I popped out to the Big House to catch part of the tour today, a few thoughts and naturally a few photos. I’m not sure if they are still available, but if you are in the market for a suite consider grabbing one on the end. Yes, you’d think that’s the worst view but the view is just fine, they are the lowest priced at $55K, I hear they are slightly bigger than the others and – they have windows on two sides affording you a view of Ann Arbor and campus (from the north side) and of the golf course from the south. They are effectively the corner office of the suites. Dave Brandon was on WTKA this morning and said he’s reviewed the plans for the Crisler renovation and said “you won’t believe” what they are going to do. Here’s a shot of the current work they’re doing on Cazzie’s House: Recently an MVictors reader asked me about the status of the plaque of Bob Ufer that used to located on the entry to the press box. I asked Dave Ablauf about this today, he said the plaque is safely tucked away in the media relations offices and they are still working on what to do with it. The new FieldTurf is in, a view from the new…
-
-
Auction for ‘97 Loeffler Ring Pulled from eBay
Once word was out that former Michigan assistant Scot Loeffler’s 1997 Michigan championship ring was stolen, the authorities were contacted and now it appears as though the eBay auction was pulled. Per comments on MVictors: Via reader Ned DeGalan: Update> I have texted with Scot and he is aware of this. As of a few minutes ago this was taken off of eBay Scot has access to an attorney in Phoenix. My thanks to to the MGoBlog community for tipping me off about this as I was one of the bidders. Kudos to all of your community for their assistance. You are truly "Leaders and Best". Via reader @jusgre : I reported this to the Phoenix Police Department and this was their response as of 3:25 PM: Thank you for the information. Our Property Crimes Bureau is working with the owner of the ring to return it to him. Officer Jennifer Eastman Internet Detail Public Affairs Bureau Phoenix Police Department 602-262-4061 Visit us online at www.phoenix.gov/police More later? We’ll see. If the ring is recovered and returned to Loeffler you’ll hear about it here.
-
1997 eBay Loeffler Ring update
Ahh, the 1997 ring saga continues. Thanks to friend of blog Craig Ross (with a hat tip to Brian at mgoblog) who passed along this info about the 1997 Championship Ring that is up on eBay right now, bearing the name Scott [sic] Loeffler: …I just talked to Scot. 1. The ring was stolen (in Arizona ) and Scot procured a replacement ring. He still has that ring and his national championship ring. He will never sell these. Scot has never been on e-bay in his life; has never sold anything on e-bay. He did not sell this ring or give it away. It was stolen. 2. Scot, recall, did not leave the UM. He was terminated with the rest of the staff (except Fred Jackson). Scot continues to have strong connections in Ann Arbor and continues to love the University. He is proud to be a graduate and proud to have coached here. He is mortified that anyone would think otherwise. So there you go. This is backed up by MVictors reader ‘bluchip’, who posted this comment recently, similar story, more details, the exception being it “lost” vs. “stolen” which might be subjective when dealing with hotel rooms: Scot lost it four or five years ago in a Phoenix hotel while on a layover during a west coast recruiting…
-
1997 Championship Ring update – Scot Loeffler?
[UPDATE 7/14 – Friend of blog Craig Ross contacted Loeffler, details here.] Wow, a ‘97 Michigan championship ring, after an earlier auction of a ‘97 band fell through, is up on eBay. And the seller claims the original owner of this ring was former Michigan assistant coach Scot Loeffler. I believe he was a grad assistant on the ‘97 squad and squeaked into the team photo: It’s Scot with one ‘t’, eBay and Bentley! Per the auction description: YOU ARE BIDDING ON A MICHIGAN WOLVERINES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYERS RING 1997 ROSE BOWL RING ENGRAVED INSIDE SCOTT LOEFFLER MICHIGAN WOLVERINES Loeffler went on to be quarterback coach for Coach Carr, then over to the Detroit Lions when Rodriguez came in, and is currently on Urban Meyer’s staff in Gainesville. Scot, you can leave town, play for Urban Meyer Wiener, and even try to steal our recruits but… don’t sell your 1997 Championship ring!! My only question about this (beyond getting Loeffler to comment and I emailed him). The ring is truly engraved “SCOTT” with two “t’s”. If so, just maybe the ring was misengraved and he was issued a corrected ring – and somehow this one ended up in the hands of a dealer. Doubt it, because this seems easily corrected: The auction of Loeffler’s ring ends July 19. Bidding currently…
-
Coach Carr to Retire Sept 1
Via U-M Media Relations.
-
Interview: John Pollack of ‘Save the Big House’
On Wednesday fans and media will get a good look inside the nearly completed renovation of Michigan Stadium. While there’s seemingly been an overwhelming positive reaction to the new digs by fans, you may recall that the project had its opponents. The most vocal was a group named Save The Big House, led by longtime U-M fan and Ann Arbor native John Pollack. The group received much attention in the media including this piece in the New York Times. Pollack, 44, formerly a speechwriter for President Clinton and Rep. David Bonior, suggested that the needs of the athletic department could be met via an alternate design. His team proposed a less costly plan that would expand seating, add bathrooms and the upgrade the press box without adding premium seating or suites: savethebighouse.com Pollack is the author of the book Cork Boat and resides in New York these days. He was kind enough to answer a few questions about the (nearly) finished project. For the record, a couple things here. I told Pollack right off that I disagree with much of his stance about the renovation. And if I count as a U-M historian, I’m firmly with Bacs, John Kryk and the others who argue Fielding Yost would support this project based on what I know about the man. This said,…
-
“Good putt, Alice.” “Nice drive, Mr. Feely.”
Saw this via retweet from @mogblog today, apparently former U-M kicker Jay Feely hit the links today with Detroit-born rock icon Alice Cooper. I was going to ping Feely for a photo but voila, Feely went ahead and posted a shot on his Twitter feed from the pro shop at Sweetgrass Golf Club in Harris, MI: Cooper is an avid golfer, in fact, his Wikipedia page dedicated righteous real estate to address this: Cooper has on several occasions credited golf as having played a major role in helping him to overcome his addiction to alcohol, and has even gone as far to say that when he took up golf, it was a case of replacing one addiction with another. The importance that the game has had in his life is also reflected in the title to his 2007 autobiography, Alice Cooper, Golf Monster.
-
Michigan Stadium Gates Open July 14
Joyeux Quatorze Juillet! The public is welcome to view a portion of the renovated Big House next Wednesday from 6am to 8pm. Also, for those out of town, Ira Weintraub and Sam Webb will broadcast live on WTKA 1050AM from the stadium that morning, guests include AD Dave Brandon. Full press release from the athletic department: Michigan Stadium Open to Public Wednesday ANN ARBOR, Mich. – With the start of the college football season just two months away, the University of Michigan will open the doors to Michigan Stadium on Wednesday, July 14, to showcase the renovations to one of college football’s greatest stadiums. The one-day event will run between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. “The Michigan Stadium renovation is something our entire athletic department is proud of,” said U-M Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dave Brandon. “I want to invite the public to see what was envisioned and how it all came together. It is spectacular.” The east side structure will be open to the public, and the only accessible entry point will be on the south side of the stadium through Gate 2. Once inside, fans will proceed to the steps or elevators in the southeast tower to gain access to the structure. There will be no access to the east side upper concourse, east side lower concourse or…
