• Harmon Wins the Heisman (1940) | This Week in Michigan Football History

    November 27, 2015 /

    Did you know it was 75 years ago Saturday that it was announced Tom Harmon had won the Heisman Trophy?  Indeed, back then they voted, announced the winner, and held a ceremony to honor the recipient at a later date.   So Saturday’s edition of #TWIMFbH talks a little about Old 98 and his finer moments on the gridiron (and off). Yes, in the radio clip I said Harmon “gave birth”.  Ira busted my chops after that and wouldn’t let me edit it (to say “sired” or “fathered” which is probably a little more accurate, although I wouldn’t be against Harmon in life). Readers know the 1940 Cal game is one of my favorites; especially the drunk fan incident.  More here and my tribute: You can listen to all 6 years of This Week In Michigan Football History here.  And don’t forget to catch the whole KeyBank Countdown to Kickoff on WTKA 1050AM starting at 8am tomorrow, and of course live in the Bud Light Victors Lounge across from the Stadium on Main Street.   See you out there. Follow MVictors on Twitter /script Well here were are, another regular season comes to an end as we face the Buckeyes in “The Game”. Today we honor so many great names in Meeechigan lore as we re- re-tire many jersey numbers, including the…

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  • Augie’s Glorious Return..and Old 98’s Righteous Coupe

    April 19, 2014 /

    Via my Google keyword spybot sentinels…from the Escanaba Daily News (naturally!), check out this piece on 92 year-old alum August Altese (inset left).  Augie played on the freshman team in 1940 and suited up once more for the Victors Classic prior the Spring Game a few weeks ago.   A few choice cuts from the story: On taking the field: ‘“I didn’t have my hearing aids in and they just pushed me out there,” Altese said. “I was so pleased to see that everyone was clapping. They assigned me the last five minutes and I just kind of ran this way and that. They didn’t throw anything to me, but when I was warming up they threw me three passes. I missed the first two, caught the third one and fell, and I still feel it.”’ On Billy Taylor: ‘”He was a great runner for Michigan, but he boozed it up and got into drugs after graduation,” Altese said. “Now he’s running an establishment that helps people. He’s a great guy.”’ and check this out, on Tom Harmon’s sponsored-sled(!!):  ‘“As a freshman at Michigan in 1940, Altese didn’t get much playing time, and though he was on the same team as legendary Michigan quarterback Tom Harmon, he said he never met him. [Ed. The author didn’t know or point out that…

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  • Wire Photo Wednesday | Men Amongst Boys

    March 5, 2014 /

    This week WPW takes a look at three outstanding shots, each featuring a unique perspective of three Michigan greats – Cazzie Russell, Tom Harmon and Bill Yearby: Crisler is known as the house that Cazzie built, but here’s a look at Cazzie’s original digs: Yost Arena.  Dang it looks pretty cool in there and I love the angle of that photo.   Memo to #41: Nice socks, Milhous. Speaking of that venue, who’d like to see a hoops game at Yost?  Get on board #1000SSS.   And maybe they’d even bring back the Old Man?:    Speaking of cool angles, I’m not sure I can recall a old shot quite like this, here you’ve got Old 98 Tom Harmon in 1938 trotting out of the tunnel handling a pigskin.   Uniform snobs will note the block M socks.  I also love the cheerleader’s sweater and the shiny pants (that guy has a little Barney Fife in him).  Turning to the crowd, clearly if you didn’t wear a hat (children and ladies included) to the game back then you were a square, Daddy-O.  A real flat tire. What I can’t make out is what’s on the guy’s sweatshirt behind Harmon?  Best guess – it either reads “Maroons” (played in the Big House 10/8/38) or “Spartans” (the season opener 10/1/38).    Hmm, who do you…

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  • Mark Harmon’s Comments at Michigan Stadium

    September 13, 2013 /

    "My dad was only proud of Michigan. His whole life everything came back to Michigan. On behalf of our family, I’d love to thank Dave Brandon for putting this together and making all of this possible. My dad always talked about Michigan pride, and I get that now, better than ever.  Thank you."

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  • Not Quite Yet Under the Lights (Notre Dame pregame Photos)

    September 7, 2013 /

    A smattering from pregame.  More later. Mark Harmon and wife Pam Dawber chat it up with Laura Hoke   Da’Man.  That’s Da’Shawn Hand.    His world.      Mark got a tad choked up addressing the crowd Devin Gardner wearing this tonight.   Uniform Timeline updated.   Michigan ‘M’indy. Pam Dawber at the Big House Blimp reads ‘Tom Harmon’s a PIMP’   Jets over Saline, a few minutes before they headed into Ann Arbor   Guys named Steve everywhere love it Follow MVictors on Twitter

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  • History on Display

    February 17, 2013 /

    Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend any of the rededication activities at Crisler this weekend but I was involved on the periphery.  I assisted in editing some of the bios of those enshrined within the Michigan Hall of Honor, one of the features on the large interactive screens available in the spacious lobby of the tricked-out Crisler Center.  Here I am looking over the tribute to Old 98:   The boards are pretty cool and I hope #1000SSS shares this content throughout the athletic campus (at the Big House & in the renovated Schembechler Hall for starters).    Naturally it was a process to get all the bios edited and photos uploaded et cetera, and naturally there was (and certainly still is) a typo or misplaced photo here and there.   I also assisted with some error checking over the past couple weeks and was there when we spotted this priceless gem:Poor Fritz.   At another (perhaps the last?) great event celebrating Michigan athletics tradition in 1979, Fritz was invited but certainly was far from thrilled when he gazed at the fourth line on the tickets to the event: Follow MVictors on Twitter

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