A few sneak-peek photos from the new Schembechler Hall renovation:
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Harry Kipke Tames Lions (1935)
I don’t if Harry Kipke liked to be photographed, or whether the press chased him around a lot but, brother, there are always a lot of interesting photos of the former Michigan All-American player and coach. Just right now you can find photos of Kipke in scenes that have nothing to do with football—[left to right above] on vacation with his wife in Florida chilling in a bathrobe, hanging out with golfing legend Gene Sarazen, and most frequently, Kipke on his boat sailing or hanging out with other people who love to sail. I don’t know if there are any Kipke family historians out there, but I’m guessing you can piece together Kipke’s life (certainly in the 1930s and 1940s) through solely the lens of newspaper wire photos that pop up on eBay. Here’s my favorite and this might end up in my man cave. Taken in May 1935 (notably after the horrific ‘34 season), on the left that’s Kipke’s son holding what you have to assume is a leather Michigan helmet. Kipke is kneeling in a sharp 3-piece suit with a flower tie as he tangles with two baby lions at his feet. Harry’s no fool—note the protective oven mitts. So what’s the deal with all of this? First, chalk this up to a day in the life of…
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Jil Gordon & Painting The Little Brown Jug
Most people know the basics (or if you read this site, about everything you’d ever want to know) about the story of the Little Brown Jug. To recap, back in 1903, Michigan and Minnesota’s powerful teams played in Minneapolis to a fiercely fought 6-6 tie. After the game, the Wolverines left behind a five-gallon stoneware water jug, purchased at a local store before the game. Minnesota equipment manager Oscar Munson found it the following day or two and brought it to Director of Athletics L.J. Cooke. In remembrance of their mighty tie they decided to give the jug its first paint job, scribing, “Michigan Jug – ‘Captured’ by Oscar, October 31, 1903,” on one side. On the opposite face they spelled out, SCORE, “Minnesota 6, Michigan 6,” making the Minnesota “6” three times larger than the Wolverines’ score. Six years later Cooke and Michigan coach Fielding Yost agreed to play for the righteous crockery, something they’ve done 92 times now (if you count that 1903 game). While playing for the jug is of course one of the deepest and most replicated college football traditions, painting the jug actually is a practice that started before the teams even agreed to play for the pottery. After Cooke and Munson’s initial handicraft, the scores of the game have been painted on sometime after…
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Michigan From The Heart–The Movie
Ok, not a movie, but here’s a very well produced piece about one of my favorite programs, Michigan ‘From The Heart’. From some background: I got the pleasure to see the student athletes in action on a Thursday night up in the children’s floors of Mott Hospital (virtual double chest pound to Moundros, Omameh and Cronin—those guys are amazing). I also golfed in their outing this summer out at the UM Golf Course – a great event. This is great cause to get behind. Here’s more about what they do: More here: Michigan From The Heart program (official site) From the Heart Outing Recap ‘Michigan From the Heart’ Radio (04-22 WTKA audio) Get gear:
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TWIMFBH – Crushing The Cadets and “Kramer of Michigan” (1955 – audio)
This Week in Michigan Football takes a look back to Saturday October 8, 1955, when Michigan took on Army in front of 97,000 at the Big House. Michigan prevailed that day 26-2 for its first win over Army. I touch on the game but talk a bit about the legend Ron Kramer who passed away last fall. As always, you can listen to it out before the KeyBank Countdown to Kick-off on WTKA 1050AM tomorrow, or click play now: [display_podcast] You can hear all of the This Week… clips here. For more on Kramer’s life, check out his book, co-written with Dan Ewald, That’s Just Kramer!
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Air Cover Needed
** One last chance to help out – the Walk is Saturday August 6th. A HUGE thanks for all the support to date. $1225 $1480 raised so far! A big thanks to Craig Ross for the impromptu donation at the media event, and all the readers and my blogging brothers who have helped out in one way or another. Folks occasionally ask how they can help support this site. Here’s a big way: On August 6, 2011 I return to the MSU campus for this year’s JDRF walk to cure diabetes. Yes, this event is in Spartan Country but this is not an green and white cause–in fact you may know that Bo Schembechler participated in the Ann Arbor JDRF walk and was a big advocate of diabetes research and education. I learned about this horrible disease when my nephew Jack was diagnosed at age 3. If you want a sense for what life is like with Type 1, watch this short video that Jack helped put together. All this said, I need some air cover. Here’s how you can help me: Donate to my walk group – something, anything Join me in East Lansing for the walk Learn about JDRF and Type 1 diabetes—you probably have some friends or relatives that are affected. All of the above Donate something/anything,…
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Alumni Game – Recap, Photos (Blue 38, Maize 30)
Hail the Blue team, prevailing 38-30 in a fast-paced, down-to-the-wire game. Captain Jim Conley and his crew had better quarterback play and MVP Alijah Bradley who made several fine catches and runs. In true Michigan form, the game was rife with controversy, from questionable TD calls (players crossing the line without their flags?) and a suddenly frozen clock at the end (Spartan Bob?): A few photos: Jim Conley with QB Spencer Brinton and #7 can still toss it Wow – Jansen cleans up nice. Getting ready for the BTN broadcast Ira and Steve in radio booth “He was down!” Much controversy as usual. Touchdown Big turnout for the alumni game . The MVP trophy – (?) – I hope my man Bradley drives a semi or a Hearse New scoreboards pending Captain Conley – he ALWAYS starts (and did again today)
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The House that Jack Built: The Ultimate Wolverine Den
There are a few places in Ann Arbor where you can view some of the finest Michigan football memorabilia in the land. If you can get inside, the museum at Schembechler Hall features helmets, jerseys and other relics from the early days of the program. Up on North Campus the wonderful archives at the U-M Bentley Historical Library contain an extensive array of documents, photos and news clippings covering the history of Michigan athletics. Neither collection is quite like what lifelong Ann Arbor resident Jack Briegel has at his home.
