Guest post by Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis On a cold, cloudy, 34 degree November Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mike Lantry pulled Michigan from the depths of despair to the heights of ecstasy. In the last minute of the tenth game of the 1972 season against the Purdue Boilermakers, “Super Toe,” as Bob Ufer referred to him, kicked a game-winning field goal….that no one remembers. Before getting into the reasons why this moment is lost in U-M lore, here’s how it all went down: Trailing 3-0 at the half against a very determined Purdue defense, Michigan came out and scored a touchdown on their first drive of the second half. Unfortunately, Lantry’s PAT was wide right and the Boilermakers now only trailed, 6-3. After Purdue tied the game at 6 with field goal on the last play of the 3rd quarter, Lantry had a chance to give Michigan the lead early in the 4th quarter. This time his 49-yard field goal attempt came up short. Later in the final quarter, as Purdue drove down the field looking for the win, Randy Logan intercepted a Gary Danielson pass to set up a final shot for Michigan. With the weight of the game (as well as the season) on his shoulders and left toe, Lantry composed himself and calmly booted a 30-yard field…
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Wire Photo Wednesday | Spotting a tiny Maize Boat on the Horizon
WPW is on vacation but it’s still Wednesday I suppose. So a quick edition this week – thanks for those who have sent suggestions, especially Dr. Sap :) Love this shot of Yost chatting it up with his former player “Big Bill” Edmunds – some context here via the Alumnus: Previous editions: Wire Photo Wednesday | Carlos Danger Izzo & Silver Ike Wire Photo Wednesday: Illini Stew & a Trashed Yost Wire Photo Wednesday : Smooth Swing, Smooth Ride Wire Photo Wednesday – The inaugural Follow MVictors on Twitter
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Wire Photo Wednesday | Carlos Danger Izzo & Silver Ike
Try to look away – you can’t: Unruly ‘fro + pornstache + saber-toothed collar + tight jeans = pure money. Accept it before it destroys you! Not sure what I’d do with it but I want it. In honor of the 2014 Sochi Games, here’s a look at Michigan’s first Winter Games medalist, goalie Willard “Ike” Ikola. From these pages a few years ago: A few years later Ikola minded the nets for the US Olympic hockey team in the 1956 Games, leading the Americans to the silver medal. Although they dropped the championship game to the Soviets, the American inflicted some serious and surprising damage getting to that point. In the battle against heavily favored Canada, Ikola stood on his head, stopping 38 shots on the way to a 4-1 shocker. He, along with teammate John Matchefts, became the first Wolverines to medal in the winter Olympic Games. Ikola went on to a legendary coaching career at Edina East High in Edina, MN. In 1991 he was named the John Mariucci Award as the American Hockey Coaches Association Coach of the Year, and later into the national high school coaches HOF and Michigan athletics Hall of Honor. Ikola was featured in Sports Illustrated in this 1991 article. Above that’s Don McEwen, Michigan’s 2-time national champion…
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Lunch with Old 98
I know it’s last minute, but if you are in Ann Arbor looking for something cool for lunch: Special Event: A Bentley Brown Bag Film — Friday, February 7, 12:15-12:45“One Saturday Afternoon” (The Tom Harmon Story) Bring your lunch and joins us for a screening of the 1965 television program “One Saturday Afternoon”; a look back on Tom Harmon’s career on the 25th anniversary of his winning the Heisman Trophy. Hosted by Bing Crosby, the 30 minute film features clips of Harmon’s football exploits at Michigan, his World War II heroics, rare footage from his early TV variety show and interviews with Fritz Crisler, Forest Evashevski and others. More info here. If you check it out let me know how it goes! Follow MVictors on Twitter
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Red Shoe Exception
Saturday night at the Big House I’ll be wearing these: Have I lost my mind? Perhaps. But it’s for a great cause and what I hear is an excellent event: On Saturday, February 8, the Ronald McDonald Houses of Ann Arbor will host their second annual Red Shoe Affair presented by the Southeastern McDonald’s Owner Operator Association. This exciting evening, located in the beautiful Jack Roth Stadium Club at Michigan Stadium will include an exclusive behind the scenes look at the Big House with a strolling dinner, cocktails, auctions and entertainment. The event helps build awareness and funding for both of the Ronald McDonald Houses of Ann Arbor.With nearly 1,500 families served annually, the Ronald McDonald Houses of Ann Arbor has provided families with more than just a place to rest but a place where families can support each other and remain close to their child when they are needed most. We believe that when a child is hospitalized, the love and support of family is as powerful as any medicine prescribed. Over the years our mission has remained the same while the need for our services continues to grow. If you’ll be there look for the guy wearing those shoes and say hi. If you are interested in joining me you can get tickets here, support the silent…
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How Bo Nabbed the #1 High School QB | Storytime with Dr. Sap
In honor of national signing day 2014, Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis is back with a little story of how Bo nabbed the nation’s #1 quarterback. A few hours ago one of the nation’s top recruits, Jabrill Peppers, sent over his LOI and Michigan fans from coast to coast rejoiced. Did you know there was a time when Bo Schembechler landed the nation’s top high school quarterback? This quarterback was so talented (4.5 speed and a cannon for an arm) that every major college wanted him. By most accounts he was the #2 overall high school recruit in the entire country. But there was just one problem – he wasn’t exactly sold on going to Michigan. Bill McCartney was assigned the recruiting responsibility to bring him to Ann Arbor but the QB had his mind made up – he was going to go to (/gasp!) Michigan State. The Spartans had just beaten Bo a few years earlier in Michigan Stadium and MSU’s passing scheme was exactly the type of offense this recruit wanted to play in. When Coach Mac reported back to Bo that he couldn’t change this prized recruit’s mind, The General realized it was time for this QB to have a face to face with Coach Schembechler. Bo went to this player’s high school and waited for him in…
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Wire Photo Wednesday : Illini Stew & a Trashed Yost
Edition number 3 of #WPW gets emotional: Maybe this is why Illini fans really hate us? From 1948, a homecoming display on campus featuring the recipe for a little Illinois Stew. Well done. Bennie Oosterbaan’s #1 ranked Wolverines got a battle from the unranked Illini on October 30, 1948 but prevailed 28-20. Above you’ve got Michigan head hoops coach Bill Perigo checking out the damage in Yost Field House from the storm that ripped through the athletic campus back in 1959. The damage amounted to $100,000 according to the wire caption which, coincidentally, is exactly the revenue from Twizzler sales at the Wisconsin game on Friday night. 2412 Below, from a 2010 post, a great shot above Yost from the same storm: That’s head hoops coach Dave Strack, who succeeded Perigo, a bit distraught on the sidelines. Strack, the man who coached the great hoops teams of the mid-1960s, passed away in January at age 90. Previous editions: Wire Photo Wednesday : Smooth Swing, Smooth Ride Wire Photo Wednesday – The inaugural
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Big House…Football?
Giggsy So…this caused a bit a stir last night: EXCLUSIVE: Real Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool will be among 8 top European teams playing in 12 cities in the 2014 International Champions Cup. The participating teams that will be officially announced on Tuesday are Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, AC Milan, AS Roma, Liverpool, Inter Milan and Olympiacos. The games will be played in 12 cities across the United States — Dallas, Washington DC, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Denver, Miami, Phoenix, Charlotte, Ann Arbor, Hartford, New York and Philadelphia. The tentative schedule for matches July 26 through August 4 is as follows. Note that the schedule is subject to change, and has not been confirmed. The official announcement will be made on Tuesday. The Ann Arbor match would pit Manchester United and Real Madrid, as the report notes unofficially and tentatively on Saturday August 2: I haven’t seen any other confirmation of this and a tweet to @DaveBrandonAD asking for confirmation is resting broken hearted with no reply. Your thoughts? [poll id=70] Stay tuned. Follow MVictors on Twitter
