visual theory all up in one. I had known about it in high school and that Darren Aronofsky, who I was quite obsessed with, had gone through the department. I learned just a little about what the pedagogy was like there, which is very different, I think, from how a lot of film departments are run in this country. There’s not so much a focus on production as much as there is a focus on learning what is a movie, how you watch film, what is the meaning of images, what are the ethics of images, why make a movie. The big exercise they do that was pretty formative for me

is that the first year that you’re in the film program, the entire class directs a documentary film by committee over the course of a semester. There’s no director, so it takes this idea of authorship and it really focuses the idea of authorship on the collaborative filmmaking process. I think that that’s something that’s really under-talked about and under-thought about, especially in film school. Filmmaking is a collaborative medium, but we can kind of just automatically assume the authorship belongs to a director. When you’re directing a film by committee with a whole class, you really start to think about the nature of authorship and the nature of the filmmaking process quite differently. One of the other cool things about the program is that there’s no permanent film faculty there. It’s all visiting professors. You don’t get that stale sense that I think you get in a lot of film departments where it’s three or four professors with their idea of what a good narrative film is and it kind of just becomes the house style and that’s that. That’s definitely true of Harvard, which is mostly a documentary program, but with new blood, it keeps the intellectual conversation around film alive. TMD: How did you venture into filmmaking after college? DG: I did the (short films) in college. Kind of everything else came after. It was really just me trying to survive postgrad, trying to find work, trying to build a reel. Ultimately, most of it didn’t really help me land a feature film. One of the interesting things about getting “Cam” made and jump-starting my career was that it really was just a script, the idea, the clarity of vision that me and (“Cam” screenwriter) Isa and our creative producers at Divide/

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manager and beat down his door and got him to actually meet with me before she even read the script, so that I can kind of be like, “Hey! So, this is crazy, but here’s what we want to do with it…” That was really effective. She read the script and then she met with Isa and then came in to read for us and we cast her within minutes later. What was so immediately telling about her earlier work was that we needed a film in which the actor can go from a completely naturalistic person to algorithmic sex robot. Maddie has that kind of rare combination of technical ability and naturalism. She’s a very technical actress and you can tell that in her performance. She never feels particularly “act-y.” TMD: There’s some stigma surrounding “the cybercinema” subgenre — films that revolve specifically around technology. But considering the attention your film is getting and the success of other recent indie films like “Ingrid Goes West” and “Searching,” do you think cyber-cinema will receive more critical recognition in the years to come? DG: I think good movies should receive critical recognition, regardless of what they are. I can’t think of a cyber-cinema movie about the Internet or technology that’s really good that’s gone horribly unrecognized. Even a movie like “Unfriended,” which is pretty genre, was very wellreviewed and I think was a game-changing movie in a lot of respects. The reason that a lot of “cyber-cinema” hasn’t been taken seriously is that it’s been made by people who didn’t grow up with the Internet. I’ve had social media since elementary school in some form or another. There’s no alienation factor. People have seen the Internet as an impediment — “Oh, movies set in the modern day, we kind of have to deal with this Internet thing in order to do that.” But they’re not taking a step back and saying, “Hey, there’s this new thing that exists. Let’s change the way we think and interact. How do we make cinema that responds to that? Is there one way to do that?” What we wanted to do with “Cam” was simply say, “How do we show the main character’s experience online with no tricks, just editing? Let’s go back to the basic fundamentals of cinema and build up from there.” That’s where the use of the cut-ins came from. The kind of flat space of the Internet that’s seen in the movie — that was very inspired by “Unfriended.” On some level, I think the movie is a refutation of this screenlife idea that if you’re gonna make a movie online, it has to only take place online. What I’m interested in is the collision between the digital and real. TMD: What was the process of conceptualizing “Cam”? DG: It’s honestly really complicated in the sense that it was a really organic process, it’s a talking process, it’s a process of sharing ideas and constantly challenging each other to specify the idea, to dig deeper into the idea and then to find the best possible way to deliver the idea inside of the architecture of a commercial movie. P.T. Anderson says that “writing is like ironing.” I think sometimes, it’s also about layering things into each other, so you start with this idea of a movie about webcam porn. What’s the right story for that? One of the things I really like to do process-wise when I’m working with anybody is trying to build world banks, to build a big bank of, “Here are all the potential stories we could tell in that world.” And then, we start whittling them down: Which of these stories are good? Which of these stories have common ideas? Eventually, we actually met with a bunch of other cam girls and sex workers and interviewed them. We’re trying to find the similarities between Isa’s experiences and their

experiences, trying to figure out which of the more universal things was connecting these ideas. Then, whittling that idea down to the idea of identity, the dopplegänger. You start saying, “OK, well, what’s that look like?” You start talking about the big themes that you’re interested in. Isa would frequently talk about her practice as a former performance artist and how it felt to her. So, OK, that’s something that is a very relatable idea for people. What are movies about great artists that we really love? TMD: How were you able to get “Cam” financed and distributed? DG: (Blumhouse Productions CEO Jason) Blum basically financed the movie and set it up at a production company called Divide/Conquer. Divide/ Conquer finished the film. Blum bought the film back and then they sold it to Netflix. Blumhouse helped develop the script. They were kind of advisors on the project, but they weren’t significantly involved in the day-to-day making of the film. Couper Samuelson and Bea Sequeira were the two executives over there that we worked really closely with. Bea was the person who found the script and kind of kicked it up to Couper. Both really championed the film and gave notes and helped us connect with people when necessary. It’s an amazing company. They’re doing amazing work. Jason’s some sort of cross between Roger Corman and… I need to figure out who else because he’s not just Corman. He’s taking what Corman did and he’s bringing it into the mainstream, and it’s really interesting. TMD: What has been your reaction to the film’s response from audiences and critics? DG: I’m surprised that the ending has gotten the response that it’s gotten. To be completely honest, I don’t think the movie is nearly as confusing as people seem to think it is. People were like, “What is Lola?” And all the evidence is in the film for what she is. It’s not that we don’t explain it — the main character figures it out. We don’t literally spell it out because you’re seeing it from (Alice’s) perspective and she’s figuring it out on her own. I’m kind of surprised that that’s as controversial as it is. That’s more of an audience response thing than a critical response, and that’s really not something that became clear until after it was actually out on Netflix. It’s been extremely satisfying to see the critical response to the film. (“Cam”) is like the second highest-rated horror movie of the year on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s extremely gratifying also to see the politics of the movie be embraced in the way that they are. It was a surprise when The New York Times called it a “feminist film.” We have to take a second to realize that that’s The New York Times Arts section embracing the destigmatization of sex work and the legitimization of sex worker narratives from that point of view. That’s a really big step forward. I don’t even think that that was even a conscious decision on the part of (New York Times critic) Jeannette Catsoulis. I think that was just kind of what she took away from the film. To me, one of the most gratifying things for a filmmaker is when you’ve told a story, you put an incredible amount of work into the politics of the film, but that ultimately, a great political film isn’t necessarily one where it ends with a big speech with somebody explaining what the politics of the movie is. It’s a movie that’s taking you into somebody else’s world and allowing you to empathize with them in a way that only film can. When that’s been successful, you can’t necessarily explain it. You just know that you had that experience. Seeing people embrace the experience they had with “Cam” has been really amazing.

6A — Monday, December 10, 2018

Arts

CONCERT REVIEW

The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com

the course of his career to which the Astroworld tour is expertly catered. To your left could be a 24-year-old who got lit to “Upper Echelon” while driving to a party in her junior year of high school, to your right could be a 13-yearold whose mom is parked outside with a budding teenage angst that is tragically fueled by “Sicko Mode” — and both would leave the concert perfectly content. Oftentimes, arena shows are vacuums — the venues are just too big and contain too many people to emulate the intimacy and energy of smaller settings. To compensate,

these blockbuster performances boast incredible stage designs with colossal props to keep the audience at least visually engaged (see: Kendrick Lamar’s “DAMN” tour). Somehow, Scott avoided this plague, shrinking Little Caesars Arena to provide longtime fans the chaotic energy they associated with the prince of their high school hip-hop days while riding a roller coaster above the crowd to inspire recent fans who couldn’t believe they were witnessing their favorite superstar in action. The show was a unique moment between young and old — both

“Mamacita” and “NC-17” received equal applause. This rarity is likely because Scott rests at a special point in his career, with overlapping respect from fans of five years and fans of five months. This moment is incredibly transient — just ask Eminem. As an artist grows, they shed the characteristics that brought them into the spotlight in favor of new characteristics that attempt to hold the spotlight in place as it naturally migrates to the next star. I’m glad I was able to catch Scott before this demise takes place. — Mike Watkins

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Travis Scott is peaking on ‘Wish You Were Here’ tour SHIMA SADAGHIYANI Daily Music Edtor

& MIKE WATKINS Daily Arts Writer

There were two stages set up at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Dec. 5 for Travis Scott’s “Wish You Were Here” Tour — one main stage in the front and one side stage, unimposing even with the yawning “O” of the carousel roller coaster that had been built on top of it, in the back. The fellow Daily Arts Writer who was also attending the show knew that Travis was going to perform the first few songs of the show on the back stage and then transition to the main stage by way of roller coaster. We looked up. The skeleton of a roller coaster track hung from the arena’s roof. We moved to the smaller stage in the back and, having guessed correctly, found ourselves arms length away from Travis Scott himself when the show finally started, riding the crest of a monstrous mosh pit, losing our minds to “STARGAZING.” Much like ASTROWORLD itself, the “Wish You Were Here” Tour was twisted around the concept of a psychedelic carnival. Each detail of the show strove to be more

ostentatious than the last. The visuals were trippy and brightly colored, some stretched out of proportion as if placed in front of a funhouse mirror. Halfway through the set, a larger than life astronaut popped out of the ground, dwarfing Travis Scott as he sat on the end of the main stage, a literal man on the moon. And the performance’s coup de grâce — the massive roller coaster that stretched above our heads from one stage to the other — was near sacrilegious, the GA crowd following its track in a mass that was reminiscent of Kanye’s floating stage during the Saint Pablo tour. It almost was too absurdly gaudy — the show’s visuals and props in danger of overpowering the music itself. As you were thrown around from one sweaty body to the next, the roar of the crowd and your own heartbeat echoing in your ears, you could barely hear “Mamacita” or “BUTTERFLY EFFECT” or “HOUSTONFORNICATION.” Yet, as Little Caesars Arena exploded in whorls of spiraling lights and thrashing arms during every era of Travis Scott music — from “Quintana” and “Drugs You Should Try It” that went all the way back to Days Before Rodeo and Owl Pharaoh to “goosebumps” and “way back” from Birds in the

Trap Sing McKnight to the more popular “NO BYSTANDERS” and “STOP TRYING TO BE GOD” from ASTROWORLD — we were shown that these various garish and glaring aspects of the show, as well as the rage that accompanied every aspect, are as much a part of a Travis Scott performance as the music itself. — Shima Sadaghiyani FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK OH MYYYYY GOOOOOOOODDDDD HOOOLLLYYYYY SHIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!!!!!! That was the first 10 minutes of my experience at Travis Scott’s Detroit stop on his monolithic “Wish You Were Here” tour. Just an arms length from the rail that separated the savage crowd from the miniature stage on which Scott debuted, I was afloat in the oceanic energy of the sweaty ragers. Acknowledging the presence of “ragers” at a massively mainstream arena concert feels weird to me, and that’s the gist of my take on Scott’s live show. With conflated identities as an imperfect trap demon that brought unprecedented energy to hip hop and an ambitious chartchaser with polished promotional tactics, Scott has garnered a uniquely eclectic fanbase over

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On Elizabeth Alexander’s masterful words, poetry NITYA GUPTA Daily Arts Writer

“This unlikely thing of being a poet has given me a place for all that strange music in my brain.” There’s something thrilling about walking to UMMA in anticipation of a Helen Zell Visiting Writers reading. I love sitting in the Helmut Stern Auditorium, underneath the lights that look like floating candles, and gathering in The Apse surrounded by artwork and artists alike. This past Tuesday, I attended the Zell Visiting Writer Series with readings from Elizabeth Alexander, Distinguished Poet in Residence. Alexander is an incredibly talented writer with a number of accolades to show for it. She composed and delivered “Praise Song for the Day” at the inauguration of former President Barack Obama, was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for her book of poems “American Sublime” and was recently appointed President of the Andrew H. Mellon Foundation. But Alexander is more than her impressive list of accomplishments. She’s deeply curious. She’s thinking about big ideas. She’s constantly experimenting with sound, form and genre. Alexander opened her reading with a discussion of freedom, asking the audience, “What does freedom look like? What does it

look like when we lose it? How do we guard it?” Using this framework, Alexander read “Emancipation.” She plays with alliteration in the first line: “corncob constellation.” The poem is a conglomeration of unlikely words, references and sounds coming together. Alexander mentions Linda Brent, a character from “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” by Harriet Jacobs, who grapples with a choice between freedom and staying a slave to be with her children. Though the end of the poem ends with the lines “We’re free,” Brent ultimately chooses motherhood, making me wonder if the poem is saying emancipation isn’t as easy as being told you’re free. Throughout her reading, Alexander offered writers in the audience small tidbits of advice. “For those of who you are writing, history is an extraordinary source,” Alexander said. “Though historians have done a great job of figuring out the past, there are still gaps, and we can fill in the spaces historians cannot.” Alexander thinks about historical gaps with her poetic sequence “Amistad,” which is based on the famous story of the Amistad ship that was carrying African captives to Cuba. The captives took control of the ship, steering it north until they arrived in Connecticut. Alexander

imagines the perspective of some of the captives, from someone who watches a blue whale swimming alongside the vessel for hours, to a little boy who has no mother and whose father possibly just died next to him. My favorite out of Alexander’s poems read aloud was “Ars Poetica 17: First Afro-American Esperantist.” The poem’s strong words varied vastly in sound, from “gumbo” to “certificate.” This poem reminded me that language is meant to be spoken and heard, as reading the poem in your head doesn’t give you the full effect of Alexander’s pauses and drawn out words. Alexander concluded the night by reading from her memoir “The Light of the World,” in which Alexander reflects on the unexpected death of her husband, who passed away at only 49 years old. Though writing a memoir gave her a “momentary crisis about genre,” she realized “these words were poet’s prose.” Alexander’s decision to focus the reading on the idea of freedom was a smart one. In moving from historical freedom to the personal freedom of writing what she needed to grieve, Alexander effectively shared how poetry is her mental freedom, and can be ours too. The Zell Visiting Writers Series will return next semester.

The Michigan Daily | michigandaily.com | December 10, 2018

SPORTSMONDAY

KINGS OF CAROLINA* JACOB SHAMES Daily Sports Writer

Michigan couldn’t stop turning the ball over. South Carolina couldn’t stop fouling. It was as sloppy a game as either team has played all season. But with a few offensive rebounds, a few free throws and a lot of Jordan Poole, the fifth-ranked Wolverines held off the Gamecocks (4-5), 89-78, to improve to 10-0. Saturday’s game at Crisler Center was promoted as a “Poole Party,” and in front of a Maize Rage clad in pool f loaties and beach attire, the sophomore guard did his part in aiding the theme. With 26 points on 8-for-12 shooting and 4-for-7 beyond the arc, Poole paced Michigan with a career-high in scoring. “That’s the Jordan we know,” said sophomore forward Isaiah Livers. “He can score at all three levels for sure. You know he’s going to take those threes — step-back threes — and he’s got to get one of those out of his system.” The fans who came for the Poole party certainly got their money’s worth. But that was about all they got. Poole’s huge game notwithstanding, the Wolverines put forth a thoroughly uninspiring performance against a South Carolina team which came in with losses to Stony Brook, Wofford and Wyoming. The Gamecocks deserve plenty of credit, however. The 25th-fastest team in the nation, per KenPom, they succeeded in turning the game into a track meet, putting up 62 shots and hitting 32 of them. On offense, they funneled the ball through their big men, as forwards Chris Silva, Maik Kotsar and Keyshawn Bryant all scored in double figures. “Our defense was not great,” said Michigan coach John Beilein. “It’s a tough matchup for us inside, and I think we got to get better at helping ( junior center Jon Teske) in the post. Little upset at our team that the scouting report said Silva’s going to go right, he’s going to go right, he’s going to go right, and he went right and we still fouled him.” At the start, it appeared as if Michigan would simply run away with a routine win against an overmatched opponent. Teske f lushed a midrange jumper to give the Wolverines an 11-6 lead at the under-16 media timeout. But South Carolina hung around, as it would all game. With 9:36 remaining in the first half, Kotsar banked home a baby hook to put the Gamecocks up three. The Wolverines vastly aided matters by turning the ball over five times in the first six minutes — three of which came from Poole — and 11 times in the first half overall. “We had some really careless (turnovers),” Beilein said. “ … But we had a few of those. But that’s them. They’re good, and you have

to be able to adjust to that, and that’s why the game was really close.” Michigan’s saving grace in the first half was its ability to get to the line, as it already was in

Design by Jack Silberman Alec Cohen / Daily

Michigan 89 South Carolina 78 U-M scrapes past SC to improve to 10-0

the

double with seven minutes left in the first half. Poole and freshman forward Ignas Brazdeikis took advantage of an aggressive South Carolina defense that committed 21 fouls for the game. The duo combined to hit 11 of a combined 13 free throws as the Wolverines took a 42-36 lead into halftime. The other main positive for Michigan was its offensive rebounding, as it grabbed a season-high 13. Two minutes into the second half, redshirt junior guard Charles Matthews grabbed a board off a miss, darted back to the 3-point line and drilled a trey on the ensuing possession. Poole hit a triple of his own on the bonus

“We didn’t play that well defensively. Lot of letdowns, but we got some key stops. Our offense carried us — everyone scored.”

Wolverines’ next trip down the court, and finished a wideopen fastbreak dunk minutes later to put them up by 11. With every big shot by Michigan, however, the Gamecocks seemed to have an answer. After a highlightreel pull-up trey by Poole with 12 minutes to play, South Carolina cut it to single digits with inside buckets. Teske powered down an alley-oop with 6:21 remaining to put Crisler Center on its feet, setting the Wolverines up 16 with what seemed to be a finishing blow. But three minutes later, the Gamecocks shot back within striking distance after a basket by Kotsar made the score 82-73. In the end, the outcome was never really in doubt. Michigan shot 52 percent from the field, 42 percent from deep and 77 percent from the foul line. The 16 turnovers it committed were an ugly blemish, but not enough to cost it a victory. South Carolina, however, made sure it wasn’t a pretty one. “Today we didn’t play that well defensively,” Teske said. “Lot of letdowns, but we got some key stops. Our offense carried us — everyone scored, I don’t know how many (Poole) had but he had a great game, (Livers) came out shooting really well. But when we have our offense clicking, it’s hard to beat us.”

*Pending Duke

Beilein gives back

John Beilein helped one of his former players get back to health and gain confidence, as the player eventually won an NBA Championship as an executive with the Cavaliers.

» Page 4B

Tired narratives

Jim Harbaugh once again faced rumors that he was leaving for the NFL, and once again, he disspelled those rumors vehemently.

» Page 2B

SportsMonday

2B — December 10, 2018

The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com

Another round of Harbaugh rumors

y grandfather called me last week. I’ll preface this by saying that my grandpa is not your typical hot-take sports fan. I respect his opinions on sports as much as anybody I know. So in MIKE this case, I PERSAK think he was probably just checking in and had a topic in mind he thought would make me laugh or at least give us something to talk about. He asked me if Jim Harbaugh was leaving Michigan. We had both seen the headlines by that time, on ESPN and other platforms, that certain pundits were reporting that certain NFL teams were in talks with Harbaugh to pull him from the Wolverines and back into the ranks of professional football. I laughed and brushed it off, because the reporters I know on the Michigan beat, who would definitely know if Harbaugh was considering leaving Ann Arbor, had all but called the reports stupid. Apparently, the rumors, perhaps aided by the de-commitment of five-star safety Daxton Hill, were enough to make Harbaugh give a response. “This is a choreographed message that comes up at this time every year before signing day,” Harbaugh told ESPN this weekend. “It’s people spreading messages to further their own personal agenda. “But I’m on record right here, right now: I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying at Michigan. We have big plans here, and there’s a lot we want to accomplish.”

EVAN AARON/Daily

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh dispelled rumors this weekend that he woud be leaving Michigan for the NFL after five-star safety Daxton Hill decommitted.

On Sunday, he elaborated further when asked why he commented on the story at all. “To make a statement of it,” he said. “To go on record, and to not be asked any more after that by people who like to yap and ask questions.” Thinking back, though, the call from my grandpa wasn’t the first time I had gotten the question. A couple months ago, an editor from a well-renowned newspaper called The Daily newsdesk asking for me. He was doing a

story about Harbaugh, and he wanted the perspective of someone on campus. Among the questions he asked was one about Harbaugh and whether or not students and fans were losing patience with him. I laughed then, too. If I remember correctly, it was just after Michigan had lost to Notre Dame, so I understood that there were some questions about the state of the program and its leadership.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying at Michigan.”

Now, with the benefit of hindsight, it seems ridiculous that there are and have been questions if the Wolverines want to keep Harbaugh. Michigan is in a far better place than it was when Harbaugh took over. The program was competing for a conference championship all season, until its hopes were snuffed out by Ohio State yet again. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel addressed that side of things Sunday. His sup-

port has always been steadfast, so his statement should come as no surprise. “Jim is one of the greatest coaches (in football), college or pro, so I think it’s to his credit his name continually pops up,” Manuel said. “As I said before, when we think about bringing studentathletes here, we want the best, and we have the best coach. I just hope people understand, and particularly our recruits don’t get dissuaded because people put out these

“We talked about this from the first year on.”

rumors which this man deserves because of his ability to coach. “... Every year as soon as there’s an opening, all of a sudden his name’s mentioned that he’s not going to be here. He and I have a great relationship. We talked about this from the first year on. I have full faith in Jim, in the person he is and the leader he is of this team. I’m so happy he’s our coach. I look forward to him coaching, as I said before, until he retires from Michigan and ends his career here.” And, listen, I get impatience. But wanting better from the coach you have is much different than wanting a different coach altogether. It is okay to both expect the Wolverines to actually win a conference championship — or better — and want Harbaugh to stay on as head coach. Believe it or not, those two things are not mutually exclusive. Harbaugh does need to improve, and he is the first to admit it. Hence, the “there’s a lot we want to accomplish,” part of his quote to ESPN. But it seems like if you are going to bring up this neverending question about Harbaugh’s permanence at Michigan, you have to answer two other questions first. First: What gives anybody any indication that Harbaugh actually wants to leave? Second: If the Wolverines did want him gone, who could they possibly get that would be better? If you can’t answer the first, spare me the waste of time it takes to prove any rumors false. And if you can’t answer the second, don’t bother pining for greener pastures. Persak can be reached at mdpers@umich.edu, on Twitter at @MikeDPersak or on Venmo at @Mike-Persak.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Poole finding consistency THEO MACKIE

Daily Sports Writer

Last February, Crisler Center filled with bathing suits and pool noodles — a strange sight on a snowy mid-winter afternoon in Ann Arbor. The ‘Poole Party’ theme had been organized by the Maize Rage — Michigan’s courtside student section — to celebrate Jordan Poole, the team’s swaggering freshman guard. The freshman Poole wanted to give the crowd what they came to see. He came off the bench midway through the first half and immediately fired off two 3-point attempts. Both clanged iron. The rest of the game was no different. Poole attempted four threes, made none of them, and finished with zero points in 12 minutes. Saturday against South Carolina, the Maize Rage brought the ‘Poole Party’ theme back. With a year of experience under his belt, the sophomore Poole hit 8-of-12 field goal attempts en route to a careerhigh 26 points, as the Wolverines won 89-78. “I wasn’t really thinking about it,” Poole said of this year’s ‘Poole Party.’ “I think last year, I was thinking about it. … Being a freshman, I only played 11 minutes, I kinda wanted to go out there, because it was a Poole Party, and play excited.” Games like the Minnesota one weren’t unusual for Poole last year. He quickly became a fan favorite, often providing a spark off the bench, like he did in a 19-point game against Indiana or a 4-of-5 showing from the three against Ohio State. But other times, he was invisible, scoring less than six points in half of Michigan’s games. “Last year as a freshman, he’d have moments in which he didn’t look as good as he really was,”

ALEC COHEN/Daily

Sophomore guard Jordan Poole hit 8-of-12 field goal attempts Saturday night.

said South Carolina coach Frank Martin. “Cause he’d get wrapped up in the emotion of the game.” Earlier this season, it seemed as if Poole hadn’t changed. He totaled just 13 points over the Wolverines’ first three games. When it looked as if he busted his slump in a 22-point performance against George Washington, he followed up with four against Providence the next day. Since then, Poole has been the star that Michigan expected him to be coming into the season, hitting 17-of28 threes and scoring at least 14 points in five straight games. “I just feel like I’m letting the game come to me,” Poole said. “Taking the right shots but also being aggressive.” “… I feel like I was

“They feel like I’m one of the best shooters in the country.”

overthinking, ‘What’s a good shot, what’s a bad shot?’ So focused about assists to where I was passing up a lot of stuff. But now coach is giving me the green light to be aggressive. They feel like I’m one of the best shooters in the country.” That green light paid dividends early in the second half when the Gamecocks cut Michigan’s deficit to six. Poole pulled up and hit a three with a defender draped all over him. Then another one, followed by a fast-break dunk. He had effectively shut the door on South Carolina’s comeback hopes and rewarded his coach’s green light all in a two-minute stretch that exemplified everything he was anointed to be last season. As he jogged to Michigan’s huddle after his dunk forced Martin into a timeout, students hurled snorkels and beach towels into the air in jubilation. Somehow — on a freezing December day — that now seems normal.

SportsMonday

The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com

December 10, 2018 — 3B

HOCKEY ‘M’ falls to Minnesota, 4-3, on late heartbeaker ICE Offense struggles to convert RIAN RATNAVALE Daily Sports Writer

If the No. 15 Michigan hockey team thought it would get a breather after a fourth consecutive overtime game at Yost Ice Arena, it took less than ten minutes for it to realize that was a pipe dream, and 58 minutes for a win to become a pipe dream, too. As the Gophers opened up a 2-0 lead, the Wolverines found themselves at an inflection point. Though Michigan was outshooting Minnesota early, the Wolverines failed to capitalize on any breakaways or opportunities in the crease early on. While Michigan responded by pulling the rug out from underneath Minnesota, it was eventually the Gophers who got the final laugh, scoring a gamewinner with 1:41 left in the game and walking out of Yost with a 4-3 win. A minute into the first period, both teams were playing fastpaced, with largely crisp passing. Then, senior forward Brendan Warren intercepted a pass at the blueline and had a clear breakaway. But Warren got walled by Minnesota goaltender Mat Robson right at the crease. And before the Wolverines could catch their breath, it was the Gophers that got on the scoreboard after a streaking Brannon McManus went fivehole on freshman goaltender Strauss Mann. Mann seemed to redeem himself three minutes later with a contorting, cross-body save with his right pad, but the rebound wasn’t cleaned up. Instead, Minnesota found the puck right at the top of the crease with Mann’s back turned and found the back of the net once again. “There’s a couple of shifts during the game where we seem like we’re all over the place in the zone,” said junior forward Nick Pastujov. “I think that’s where they get a lot of their chances.”

Then, 7:43 into the first period, freshman forward Nolan Moyle got a 2-on-0 breakaway opportunity with Pastujov, Michigan had another easy scoring opportunity. In Friday’s game, the game went to overtime because of the Wolverines’ inability to finish those pointblank shots, and the trend seemed to be continuing. With a flick of the wrist though, Moyle passed it to Pastujov, who went forehand, then backhand and slotted the puck into the fivehole to give Michigan its first goal. Less than two minutes later, the Wolverines struck again from up close — as sophomore forward Michael Pastujov snaked around a scrum at the goal to equalize the game from behind the left post. Though neither team scored for the next 16 minutes, the Wolverines found a rhythm offensively. After trading shots with Minnesota early on, Michigan went up 10 shots on

the Gophers early in the second period. And by the end of it, the Wolverines eclipsed their pergame average of 35.9 with 40 shots and found themselves up 3-2 thanks to a screamer from sophomore forward Josh Norris that flew into the top right of the goal from the left circle. For the game, they doubled the Gophers with 98 shot attempts to their 49. “We’ve outshot five of the last six games we’ve played in,” Norris said. We outshot them both times by a ton. It’s frustrating to not get a win after playing so well.” But just as fast as Michigan seemed to be running away with the game, Minnesota created more chaos in the crease early in the third period. Though Mann again made a slew of saves in the shadow of Gophers defenders, Minnesota tied the score at 3-3 by again taking advantage of Michigan’s inability to clear the puck. The Wolverines seemed to

KATELYN MULCAHY/Daily

Sophomore forward Josh Norris scored the Wolverines’ overtime winner on Friday night against Minnesota.

WRESTLING

Michigan dominates Indiana, 32-7 LILY FRIEDMAN For the Daily

Jackson Striggow has something to celebrate going into finals week. Entering the second period of his match tied 2-2 in a defensive standoff, the redshirt junior left Sunday’s contest with both fists in the air, a smile across his face and an automatic win from a 15-point pin. The Michigan wrestling team (3-0) dominated Indiana (2-3), 32-7, in a contest riddled with bonus points, near falls and strong performances by several Wolverines. With highscoring wins from Striggow, fifth-year senior Malik Amine, redshirt junior Myles Amine and redshirt freshman Jelani Embree, Michigan will leave for the holidays with a big win and momentum for its next dual meet versus Illinois. Starting the meet well, sophomore Drew Mattin and redshirt junior Stevan Micic delivered wins in the 125 and 133-pound weight classes, respectively. Mattin, ranked tenth in his weight class nationally, and Micic, ranked second in the 133-pound division, both faced unranked opponents. With two clean wins and a six-point lead over Indiana, eighth-ranked redshirt sophomore Kanen Storr entered the only ranked matchup of the day versus 15th-ranked Cole Weaver, a fifth-year senior from Hudson, Mich. Both three-time Michigan high school state champions at 141 pounds, Storr and Weaver trained in the same gym in high school. But their familiarity didn’t faze Storr, he said. After a scoreless defensive struggle in the first period, Storr delivered a key near fall, bringing the score to 2-1.

have the equalizer on a scrum led by junior forward Will Lockwood late in the third period, but the goal was waved off due to interference. With Michigan’s momentum gone, the Gophers barreled in a shot with less than two minutes remaining. “We had what was it, 53 shots?,” Norris said. “I think we did a good job there, but we need to do a better job of getting guys in front of the net. We had an unfortunate call at the end that might have been goalie interference … but if we start to (get in front of the net), more pucks will come our way.” It wasn’t another overtime, but it was a familiar dread for the Wolverines — another tight loss against another team it outplayed for the majority of the game. “We’ve probably played well enough to win all these games,” said Michigan coach Mel Pearson. “Tonight more so than any of them.”

Though Weaver escaped to his feet to earn a point, Storr responded with an escape in the third period, securing the win and a 9-0 team score for Michigan. “There’s a little bit of pressure because he’s like an older brother figure to me: always trains with me, he’s older than me, he’s from Michigan, (three)-time state champ. I know he’s gonna be a great opponent,” Storr said. “I kind of had a down week, but overall, I came out here, I gutted out a win. I didn’t feel my best, so there’s a lot to be proud of there but a lot to build off of also.” Following Storr’s close win, Malik Amine put on a booming performance in the 149-pound division, winning his match 18-0 and generating a five-point technical fall for the Wolverines. Amine’s momentum largely manifested in the third period, when he pushed the score from 4-0 to 18-0 with three fourpoint near falls and one twopoint near fall. Despite redshirt freshman Layne Van Anrooy’s loss in the 157pound weight class, seventhranked redshirt junior Logan Massa quickly reestablished Michigan’s success and won his match at 165 pounds, ushering in another bonus-point win in the 174-pound division by thirdranked Myles Amine, who won 19-1 in the second period with three near falls and three takedowns. Combined, Malik and Myles Amine outscored their opponents 37-1 for the day. Embree, ranked 19th, piled on that success, beating his

“... I was pretty pumped to have it finally work out for me.”

opponent 14-2 in a major decision and increasing the Wolverines’ team score to 26-4. Massa, Myles Amine and Embree’s successful outings, though, culminated in Striggow’s 197-pound matchup. After a difficult first period, tied 2-2, Striggow delivered a dramatic pin to win his match and drive the team score up further. “I think some guys, including me especially, could’ve done a little better at the beginning coming out with a little more momentum, carrying the momentum from each match, but overall I think we had a pretty good day,” Striggow said. “I’ve kind of struggled in that position in a couple matches this year and it’s cost me one or two matches already, so I’ve really been working on it in the practice room and to finally get it, I was pretty pumped up to have it finally work out for me.” Despite Indiana’s win in the final heavyweight matchup against redshirt freshman Luke Ready, Michigan still won the meet handily due to several standout matchups. The Wolverines emphasize those bonus-point wins, said Striggow, partially with a hammer trophy that one player earns each week by scoring the most points in that meet. Sunday, the contest was a tight one with multiple highscoring matches. “I was super pleased with the way we wrestled on the mat,” said Michigan coach Sean Bormet. “After I congratulated those guys on a good performance today, the first thing we talked about as a staff was that it’s an important week to really dig in and focus on school work (and) rest, because we’re still gonna have a good, hard eight days of training ahead. We have some work to do.”

“I was super pleased with the way we wrestled ...”

JORGE CAZARES Daily Sports Writer

Shots came easily, goals did not. After last Saturday’s game against Michigan State, Michigan hockey coach Mel Pearson commented on his team’s recent lack of “puck luck” as a big reason for his team’s low conversion rate on offense. The bounces just weren’t going their way all weekend. Shots rattled off the pipe and trickled through the crease –– teasing the Wolverines. Unfortunately for the Michigan hockey team (6-7-4 overall, 2-4-4-2 Big Ten), that trend continued this weekend. The Wolverines followed up Friday’s 42-shot performance with 53 shots in Saturday’s 4-3 loss against Minnesota. Junior forward Nick Pastujov shared his team’s frustrations. “We were right there on a lot of chances,” Pastujov said after Saturday’s game. “We just gotta finish those chances. I think the game could’ve been 7-2 our way.” Michigan has been getting shots on net but has been unable to translate those shots into goals. Despite outshooting their opponents in five of their last six games, the Wolverines have not emerged victorious in regulation during that span. The team’s last regulation win was in Happy Valley against Penn State on Nov. 16. During a second period power play for Michigan on Saturday, a scrum in front of the Gophers’ net led to a loose puck just in front of the crease. In the chaos that ensued, sophomore forward Jack Becker collected the loose puck. It appeared as though it would be a sure goal for the Wolverines with the goaltender out of position. A score would give them a commanding 4-2 lead, but, instead, Becker’s shot hit a Minnesota defenseman who was on all fours in the crease. The Gophers went on to clear the puck, killing off the penalty and preserving the tie heading into the second

intermission. “We had a number of really good scoring opportunities and we don’t get it,” Pearson said after Saturday’s game. “Then it becomes a one-shot game. They go out and get a break or a rebound and then you’re tied. I think that’s really the story of the game and been the story the last three weeks. ... We’re making every goaltender look like they’re an AllAmerican right now.” Collectively outshooting your opponent, 248-164, in your last six games while being outscored, 12-14, will do that. The offense is generating chances by getting the puck in goal-scoring areas but finishing those chances continues to be a problem. And it is becoming a costly problem for Michigan, as Minnesota is now tied with the Wolverines for fourth in Big Ten standings despite having played two fewer conference games. It is not for a lack of effort on the part of Michigan. It outplayed Michigan State two weekends ago and came away with only one point. This past weekend against Minnesota as well, shots depicted it the better team but the Wolverines left the weekend with just two points. The level of parity in the Big Ten is keeping them afloat and within reaching distance of the top of the conference. A hot streak can rocket them to the top of the standings and secure them a spot in the NCAA Tournament. But failing to come out of a weekend with more than one or two points will keep them in the middle of the pack, or may even send Michigan to the bottom of the table. Converting on its scoring opportunities will be a key to success in the second half of the season. The Wolverines are heading into the break in a similar spot as last season: hovering around a .500 record and plagued by inconsistent play. “Not unlike last year at this time,” Pearson said about the state of the team. “Now, can we turn it on like we did? That’s the question that remains to be seen.”

Church, Munger lead Michigan to win BENNETT BRAMSON Daily Sports Writer

The first two of the Michigan women’s basketball team’s 85 points came a minute into the game on a fast break layup by senior guard Nicole Munger. From then on, the Wolverines (7-3) never relinquished the lead cruising to an 85-59 victory over Oakland (2-8). Munger, who led all Michigan players with 21 points, fueled a dominant first quarter for the Wolverines. She scored 11 of the team’s 27 first-quarter points on 4-for-6 shooting, including a trio of 3-pointers. However, Munger didn’t score in the second quarter. Instead, it was freshman forward Naz Hillmon who controlled the scoring, complimenting Munger’s high-scoring first quarter with a 10-point quarter of her own. “I think Nicole’s playing with a tremendous amount of confidence,” said Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico in a post-game interview. “Being a senior, her leadership role, her confidence (and) her experience (are) shining through and tonight was another example of that. I think her teammates are doing a great job now of really finding her and getting her some open shots, and she’s just able to knock them down. She’s prepared herself her whole life to make these shots, and I’m really proud of her having these opportunities.” While it was Munger and Hillmon who led the Wolverines in their scoring efforts, it was sophomore guard Deja Church who facilitated the offense and took charge on defense. Church ended the game with a career-high nine assists, including seven in the first half, and was tasked with guarding the Golden Grizzlies’ leading scorer, guard Taylor Jones (15 points per game). Even though Jones did finish the game with 15 points, Barnes Arico was more focused on the fact that it took her 20 shots to get there. “Deja Church was outstanding,” Barnes Arico said. “I thought she had a great game on both the offensive and defensive ends. … So Deja really

did a great job on the defensive end and then I think that sparked her offense. She ran point for us, the wing for us. “She distributed the ball exceptionally well, she made some free throws, she made some shots. She just all-around had a great high energy and a great game. I was really happy for her.” Yet, despite the overall dominant performance for Michigan, in which Munger, Hillmon and Church excelled, others struggled — specifically, freshman guard Amy Dilk and senior center Hallie Thome. Dilk, who finished with a 1:1 assist-to-turnover ratio and shot 2-for-12 from the field, has hit just five of her last 31 shots and has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 16:13 during a frustrating last four games. Still, the freshman has shown flashes of why she was named Miss Basketball in Indiana last year after very promising performances against two formidable opponents, Texas and Washington, earlier this season. “We have two big off-days right now, so I think it will be big for her to get back in the gym and take easy shots and be able to get a

high volume of shots up,” Munger said. “That’s what I did and it seemed to help. I’ll definitely be in her ear because she’s a great listener and she just wants to get better. She’ll respond and she’ll be good.” Thome, meanwhile, did not necessarily struggle against Oakland, but rather was unable to leave her mark on the game due to back spasms; she played just 12 minutes and scored six points. Aside from the back spasms, though, Thome has been relatively quiet in her past few games. After taking at least nine shots in all but one of the Wolverines’ first six games, she has not reached that shot total in any of her last four. “We work really well together,” Munger said. “We live together too, so we’re able to talk about (her struggles) whenever we need to. But Hallie will be fine. She had a really, really good workout. She knows what she needs to do, so she’s gotten back in the gym to get her touch back. She’ll be fine.” Michigan will take on Morgan State on Saturday, Dec. 15 and play two more non-conference games before Big Ten play begins Dec. 28.

MILES MACKLIN/Daily

Senior guard Nicole Munger led Michigan with 21 points on Sunday night.

Sports

4B — Monday, December 10, 2018

The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com

How John Beilein helped Mike Gansey realize his NBA dreams John Beilein took his former player in when he was at his lowest point and helped turn his life around. Thanksgiving, 2006. Basketball buzzed in the background, but for the first time in his life, Mike Gansey wasn’t interested. He was at his parents’ house in Olmsted Falls, Ohio. A perfectly pleasant THEO place, but MACKIE Gansey was supposed to be on the other side of that television set — playing basketball, not watching it. That’s where he had been a year earlier, a star at shooting guard for John Beilein’s West Virginia Mountaineers. He finished sixth in the Big East in scoring that year and was named to the all-conference team. He arrived at West Virginia two years before that, as a transfer from St. Bonaventure. Gansey knew it was the right fit from the first time he met Beilein, on his initial visit to Morgantown. Beilein told him he could live with his son, Patrick, a guard for the Mountaineers at the time. Except when Gansey arrived on campus in the fall of 2003, there had been a miscommunication. He wasn’t living with Patrick. Within a week, they became best friends anyway, bonding over the misery of their NFL teams — Gansey, a native Clevelander, is a lifelong Browns fan, while Patrick follows in his father’s footsteps as a Buffalo Bills fan. “We had a ton of similarities,” Gansey told The Daily. “You know how it is when you meet someone and it just clicks, and you’re like, ‘Man.’ We knew we were gonna be best friends from there.” “He’s part of our family,” John Beilein said of Gansey now, 15 years later. “He’s probably as close as any kid that any of our children have met as part of our family.” Gansey had to sit out his first season, redshirting and learning Beilein’s system. The next year — now living with Patrick for real — he became a star. That March, his place in Mountaineer history was immortalized when he scored 29 points in a double-overtime win over Chris Paul and Wake Forest in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and helped West Virginia make its first Elite Eight in 46 years. It was all supposed to

culminate in the summer of 2006, when Gansey was projected as a first-round pick in the NBA draft. When the Indiana Pacers selected Shawne Williams 17th overall, Gansey became the top player available on ESPN analyst Jay Bilas’ big board. But Gansey knew that wasn’t going to come to fruition. During pre-draft workouts, he hadn’t been the same player that he was during the previous two seasons, and he ended up going undrafted. The Miami Heat signed him to their Summer League roster, but his fatigue persisted. “When I played Summer League in Miami, I was in a lot of pain,” Gansey said. “But I just thought I was worn down more than anything.” He fought through the pain, went back to Morgantown and hoped for a second crack at the NBA. One day with summer winding down, he and Patrick convinced the elder Beilein to take advantage of the f leeting warmth and play a rare nine holes of golf. But after persuading Beilein to join them, it was Gansey who had to quit midway through the round. “I couldn’t even sit in the golf cart,” Gansey said. “And I was just like, ‘Something’s not right.’ “The next day, I was like, ‘I gotta go home, I gotta go to the Cleveland Clinic, I gotta figure this thing out.’ ” Doctors quickly confirmed Gansey’s suspicion, diagnosing him with MRSA, a severe staph infection. Over the next two months, he lost 30 pounds and spiraled into depression, unable to play basketball for the first time in his life. “He was very quiet,” said his brother Steve, who now coaches the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League. “It was a tough time for him and it was a tough time for our entire family, including me. Just to see my brother work his butt off and do everything that he absolutely strived for and it just being taken away from him because of a staph infection, it was very unfortunate.” Then came the call. Beilein was on the other end, inviting Gansey to return to Morgantown and live with him and his wife, Kathleen, as he continued to recover. Gansey had remained in communication with Patrick throughout his sickness. When Beilein got word of the situation, taking him in was the natural thing to do.

“...I just thought I was worn down more than anything.”

“He needed to be around the type of environment of happiness and fun that we have in our family,” Beilein told The Daily. Gansey views it differently. “Coach doesn’t have to do that,” Gansey said. “It just shows who Coach is, that when I was in a really bad place and depressed and had nothing to do, nowhere to go, that he and Mrs. Beilein and Pat were just like, ‘Hey, why don’t you come live with us?’ “It’s just who he is. It’s not just for me. He would do that for anyone.” *** Now 35 years old, married with three kids, Gansey has an NBA championship ring locked away in his house — almost as he dreamt it in the summer of ’06. The only difference is that it came not as a player, but as a front office executive for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2016 championship team. Both Mike and Steve Gansey use the same word to describe that night — unforgettable. Mike because he had realized a lifelong dream, Steve because his brother facetimed him mid-celebration from the locker room with Jamie Foxx.

“Me being a Clevelander … it was a surreal moment,” Gansey said. Gansey’s journey to that locker room in Oakland began in earnest nine years earlier, when he returned to Morgantown to live with the Beileins. After spending that winter working out with Patrick and running youth camps around the state, he regained enough strength to take another crack at Summer League, this time with the Los Angeles Clippers. Again, Gansey was unable to secure an NBA roster spot, but his performances were enough to earn a contract in the Italian league. The next season, he moved 700 miles north to Bremerhaven, a drab port town in the north of Germany. John and Patrick Beilein came over for a game that year, in the winter of 2009, as part of a European tour that took them to see three former players. Despite having spent the past decade in Ann Arbor, John still shivers at the memory of March in Bremerhaven. Unfazed, Gansey persevered in pursuit of his NBA dream, jumping from Germany to D League stints in Boise, Idaho and Erie, Penn.,

“It’s not just for me. He’d do that for anyone.”

before returning to Europe for a season in Spain. Each summer, he would come back to the U.S., visit the Beileins in Ann Arbor, and then go back to Cleveland. He turned some connections with the Cavaliers into an opportunity to workout with players who stayed in town for the summer, playing 5-on-5 and joining in lifting sessions. “Mike was such a nice guy and did whatever they wanted him to do,” Steve said. “It was a free workout, that’s really tough to get.” At the end of 2011, when Cleveland had an internship open up in its front office, those summers with the team — as well as the year in Erie with their G League affiliate — paid dividends. But it wasn’t just Gansey’s connections. Steve recalls his brother’s encyclopedic knowledge of the league long before his first job with the Cavaliers. One year when Mike was overseas, he decided he was unsatisfied with traditional NCAA tournament brackets and conjured a fantasy league for a couple friends. Steve was originally skeptical, but that quickly changed once the tournament got underway.

“It was actually really fun,” Steve said. “And I was just like, ‘Mike, you could definitely get into scouting and get into some basketball operations here.’ ” Not long after his first job as an intern, Cleveland’s front office handed him the reins to Canton. Since then, it has been a rapid ascension to assistant GM, with his former coach by him every step of the way. “I learned so much from (Beilein),” Gansey said. “Just how he approaches every single day, how he approaches his staff. ‘Cause he’s the leader, the head coach, I’m always asking his advice. And he always calls me. When LeBron left, he called me and said, ‘Hey, keep your head up.’ Just giving me some motivation and saying everything’s gonna be okay. “He just cared. Little things like that that go a long way. And that’s just who he is.” Now, when Gansey’s phone rings and the screen reads, ‘John Beilein,’ there’s nothing abnormal about it. Just two friends talking about basketball and family. “He cares about you more as a person than a basketball player,” Gansey said. “He’s a basketball coach, but he’s more of a role model to me.”

“He’s a basketball coach, but he’s a role model...”

ALEC COHEN/Daily

Michigan coach John Beilein has a unique relationship with Mike Gansey, the assistant general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who played under Beilein.

FOOTBALL

Michigan begins preparation to face Florida in the Peach Bowl ARIA GERSON

Daily Sports Writer

Chase Winovich would have had every right to skip out on the Peach Bowl. The fifth-year senior defensive end will enter

the NFL Draft this spring, and many players with similar prospects choose to sit out bowls due to the risk of injury. It wouldn’t have been a surprise, and it would have been completely understandable, had Winovich

done the same. But when asked if he would play in the No. 7 Michigan football team’s game against No. 10 Florida on Dec. 29, Winovich cracked a smile. “Totally.” He elaborated: “(The Peach

EVAN AARON/Daily

Fifth-year senior defensive end Chase Winovich has confirmed he will play with Michigan in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 29.

Bowl) is a great bowl game and it’s a huge opportunity. I think because it’s not as historic as the Rose and the Orange and so forth, I think it often … gets overlooked, but this is … a huge opportunity for the team. It’s a must-win game against Florida and it really will set the tone for next year, good or bad.” Bowl games can often feel meaningless, a hollow consolation for not being good enough to make the College Football Playoff. In the Wolverines’ case, after falling short in the last game of the season against their biggest rival with a Big Ten Championship Game appearance on the line, it’s even more so. But with the way the season ended, there’s a sense of unfinished business. The only thing left to do is move forward, and a win against the Gators would allow Winovich to go out on a high note. “I’ve had the most fun of my football career suiting up here at Michigan,” said junior quarterback Shea Patterson —

who also confirmed he would play in the game and said he would be back to 100 percent after suffering minor injuries against Indiana and Ohio State. “It’s been such an honor to do it and I think there’s a lot more to be done, but like I said, I’m just so excited to get one more win and possibly finish top five in the country. I think that would be pretty big for us.” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said very little about the loss in Columbus on Sunday following the team’s awards banquet. Instead, he praised his team for how it overcame adversity after a loss to Notre Dame to rattle off 10 straight wins and how it fought through an early 17-0 deficit at Northwestern for a comeback victory. But how the Wolverines respond to the loss to the Buckeyes is their biggest trial yet, and a win in Atlanta could do a lot to wash out some of the bad taste in Michigan’s mouth and set the tone for next year. “(We) started our practices

(Saturday) and continue (Monday),” Harbaugh said. “It … was better than any I can remember where there was a break, two weeks where the team came back sharp and good.” And despite the crushing end to the regular season, there are still things to look forward to at the Peach Bowl. The pre-bowl festivities will include trips to the College Football Hall of Fame and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, a competition for a W WEstyle belt in the Battle for Bowl Week and service with kids from a local children’s hospital. And the Wolverines still have a goal to focus on: getting to 11 wins for just the 10th time in program history. “Getting our team prepared to play a really good, ubertalented and twitched-up team like Florida, I’d say that’s a great challenge,” Harbaugh said. “The competition’s always the best part and the objective’s always to win. (We’re) hungry for that 11th win.”