I spoke to the U-M Club of Lansing last week, and one of the questions was about the impact of legalized gambling on college sports and the potential dangers. This is a complicated topic, but as ever I mentioned there is a historical precedent at Michigan. It involves our guests this Saturday--the Oregon football team. This is from 1960, and it involved the Ducks, gamblers from New York, the FBI, and eventually a U.S. Senate subcommittee. Here's what happened:
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The U.S.S. Michigan Sinks Penn (November 13, 1909)
The AMAZING story of the 1909 Michigan-Penn game, held in Philadelphia. Needing a boost after getting crushed by the Quakers the previous 3 seasons, Yost and Michigan got a big one. The navy men stationed on the U.S.S. Michigan came out to root Wolverines on in this HUGE historic win. You'll enjoy this one.
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It’s in There: The Ultimate Michigan Football Memorabilia Collectors Guide (Interview)
Next up for the History Show is my zoom interview with Brian Snider, author and collaborator who produced 'The Ultimate Michigan Football Memorabilia Collectors Guide', a 536+-page clinical-like guide and catalog of 20 categories of University of Michigan memorabilia. If you enjoy history or memorabilia or both (and if you read this site I'm guessing it's both) you will love this. A perfect gift for a friend or family member - they will not be disappointed. Click for more - a preview, a few images, and the interview with Snider.
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Jug 401: Did Yost really want the Little Brown Jug returned?
In this short video, I take a look at the origin story involving Michigan's coach Fielding H. Yost asking for the return of the jug after the 1903 game. I also take a look at the alleged the response from Minnesota that he and Michigan would need "to WIN it back." This story is important to origin story of college football oldest rivalry trophy tradition, but is it really what happened? I examine some of the problems with and much more in this video.
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True Dedication – Opening Michigan Stadium Sights & Sounds (1927)
A few sights and sounds from the Michigan Stadium dedication on October 22, 1927. Video footage, a theft(!), the MMB, enemy praise and much more.
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The Snow Bowl (1950)
But none of these games, even the Rose Bowl, told the story of the 1950 season. It was all about what happened in the amazing game in Columbus that year. It was November 25, 1950, in Columbus—a game that will forever be known as The Snow Bowl. The lead-up, game and aftermath of one of the greatest games in college football history: 1950's "Snow Bowl" - Michigan at Ohio State.
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Charity Schmarity (1931) | A Benefit at Michigan Stadium
In 1931 the Western Conference agreed to schedule a full slate of games to benefit a fund for the many Depression-era unemployed worker at the end of the season. The league also agreed the games would count in the tight conference standings.
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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!
