Since we posted Dave Shand’s comments on his firing from WTKA this site has been getting peppered. I think this is a testament to the loyal fan base Shand developed in the area. While there are two sides to every story you can bet without an inquiry from a legitimate media source we won’t be hearing from Bill Martin’s office. While Shand is certainly one to rattle some cages, I don’t believe anyone questions his character: he’s an unquestioned ‘Michigan Man’, a former M player, coach, NHL’er, an attorney, and of all things, on the current payroll as a lecturer on sports law within the department of Kinesiology on campus. Not convinced? Check out this piece that ran in the Michigan Daily last summer. This whole situation begs so many questions. I’ll start with Shand’s ties to the athletic department. You have to assume Shand has a strong relationship with Red Berenson. What does Coach Red think about this? I gathered from listening to the morning show that Lloyd Carr is supposedly listed as a reference on Dave’s resume – what does Carr think? Remember the kind words Coach Carr had for former WTKA afternoon host Dennis Fithian when he was let go? I’m sure Carr’s intent was also a blast at WTKA. With so many close direct ties to…
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“Bill Martin Had Me Fired”
UPDATE Monday 4/30: Shand responds to MVictors questions, click here Original Post: An effort to reach out to recently fired WTKA 1050AM talk show host Dave Shand paid off. I asked Shand for his understanding of what happened. Shand replied, “Bill Martin had me fired. [Martin] did not like some of the things I said on the show and threatened to pull Michigan football if I stayed. The station caved.” I asked Shand if he had any issue with posting these comments on MVictors.com. He wrote back, “Not at all. It’s true and was confirmed by our program director.” Oh boy. I reached out to a source (which we’ll leave unnamed) from the local media to comment on the situation and whether this crosses the line of censorship. Here are the thoughts that were shared: WTKA and Michigan have a business relationship. WTKA pays Michigan for the right to broadcast Michigan sports. Michigan has the right to approve the broadcasters who do the coaches shows, as well as the play-by-play broadcasts that appear only on WTKA (such as women’s basketball, baseball, etc.) Now, that doesn’t give Martin the right to hire and fire morning hosts, but it certainly gives him leverage with station management. One could argue that Michigan sports is integral to WTKA’s very existence, which gives Martin even…
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Dave Shand Sacked?? WTKA Does it Again
I was working in the snake pit this week (Columbus) and on the way home I got a call that Dave Shand was let go from WTKA 1050. A call to the station confirmed it. While we don’t know the circumstances, Shand the just about the only thing of value on that tired station. From what I understand they actually got some ratings and for those who suffer through local morning radio know that Shand brought something special: a real ex-professional athlete with great stories, legit perspective on the sports world, a sense of humor and sharp opinion. So it’s a mystery right now. Ann Arbor News sports columnsit Jim Carty got in contact with Shand and got a minor reaction from the station manager: Local radio host Dave Shand was fired following Monday’s broadcast of “In The Locker Room” on WTKA (1050 AM) and, according to the station’s general manager, will be replaced by a new locally produced sport talk show to be announced later this week. “I have no idea why,” said Shand, a former University of Michigan hockey player and local attorney. “The (ratings) were stunning. Our show was No. 2 in the market in the morning.” General manager Bob Bolak said he could not discuss personnel decisions, but confirmed WTKA will be announcing a new morning…
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Beilein Making the Media Rounds
Coach Beilein has been pretty busy the past couple days with his press conference introducing the him to the media and public, to meeting the existing players, to conducting a short practice, to chasing down recruits Grady, Harris and Legion. I also heard him this morning on 1050 WTKA and this afternoon on 1130 WDFN and he was very impressive on both shows. He talked a little hockey on the 1050 show to the delight of former M and NHL skater Dave Shand, and he mixed it up with Stoney and Wojo on the Detroit drive time show on DFN. It’s hard to describe but the guy just comes off as so genuine and real, and focused on doing things right. It’s a big departure from a 35 year old (Amaker) who in his first week was probably a little scared and a little confused. Beilein has a plan. One of my favorite lines from the news conference that introduced him was the new’s coach asking “You have a track, right?” several times, implying that’s where guys go if they a) want to be ready to play in his system, and b) don’t follow his rules. Good stuff.
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Bo’s Final Interview; Celebration Today
This morning on WTKA 1050 they replayed the final interview with Bo, as he was on his way to the television studio where he soon after collapsed and died. As I mentioned in my original post, I heard the interview live and really did think that Bo sounded a little rough. Here are some memorable quotes (I think I captured these correctly) from Bo in his last interview: Regarding his coaching style: “There are laid back coaches that are successful. I’m just not one of them.” On concerns over the Ohio Stadium playing surface: “..if that field is as bas as everybody says it is, that presents a problem.” [he was right!] On the Michigan game plan: “We will have to throw the football more than we have.” [Correct again] The gates of Michigan stadium open at 11am today to celebrate the life of coaching legend Bo Schembechler. Speakers include university president Mary Sue Coleman, AD Bill Martin, Coaches Carr and Moeller, and some former players including Dan Dierdorf. The ceremony starts at 1pm. Here’s more information from mgoblue.com, including information on a free video feed provided by the University for those who don’t live in the Detroit area. In case you are wondering, the punk rock band ‘The Dead Schembechlers’ will not be playing, in fact they will either…
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Michigan Man: Bob Ufer 25 years later
Remembering Bob UferRecognizing the legendary Michigan Man 25 years since we lost himANN ARBOR MICHIGAN OCTOBER 26, 2006 I learned today on WTKA 1050AM that this marks the 25th anniversary of the day we lost the legendary Michigan broadcaster, Bob Ufer. He truly was one of a kind. Hated by our rivals, loved by everyone from children to the elderly, his memory goes on in the tapes, DVDs, and even mp3s out there that reset his classic broadcasts. Judging from the phone call today into the radio show, he made a strong impact on many of the folks around this community. Here’s a website dedicated to people’s favorite memories of Ufer. He is of course most known for his radio career, and many know that Ufer lettered in track for the Wolverines. Did you know: -Bob Ufer grew up in Mt. Lebanon, Pa., a suburb of Pittsburgh.-Ufer played freshman football at Michigan in 1939.-Ufer excelled at Track & Field at Michigan. He broke numerous Michigan records and, in 1942, shattered the World Indoor record in the 440 meters. It stood for 5 years. At one time he held 8 Michigan track records. He was certainly a candidate for the Olympics had World War II not canceled the games in 1940 and 1944.-In 1946, a year after he began broadcasting Michigan…
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Carr-diac Arrest, Michigan Takes Iowa in OT
Once again it seems we are watching the same game over and over again this year. Michigan gets a lead, surrenders it, and then it's a crapshoot up and to the final seconds. Michigan decided to give the ball to fourth-string running back Jerome Jackson on third and goal from the Iowa 1 yard line, and he didn't waste the opportunity. This will set up a classic Big Ten showdown in Chicago next weekend.
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Jim Cnockaert leaves Ann Arbor News
Update 12/01/03: I haven’t heard anything else about this since I posted this. Have you? I hear Jim on 1050 WTKA but I still have nothing.
