• Bo Gets Cut! (1976)

    To demonstrate that Coach Harbaugh isn’t the first U-M head coach to peel and flash the washboard and the guns, here’s a look back at when his mentor Bo Schembechler did the same.  Sure, it was under different circumstances, but still: Just in time for the polar vortex of death, here’s what the doctor ordered.  How about a look at a shirtless General Bo out for a run in the summer of 1976, as featured in the Sunday Magazine? Thanks to the keen eye of Dr. Sap for spotting that on eBay, up for bid right now.   I assume this was a product of the Detroit News. Bo’s in tip-top shape after having open heart surgery in late spring of ‘76.   Go Bo!

  • 1940-1969 | Michigan Football Uniform Timeline

    Welcome to the MVictors Uniform Timeline where below you will find a descending timeline of changes to the Michigan football team uniforms over the years. 2020-Current > Click here | 2015-2019 > Click here | 2010-2014 > Click here | 2000-2009 > Click here | 1990-1999 > Click here | 1980-1989 > Click here | 1970-1979 > Click here | 1940-1969 > Click here | 1867-1939 > Click here Note:  For all uniform changes prior to 1970, the rules change a bit.  If I have a compelling photo of an actual jersey (or portion of a jersey) over this period, I will include it in the timeline even if it didn’t mark a particular change in design or new feature: 1969 Season | Ann Arbor, MI Bo Schembechler arrives as head coach and performs a massive overhaul of the uniform:HELMET:  Maize numbers are removed from the sides of the helmets (they return for the 2011 season and the first game for the 2012 season).HELMET:  Award stickers are placed on helmets in the form of solid maize football-shaped decals. Don Moorhead’s 1970 helmet via Helmet Hut: SHOES/SOCKS: Team adopts new style of shoe and cleat for use on the newly installed artificial turf in Michigan Stadium.   Black trim added on socks.JERSEY:  Block ‘M’ removed from sleeves on home and road jerseys,…

  • Beneath the Big House

    Last night I attended a fundraiser benefitting Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor, held in the stadium at the Jack Roth Stadium Club.   The event included tours of the field and inside the stadium locker room.  A few observations: More evidence that the The Legends program is going away—the Legends lockers used to look like this:   Last night the engraved Legends patches were gone from the back of the lockers: There are also a few new displays up closer to the entrance of the locker room that are pretty nicely done.  I don’t recall seeing these before.   First, a very conspicuous tribute to Tom Brady:   Further down the hall several great moments in Michigan football history are immortalized: Along with the ones you can see (OSU 1997, OSU 1969, #BraylonFest, Desmond Heisman pose), they also have 1979 Indiana (Ufer/Carter), and 1985 Harbaugh to Kolesar, and a couple others (Ron Kramer?).   Follow MVictors on Twitter

  • Yost on Drinking at Games: Inconceivable!

    On eBay right now, a series of football ticket applications from the early 1930s, with one including this message from #1000SSS from The Grand Old Man himself: This wasn’t the only time that Yost spearheaded a message on the ills of drinking at games during this era.  Back in 2008, I noted this cartoon that appears in the 1934 yearbook: While we know folks found a way to drink during Prohibition, the law ended with the ratification of the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933.  That said, Michigan state law approved the sale of 3.2 percent alcohol earlier that year and I’m sure more than a few bottles of the good stuff found their way to and through the gates of Michigan Stadium.