• 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,…

  • Tom Leyden on Bo’s Passing (WTKA audio)

    Former U-M media relations legend Bruce Madej guest hosted in studio with Ira on WTKA this morning.  They were joined mid-morning by WXYZ sports director Tom Leyden who shared a few stories, notably this recap, perhaps never shared before, around his first hand experience of the events when Bo Schembechler passed away back in 2006: [display_podcast]   Whoa!  And when you deliver a U-M football story that Madej hasn’t heard, you know you’ve got something. H/T to GN for passing this along.   Follow MVictors on Twitter

  • Bo Juggles the Jug (1987)

    More great stuff from the Dr. Sap Archives.  Check out Bo in the locker room following Michigan’s 30-20 win over the Gophers in 1987: Jug tossing is NOT recommended but consider Bo pardoned from this Jugologist.   Follow MVictors on Twitter

  • Jim Harbaugh and the Pro Pigskin | Storytime with Dr. Sap

    [Ed. Dr. Sap is back and offers up some Bo-era flavor that comes from the treasure trove that is the Sap archives. –G] Guest Post by Steve “Dr. Sap” Sapardanis When Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh scored on a quarterback draw against Notre Dame in 1985, little did he know that a photo of the classic TD would spark an interesting discussion in the national media.   As Harbaugh crossed the goal line that afternoon, Ara Parseghian exclaimed on the CBS broadcast, “A quarterback draw – great call!” The next week, Sports Illustrated captured Harbaugh’s scoring play under the title, “A Cure For Bo’s Blues”: A couple of SI readers took notice of the NFL football Harbaugh was cradling in the photo.  They were inspired to write the editor and ask why a collegiate athlete was using a professional pigskin:As noted by SI’s ED/Sir, this question was addressed by the NCAA and the next year they decided to modify their college footballs that were used by Division I schools. So when Michigan played at Notre Dame in 1986 Harbaugh was throwing around the new AFCRT Wilson 1001: It was the same model, size and shape as the NFL Wilson – it now just had a different, less professional-looking, stamp on it.  Of course everyone then was asking, “What the heck does AFCRT…