photo: Melanie Maxwell at AnnArbor.com I was at the 1993 Final Four in New Orleans two decades ago as a U-M student and it was certainly a trip I’ll never forget it. After we drove down (yep, from Ann Arbor to New Orleans) we went over to pick up our tickets. Just a moment after they were in my hands I was offered $3,500 my pair to the semis and finals from a broker holding a bound stack of bills the size of a roll of duct tape (my primo student seats were 18 rows behind the bench). I remember Mitch Albom happened to be there at that moment and saw us struggling with the dilemma. He asked us if we were staying out of trouble or something like that. (None of your business old man!) For a few different reasons I couldn’t bite on that tasty offer. File under Cool Story Bro. The sting of that brutal ending in ‘93 lingers for sure but the whole experience was amazing. The semifinal game against Kentucky was one of the best I’ve ever seen and the ensuing trip to Bourbon Street and the ensuing sunrise, etc.., were truly epic. And regarding that sting, I’ve seen enough football nailbiters—both bitter and sweet—to numb the pain of Webber’s untimely timeout. I still…
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That’s Deep, Trey
Via ESPN H/T Chantel Jennings: What it felt like to me: And The Mood is Gooood: Follow MVictors on Twitter
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Pre-Order your Bacon
Alert! You can pre-order John U. Bacon’s upcoming Tome Fourth and Long: The Fight for the Soul of College Football now on Amazon.com. Get some and be the first on your block. Speaking of John U., check out his post this morning on Red Berenson and the amazing 22-year NCAA tournament streak the Red’s icers compiled.
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Mike Legg and “The Michigan” goal
Happy Anniversary to Mike Legg’s epic lacrosse-style goal– which is now referred to by kids all over the world as “The Michigan” Go Blue!
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Reaching Out
Check out a few of U-M’s finest visiting the first graders at Harvest Middle School in Saline: Left to right in the back, that’s Devin Funchess, Fitz Toussaint and Jeremy Gallon. Circumstances? Dunno, but this seems to be an annual visit to the youngsters in Saline by a group of players. Follow MVictors on Twitter
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Howard Wikel, Michigan Man, 89
Never met the man, but I’ve heard much about him from a few friends and acquaintances around campus including Captain Conley. He was a dear friend to Bo, in fact, I’ve been told he was his best friend here in town. Re-posting his obituary from AnnArbor.com/MLive: Howard really didn’t know every person in Ann Arbor. But as legendary University of Michigan Football Coach Bo Schembechler was quick to say: “Anyone from Ann Arbor who says they don’t know Howard Wikel must be living in a cave.”
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It’s Great, err, Decent, to Be a Michigan Wolv–
Last night in the quarterfinals of the CCHA tournament my mood lifted. And it was a welcome lift, just hours after the dismal loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten tournament. Freshman Jacob Trouba took the puck past the blue line, pump-faked a slapshot which froze both the goalie and a defender, and then blasted the puck in the net top shelf. It felt good man. Michigan went on to win, continuing its hockey winning streak and I felt better. How much better? A “tad” better. I like to say that most Michigan fans would trade almost anything positive that happens off the gridiron (in anything but hoops..maybe) for a third-down conversion. I took a crack at summarizing how I feel about everything that goes on down on State Street and its corresponding impact on what I’ll call “The Mood”. Consider this the beta: You probably have your own weights dictating how you feel as a Michigan fan, and admittedly I played around with these numbers before taking this first cut. I’m guessing some of you consider hockey part of Everything Else. I’m guessing many of you, in your heart of hearts, put less weight on basketball. Update 3/21: A revision based on feedback and a few thoughts. While I’ll despise some of our rivals who seem to thrive on…
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Michigan Alumni and Spring Games – April 13, 2013
Maize Laces – Thanks to Brad of Maize & Blue Nation for sharing this beauty Official Release: Mott Spring Game by PNC Bank Slated for April 13 at Michigan Stadium ANN ARBOR – The 2013 Mott Spring Game presented by PNC Bank in partnership with Michigan Athletics will be held at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, April 13. The Spring Game is free to the public and Team 134 is set to take the field at approximately 12:30 p.m. EDT. The gates to the Big House will open at 10 a.m., as events will surround the football team’s final spring practice. The fifth annual alumni flag football game is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., while Michigan’s men’s lacrosse team will face Ohio State, tentatively to begin at 3:30 p.m. Full details surrounding the Spring Game and the men’s lacrosse contest are still to come and will be updated on MGoBlue.com. Follow MVictors on Twitter
