• U-M to Honor Willis Ward?

    Maybe. I recently posted that a at screening of Black and Blue it was suggested that it’s high time for the university to formally honor Willis Ward: Near the conclusion of the Q&A session following the screening at the Alumni center, Moorehouse suggested that it’s time for the university to honor Ward in some way, and I agree.  And after all, as Moorehouse pointed out, the only memorial on campus (if you don’t count buildings or roads in parking lots) for former athletes is this plaque dedicated to Owens…a Buckeye! Well, there seems to be some momentum. At last week’s monthly meeting of the U-M Regents, the idea of honoring was presented to the regents.   As I understand it, an informal motion was approved to discuss the matter with the athletic department, with the hope of finding an “appropriate way” to honor Ward. Memo to Dave Brandon:  Do the right thing.  This is long overdue! [Ed. Update March 18].   Mary Morgan of the Ann Arbor Chronicle recapped the meeting including the activities around honoring Ward: Public Commentary: Willis Ward Three people spoke about Willis Ward, an African-American who played football for UM in the early 1930s. [For background on Ward, see John U. Bacon’s Chronicle column: "When Ward, Ford Played Ball for UM"] Buddy Moorehouse introduced himself as a 1982…

  • Brian Kruger talks ‘Black and Blue’ (WTKA audio)

    My ticket stub made it into a movie! Brian Kruger of Stunt3 Multimedia joined Ira and Sam Friday morning to talk about Black and Blue.   Worth a listen: [display_podcast] I love the idea that they are producing educational materials around the story for schools for Black History month.   Want to support this project?   Get in touch with Brian over at Stunt3. Deal!  Exclusively for readers of this site, you can order the Black and Blue DVD today with shipping waived, follow this link.