Coach Rodriguez announced to the media tonight that the seniors met with him and suggested naming two captains before the season, and optionally picking game and two more post season captains.  The team voted today and: Full press release from U-M Media Relations. Players Vote Moundros and Schilling Captains of 2010 U-M Football Team ANN ARBOR – University of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez announced tonight (Aug. 9) that fifth-year seniors Mark Moundros (Farmington Hills, Mich./North Farmington HS) and Stephen Schilling (Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue HS) have been elected captains of the 2010 football team by a vote of their teammates. Schilling will represent the offense and Moundros was selected as the defensive captain. “This team chose two worthy seniors to represent this program as captains,” said Rodriguez. “Mark and Stephen are great representatives of the University of Michigan, both as a student and football players. They will work with our other seniors to lead this team throughout the season.” A three-year letterman, Moundros will be a two-way performer for the Wolverines in 2010. He practiced at linebacker throughout the spring and is the team’s starting fullback. Moundros has recorded 15 special teams tackles during his career. He rushed the ball three times for 14 yards and one touchdown and caught four passes for 13 yards and one TD in his career.…

A big thanks to writer/historian/all-around-good-guy/M-fan John Kryk for the idea and image of the early Yost-era “Foot Ball Department.” letterhead that now occupies the top floor real estate on this site.  A couple of tweaks later there ya go. Rounding out your M library?  It’s required so pick up Kryk’s wonderful Natural Enemies.

[Ed. Guest post by writer/historian James D. Dickson – big thanks to James. Enjoy.] This weekend’s Pro Football Hall of Fame festivities mean two things – the return of football, every weekend from now through early February, and it’s time to start campaigning for the Hall’s Class of 2011. When the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Seniors Committee meets to discuss old-timers candidates for 2011, dominant Michigan and Philadelphia Eagles T Al “Ox” Wistert (’42) should be at the top of the list. Readers of this blog will recognize Wistert as the second in a trio of Wistert brothers from Chicago who all played Tackle for the Wolverines in the 30s and 40s.  Though brothers Francis “Whitey” (1932-1933) and Alvin “Moose” (1947-1948) were the only two Wisterts to win national championships at Michigan, Al “Ox” did a lot of his damage in the National Football League. Still, the Wisterts’ dominance and lineage were so powerful in Ann Arbor that the #11 worn by the Wistert brothers will never be worn by another Wolverine. The Brothers Wistert But Al “Ox” was the one who established himself in the pros as well, joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 1943.  World War II fans will remember the 1943 “Steagles” team, a wartime confab of the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers that satisfied no one.  Despite…

According to Brian Cook, yes indeed: …But apparently it is happening. The contract is being signed Monday. Which is tomorrow. The following details are unconfirmed but of interest since they come from an established source: Game is happening because a desperate Jerry Jones “overpaid.” Michigan will be the nominal home team (important mostly for TV rights) and receive more money. There’s no additional game scheduled and there may not be. Jones might be well-positioned to provide some advice on HD scoreboards. More details are emerging this afternoon.  Apparently, the teams are going to play for this trophy, to be presented on a Super Bowl-like stage at midfield by Jerry Jones himself after the game: VERY COOL.  If true (still working on sources) this will knock the Paul Bunyan Trophy down a notch and compete with the Jug as the finest rivalry rack we compete for.   It’s uncertain whether the history of games will be retroactive to the epic 2000 Orange Bowl when Tom Brady and crew took down the Tide in overtime.  Not the First Time.  On a serious note, it’s not the first time Michigan’s squared off against a big-name opponent on an iconic neutral site of a professional sports team.  Check out those posts on Michigan’s battles against Army at Yankee Stadium in 1945 (vs. Doc Blanchard and…

Many of you know the tale of former Michigan uber-recruit Justin Fargas.  He came to Ann Arbor from California with huge expectations but things didn’t work out, at least here.  He ended up transferring to USC and has carved out, to my surprise, a nice career in the NFL with the Raiders.  Al Davis and crew released him in May; he’s currently a free agent. His pops is Antonio Fargas who played Huggy Bear in the 1970s TV series Starsky and Hutch.   Huggy was played by Snoop in the 2004 S&H movie.     Huggy bears So who cares?  Well, fast forward to 2010 and Huggy and his son are involved in a current auction and it makes for the latest installment of eBay Watch.   Up for sale is a lot containing some of Justin’s pre-NFL memorabilia including a few choice items he saved from Ann Arbor.   As I’ve learned from watching Pawn Stars, if you rent a storage unit and fail to pay the bill, the owner can seize the items you stowed away and sell them off to recover damages.   Per the auction description, that’s allegedly what happened here: I BUY STORAGE LOCKERS AT AUCTION WHEN THE OWNERS DO NOT PAY THE BILL.  GOT ONE THE BELONGED TO ANTONIO FARGAS (HUGGY BEAR FROM STARSKY AND HUTCH) FATHER OF JUSTIN…

One hundred and fifty eBay Watch posts later, I figured it was time to run down my favorites.  To recap, here are items #10-#6, published earlier this week.  The Top 5: 5.  Suit Up like one of Yost’s Men (posted June 15, 2009) Probably the most remarkable auction of Michigan lore I’ve seen on eBay.  A freaking Yost-era uniform – belt, pants, helmet, and shoes – from the early 1910s up for sale.   What else can you say? I guess the question is what does one do with this stuff?  Put it on display in the man cave or home office?  It absolutely belongs in Schembechler Hall or at the Bentley Library.  I’m not sure what happened to it but it fetched a lot of bucks that’s for certain.  Read the original post here.  – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 4.  Coach Mac wants his Mojo Back (posted January 2008) Many ring-on-eBay dramas have played on this site thanks to eBay Watch.  Recently you’ve had the former assistant Scot Loeffler/pawn shop ‘97 ring imbroglio, which is still playing out.   Then in 2008 you have the Allen Bishop 1986 Rose Bowl ring saga.   Arguably…

“I’m onto you Dooley.” I’ll be up on the MSU Campus tomorrow morning for the walk to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.   Yes, I’ll be rubbing elbows with Coach Dantonio who’s the honorary chair of the event and I’ll be hurling sharp stares his way & will be looking for the vein on this forehead to throb, as if sensing my presence. Come out and join me – I’ll be with team “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and I’ll be signing copies of Hail to the Victors 2010 in a 1905-ish fountain pen. If you don’t understand the fuss over juvenile diabetes, this video is a good primer on what these kids and parents go through every morning, day, night (and late night). Can’t join?  Want to support MVictors?   Consider giving something – $5, $10, $250, whatever, to support this cause for me. Mandatory info block: EAST LANSING Date: August 7, 2010 Time: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan Corporate Chairman: Ronald Simon, Chairman and CEO, Auto-Owners Insurance Family Team Chairman: Jackie Bobb, Fellowship for a Cure Honorary Chairman: Mark Dantonio, Head Football Coach, Michigan State University Media Chairman: Sheri Jones, News Anchor, WLNS TV 6 Family Team Rally: April 24 at NCG Lansing Eastwood Cinemas Team Captain Kick-Off Luncheon: June 24, East Lansing Marriott…

Via U-M Media Relations: Statement from Michigan Head Coach Rich Rodriguez I have always taken compliance seriously and have sincerely felt our program was very open and transparent. I regret any mistakes that were made or rules that were misinterpreted. Any errors certainly weren’t made intentionally. I openly discussed my past practices with NCAA investigators and will continue to cooperate fully during this process. I have redoubled efforts with my staff and our compliance team to improve several processes, strengthen communications, and work to ensure these mistakes won’t happen in the future. We have a tremendous program and an exceptional group of student-athletes, and I look forward to an exciting and successful football season. Statement from Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon We’re not part of the inquiry at WVU and we have limited access to the information pertaining to this investigation. We’re certainly paying close attention to the situation, but we all need to let the process – and the facts – unfold before we draw any conclusions. I’m not going to speculate about any aspect of the outcome. I’ve already said Rich is our coach this fall and WVU’s announcement does not change that fact. Our focus is on our program and the start of the football season.