On Fri, 14 Apr 1995, John Haeussler wrote:
> So, Arthur, when is the last time you've spoken with
> Coach Berenson regarding this?  Obviously you know
> him very well, to be able to cast such a big stone.
 
Touche. (sorry I have no accent program :-)
 
> It appears that Coach Berenson feels that if you commit
> to Michigan, you should play for Michigan during the
> season and not hop around to various international events.
 
We need to agree to disagree on this.  I think his attitude is
shortsighted, but one can feel otherwise.
 
 
--material snipped for brevity here---
> Coach Berenson also awarded rings the Al Loges and Ron
> Sacka, the two outgoing seniors that are graduating this
> semester.  The remainder of the senior class (Tim Hogan,
> Mike Knuble, Alan Sinclair and Rick Willis) are all scheduled
> to graduate in June, following the Spring semester.  They
> will get their rings then.  As for Knuble's pro signing, I'm not
> sure what immediate impact it will have on his coursework,
> but his contract DOES have an educational clause in it allowing
> him to complete his degree.
>
> Coach Berenson is also very upfront about players leaving
> school early for the professional ranks.  He doesn't like it,
> but he will say if he feels it's in the players best interest or
> not.
 
Using a hermeneutic of generosity here I'll merely wonder if Berenson is
the one who would be most objective on this topic.
 
> As for player development, I cite the examples above and
> will also mention the well documented case of David Oliver,
> a rookie with the Edmonton Oilers.  Coach Berenson felt that
> a dominant senior season (1993-94) at Michigan was the
> best thing for David.  Oliver may have been leaning toward
> international competition instead, namely the Olympics, but
> he stayed in Ann Arbor, was a Hobey Baker finalist and is
> now enjoying a fantastic rookie season in the NHL.  Ollie
> still calls Coach Berenson and relies on him for advice even
> though he's now in the NHL.  It doesn't sound like someone
> not concerned about the development of his players.  (Ollie
> credits Berenson with helping him become a complete player,
> something he wasn't as late as the summer between his
> junior and senior season.  His defensive skills, work ethic
> and passing ability certainly showed noticeable improvements
> in his senior season.  He could always put the puck in the net.)
 
Being here in Edmonton I can confirm first hand the accuracy of the
observations above regarding Oliver's NHL performance.  He is a bright
spot on a dismal team.
 
>
> Again, even though I think some things are to be gained by
> having players participate in international competitions during
> the season, one also has to remember that Coach Berenson
> has a commitment to the University of Michigan as well as his
> players.
 
We beat this to death over the winter, but I reiterate that it is in
Michigan's long term interest (recruiting) to have players participate in
international competitions, and short term as well since players learn
much from stepping up in competition, IMHO of course.
 
 
> He may "whine" about them going to the WJC, but
> he hasn't flat out stopped them from participating, has he?
 
This is damning with faint praise.
 
> Every person has faults, and Coach Berenson and I don't share
> the same philosophy on several topics, but I would certainly
> never accuse him of what Arthur has.
 
I may have been overly harsh, and if so I apologize, but if so this also
indicates to me that Berenson does not, again IMO, see the forest for the
trees.
 
> But, obviously Arthur knows Coach B much better than I do.
 
So, how well do you know him?  I was a season ticket holder to BU for 20
years, and a Friend of BU Hockey for most of that time, but I would make
no claims to being close to Jack Parker despite proximity.
 
Arthur Berman  [log in to unmask]