A few misc. items from this weekend of note. First off, props to Melanie Maxwell of AnnArbor.com for getting this shot of Peedi and Brandon Graham at graduation. Credit: Melanie Maxwell AnnArbor.com Speaking of the graduation, student speaker Alex Marston did a fine job with his remarks and I was glad he put the football legacy of Gerald Ford in proper historical context: And Gerald Ford, who, after being named the most valuable player on the 1934 Michigan football team, went on to become the leader of the free world. What do I mean? Well, Ford was indeed the MVP of the ‘34 squad and was also a member of the 1932 and 1933 national championship teams. As the years go by, folks tend to upgrade Ford’s role on those squads because..well, who’s really checking? There are a few of us out there that care, including Craig Barker over at HSR who pinged me while at the Frozen Four to share he saw a photo of Ford which included text talking about how he led Michigan to the ‘32 and ‘33 titles. False. I’m glad Marston didn’t go there. Ford’s 1934 squad was brutal, I argue the worst team in Michigan’s history although some would give that distinction to Rich Rod’s first season. Marston couldn’t resist a little mention of…
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The Perfect Mint Julep
For the 11th race at Churchill Downs today I’ve see value in 17 (Dublin), 4 (Super Saver), 11 (Devil May Care), and 20 (Sidney’s Candy). And as soon as I click publish on this post it’s certain that these horses will fail miserably. Here’s a sure bet: Don’t knock it until you drink one, Kentucky Derby Julep Ingredients: 2 cups sugar 2 cups water Sprigs of fresh mint Crushed ice Kentucky Bourbon Mix the sugar and mint on a plate (or in a bag) and bruise the mint with the back of a spoon. Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then strain and (time permitting) refrigerate the syrup. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Bourbon. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
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Bruce Madej calls back into WTKA (04-30)
As mentioned here, Bruce Madej of U-M Media Relations dialed up DeFran’s show yesterday but that audio clip seems to be lost. WTKA is trying to recover it and FWIW, WTKA does a great job of late posting their podcasts). [Update 5/1: the original call is up, can be heard here.] That said, Madej dialed up the morning show today to reiterate U-M and Dave Brandon’s position here. Here’s Bruce Madej’s unsolicited call into Sam and Ira from this morning: [display_podcast] As I wrote last night, it’s not surprising that someone from media relations would refute a story like this. But it is noteworthy that Madej would bother to call the radio show to personally shoot this down (now TWICE) with the backing of Brandon. Translation: there’s no validity to this and DeFran’s sources are complete bunk. Again. Madej mentions John U. Bacon’s call from this morning, you can hear that here, jump about 11 minutes in. Key quote: “This kind of speculation is not journalism.” OK, I think I’m done talking about this unless this site is dragged back into it Here’s my previous posts from this week on DeFranpalooza: Defusing DeFran Locomotive Jeff (DeFran audio 04-29) Jeff’s Sewing Circle Discount DeFranpalooza hats, shirts and thongs to be offered up tomorrow, stay tuned. Check out all the WTKA…
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RichRod Radio
Part-time WTKA 1050AM radio host Jeff DeFran returned to the mic today. In his show yesterday he revealed sources saying the athletic department is considering a deal involving Rich Rodriguez’s head in exchange for lighter NCAA sanctions.
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A Sewing Circle
Rumors of firings and hirings.
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James Walter
Photographed by: Chuck Solomon/SI So word is out that legendary Michigan running back Jamie Morris was given his walking papers in his capacity as Major Gifts Officer within the U-M athletic department. I don’t get a bunch of inside information or scuttlebutt on the goings on down on State Street, but rumors (unsolicited, mind you) were abound the past few weeks that Jamie was on thin ice in the new administration. Contrary to some message board talk I’m certain it had nothing to do with his call to the Columbus radio station last fall, where Morris seemed to hesitate when asked about Rodriguez’s future at Michigan and suggested that Jim Harbaugh would be welcome back (should that day come). Speaking of Harbaugh, back in 2007, Morris joined the Mike Valenti and the Sports Inferno in the wake of the former QB’s comments on the academic standards at U-M. Morris fired some pretty serious shots at Harbaugh, suggesting he wouldn’t have said any of those things if Bo were alive and added that Schembechler would have “whooped Jimmy’s butt”. [As an aside, I’ll never forget Morris’s words at Bo’s memorial service in Michigan Stadium.] A few years ago Morris became co-host with John U. Bacon on WTKA 1050AM’s longstanding Sunday mainstay “Off The Field” radio show. The show is currently on…
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Biden Evokes Rich Rodriguez departure at Miners’ Memorial (audio)
(HT: mgoblog boardist cltjr) Vice President Joe Biden presided over the memorial service for the 29 miners killed in the April 5th explosion at the West Virginia Upper Big Branch Mine. A couple minutes into his seven minute speech, the VP talked about the lives of the men outside of work, here’s the audio from a couple minutes into the speech: [display_podcast] Quote: “And though this work defined them, it did not describe them. As Nick Rahall said they were fathers, grandfathers, sons, nephews, husbands and fiancés. They loved hunting, fishing, riding horses and four wheelers. They hated the way coach Rodriguez left West Virginia for Michigan [applause/cheers/whistles]..” I read some of the comments ripping on Biden on mgoblog but I think they either missed the full quote or the point here. The fact is that he was describing the passion of these men and Mountaineer football was a big part of that. Do any of you doubt that they did hate the way Rodriguez left? If Biden talked to the wives and family of these fallen men I’m guessing more than one brought it up & note the WV sticker on the helmet in the photo above. Certainly in the audience were (primarily) friends and family and you heard how they reacted to the Rodriguez comment. I don’t have…
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Fielding H. Yost’s Signature Helmet (1926)
Fielding Yost dedicated the good years of his life to University of Michigan athletics but his influence and business interests stretched beyond Ann Arbor. He wrote books, appeared in movies, spoke all over the country and even added his name to certain products.
