• Don’t Cross Bo

    Stumbled upon this nugget this am from Business Insider.  They asked litigator Dan Webb of Chicago powerhouse law firm Winston and Strawn about his most memorable courtroom moment.  Webb recalled his defense of sports agent Lloyd Bloom back in 1989, who was (allegedly) involved in a bunch of shenanigans with amateur athletes including Michigan’s Garland Rivers.  Several officials from various universities were asked to testify, and Webb explains the events of one memorable day: One of the marks of a great litigator, he said, is to know within a half-second what you want to do and do it flawlessly. One of those quick decisions was required in the sports agent’s case. At one point in the trial he had to cross examine the beloved Father Ted Hesburgh, the then-president of Notre Dame. Crossing Father Hesburgh was no trouble. "I didn’t mind or hesitate," Webb said. But soon enough legendary Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler took the stand. Webb watched how the jury responded to him — they almost bowed, he said.  What was Webb’s half-second decision? "I took one look at Bo Schembechler," Webb said, and thought, "I can cross a Roman Catholic priest, but not the greatest coach" in college football history. No questions, he told judge. While Bloom didn’t have the stones to talk to Bo, as you…

  • More Forehead Coverage

    HT: BiggieMunn, Uni Watch has a quick take on the proposed redesigned Spartan logo, along with a few good links.   Check it out here.  Paul’s $.02: Honestly: I’ve always thought the Spartans logo looked a bit amateurish, and the new one — if that’s what it is — is hardly an improvement in that regard. Given how virtually every new mark foisted upon us these days tends to feature gratuitous beveling, shading, outlining, etc., this new design seems remarkably restrained. That’s not to say it’s better than the old mark, mind you (I definitely don’t think it passes the “Is it good or is it stupid?” test), but it hardly seems like a disaster, and I find it hard to get worked up about it one way or the other. But that’s just me. Perhaps that new notch above the nose guard is to provide a little forehead coverage*:   I was kind of hoping they’d look back and drop this gruffy fellow on the helmets: * Not that there’s anything wrong with dudes with giant foreheads.

  • Fielding H. Yost’s Bust (1927)

    In the past couple of years, I’ve featured posts on Fielding Yost busting the Galloping Ghost and highlighted a program from the 1953 Football Bust which featured autographs from a few of the Yost’s finest players.  Thanks to reader Craig B., this edition of eBay Watch takes a look at a statue bust of the old coach as presented in a wire photo: Along with the note, Craig asked an excellent question: So, what we know from this is that there was a bust of Yost in Yost Field House, but I have never, in my life, seen it.  Do we know where it is today?  Can we get it put back into Yost?  Am I just missing it somewhere?  Anyway, I shall eagerly await any potential news you have on this, in post or reply form.  Thanks much! The photo is dated October 27, 1927 and if I had to guess at the blurry plaque below the bust, it reads “Fielding H. Yost – illegible – University of Michigan – then I think it might say, ‘University of Michigan Club of Chicago’ – 1927:   As Craig points out, the auction description hints that this statue might have been associated with Yost Field House but given the date of the photo itself, it may have been presented to Yost…

  • Michigan Spring Football – April 17, 2010

    Flat-footed linebackers.  Ugh. Via U-M Media Relations: Save the Date! Spring Football Game on April 17 at Michigan Stadium ANN ARBOR – The University of Michigan football team will hold its annual spring game on Saturday, April 17, at Michigan Stadium. The final practice is open to the public and will be held at a time yet to be determined. Last year, Michigan set a spring game attendance record with an estimated 50,000 fans at the alumni flag football game and final team scrimmage. Michigan Stadium is in the final stages of a $226 million year-round renovation that will be completed prior to the start of the 2010 season.

  • Bing and Jalen

    If you missed it, check out the outstanding piece by Mike Rosenberg in SI this week on former Piston and current Detroit mayor Dave Bing.   Yes, there is tie to Michigan athletics with a portion touching on Bing’s relationship with Jalen, an excerpt: The Pistons roomed Jimmy and Dave together on the road, hoping Dave could reel him in a little, but that was like trying to net a pack of butterflies. Walker was traded to Houston in August 1972; five months later Jalen Anthony Rose was born in Detroit. Jimmy was Jalen’s biological father. Jimmy was a lot of kids’ biological father. "I hear that number is in the teens," Rose says. Jalen’s mother, Jeanne Rose, was a key puncher for Chrysler. His father was invisible; Jalen never saw him. But his father’s backcourtmate was around. Bing kept tabs on the kid, taught him what he could. "Like a godfather," Rose says. For years they talked about everything but Jimmy. "That was not something we heavily stressed," Rose says. "Or discussed. Or even acknowledged." Rose went on to be a star at Southwestern High. Jimmy was never there, but he was always with him. Rose chose number 42 because it was the reverse of the 24 that Jimmy wore with the Pistons. Jalen wanted to play like his father…

  • Rick Comley on Cold War 2: “I’m assuming that’s not going to happen.”

      Check out this exchange from The Game 730AM WVFN, Lansing’s sports radio station.  Spartan hockey coach Rick Comley joined the ‘Staudt on Sports’ show on January 4 and longtime Lansing sportscaster Tim Staudt asked the MSU coach about outdoor hockey: Tim Staudt:  “Do you think Michigan State will ever play another outdoor game?” Rick Comley: “Well you know we had agreed to play Michigan next year on December 11th in an outdoor game and there’s been no talk since then so  I’m assuming that’s not going to happen.  So you know I bet at some point we do, but where it will be, who knows?" Staudt: “So you’re saying to me that you haven’t heard one way or another whether the December 11th game in Michigan Stadium is on or off yet.” Comley: “No. They announced that we were playing without asking us, number one.  And then number two, we told them we would play after the fact and we’ve heard nothing since.  I’m assuming then, that they’re not doing it.” Staudt: [the Dean is chuckling] “Well if you don’t know, then I’m guessing the game may not be on yet.  If he [Comley] doesn’t know, who’s supposed to know?” Thanks to show producer Brock Palmbos, here’s the audio if you need it: [display_podcast] . I contacted Jamie Weir…