From reader and memorabilia collector Mark Bomia: Over the last couple years I acquired the entire John Maulbetsch estate. Maully was an All-American halfback for Michigan in 1914 and member of the College HOF. Some of these items, like most of his scrapbooks, I’ve donated to Bentley Library. One of the coolest pieces I still possess is Maully’s 1914 All-American ring, given to him by the “Ann Arbor Boys” in December 1914 when he was selected by Walter Camp. It is a gold ring with a .7 carat diamond with a block M on one side and “AA” on the other. The band has a congratulating inscription. Let me know if this is something your readers may enjoy. I can send pics, if interested. Naturally, I wanted to see the pics – pretty sweet: Bomia later shared, “The ring is 14k gold with a .7 carat VSI, D color diamond. The inscription on the inner band states ‘To Maully Maulbetsch from the Ann Arbor Boys Dec 1914.’ I’ve also included a signed letter from Yost congratulating Maully on his AA selection..” Maulbetsch was one of the first national celebrities for Michigan football, and he was featured in a 2017 season episode of ‘This Week in Michigan Football History’: He grew up in Ann Arbor and actually started career at Adrian…
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Righteous Debuts (Winged Helmet, Michigan Stadium)
The first of October is a special day in Michigan lore. Two major milestones occurred on this day, eleven years apart: October 1, 1927. The first game was in a sparkling new Michigan stadium, where U-M thumped Ohio Wesleyan 33-0. Later that season temporary stands (borrowed from Ferry Field) were added to accommodate the crowds for the Navy and Ohio State games. Here’s a look at a pristine Big House: October 1, 1938. Fritz Crisler took the whistle on the western sideline for the first time on this day in 1938, and this was the debut of the iconic winged helmet: And thanks to the Michigan History Calendar, we also know that it was on this day in 1932 that the football program earned win #300 – a 26-0 shutout of Michigan State College in Ann Arbor. Follow MVictors on Twitter
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Opening Cans and Seasons | Dr. Sap’s Decals
Welcome back Meechigan football – and welcome back Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis. Who knows the Bo-era better than Dr. Sap? Nooooo-body. Here are the Rainbow Warrior decals for the season opener. OFFENSIVE CHAMPION – It’s difficult to believe that Chris Evans is only the 3rd Michigan freshman running back to top 100 yards in a season opening game. The first time #12 carried the ball, his stature and running style reminded me of Jamie Morris, who just happened to set the Wolverine freshman season rushing record back in 1984 with 573 yards. But the more Evans ran, the more it dawned on me – he was the 3rd running back to carry the ball for the maize and blue against Hawaii. And just like that I realized that Michigan now has Alabama depth – in year two of Harbaugh. No, Evans does not equal Jamie Morris. Evans = T.J. Yeldon. Remember when ‘Bama had Eddie Lacy, Blake Sims and Yeldon was the 3rd-string RB as a freshman? That’s where Michigan is at right now with their offensive backfield. Deal with it, Paul Finebaum! DEFENSIVE CHAMPION – Seeing that I’m testing your memory, let me ask you this: remember a few years back when Michigan linebackers were slow to hit the hole? When Michigan linebackers would get caught up in the…
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The Canary’s already dead
Following the uniform reveal there’s been much chatter regarding the potential for a maize jersey. @UofM_graphix posted this: I saw this and booted but quickly rallied (to type this post). Legend has it that this has been done before. No, not in 1964 despite what this oft-referenced graphics depicts: Never happened: So that wasn’t real…but apparently, the world did see the Wolverines in an all-maize way back in the day. According to the book produced by my pals Bruce Madej and Greg Kinney Champions of the West, it was November 10, 1928, when Michigan faced the Navy down in Baltimore. Navy wore their traditional blue so U-M came up with the alternate maize design – and apparently, they were not too well-received (via the Uniform Timeline): While that’s a grainy B&W shot, you can clearly see one squad is wearing a light-colored jersey. Add that in 1928 they certainly couldn’t produce the range of yellows that you see today, I’m guessing the canary was more of a dull yellow–but yellow nonetheless. And P.S., the numbers were only on the backs of the jersey until 1930. Either way – puke. Don’t do it. And don’t even try to invert the colors on the helmets! More to come on the uni reveal. Note that I won’t update the Uniform Timeline with specifics until we see…
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Ann Arbor’s Charlie Green – Fifty years at the University of Michigan golf course
My thoughts are with Ann Arbor legend Charlie Green right now, as he is dealing with pancreatic cancer and is receiving care from Hospice. Shemy Schembechler has started gofundme page to help out the family and I encourage you to consider helping out. That said, I’m guessing many of you, especially those outside of town don’t know Charlie. He is one of those guys who is omnipresent at Ann Arbor athletic and charity events – he’s just part of the fabric of this place. He always has a kind word for you and I always love bumping into him and sharing a few words. I really got to know Charlie for this piece I wrote back in 2010. The story ran that summer in the Observer and the Detroit News and it provides a small glimpse at this great guy: Ann Arbor’s Charlie Green – Fifty years at the U-M golf course[Originally published in the Ann Arbor Observer and later, The Detroit News] In 1954, Albert and Gail Green drove up from Dayton and dropped their son off at South Quad. Charlie Green’s been an Ann Arborite ever since. After graduating from U-M in 1959, Green taught subjects that, he says, “make people groan”–algebra and geometry–in Willow Run and Taylor. But what made him eventually become one of the most-recognized folks in town…
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Ten Win Citrus Bowl Champions | Dr. Sap’s Decals
The final decals of the year delivered by Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis. Well done Sap! I added the editor’s pick for sweaty Harbs. For me, a ten win season is top notch. Only the best teams in Michigan Football history can say they had a double-digit win season. For this team to finish with a Citrus Bowl victory and possibly a top ten national ranking, is a testament to their work and improvement each week. What can you say about this coaching staff? Jim has assembled a tremendous group and the way they dominated this Gator squad spoke volumes to their preparation and in-game management and execution. To the seniors who stuck around and stayed – you are Champions! Speaking of, here are your Citrus Bowl Game Champions: OFFENSIVE CHAMPION – Hands down, Jake Rudock was the straw that was stirring the Michigan Offensive drink today. The turnaround in his play from the beginning of the season to the Citrus Bowl against Florida was remarkable. It brought to mind two other amazing QB head-turning performances that I can recall in Michigan Football history: Steve Smith in 1983 and Tom Brady in 1999. Once Smith had his harness removed from a separated shoulder earlier in 1983, #16 responded with three amazing performances to finish his career as a Wolverine. Tom Brady…
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For Your M Bookshelf
I mentioned this in my Holiday Shopping List for Michigan Fans post, but noted I hadn’t actually seen it yet. Well I recently picked up a copy of Wolverine – A Photographic History of Michigan Football and I can confirm they did a nice job. Instead of offering a smattering of photos across Michigan Football History (which isn’t a bad thing of course), they took a unique path. They present a pile of photos that deftly chronicle 5 specific seasons: 1925, 1947, 1969, 1997 and 2011. Check out Bennie O. alongside Benny Friedman in the raccoon coat from 1925: And this shot from the Navy game that same year: It takes you on and off the field for these five years, including a few photos I’m not sure have been viewed by anyone outside of the photographer and a few folks in the Ann Arbor News sports department. Sadly, there’s no pic of me catching the ball after Gibby’s game-winning Sugar Bowl kick but I’m hopeful for the 2nd edition. Get Wolverine – A Photographic History of Michigan Football available at Amazon and, I assume around town?
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Right in the Giblets – Sights & Sounds: Ohio State 42, Michigan 13
It came down to lack of depth. We don’t have the depth to replace the key injuries and just didn’t have the talent on defense to hang with the big boys. We were exposed. But we’ll be back with more guys. Harbaugh and crew have done a remarkable job this season with what we have. At kickoff today of the final game of the regular season we were in the B1G and even playoff discussion. Sights and sounds: Honoring Legends: Talking with those involved, sounds like #1000SSS did a great job taking care of the families of the Legends this morning and for the game. Here’s the Oosterbaan crew including my man Ben McCready (47), godson of the great Bennie O.: Again, the Legends program did a great thing by putting these great players in the forefront. The other bonus was building new relationships with the current families and in certain cases, with the student-athletes who got to wear the coveted jerseys. McCready shared this note he received recently from Capt. Jake Ryan: “Ben – I just wanted to write and tell you it was an honor to wear the #47 jersey at Michigan. I was excited when Coach Hoke asked me and I wanted to represent Bennie in the best way on and off the field. Thank…
