From as early as 1968, Michigan has been a hodge-podge of shoe manufacturers until Nike changed all that staring in 1983. A recap:

1968 Players are primarily wearing Riddell (black shoes with white & black trim around ankles) and Spalding cleats, but some are adopting the “new” shoe – adidas.
1969 Barry Pierson (#29) sporting the Riddell multi-studded Buckeye-killer cleat.
1970 A good shot of all three shoes worn by Michigan in ‘70.
1971 In ‘71, a new shoe manufacturer was introduced – Puma…
…so now Michigan players were wearing four shoes: Riddell, Spalding, adidas and Puma.
1975 Another shoe manufacturer was added to the group in ‘75.  This one was from Quebec, Canada and had a very distinct design/logo on the side of the shoe.It was a multi-studded cleat that was supposed to provide superior traction on Michigan’s Tartan (not Astro) Turf playing surface.
1976 In ‘76, a sixth manufacturer was added to the group – some new upstart company called Nike.Here’s Rick Leach is wearing Puma cleats, while Rob Lytle is opting for the new Nike shoes.
1979 By ‘79, there was still no exclusive deal with just one shoe company, so Michigan Equipment Manager Big Jon Falk would recommend the shoe for each game depending on surface type and weather conditions.To the right here’s Stan Edwards rocking the Puma look on a dry, clear day in ‘79…
..but on a cold, dreary, slick day in 1980, #32 went with the Canadian/Quebec shoe for better traction.
1980 In ‘80, two new shoes could be seen on the feet of the U-M players: Converse and Pony.
1982 When ‘82 rolled around, Nike was the predominant shoe worn by the Wolverines. The Canadian shoe company was around for inclement weather game conditions (see AC in last game in 1982), but Puma, Spalding and Riddell were now out of the picture.
1983 By ‘83, Michigan was an exclusive  Nike school [Ed. or near exclusive? Still trying to confirm] and this made Big Jon’s job a lot easier in that he didn’t have to manage 6 or 7 shoe manufacturers anymore.

For more, check out the Uniform Timeline.

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Special guests this year included Mike Hart, Ira Weintraub, Coach Mo, Coach Hanlon and Coach Hoke:

Coach Hoke addressing the UMGC crowd, flanked by Hewlett and his son Jeffrey, a current U-M student living with Type 1 diabetes.   I spotted Coach Hoke taking a few swings out there and yes, it went about a well as you’d guess (think blacksmith)

Coaches Hanlon and Moeller circa 2013 and 1969 (inset)

  Before MC’ing the live auction, Ira flashed his jazz hands (& perhaps a few of the moves he broke out at the GHW Gala after party?)

Go Blue!

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JOIN US FOR THE 2013 MOTT TAKEOVER ON FRIDAY MAY 17TH ON SPORTS TALK 1050 WTKA, WTKA.COM AND iHeart Radio.

Once again, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital is taking over Sports Talk 1050 WTKA.

HERE’S THE 2-13 LINEUP (always subject to change):

• 7-8am — Lloyd Carr, Jay Feely, Jarret Irons (call-in 7:15), David Baas (call-in 7:30)
• 8-9am — Al Borges, Remy Hamilton, Dave Brandon (call-in 8:45), Drew Stanton (call-in TBA)
• 9-10am — Dana Jacobson, Peter Vanderkaay, Zak Novak, Brian Griese (call-in 9:30)
• 10-11am — Anthony Thomas, Mike Hart, Larry Foote, Chris Floyd
• 11am-12pm — Jeff Backus, Ron Bellamy, John Navarre
• 12-1pm –Travis Conlon, Andy Mignery, Drew Henson (call-in 12:00)
• 1-2pm — Ron English, Roy Manning, Marlin Jackson, Chad Henne (call-in 1:15), Eric Mayes (call-in 1:15)
• 2-3pm — Cato June, Jerame Tuman, Aaron Shea, David Baas (call-in 2:15)
• 3-4:30pm at The M-Den — Steve Everitt, Steve Hutchinson, Glen Steele, Ben Mast, Jake Long (call-in 3:30)
• 4:30-6pm at The M-Den — Charles Woodson, James Hall, Dr. Valerie Castle, Rob Renes (call-in 4:45), Brady Hoke (call-in 5:00), John Beilein (call-in 5:30)

Between 7a-6p, fans are encouraged to call 1-800-559-2657 or visit GivetoMott.org to support this great cause.

Fans are also encouraged to join us for the wrap up as we broadcast live from 3-6p at The M-Den on State Street in Ann Arbor and on the Huge Show across Michigan.

Donations are accepted at any level but fans will receive giveaways for donating at the following levels:

• $25: Seat cushions, game day-approved
• $50: Charles Woodson t-shirt
• $120: Custom Fathead Block M logo with Charles Woodson signature
• $240: U-M Mini autographed helmets
• $500: Scrimmage sideline passes and U-M autographed mini helmet (quantity 40)
• $1,000: Autographed football by Griese, Hutchinson and Woodson (quantity 3)
• $1,500: Woodson Lounge access at M Den for 2 people from 3-6:00pm on May 17th. Guests can bring 1 item to be autographed (quantity 15)
• $2,500: Full-size helmet signed by everyone at WTKA on May 17th (quantity 1)
• AUCTION: Block ‘M’ flag signed by all athletes at WTKA on May 17th – auctioned off all day, $500 opening bid (quantity 1)

• Eric Mierzwiak – 2009 post, Not Available in Stores
• Mark Foster – 2010 post, His Own Little Brown Jug (v2)
• Dennis Dail – 2011 post, Jug Club +1
• Brian Snider – 2011 post The Jug Brotherhood +++
• Daniel and his wedding crew – 2011 post, The Eleven Jugsmen
• T.C. Thorton – 2012 post Joining the Brotherhood of Jugsmen
• Jil Gordon – Editor’s discretion. She paints the jug fergodsakes.

One of the earliest members of Local 1903 is Mark Foster and over the years he’s gradually stepped up his game.   Since creating a replica in 2010, Foster built a custom case for the jug and went onto to create subsequent replica jugs.   That brings us to reason for this post: Over the past year he decided to take this passion to the next level—building a replica of the chest that has encased the crock since the mid-1930s:

Here is Foster’s story in his words and photos:
—————————————————————————————————–

This project all started after I painted my second Little Brown Jug and I was going to make another wooden case to keep it in and my dad said, “No, this time you have to do it right.”  So we embarked on a LONG journey to completion and it couldn’t have turned out any better.

I scheduled a visit to Schembechler Hall on July 18, 2012, as Jon Falk was kind enough to let us come in and take photos of the real trunk that holds the Little Brown Jug, which was more than a treat in itself.  I sent him photos of the one I had just painted and told him we were interested in creating a replica trunk, so I assumed he knew we meant business! 

In the meantime, my dad went to Steinke-Fenton Fabricators in Jackson, MI to search out someone who would be knowledgeable in working with metal. They said there’s only one guy, Dave Freese of Jackson, MI.  He’s a master working with metal.  After the work he did for us with this product, he’s by far in my mind a “Magician of Metal” and he joined us in the visit with Falk.  My brother’s father-in-law, Brian Meredith, a highly skilled wood worker, also joined us as he would play a large part in the project as well.  My dad, Dave Freese, Brian Meredith and myself all went to Schembechler Hall for research/photos before starting the project.

The official Brown Jug case at Schembechler Hall

Once the photos were taken and the research was done, Dave set off to construct the sheet metal for the sides, top and bottom of the box while Brian created the wooden box for the interior along with the interior velvet pillow/padding for the jug to rest in securely.  While that was being done, my dad and I began our search for the hardware.  Finding these pieces was next to impossible, even to the point of Dave stepping up and creating some identical replica pieces to the ones on the real trunk. Like I said, a magician of metal.  Others were found at various online stores and also Caslers Hardware in Jackson, MI came through big time for us.  One huge issue is that we could not find much of the hardware in brass. My dad called around to at least 15 shops across the US and only one would do brass plating for us, Acme Brass in Kansas City, MO.  Crazy right?

Once the hardware was all accounted for, the metal was complete and the wooden box finished, I set out to find a professional to paint the metal for us.  I was confident in my abilities to paint the jug, but painting something like this is well above my skill level.  I wanted to keep it local, so I checked around a few places in Chelsea, MI and came across Chelsea Restoration. I emailed them some photos of the box from our visit to Schembechler Hall and they accepted the project. I helped them pick out the colors and left them to it.

Fantastic job they did.  Once they were finished, we took the box and metal sides back to Dave’s house to put it all together.

These guys clearly mean business.  Guessing that tape measure only leaves his side at weddings and funerals.  Love that they have the photos of the original handy to cross check as they move along.

What a great project, we couldn’t be more excited to bring this to the Minnesota tailgates with us. In the meantime of the year it took us to make this project, I painted yet another brown jug and that’s going to be the one I house in the trunk, lucky number 3 I guess.  I can’t thank everyone enough for the hard work they put into this project.  Everything on the trunk is as identical as we could make it to the real thing, down to the number of brass round tacks bordering the sides. Time flies when you’re having fun.

 That’s Foster on the right in his epic man cave and the fresh 2003 Ohio State game jersey.  Love the authentic Schembechler Hall locker in the back, and the Yost signage.  True fan.

[Ed. Thanks Mark and congrats.  We’ll have to do Minnesota “radio row” next year with the full LBJ replica package.]

Get all of your Little Brown Jug Lore here and check out GBW Mag next month for some more Lore.

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[Ed 5/2/13.  Adapted from a piece that was first published in the Detroit News last fall.]

I always struggle with all-time lists because it’s clearly so hard to compare the eras in which teams, coaches and players performed. The game has changed so much since Michigan first took the field against Racine in 1879 it makes the task nearly impossible. 

One method is to compare players from the same era—and I get that—but that’s not what I went for here.  With some input from a few Michigan football historians, here’s a list of who I feel are the top twenty-five Wolverine pigskin players of all-time.

Final disclaimer: this is not a ranking in order 1-25.  This was hard enough (there are a dozen guys tied at #26 if you know what I mean):

Willie Heston	The powerful back was lured to Ann Arbor from California by new coach Fielding Yost in 1901. Heston is credited a remarkable 72 touchdowns in his career and the Wolverines did not lose a game during his time in Ann Arbor. The Football Writers Association of America named Heston as the halfback for its all-time team for the first 50 years of college football.
Germany Schulz	A beast of a man, Schulz dominated the line of scrimmage between 1904 and 1908. Named to 1951 Associated Press all-time All-American team, Schulz is credited with two innovations: the spiral snap and playing defense behind the line, effectively becoming the first linebacker. Michigan had a 32-4-1 record in his four seasons.
Harry Kipke	Kipke is perhaps better known as the head coach of Michigan’s 1932 and 1933 national championship teams, but was a gifted athlete who was a star on the gridiron. During his years in the early 1920s he led Michigan to a 19-1-2 record, including the 1923 national championship. Not only a talented runner, blocker and passer, Kipke is arguably the finest punter in Wolverine history.
Bennie Oosterbaan	Perhaps the finest all-around athlete in Michigan history, the Muskegon native started his career by helping to shut down Illinois’ Red Grange in 1925 and went three onto All-American seasons on the gridiron. Through known as a receiver, in his senior year of 1927, he helped defeat Ohio State in the Dedication game for Michigan Stadium by tossing two touchdown passes.
Benny Friedman	The front end of the Benny-to-Bennie (Oosterbaan) combination that devastated opposing defenses in the mid-1920s, Friedman was a skilled passer generations before his time. A two time All-American, Friedman also won Big Ten MVP in 1926.
Harry Newman	The Detroit native Newman was a crafty field general at quarterback who moved the ball with his feet and with his arm, leading Michigan to three straight Big Ten titles. In 1932 he put Michigan on his back to run the table and claim the national championship.
Tom Harmon	A man amongst boys, Old 98 was dazzling combination of size, speed and finesse and could take over games. Harmon ended his career with a dominating performance against Ohio State that earned a standing ovation from the Buckeye faithful.
Bob Chappuis	After honorable service in WWII, Chappuis starred on Fritz Crisler’s famed “Mad Magicians” on the 1947 national championship team. Although Chappuis played left halfback, he set several passing records and still ranks as the Big Ten’s most efficient passer.
Julius Franks	An All-American as a junior, the quick and powerful Franks had his senior year was wiped out by tuberculosis. One of the most physically gifted lineman in U-M history, he was the most talented of Michigan’s famed line that was nicknamed “Seven Oak Posts” during the early 1940s.
Ron Kramer	Along with Oosterbaan, one of the finest athletes in Michigan history. The nine-time M letterman dominated the gridiron with a combination of size, speed and smarts. Kramer played several positions and earned All-American honors in 1955 and 1956.
Bill Yearby	The quiet but dominate tackle was one of the last lineman in Michigan history to play both offense and defense. Yearby anchored the line on the oft-forgotten 1964 Big Ten and Rose Bowl championship team that was mere inches from an undefeated season and a national title.
Jim Mandich	An All-American and team captain in 1969, Mandich was named the team’s MVP while leading the Wolverines to the Rose Bowl in Bo’s first season. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Mandich’s 119 career receptions and 1,494 career yards remains tops among U-M tight ends.
Dan Dierdorf	One of the finest offensive tackles ever to play for Michigan. Dierdorf was a consensus 1970 All- American and use strength and speed to anchor one of the finest rushing attacks in Michigan history.
Rob Lytle	The punishing runner from Fremont, Ohio native converted to fullback at the request of Bo. Lytle was a consensus All-American and Big Ten MVP in 1976. He left Ann Arbor as U-M’s all-time leading rusher and averaged nearly six yards per carry.
Ricky Leach	One of the most decorated quarterbacks in Big Ten history, Leach earned All-conference honors three times and was the league MVP in 1978. A four year starter, he broke Michigan’s career passing, total offense and touchdown records as well as the season record for touchdown passes.
Anthony Carter     Jim Harbaugh	The iconic #1, Carter remains one of the few 3-time All-Americans in Michigan history. The Big Ten MVP in 1982, Carter left Ann Arbor with the all time career scoring records and set several other standards for U-M receivers. The first of what would be an impressive string of great Michigan quarterbacks in college and the NFL, Harbaugh shattered the season and career passing records and was named Big Ten MVP and All-American in 1986.
Mark Messner	The 2 time All-American left Ann Arbor as Michigan’s career leader in tackles for loss. The powerful lineman from Hartland, MI led U-M in sacks from 1985-87 and started all 49 games of his career.
Steve Everitt	The brutally tough center anchored the dominate offensive lines of the early 1990s. Michigan only lost a handful of games when Everitt was healthy. Physical leader of the offensive line which was named the collective MVP of the 1991 Gator Bowl.
Desmond Howard	In 1991 had one of the finest seasons as a wide receiver in the history of college football. Opposing defenses (and everyone else watching) knew when the pass was going to Howard but could do nothing to stop it.
Steve Hutchinson	The 4-year starter at left guard made 45 career starts and did not allow a sack during his final two seasons. Hutchinson was selected as Big Ten all-conferences all four years.
Charles Woodson	Like Harmon, Woodson seemed to operate in a different gear than everyone else in college football. His flying one handed interception against Michigan State in 1997 was super human.
Mike Hart	No major colleges seemed to have major interest in Hart, who had neither size nor great speed, out of high school. But once inserted in the lineup early on during his freshman year Hart pounded after carry after carry, eventually shattering the U-M career rushing record.
Braylon Edwards	Edwards set U-M season and all-time records for receptions and receiving yards and left Ann Arbor as the career leader in touchdowns. A unanimous All-American choice, Edwards also won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver and was named Big Ten MVP. His performance against Michigan State in 2004 remains one of the most dominate in U-M history.
Denard Robinson	While he never got a championship in Ann Arbor, Shoelace was one of the few athletes in Michigan history (see Woodson, Friedman, and Carter) who forced U-M coaches to rethink their conventional strategy to ensure the ball was in his hands.

I’ll be out there with bells on at the U-M Golf Course, as will Ira from WTKA along with Coach Hoke (left, with Hewlett’s son Jeffrey), Mike Hart and typically a bunch of other former coaches/players.   And…Coach Hoke may actually swing the club this year which will be sight for sure.

All the details are here.

This is an outstanding event and a wonderful cause.  Consider joining us or donating one way or another.   Check back in here for photos, jokes and more.

Date:Monday, May 20th, 2013
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Format: 11:00 a.m. Shot-gun Start
Location:  University of Michigan Golf Course  500 Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost:  $250/per golfer
To Register: Download and complete the Registration Form
Register By:  May 15, 2013

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Here’s what it will look like when complete but hopefully the White Walkers will stay on their side of the Wall, man

The Wall of Captains

The second floor are (were) the administrative and coaching offices, Hoke at the far (left) end looking out over the Glick

It wasn’t exactly encouraged before

The Glick towering over the structure

McGary left his unicycle out overnight

Michigan Stadium on the horizon

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I want the label alone:

Notably up on eBay recently, a pair of football pants designed by Fielding H. Yost and sold under the “Hurry Up” Yost brand by the A.J. Reach company of Philadelphia presumably from the 1920s and/or 1930s.  

This pair on the left went for around $87, a steal.  The pair on the right took a winning bid of $146 and included what appear to be the original thigh pads:

As discussed on these pages before, Yost contracted with Reach to market a full set of gear under the Hurry Up brand, including helmet and shoulder pads.   Yost went after his outside business interests as seriously as he took athletics (and had a bit of an ego) so it isn’t a surprise that he put his name on this stuff.

Related: eBay Watch: Yost’s Signature Helmet (1926)

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Guest post by Dr. Steve “Sap” Sapardanis

Back in the 1970s, the first week of January was typically not a good one for the Michigan Football team or its players.  It usually meant devastating Rose Bowl defeats.  But on January 6^th, 1979, Rick Leach and Russell Davis changed all that.

Leach was one of three QB’s for the East All-Stars playing in the Hula Bowl in Hawaii.  Russell Davis was playing fullback for the East squad in the East-West Shrine Game played in Palo Alto, California.

Many expected Leach to be overshadowed by his more high profile counterparts – Notre Dame’s golden boy, Joe Montana and Penn State’s Heisman Trophy runner-up, Chuck Fusina.  Davis was just a fullback…and when had a fullback ever done anything of note in an All-Star or Bowl Game?

When the day was over with, Bo Schembechler had to have been all smiles.

Each player walked away with Offensive MVP honors in both games.

Leach showed a national TV audience that he could throw the football with the best of them, completing 7 of 12 passes for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns.  He led the East All-Stars on a 23-point 4th quarter comeback that had to have gotten the attention of one certain QB who was watching on the sidelines.

All Davis did to earn his MVP award was rush for 200 yards on 27 carries. Oh yeah, he also scored SIX touchdowns!  Those six TDs were the most scored by a player in Shrine game history.

Davis had neither carried the ball that many times in a single game for Michigan, nor had he ever run for as many yards in one game as a Wolverine.   And he certainly never scored 6 TDs in one contest for the Maize and Blue.

Afterwards, a tired Davis said, “I’m going home and rest…I’ll sit back and watch the rest of them (games) on TV.”

After a performance like that, who could blame him?

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First, Taylor Lewan with the new ‘do and mustache giving him a slight Freddie Mercury feel:

[Ed. 4/14]  Dr. Sap insists this is a more manly look, along the lines of former All-American guard Dean Dingman.   Ok, I’ll give in a little—> Lewan looks like the adopted son of Dean Dingman and Freddie Mercury. 

Devin Gardner is a cool cat and will end up in the booth someday if he wants it.  Looks like Adidas handled the orange jersey dilemma of 2013.  Uniform timeline is updated to cover this nuance.

Hoke flashing for the media his 1997 national championship ring, for the first time to the press IIRC.  I’m sure the recruits get to see that quite a bit.  When asked why he chose to wear it he replied, “I usually don’t wear it. I just kinda had it on. It went with my … shoes.” 

As I told Angelique, only Liberace had shoes that matches that ring:

“Hmm…trying to remember what we’re playing for..”

[Ed. 4/13] Brad at MBN sent over this shot of the #BLING:

[Ed. 4/13 #2]  Hmm…maybe that national championship #bling was to show to a certain WR prospect who was interested in coming to a school that could contend for a national championship?  Hmmm??

More: Photos and recap from the Alumni game.   Pics and takes from Brad at Maize & Blue Nation.

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