August 2008

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Who's Hot

Sophomore Tyler Clary of the U-M men's swimming and diving team led the way for Michigan swimmers at the US Open by breaking Michael Phelps' meet record in the 400-meter individual medley on July 30. Clary was victorious with a time of 4:17.02, besting Phelps' previous record mark of 4:18.32 set at the 2006 US Open. As the top finisher in the 400 IM, Clary has qualified for the World University Games next summer.

Student-Athlete Q&A

Every month in e-TrueBlue: Sports, we feature a Q&A with a student-athlete at the University. This month, meet Kylee Botterman, a member of the women's gymnastics team.

Beijing Olympics

There are a lot of Wolverines you will want to watch out for as you follow the Olympic coverage. At latest report, there are 28 current and former U-M athletes and coaches who will represent nine different countries at the Games. See the latest U-M Olympic roster online, or view other coverage at the Going for Gold page.

Bob Bowman is the former U-M head swimming coach and personal coach to Michael Phelps. In this interview, he talks about Phelps, American swimming and his perspective on his third trip to the Olympics.

Team Roundup

University of Michigan men's golf head coach Andrew Sapp has announced a tough schedule for the upcoming 2008-09 season. Last season, the Wolverines posted two tournament wins and five individual titles, as well as a fifth-place showing at the Big Ten Championships—the best in 10 years—and their first bid to an NCAA regional in eight years.

The U-M volleyball team received its sixth and final commitment for the 2008 season with the signing of Michelle McMahon, announced recently by head coach Mark Rosen. McMahon was an all-conference, all-region and all-state honorable mention performer during her senior season, while also competing for the Far Out Volleyball Club that placed 13th at the JVDA Nationals in 2008.

Michigan News

The new Michigan football jersey was unveiled recently. Available in stores August 1, the adidas jersey has a quote from the late Bo Schembechler embroidered along the inside hem: "Those who stay will be champions."

Football

With the football season fast approaching, there are several ways to get your U-M fix on the Athletics Department Web site:

• Count down the days to the 2008 season opener on August 30 with a new video feature each morning for 30 days, including a behind-the-scenes look at the first day of fall camp and U-M's strength and conditioning program, an interview with head coach Rich Rodriguez and a construction update at Michigan Stadium.
• The annual Fan Day is Sunday, August 17. The autograph session and opportunity to meet the 2008 Wolverine team will run from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
• Get press conference highlights and audio with Coach Rodriguez, Nick Sheridan and others on the first day of fall camp.

The U-M football team is ranked No. 24 in the "USA Today" Coaches Poll, as released on August 1. Georgia is the preseason top-ranked team followed by Southern California, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Florida. The Wolverines finished the 2007 season rated No. 18 in the coaches poll after defeating Florida in the 2008 Capital One Bowl. U-M is the final Big Ten Conference team in the top-25 rankings, trailing No. 3 Ohio State, No. 12 Wisconsin, No. 19 Illinois and No. 22 Penn State. The Big Ten tied the Southeastern Conference and Big 12 for the most representatives in the top-25 poll.

In its 2008 preseason camp roster, the U-M football team returns 45 of 68 lettermen from last season's team, including seven defensive starters, three offensive starters and its entire starting lineup on special teams. The new roster includes 23 freshmen who will be donning the Maize and Blue and the coveted winged helmet for the first time. It does not show incoming freshman walk-on players who were among the 105 student-athletes for fall camp.

Michigan Stadium will have wheelchair and companion seating available in new locations for the 2008 season. In addition to current wheelchair seating in the north and south end zones, there will be wheelchair and companion seats available along the entire east sideline at row 54. Contact Marty Bodnar at mbodnar@umich.edu or 866.296.6849 with questions and comments, and to get a copy of the Michigan Stadium Wheelchair Accessible Seating brochure and season ticket application. More information is also available online.

As part of the renovations and enhancements made to Michigan Stadium, more than 80 stadium suites will be available to football fans. Suites are located on the west and east sides of the stadium and provide many amenities to entertain family and friends on football Saturdays. Club seats and outdoor chair back seats are also available and are designed to provide game-day comfort. Details on how to make a donation for premium seating or contribute to capital improvements are available online.

AAUM Member Benefits

College football season is just around the corner. Make this the year you join Pigksin Picks, our weekly online contest where you predict the winners of the top college football games. Here's your chance to compete against other Michigan alumni and win bragging rights among the Leaders and Best. There are weekly prizes, and the grand prize winner chooses between 2009 Michigan football season tickets or a trip to a 2009 road game. Get details online.

A new era of Michigan football begins this fall and you can be a part of the action! Join fellow Wolverines at the Amaizin' Blue Tailgates. These fun get-togethers are loaded with Maize and Blue spirit. Connect with other Michigan fans and enjoy a great atmosphere with lots of activities, giveaways and all the pride and tradition that makes Michigan unique. Tickets are on sale now and start at only $5.

Amaizin' Blue Tailgate schedule:

This month's poll

Last year, no one thought Appalachian State had a chance. When the U-M football team faces Utah later this month, it will be its first-ever game with its new coach and his new offense. Could the unthinkable happen again? Tell us in our online poll.

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