To make your favorite Wolverine fans happy this holiday season, here’s a few gift ideas for the Michigan fans in your family: 1. If These Walls Could Talk…by Jon Falk. Longtime equipment manager Jon Falk’s book continues to sell well, that’s because it’s cool. Instead of offering a smattering of stories (like XX and XX), Falk walks you through time, season by season, and offers up some of his great memories of Bo, Mo, Lloyd and today. 32% off at Amazon? Get a few copies. Other favorites include Natural Enemies, Bo’s Lasting Lessons, Blue Ice, Obscene Diaries of a Michigan fan, and the Michigan Football Vault. 2. Authentic Schembechler Hall Lockers. I’ve posted on these before, and as I understand it there are still a few left. They are amazing—the demo crew handling the locker room renovation retained the rights to keep the lockers and they have the paperwork to back it up. Complete with combination for the secure door. Seller is asking $800 but email me mail @ mvictors . com for the secret insider discount. More details here. 3. Moe’s has Clothes, Galore. Did you notice that Moe’s and Underground Printing are sponsors this site, mgoblog and several of my peers in and out of the blogosphere? So what? Come on friends, support them. They’ve got massive “Blue…
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This Week in 19th Century Michigan Football!
Here’s the last entry* in ‘This Week in Michigan Football History’ to be played Saturday on WTKA 1050AM’s Key Bank Countdown to Kick-off pregame show before The Game. It’s probably the most unique segment in the series as we go back — ALL the way back – to the 1800s and talk about the game played on this day in 1883 against Stevens Institute, the first game ever played against Racine College and a few key facts from the underappreciated 19th century. I hope you enjoy it: [display_podcast] Thanks to reader Scott B. for pointing out to me the tie to George Jewett, the first black player in Michigan (and conference) history, and the current team. Believe it – according to U-M Media Relations, freshman DB Courtney Avery is a descendant of Jewett. I’m digging for some better details on this. The sponsor of This Week…is Wolverine Beer so here’s where you can find it and you can hear all of the This Week… clips here. * Exclusive: We might to special hockey history segment for the Big Chill so look out for that.
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From Tingley to Ann Arbor to Nashville: Coach Dan McGugin’s Friendship with Fielding Yost
A wonderful account of Vanderbilt's Dan McGugin and his relationship and history with Michigan's Fielding H. Yost.
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Legacy of Gripers: 131 years and Growing
I was poking around the U-M Bentley Library tonight doing some research for the final segment of This Week in Michigan Football History for Saturday’s pregame show. I went over to page #1 of Wolverine lore: 1879 & the first game ever played against Racine College in Chicago at White Stockings Park. (No, the teams didn’t switch sides when they crossed midfield, hahar). The Bentley page for the 1879 team now includes a recap of the Racine game from the Michigan Chronicle, the student newspaper of the day. So check this out. Near the start of the first game ever played, before a point was officially tallied or a single line of history written, maize and blue backers had a major gripe with the referee over a call: I love that the writer took the high road on the disputed kick during the game but insisted “a kick was made” in the recap piece, and added the parting shot, “he is as liable to be mistaken as anyone else.” It’s in your blood, Michigan fan—getting screwed for 131 years.
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Big Chill Preparations (Video)
Nice little feature on getting the Big House ready for the Big Chill:
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Meram Gets a Ride – Michigan 2, UCF 1 OT
A fantastic win for Michigan soccer in the second round of the NCAA tournament, taking down University of Central Florida this afternoon 2-1 in overtime. Despite dominating the pace of play, Steve Burns’ crew were down 1-0 early. Early through the second half Justin Meram tied it up and the Wolverines finished it off in overtime. Notes: The place was absolutely packed – standing room only. Dave Brandon attended. I love it – among the prohibited items: vuvuzelas. I watched the game with a former M soccer team captain. He pointed out right away that just about everyone on the UCF team was wearing gloves to keep them snuggly warm. It wasn’t really that cold out. Advantage: mighty Blue. The student section was outstanding, chanting and singing throughout the game and giving Justin Meram a ride after the game winner (above). I’m not sure who got credited with the golden goal. Up next is South Carolina in the Sweet 16. Congrats to Burns and the boys! A couple other shots for you: Update: For all the folks begging for Meram to kick for Rich Rod, jeezz (HT: Matt for sending this over):
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Rob Lytle, 56, Passes Away
Very sad to hear that Michigan legend Rob Lytle died Saturday. He was 56. Coincidentally on my ‘This Week..’ segment yesterday for the WKTA 1050AM pregame show we featured the 1976 Ohio State game in which Lytle ran absolutely wild. Here’s that segment and here are WolverineHistorian’s clips from the game. It’s amazing to watch him tear out of the backfield and through the line:
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Interview: Men’s Soccer Coach Steve Burns
I caught up with Michigan head Soccer coach Steve Burns on the field prior to the Wisconsin game in anticipation of the huge NCAA battle against Central Florida on Sunday. Dig it: MVictors: You’ve got Central Florida tomorrow and you went down and scouted them this week. What opportunities do you see and what worries you? Burns: They are a talented team. It was good to see them because they are a lot better than I thought they were going to be. Their strength is in their midfield–they run a 4-5-1. I think the biggest thing is that they’re a team that’s not going to beat themselves, meaning they’ve got discipline and they play within themselves. We’ve got to go out and beat them. It’s going to be a good game. MVictors: I understand that tickets are scarce (for Sunday). What kind of crowd do you expect tomorrow? Burns: It could be upwards of 4,000. The chairback seats sold out in about two hours and I’ve had a lot of requests for tickets. I went out and bought 50 tickets and..I’m out, I’m out! [laughs]. MVictors: What’s going to happen tomorrow? Burns: Well I’m hoping that it’s not like this [gesturing to the sunny sky]. I’m hoping that it’s gray, rainy and bitter. I don’t think it’s going to be…
