|
Kara Lentz's Bio: This former co-captain of the Michigan field hockey team played on three conference championship squads and in one NCAA Final Four before graduating in 2007. Assigned to cover field hockey for the Big Ten Network she follows many other sports. Raised in sports junkie family she played seven sports competitively and earned 15 varsity letters in high school. Zap her a question in the comments area about anything played on a field or court, in a pool, or with a ball, puck or basket. |
| Jun 4 2009, 2:46 PM | Topic: Olympic sports | |
| When I was an incoming freshman at the University of Michigan, I was privileged as a student-athlete. When I graduated four years later, I was enabled as a professional. Let me explain. In the spring of 2003, Michigan Field Hockey installed a new Astroturf at Phyllis Ocker Field. One of the better turfs in the Big Ten at the time, the facility allowed our team to host the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, including Michigan, Iowa, UNC and Wake Forest. Wake's field ranks among the top field hockey stadiums in the country. Two years later, Iowa acquired a new facility as well – in my opinion – the best facility in the Big Ten and tops in the country. Because our conference had the resources to raise money and support, Big Ten programs could train like champions and compete nationally with the best talent. This is one of the reasons I chose to go to a state university. The recent development of new athletic facilities on Big Ten campuses is one driving reason why the conference recruits better athletes, receives greater scholarships and contributions, and competes nationally with other top-tier programs; and it shows. The most recent (5/27/2009) Learfield Sports Director's Cup Division I Standings has three Big Ten schools ranked in the top 10: No. 4 Michigan, No. 7 Ohio State, No. 8 Minnesota.* The only other conference with as many teams ranked in the top 10 is the ACC (who said climate had anything to do with it?). The main reason why the Big Ten performs so well in the Director's Cup is the private financial contributions to the athletic departments. University organizations, such as the Victor's Club, Buckeye Club, and I FUND, receive no financial support for scholarships from taxpayers, the state, or the university. Watch my interview with Pat Kreger to learn more about the I FUND: Stanford currently ranks first, 196 points ahead of No. 2 UNC. The Cardinal supports 35 varsity sports, which is one reason they rank so high. The Big Ten is able to compete with that because there is enough funding to provide 20 or more varsity programs on most campuses. Take Ohio State for example: it carries 36 varsity programs (900+ student-athletes). When the Buckeyes win national titles in Fencing and Rifle, it carries them up the ladder. Likewise, Penn State carries 29 varsity programs and was ranked as high as fifth earlier this academic year. Michigan sponsors 25 varsity programs and currently ranks fourth. You get the idea. An interesting aspect about this competition is the importance of Olympic sports. Ohio State and Penn State had football programs that succeeded inside and outside the conference, but the PSU volleyball team racked 100 points for the school. True the Football programs support – financially – other sports, but smaller programs are acclaiming national prominence. Go Big Ten! Furthermore, the conference's extensive alumni base lend to the fundraising success. Boasting the largest alumni base in the country, Big Ten schools are able to attract support from across the globe, and with Chicago being the central location in the Midwest, organizations can host events for members. I attended Illini Day at Wrigley Field recently and was impressed by the response of graduates, fans, former student-athletes, and current coaches. In the fall of my senior year, the Stephen M. Ross Academic Center was finished. Conveniently located across from Yost Ice Arena, the $12 million dollar project was a haven for student athletes and athletic administrators. Students had access to arrange private tutoring, meet study groups, and seek career advice from academic and educational advisors. Stephen M. Ross is not an unknown name in Ann Arbor either. A graduate of the Michigan Business School, Ross has been a generous contributor to the university and athletic department; so generous that the "B School" is properly named the Ross School of Business. Without the support of this Michigan alumnus, opportunities for Michigan graduates to pursue a professional career armed with proper skills, direction, and confidence would not be enabled. As I stated before, the resources I had at my disposal geared me in every way possible to pursue professional career outside of sports. As we stand weeks away from the final rankings of the Director's Cup, expect the Big Ten to show strong. The employment by Big Ten schools to provide funding for varsity programs rank among the best in the nation; and the ability to build winning programs is part of being a champion. The numbers tell us that. *The Director's Cup is a "program that honors institutions maintaining a broad-based program, achieving success in many sports, both men's and women's. Each institution is awarded points in a pre-determined number of sports for men and women." |
||
| Permalink | Submit a comment | ||
| Kara Lentz's blog |
|
Filter By Blogger:
Filter By Topic: Filter By Month: |