Michigan’s Fab Five Tarnished

When former University of Michigan head basketball coach Steve Fisher was fired, many in the Michigan athletic community felt he got a raw deal from the university because that he was on the outside of all of this. That sentiment has gradually changed. Steve Fisher is seen as a villain. While Ed Martin, the man who paid the Michigan players, was the problem, Fisher is the one that associated the problem with the university. He made Martin a part of the basketball program and there are records to prove that. He made dozens of phone calls to Martin, he dropped tickets for him, and he was present during recruiting visits. If it was shown that Martin was truly acting on his own behalf and directly with the players, then maybe the case could be made to go easy on the school. But Fisher’s acceptance of Ed Martin linked him to the school, and now we will pay. Recruiting must be the toughest part of the job. In order to create relationships in the city you probably have to seek the aid of local coaches, leaders, and alumni. But that doesn’t mean you don’t check them out. Fisher blew it by keeping this guy around and even worse – accepting him as part of the process. While Ed Martin, the man…

By Lance J Weislak and Michael D. LaFaive (Published with author’s permission) (originally posted MARCH 1, 2004) Since its founding in 1817, the University of Michigan has attained a global reputation as an academic and research powerhouse, attracting some of the world’s brightest students and top faculty. Its ranking among other universities, however, has dropped sharply in recent years, and the school has seen top faculty lured away by more generous offers from private universities. Since its founding in 1817, the University of Michigan has attained a global reputation as an academic and research powerhouse, attracting some of the world’s brightest students and top faculty. Its ranking among other universities, however, has dropped sharply in recent years, and the school has seen top faculty lured away by more generous offers from private universities. One way to reverse this trend, and perhaps to beat the private competition, is for the University of Michigan to go private itself. The idea isn’t as drastic as it may sound. While the amount of state money going to the University is substantial — some $320 million per year — this amounts to less than 8 percent of the 2004 operating budget of the university and its health system. In fact, James Duderstadt, U of M’s president emeritus, has described the school as “a privately supported…