For tonight's epic revival of our series against our natural enemy Notre Dame, we salute the memory of Michigan's iconic radio voice Bob Ufer. We lost him on this day in 1981 and while the Wolverine broadcasts will never be the same, old Ufer will never be forgotten and heard as long as Michigan football is played.
-
-
Rick Leach Remembers Mark ‘The Bird’ Fidrych (audio)
Former Michigan quarterback Rich Leach, on hand for the Alumni flag football game (or as Leach calls it, the Old Farts game) Saturday, called in to WTKA to remember his former teammate, Mark ‘The Bird’ Fidrych who died yesterday. [display_podcast] It’s vintage Leach. First, he talks about his relationship and experiences with Fidrych, including the struggles down in the minors. Don’t miss the story about the trip to Columbus where the opposing pitcher put Leach in the dirt, a little message to old #7. He finishes up with a few thoughts on the Spring game, including what having the players back meant to Rich Rodriguez.
-
Coach Red Speaks, again, for the last time (WTKA audio)
Michigan coach Red Berenson clearly wants to put this to bed and behind his team, and after one more post I’ll do the same (for tonight). I’ve already checked the availability of MDekers.com since I’m hockey guy now. Last night on the WTKA Red Berenson show at The Arena in downtown Ann Arbor, the Michigan coach gave hosts Andy Evans and John U. Bacon his take on the Kampfer/Tropp/Conboy incident. Here’s the audio: [display_podcast] . Notes and quotes: Red was still concerned about Kampfer’s health and his ability to play this weekend. “The incident was uncalled for, it was unnecessary, it has been dealt with. It should not happen in any league.” “Kids have to remember you’re responsible for what you do on the ice. Whether you’re a hockey player or a baseball player, when you’re holding that bat or holding a hockey stick, you’re responsible for what you’re doing with it.” Even asmuch as the kid that grabbed Kampfer, the Conboy kid, who’s a big tough kid, and was maybe out of line to jump Kampfer from behind needlessly, but maybe out of frustration, the end of the game or whatever, and he held the other kid [Corey Tropp] off that already hit him with a stick when he was down. He held him off with one hand, and…
-
Pearson on WTKA: Mitera could return in a couple weeks [audio]
A much anticipated call into to WTKA this morning as Andy Evans spoke with Michigan assistant head coach Mel Pearson. They discussed of course the ugly incident at the end of the Michigan State game Saturday night, where Steve Kampfer was taken down and then slashed by Spartan players [photos]. As expected, Pearson kept out of the fray. He said kind things about coach Rick Comley and the Spartan program and he offered he’s confident that Comley and MSU will do the right thing. He believes Tommy Anastos and the CCHA will act swiftly to send a message. Pearson also talked about the upcoming series with #1 Notre Dame this weekend which is going to be ridiculously awesome. Two positive notes: * Pearson confirmed that Kampfer is doing ok although they are still waiting for some test results to confirm there was no concussion. * He advised that Mark Mitera is doing very well and skating. Pearson offered this info up unsolicited, and said Mitera is “coming along very nicely. He looks great, he looks great. He’s probably a couple weeks away still..” Pearson added his return is a “real possibility”. Here’s the full audio [display_podcast] Here’s more podcasts from WTKA, including an interview this morning with new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson.
-
Bacon Interviews Rodriguez on Inaugural Big Show (audio)
Local author, professor and Michigan athletics historian John U. Bacon launched his new radio program this afternoon on WTKA’s ‘Big Show’. As announced a few weeks ago, Bacs will take the Monday 3-6pm slot on the live local program which rotates hosts throughout the week. He started off with a bang as just a few minutes after taking the air he had Coach Rich Rodriguez on the line. They discussed the rigors of recruiting, how the internet has changed recruiting, on “derecruiting” (getting players adjusted to school and the football program after they’ve been fawned over for years), on the reception he got at Crisler during the Illinois hoops game, on the search for the defensive coordinator (nothing new, although he admitted a factor was the NFL playoffs) and on the defensive scheme he’s looking for, and more. Enjoy: [display_podcast] A couple notes: * I got a chuckle when he and Bacon joked about how coaches rave over the food served the families of recruits. Rodriguez said jokingly, “the tea tastes sweeter”, which is a reference to southern-style iced tea, also called sweet tea (prounounced swate tay) due to (duh) it being loaded with sugar. You’d be hard pressed to find a recruit’s moms serving sweet tea anywhere in these parts anytime but especially this time of year. I’m not…
-
Ron English Interview (audio WTKA 12/23)
Former Michigan defensive coordinator’s interview this morning on 1050AM WTKA talking about his new job as head coach at Eastern Michigan. Great interview; I hope that he makes football exciting down the road in Ypsilanti. He talks with Sam Webb and Andy Evans about: * Recruiting and the status of his class. * His expectations for defensive coordinator. * About being an African American coach and what the opportunity means. * On the EMU vs. Michigan game in 2009. “There’s nothing like that Big House”, or “the Huge House” as he calls it now. * On his respect for Rod Marinelli. [display_podcast] .
-
Carr Reacts to Leach comments (kind of)
Angelique Chengelis of the Detroit News dropped into Lloyd Carr’s office in Wiedenbach Hall this week and tried to get your former coach to bite. He didn’t. Of note: Former Michigan quarterback Rick Leach said early in the week on an Ann Arbor radio station, in response to a question about Carr, that he wishes the former coach would come out publicly to support Rodriguez. “As far as I know, there’s been no comment, nothing come out publicly to support him, and to me, and I guess since I speak my mind, my feeling is, I guess silence speaks 1,000 words,” Leach said. “I wish he would, because many people came to his side when he needed help.” [Ed: Here’s the audio:] Carr, however, said he made his intentions clear from the beginning. “I’ve talked with Rich several times, and I told him I would not be making any comments publicly because I didn’t want to have anything that I said be misconstrued,” Carr said. “However, I told him if he ever needed me, I was available. I would be there. “And he made it clear that I was always welcome. I think our relationship has been very positive.” To the folks who insist Lloyd Carr come out and say something: What exactly is he supposed to say? That he…
-
WTKA 1050AM to Announce New Afternoon Show
Steve Clarke in the Bud Light MVictors Lounge More good news in a memorable weekend of Michigan sports. WTKA 1050AM, which recently moved The Huge Show out of the 3-6 slot and replaced it with the national Dan Patrick Show, sent an email to loyal listeners this afternoon with a significant announcement. The Ann Arbor-based local sports station will introduce a new “live and local” afternoon show and added that it would include “the return of some very-familiar names”. The new show will start this Wednesday, December 10. Great stuff. They’ll be providing more Tuesday and I’m looking forward to the official announcement.
