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Sporting ups and downs

John Lofy

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
The biggest U-M news of the year was the removal of Rich Rodriguez (left) as head football coach, and the hiring of Brady Hoke to replace him. (Photos: U-M Photo Services, Getty Images.)
The biggest U-M news of the year was the removal of Rich Rodriguez (left) as head football coach, and the hiring of Brady Hoke to replace him. (Photos: U-M Photo Services, Getty Images.)

The biggest events of the U-M sporting year so far have been the firing of head football coach Rich Rodriguez and the arrival of Brady Hoke as his replacement.

But while the coaching situation has captured Wolverine fans’ attention, other events deserve some recognition too. Without further ado, here are some of the other top stories from the fall 2010 season.

Men’s soccer reaches final four

Seeded just tenth in the NCAA tournament, Michigan’s men’s soccer team tore through the competition on the way to the College Cup—soccer’s Final Four.

Senior Justin Meram was unstoppable when it mattered most, scoring 8 goals in Michigan's seven Big Ten and NCAA tourney games. (Photo: Walt Middleton.)
Senior Justin Meram was unstoppable when it mattered most, scoring 8 goals in Michigan’s seven Big Ten and NCAA tourney games. (Photo: Walt Middleton.)
Led by speedy, fearless strikers Justin Meram and national Freshman of the Year Soony Saad, Michigan strung together big upsets over South Carolina and 2008 national champs Maryland.But then they ran into Akron, which sported five players projected to be drafted in the top 10 spots of this year’s Major League Soccer draft. Despite an early goal by Meram, Michigan fell 2-1, and Akron went on to win the title.The Wolverines lose Meram to graduation and the pros, but return most of their starters and promise to be at least as dangerous next fall.

U-M crushes MSU, sets attendance record at The Big Chill

The weather held, more or less, and the outdoor hockey game dubbed the Big Chill at the Big House went off in spectacular fashion. Fireworks, celebrities (“The Big Chill” movie writer/director Lawrence Kasdan dropped the first puck), a flyover by a Stealth bomber, and a 5-0 victory by U-M all made the day one to remember.

The Big Chill at the Big House set a record for attendance at a hockey game, and was capped by pomp and spectacle and a rout of Michigan State. (Photo: Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services.)
The Big Chill at the Big House set a record for attendance at a hockey game, and was capped by pomp and spectacle and a rout of Michigan State. (Photo: Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services.)

Volleyball hero Lexi Zimmerman says goodbye

The senior saw her career end on an unhappy note—with a first round NCAA tournament loss to Washington—but she leaves Michigan a three-time All-Big Ten and All-American selection, and U-M’s all-time leader in both assists and consecutive games played.

Senior Lexi Zimmerman serves up yet another assist. Though the volleyball team's season ended with a first-round loss in the NCAA tournament, Zimmerman closed her career as U-M's all time assist leader and with three All-America and All-Big Ten titles to her name. (Photo: U-M Photo Services.)
Senior Lexi Zimmerman serves up yet another assist. Though the volleyball team’s season ended with a first-round loss in the NCAA tournament, Zimmerman closed her career as U-M’s all time assist leader and with three All-America and All-Big Ten titles to her name. (Photo: U-M Photo Services.)

Men’s club lacrosse wins national title

Not a full-fledged varsity team, U-M men’s lacrosse under coach John Paul is nevertheless a dominating one. This fall they won their third consecutive national championship, and Michigan athletic director David Brandon told reporters that he hoped Michigan might be able to add both men’s and women’s lacrosse as varsity sports in the future.