Chapter President Honors Membership Ann Arbor, Michigan (Continued from page 27) Brother BUly Taylor There were bright spots aplenty in Michigan's 1971-72 winter sports program, but the over-all results were something of a disappointment. In Big Ten competition, the Wolverines collected two second-place finishes, a pair of thirds and a fifth. The Maize and Blue basketball team, hopeful until the last of pulling out a share of second place, came up with a seasonending flat performance, losing to Iowa and winding up in a tie for third with Indiana on a 9-5 conference record. The future, however, is far from grim. Henry Wilmore, an All Big Ten choice ,and Ken Brady will be back next season (as co-captains), along with starters John Lockhard and Ernie Johnson. Michigan's undefeated freshmen, led by Campy Russell and Joe Johnson, will arrive to fight for starting position and add bench strength. Michigan's swimmers made it 12 consecutive second place finishes in the Big Ten meet, bowing to unbeatable Indiana. Breaststroker Stu Isaac, a Sophomore from Amherst, N. Y., won Big Ten titles at both the 100 and 200 yards. Byron MacDonald is one of the top butterfly men in the nation. Michigan lost only two meets this season — to Indiana and Southern Methodist. The Wolverines fell short by just six-tenths of a point in the Big Ten gymnastics meet, losing out to Iowa, despite a valiant comeback effort. After the two-day event was over, Iowa's all-around champion Dean Showalter said, "I thought we'd win by a lot more after the compulsories. Michigan was all guts." The final tally: Iowa 157.36, Michigan 156.7. Michigan's wrestling team emerged from the Big Ten meet with a third-place finish with Sophomore Jerry Hubbard successfully defending his 150-pound crown and Junior Mitch Mendrygal surprising by winning the 158-pound title. Dixon Farmer's Michigan track team finished fifth in the Big Ten indoor meet but should be better outdoors. The hockey team battled valiantly but could not quite achieve the Hockey Association playoffs. As the action turns to spring, Michigan's baseball team returned from its excursion into Arizona and awaited their regular season opener against the University of Detroit. Tennis Coach Brian Eisner was encouraged by the play of his team in a southern swing in March, even though the club went 1-3, defeating Texas A&M and losing to Corpus Christi, Southern Methodist and Trinity. Billy Taylor, Michigan's superb tailback, was honored in late February by his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, at that organization's Black and Gold Dinner Dance in Ann Arbor. Taylor, who compiled a number of football records during his three-year varsity career, was the man of the hour as both the undergraduate chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha and the alumni chapter of the fraternity paid him tribute.
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A special guest at the affair was University President Robben W. Fleming. In part, President Fleming told the audience: "Billy Taylor's feats on the football field are well known and his name will long survive in the Big Ten football record. The same is true of his accomplishments on the campus as a leader and an example-setter. His work in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes deserves high commendation and it is fitting that the United Churchmen's Association has honored him as the outstanding football player active in the field of religion. His contributions to young people through counseling in the elementary and secondary schools of Ann Arbor are still another measure of his interest in and desire to be of service to others. "And so I join in honoring Billy Taylor, not only for his great accomplishments for Michigan on the football field, but also for his highly commendable activity off the playing field." Taylor set all-time marks for Michigan in the number of rushing attempts (587) and total yards gained (3,072). His 32 touchdowns ranks second only to Tom Harmon's 33. He was All-Big Ten for three straight years, the Big Ten's most valuable player in 1971, and was named to several All-American teams. Present also for the occasion was Belford V. Lawson, Jr., class of 1924, a Washington, D. C , attorney. Lawson is a national past president of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and is that organization's general counsel. The event honoring Taylor was arranged by W. E. Alexander, '58MA, of Ann Arbor, the current president of the Theta Zeta Lambda (alumni) chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha.
Huron Valley National Bank Mr. William E. Alexander 2787 Manchester Road Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Dear Bill: I read with interest the Ann Arbor News article citing you for your outstanding work in the Alpha Phi Alpha. It is just such citizens as you, Bill, that make not only our community of Ann Arbor but our country as well a better place in which to live, work, raise our families and enjoy our American heritage. We extend to you our heartiest CONGRATULATIONS for your past, unselfish, highly successful efforts, and best of wishes in all present and future endeavors. Personal regards. Very truly yours, Jay J. DeLay, President