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

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

We’ve launched 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 explores the program’s journey from its 19th-century origins up to the opening of Michigan Stadium in 1927. The $275 price includes all of the course content, lectures, quizzes, reflective questions, and more.

Need Help? U-M Support contact info is below:

• (734) 764-HELP – Let them know you are using Canvas Catalog
• Email: 4help@umich.edu – Indicate in your email you are using Canvas Catalog
• If you already enrolled for the course, you can find the course in your Student Dashboard.

Service Center Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 2–7 p.m.

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.

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. Enroll here!

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 a digital badge upon completion to showcase and share 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When is the course ready to sign-up? We are live! Click here for course registration info, and more FAQ.
• 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!
• Do you have an Alumni Association discounts? We are currently exploring exciting partnerships with the Alumni Association and other Michigan groups. If/when we do, we will announce through those groups.
• 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.
• 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 (with captions?) Yes. To ensure everyone can enjoy the journey, all video lectures will feature high-quality closed captioning and meet standard digital accessibility guidelines.

ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! Sign up here!

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(Future offering) – The Premium Upgrade: Office Hours with Greg Dooley (+$150)

This event is not affiliated with the School of Education or U-M! This private event will 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)