The History of Michigan Football: Vol I (1879-1927) – Coming soon!

The History of Michigan Football Vol I (1879-1927): Education and Athletics

PURPOSE:   Go Blue! We are building an interest list for a compelling new project: a 12-lecture online course from the University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education. Titled “The History of Michigan Football Vol I,” this course will explore the program’s journey from its 19th-century origins up to the opening of Michigan Stadium in 1927.

WHAT IS IT? This course is entirely online and pre-recorded, allowing you to learn on your own time and at your own pace. Choose your own adventure: sit back and enjoy the lectures, or dive deep into the full college experience complete with readings, quizzes, and reflective short-answer essays!

WHY? You asked, and we listened! In response to incredible demand from the Wolverine community for more ways to engage with the university, we are thrilled to bring this class to life. Designed for passionate fans, proud alumni, and sports historians alike, this course opens the U-M vault to everyone. Together, we’ll trace the legendary roots of Michigan football—exploring the birth of the sport, the foundational years of the program, and the iconic Yost era that culminated in the opening of the Big House.

WHO and WHERE? Led by Greg Dooley, this course brings Michigan history to life. Filmed at the Marsal School of Education and on location across campus—including Schembechler Hall, the Michigan Union, Angell Hall, Ferry Field, and Yost Ice Arena—the series features hundreds of archival photos and rare news clippings. Deepening the narrative are contributions from a stellar lineup of guest historians, including Dave Revsine, John Kryk, John Behee, Robert Soderstrom, Seth Fisher, and Craig Ross.

Here’s a sneak peek from one of the lectures:

PRICE:  We plan to offer two options:  

1.  Base Course Package ($275)

Get full access to all twelve online lectures, approximately 30 minutes each, covering the foundational era of Michigan football. Designed to fit your schedule, this package allows you to consume the recorded content entirely at your own pace and includes recommended readings, optional quizzes, and reviews.

What’s Included:

• Full Course Access: Dive into all 12 lectures, quizzes, reflection questions, and comprehensive links to curated supplemental materials.
• Official Recognition: Earn a certificate and digital badge upon completion to showcase your achievement.
• Exclusive Gear: Unlock the right to purchase (at cost) the limited-edition ‘Michigan Football History Graduate’ shirt, custom-designed by Underground Printing. This exclusive apparel is strictly reserved for course participants and will never be released to the general public.

2. The Premium Upgrade: Office Hours with Greg Dooley (+$150)

Elevate your experience with an exclusive, in-person event in Ann Arbor during the 2026 football season. Connect face-to-face with fellow classmates and course creator Greg Dooley for an unforgettable Friday afternoon of football history and networking.

• Private Q&A & Networking: Attend an exclusive event hosted by Greg Dooley. Talk Michigan football history, ask your burning questions, and network with your fellow classmates.
• Food & Drinks at Pizza House: Enjoy complimentary food and beverages in the private ‘Michigan Room.’ (Note: Alcohol will be served; guests must be 21+).
• After-Party Access: Keep the night going with priority access to the Pizza House Garage Bar immediately following the event.
• Exclusive Gear Included: Receive the limited-edition, custom ‘OLD SCHOOL’ shirt designed by Underground Printing (a $35 value) automatically included with this package.

Choose Your Date: To fit your schedule, pick from one of two high-profile home game Fridays (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM):

• Friday, September 11 (Ahead of the Oklahoma game)

OR

• Friday, October 23 (Ahead of the Indiana game)

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the status of the course? We are in final edits! We expect the course to launch this month (June 2026). Be sure to join the interest list so you’re the first to know the exact moment registration opens.
• Do I need to “attend” lectures at a specific time? Not at all. This course is completely asynchronous and self-paced. All 12 lectures are pre-recorded, allowing you to dive into the material whenever and wherever it fits your schedule.
• Is this course exclusive to U-M students? No, this course is open to everyone! We built this specifically for the broader Michigan community—passionate fans, proud alumni, and sports historians alike. Anyone who loves the Wolverines is welcome.
• Does this count toward U-M academic credit? No. To keep this experience accessible and affordable for the general public, it does not carry undergraduate or graduate course credit. However, everyone who completes the course will receive an official certificate and a digital badge to celebrate their achievement!
• Can I prepay or reserve my spot early? We greatly appreciate the enthusiasm, but we cannot accept early payments. Full registration and secure payment portals will go live as soon as the course officially launches this month.
• Are registration discounts available? We are currently exploring exciting partnerships with the Alumni Association and other Michigan groups. Sign up for the interest list, and we will share any official discount or promotional updates as they are locked in.
• Can I purchase this course as a gift? Absolutely! You will have the flexibility to purchase the course for yourself or gift the entire experience to the ultimate Michigan fan in your life.
• Why should I join the interest list? By joining the list, you ensure you won’t miss out. You’ll receive occasional, exclusive project updates and a direct notification the second the course drops so you can secure your spot (and your exclusive gear!).
• Do you plan to release a Volume II? That is absolutely the plan! Once Volume I is live, we will begin production on Volume II, which is slated to cover the legendary era from 1928 to 1964.
• Will the course be accessible? Yes. To ensure everyone can enjoy the journey, all video lectures will feature high-quality closed captioning and meet standard digital accessibility guidelines.

JOIN THE INTEREST LIST HERE!