• 1904 Footage vs. Stagg’s U. of Chicago

    Thanks to YouTube user ‘Shawn92101’ who posted this interesting video. Claims to be a turn of the nineteenth century look at Fielding Yost’s point-a-minute teams, in action versus the University of Chicago. The film title claims this footage was from the game played in 1903 (which would have been the November 26, 1903 in Chicago where the Victors continued their reign of romp, running up 28 to Chicago’s 0). But I think they missed it: Based on a panoramic game photo, it looks to me as though this game was played at FerryRegents Field, so I’d guess this is actually the 1904 game vs. Chicago that was played in Ann Arbor and the Wolverines won 22-12. Check it out: Shawn snagged the video from the free database at the Library of Congress, which has a nice collection of photos and videos. Check it out here, search on Michigan football.

  • Michigan Football Vault – Book Style

    Last year I started putting a bunch of old images of cool Michigan memorabilia in what I called the ‘Memorabilia Vault’. Author Jerry Green was tapped to pull together the book version and they’ve done a real nice job with ‘University of Michigan Football Vault‘, available at Amazon. The detailed scrapbook narrative contains never before published photographs, artwork and memorabilia drawn from UM’s extensive campus archives. Tucked into dozens of sleeves and pockets, fans will find reproductions of old game programs, historic tickets, and numerous postcards and photos. These fascinating replicas include the building permit for Michigan Stadium, a letter from high school recruit Gerald Ford to Harry Kipke, and a souvenir program and scorecard from an 1894 game against Cornell. You can actually pull these replicas out of the book and hold them. It’s very cool. As described, they actually reproduced some well known (ticket stubs, programs) memorabilia, and some not so well known stuff like this budget for the trip to the 1947 Rose Bowl, click to enlarge: It’s very cool – highly recommended. The replica memorabilia is worth the price alone, and the photos in the book are outstanding. All in all, very well done.

  • Barwis on the Couch

    Sam Webb of WTKA and GoBlueWolverine interviewing S&C coach Mike Barwis, YouTube style. One nibble, I’m pretty sure this is one sentence: “If you can’t make it intense, and make the environment an environment that elicits greatness, and get into that environment, coach, and make kids energetic about, and fired up about putting 500 pounds on their back and hittin’ reps and running sprints until they throw up and pushing themselves to the absolute limits of their mental and physical capabilities then you’re not doing anything, you’ve wasted your time with your science because they’re not going to grow if they’re not pushing themselves to those points…” What’s on Sam’s head?

  • Boiler interviews Blogger

    If you read this blog you certainly read mgoblog. Check out Purdue blog Boiled Sports and their interview with Brian Cook. Here’s a bite, where BC admits the misty taste of moonshine puts a tear drop in his eye: And, ironically, I like West Virginia. The team has no talent but plays fast as hell and wins. It had Owen Schmitt on it. And the state is tiny and full of loons who sing ‘Country Roads’ unironically after games and care so much they’ll kill you… what’s not to love? They even have nice colors. And speaking of mgoblog, Brian quickly debunked a bogus 2008 adidas uniform design and later posted a sneak peak at a more realistic version. I may not draw the quality hot leads like mgoblog or the message boards, but I did get another potential leak of the 2008 M football jersey from a fan: I’m suspicious although I love the colors. If you hate it check yourself: Did someone move your cheese?

  • Webb v. Carty on WTKA (audio)

    News Columnist Jim Carty once again dialed up WTKA this morning in his usual slot. You can hear the full segment here. Here’s a four minute exchange where host Sam Webb grills Carty over the April Michigan Daily article in which some of the athletes quoted in the academics & athletics scandal claim they were misled by the News columnists: [display_podcast] Webb doesn’t really get anywhere but it’s interesting to hear Webb heat up over it. In the end, Webb pushes on Carty to release tapes of the interviews but per Carty, it’s not going to happen and that was really not his call. Related: Speaking of Webb, he’s really been doing a nice job on the morning show. While there’s certainly a Michigan bias in the voting, he’s right up there in my poll (on the right sidebar) asking to name the top local sports show. The top 4 have been tight for a while so I’m going to leave it up for a couple more days.

  • Brian Williams Teases You

    Apparently, NBC News anchor Brian Williams took aim at this town and your Wolverines during his commencement address to graduating Buckeyes last week. One Ann Arborite wasn’t happy about it and his letter was published in the Sunday News: Memo to Karl: While your passionate defense of our team and city is admirable, I think you need to lighten up on Williams. Switch things around and you’d be laughing away at the Buckeye jokes. You can view a video of the address here, the speech is lackluster as were the jokes aimed at Michigan. Williams said the Ann Arbor jabs were supplied by Tom Brokaw and another friend in the business. I wouldn’t have taken credit for the jokes either. So he gets a pass on that one. If you want to take shots at Williams I’d start with:* His comments about bloggers whom he feels are “on an equal footing with someone in a bathroom with a modem.” Is that bad? Maybe Cook and company will add Williams to their no-holds-barred quiz bowl challenge.* His George Hamiltonesque penchant for tanning, including the bizarre white raccoon-like goggle lines around his peepers: * His profession. Does anyone watch network news anymore?:

  • Hicks Hangs on, will play Weekend

    After leading the US Open on day one, things didn’t go quite as smooth for former U-M golfer Justin Hicks as he shot 80. He put up 9 bogies and a double, but the two birdies along with the merits of his day one 68 allowed Hicks to hold his locker for the weekend – but just barely. Heading into Saturday he’s +6 with a cut line of +7. I’m sure he’s disappointed with Friday’s score but pleased that he’s playing the weekend. This had to be his top goal for this tournament and maybe just beyond….I found his website and Hicks is certified PGA instructor. You can sign up online for appointments and heading into this week Hicks figured he’d had an open slot Sunday morning: Needless to say that slot is taken but I’m guessing any students he had scheduled will understand. No matter what happens now, Hicks will get a nice paycheck, some free advertising and maybe more.