During a 2011 press conference, Michigan’s Ryan Van Bergen talked about The Little Brown Jug and joked, “I don’t think you’d want to drink any water out of that.” True, but even if you wanted to take a drink you’d be hard-pressed to make that happen. When I did my jug research a couple of years ago it was easy to notice that the top is sealed off: There used to be a cap and some ribbons affixed to the top, but at some point, they were removed (and from the looks of it, torn off). I asked Jon Falk about it –he’s not sure when exactly that happened. It’ll take a flathead screwdriver and some pliers to get that top off. You have to want it. Why Michigan Bought A JugSo obviously at one point, this jug did carry water for the team, but the truth of how and why it ended up on the U-M sideline in 1903 has shifted a bit over the decades. In the early days of the Jug rivalry, it was widely believed that Michigan brought the jug & water from Ann Arbor, and further, some suggested it was because Yost feared the Gophers would attempt to spike/poison their water. Of course, years later Tommy Roberts revealed that he simply bought the jug in Minneapolis before…
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2023: A (New) Space Quandary on The Little Brown Jug
We're out of space for scores on the Little Brown Jug (again!). Here's a look at the considerations and options for the oldest rivalry trophy in college football.
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Also Not About a Cheeseburger | Professor and the Pundit – S2 Ep1
We're back for Season 2, and there's a lot to talk to discuss, particularly off of the gridiron. Thanks to Nick Hopwood and Peak Wealth Management for supporting us this season! We talk Harbaugh, more on Conference realignment, and briefly on the Prof's visit to Fort Schembechler.
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The B1G Contort: Emergency Episode! | Professor and the Pundit – S1 Ep13
We can’t quit you! Given the huge conference changes afoot, the demise of the Pac-12, and all the fallout, Steve and Greg hopped back in the studio for a bonus episode on the wild conference realignment news. Enjoy!
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Hitching a Ride to the Opener (Red Simmons Interview)
[Ed 11/10/22 – Bumped, in honor of Red Simmons’ induction into the Michigan Hall of Honor Friday night (11/11/2022).] Former women’s track head coach Red Simmons is a fixture on the athletic campus, whether it’s attending football, hockey, or basketball games, or working out each morning at Crisler Arena. Oh, did I mention Simmons turns 100 in three weeks? I recently sat down with the Michigan legend to talk about his amazing life for a piece for GoBlueWolverine Magazine for next month. Definitely check that out, but in the meantime, I wanted to share this nugget. Simmons was a track star at Redford High School and was offered a slot on the U-M track team. He told me that part of his desire to come to Ann Arbor stemmed from a trip he and his pals took when he was 17 years old: Simmons: “My heart was set on coming to Michigan. In 1927 when the football stadium was opened, two other guys from Redford and I hitchhiked up here to see the game. At that time I thought, ‘Boy I’d love to go to this school.’” It didn’t occur to me until after the interview that Simmons is very likely the last living person to attend the first game at Michigan Stadium. I’d love to know if anyone knows…
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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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The Distinguished Digit, The Sacred Seat | Origins of the 1 in Michigan Stadium capacity
A discussion on the origins and significance of the "1" in the Michigan Stadium official capacity. Includes an interesting theory coming out of a 1960s article in Sports Illustrated.
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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.
