Righteous Debuts (Winged Helmet, Michigan Stadium)

The first of October is a special day in Michigan lore.  Two major milestones occurred on this day, eleven years apart:

October 1, 1927.  The first game was in a sparkling new Michigan stadium, where U-M thumped Ohio Wesleyan 33-0.  Later that season temporary stands (borrowed from Ferry Field) were added to accommodate the crowds for the Navy and Ohio State games.  Here’s a look at a pristine Big House:

October 1, 1938.  Fritz Crisler took the whistle on the western sideline for the first time on this day in 1938, and this was the debut of the iconic winged helmet:

And thanks to the Michigan History Calendar, we also know that it was on this day in 1932 that the football program earned win #300 – a 26-0 shutout of Michigan State College in Ann Arbor.

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