Good discussion on WTKA this week regarding many of the Michigan bests of the decades (team, player, etc.)    As far a the team of the decade is concerned, that distinction probably has to go to the 2005 national champion softball squad, with a nod to the 2001 field hockey unit.    The 2000s mark the first decade in which a men’s team failed to claim a national title in any sport. Teams representing U-M have won fifty-two national championships over the years, the first being Fielding Yost’s 1901 legendary squad which outscored opponents 550-0.   Here’s the breakdown by decade:   Interesting that the 1989 hoops squad prevented the big bagel for the eighties.  Glen Rice and crew also ended a 19 years drought as both of the championships (Trampoline! and Gymnastics) from the prior decade were won in 1970.  Here’s to hoping the 2010s look a bit like the 1990s.

Detroit’s WDFN 1130AM killed it yesterday with the interviews, here’s incoming 5 star quarterback Devin Gardner from Inkster joining Shep, Sharp and Shower:   [display_podcast]   Notes: He’s asked about his commitment to Michigan right off the bat and Gardner didn’t waver and talked about the family atmosphere in Ann Arbor.  He talked about helping out the team any way he could, whether in practice or on the field.  When asked if he could see himself as the starter by the end of the season, he said, “Of course I could see myself doing that, because I’m a hard worker and coach [Carter] instilled a lot of that in me.” On Tate Forcier:  “A great player.  A tough player and a funny guy.  He’s a real cool guy and I think he’s going to be great competition next year.”  He noted he still hears from other schools despite his commitment to Michigan.  He basically said he used to listen but after chatting with his mom, said that Michigan was there from the beginning (pre-5 star, etc.) and that’s the difference. Said after Michigan, next was Florida then LSU as far as his choice. Elsewhere:  High school hoops star Trey Zeigler and former WR Steve Breaston (who’ll be in town for the Lions game Sunday) did segments as well.  All the…

Coach Rod joined WDFN 1130AM’s Vic Faust and Art Regner yesterday morning: Notes: He talked about the importance of family and the team, reflecting some of his comments from his speech at the Detroit Free All State Awards banquet where the Michigan Dream Team was honored. On the criticism: “I don’t read the papers and don’t…read the bloggers and all that, not that they don’t do a good job–they do. [thanks man].   I don’t want to go ahead and get in a bad mood or make it try to sway anything we’re doing because I believe we’re doing the right things and we’re on track.

This edition of eBay watch features recent auctions dumping a bunch of photos of the old coach stretching from the beginning of his coaching career at Michigan, to years before his death.  The seller tapped into a large file of wire photos and decided to sell off the Yost shots this week.   Here’s a few of them, click the photo to go to the eBay auction: Here’s Yost at a curling event in 1940.  Not sure of the circumstances of the wild hat.  Would have loved to hear someone explain curling to the West Virginia native: Here’s the old coach dressed to the nines at some formal function in 1935.  The other gent in the shot is multi-sport star Ted Petoskey, who apparently was also quite handy with the dames: Going way back, here’s a shot from 1903 of Yost with legendary coach and sportswriter Walter Camp: Here’s the old man showing up at practice in 1936, showing this youngster how to block: I’m not sure what’s going on here, but thought this was interesting.  It’s Fielding Yost gesturing toward a US map and perhaps telling that other guy to get that hand off his shoulder: Finally, a great shot of Yost inside the box seats portion of a sparkling new Michigan stadium in 1927: Yo!  Follow MVictors on Twitter…

It seems most of my Michigan-leaning pals have gathered a collection of memorabilia in their home, office, or basement. It’s clear many of us feel compelled to use these pieces to capture the experience of Michigan athletics and display them, just as you would with photos of your family.

Fitting.   Run off and get a copy before they run out.   You can’t find one of these beauties on the newsstands anywhere: