[ed. A few updates including audio] AD DB joined Ira and Sam on WTKA this morning primarily to talk about the news that U-M adding varsity lacrosse. He discussed the process involved in getting to yesterday’s announcement; an interesting view into modern college athletics. Of course the WTKA boys didn’t let Dave Brandon leave without getting some other insight. Brandon reiterated his desire to add seating and a concourse in Michigan stadium—specifically in the South end zone—when the time was right and in particular, when there is clear demand to fill those seats. (It would take the stadium capacity up to around 119,000 he says). And can you spot the throwback uniform most likely to be on Denard’s back for the Notre Dame game this fall (1980s boy band vs. unofficially leaked model)? Say Word? Brandon chuckled at the suggestion that the “model” unveiled by the Freep last week was an actual real thing. Clip: [display_podcast] Brandon quotes, on whether it is an accurate representation of what Michigan will be wearing these when they face Notre Dame. “No. [laughs] That was some kind of a pirated picture. I don’t know where that came from but that’s not what the players will be wearing.” And along with Ohio State now being Ohio, Brian Kelly is officially now “the Notre Dame coach”:…
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Conley Won’t Trade This Award
I had the chance to take in the Bob Ufer Quarterback Club dinner last night at Barton Hills. The highlight of the evening was the speech by 1964 captain Jim Conley, who gave a passionate speech in receiving the 2011 Bennie Oosterbaan Award for service, dedication and leadership. Ever the captain, Conley thanked his teammates for the award and added, “it’s on behalf of them that I accept it.” He also thanked the the Ufer Club for honoring him while he’s still alive noting, “Red Simmons got this award at 99. I don’t think I’ll see 99 [laughs].” He was about to step down from the podium, but grabbed the mic back from MC Jim Brandstatter, held up the plaque and added this: [display_podcast] Conley: “I just want to say one more thing…I will not trade this for a tattoo”
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Show me Your Signed Jugs
Ahh yes, the recent flurry of jug discussion here has prompted yet another reader to send along his Little Brown Jug: Home Edition, and this one’s a beauty as well. Thanks to reader Dennis who passed along these photos. This was a gift he gave to his dad. Not only is it a marvelous replica, it’s signed by a bevy of Michigan coaches (Bump, Mo, Lloyd, Bo, Rich Rod) each of whom have walked off the gridiron with the coveted crock during their tenure: Dennis is looking to have Coach Hoke sign it as well. My suggestion: wait until he earns it! So go ahead and update the list of things that will survive the Apocalypse: cockroaches, Lions fans, airplane black boxes, Little Brown Jug replicas. Elsewhere: * It’s not as slick as any of the three replicas I’ve featured on these pages, but you can get a 1950s-version painted Little Brown Jug on eBay right now. * Better yet, how about a lineup card from the 1909 Minnesota-Michigan game: the first battle for the jug? I’m guessing the seller, who’s asking $300, knew he had something there.
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‘Michigan From the Heart’ Radio (04-22 WTKA audio)
A few fellas from the hoops team up at Mott recently If you missed my RADIO BLITZ this morning, I joined the great Lucy Ann Lance on 1290 WLBY just after 8am, and then popped into the studio with Sam and Ira on the Michigan Insider for a segment around 8:30am. The topic? Primarily the Mott ‘Michigan From the Heart’ program which (among other things) arranges for the hospital visits by U-M athletes to the kids and their families at Mott. I spoke about the origins of the program back in 1991, and about my recent visit to the hospital to watch the student athletes in action with the kids. Did you know the program has it roots back in 1991? Did you know that Desmond (Magic) Howard had a role in its founding? Did you know it’s a 100% volunteer-run non-profit organization? Do you know the Michigan hoops and in particular the Fab Five was heavily involved at the beginning (and many of the guys are still today)? Do you know how you can ensure this program continues for decades to come? Here’s the WTKA segment – check it out: [display_podcast] More: * For info on the Sunday June 5, 2011 Michigan From the Heart Golf Outing at the U-M Golf Course, go to their dedicated website here. *…
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How and Why The Little Brown Jug Rivalry Actually Started (1903-1909)
The real, myth-free version of how the Little Brown Jug rivalry REALLY happened between 1903 and 1909.
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His Own Little Brown Jug (v2)
Reader Mark Foster recently ventured where only eagles dare: he set out to create a replica Little Brown Jug for his M-Mancave and inevitably to show off at tailgates and make women swoon, etc., etc. He pinged me first with a questions about certain details and I shot him some of the photos I’ve collected from the jug research. Next, I pointed him to Eric Mierzwiak who, if you recall, in 2009 went on a similar quest and created a beauty of jug and had some great pointers on how to prime and paint the crock. Here’s a look at Mierzwiak’s masterpiece: Foster was find enough to send me the chronological blow-by-blow of the project, enjoy:
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The Bergermeister’s Michigan Letterman Sweater (1936)
A fine piece of Michigan baseball history popped up on eBay recently, check out this gem: The auction description noted the sweater was size 42, in good condition and noted that the name of the letter winner could be found inside (but didn’t mention who it was). You have to be careful with these items that are being presented at Michigan memorabilia just because there’s a maize or blue ‘M’ somewhere on the item. But this looked pretty authentic & the seller told me the name inside the sweater was a gent named Berger Larson. Larson was a team captain and a fine pitcher for the Wolverine baseballers in the mid-1930s. He was named conference MVP for Ray Fisher’s league championship squad of 1935-36. Here’s a look at him: Larson finished the year 7-2 with 83 strikeouts in his 72 innings of work including a five-hitter against Iowa in the season finale, enough to clinch the league title. After Michigan, Larson tried a shot at the bigs, starting out with the Class A Davenport Blue Sox in the Brooklyn Dodgers system. He got off to a nice start, going 6-5 with a 2.94 ERA but never got much going after that. The auction for the sweater closed recently, going for $52–a pretty good value for the buyer.
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Lion vs. Tiger (and other Round One thoughts)
“Major” props to Michigan’s Lion Kim for hanging with the big boys in the opening round on Thursday. Unfortunately I don’t have a photo of his epic blue, maize and white custom Footjoys with “LION” on the side—but I’m sure a pic will surface. Kim shot a respectable 76 (+4) on the day and is tied for 87th heading into Friday. He’s got a little work to do to make the cut, but it’s certainly within reach if he can shoot near or just under par. Consider how fine that line is. Here’s how Kim stood up statistically against the leaders and Tiger: Player Driving Accuracy (Fairways) Greens in Regulation Lion Kim (+4) 10 of 14 12 of 18 Rory McIlroy (-7) 10 of 14 14 of 18 Alvaro Quiros (-7) 7 of 14 10 of 14 Tiger Woods (-1) 9 of 14 14 of 18 Kim’s average driving distance was 272 yards, just over eight yards behind Tiger (280.5). Other sights and sounds from Thursday: Kim teed off at 12:31 and hit a beautiful drive, up the middle just short of the bunker up the hill. (Former champion JM Olazabal and PGA vet Davis Love III put it to the right & in trouble. Lion made birdie—what a start. On #9, Lion hit a low stinger from around 190…
