History of the GO BLUE Banner (1962) | This Week in Michigan Football History

Saturday’s edition of This Week in Michigan Football History drops back to exactly five decades ago to November 10, 1962 as Bump Elliott’s struggling 1-5 Wolverines took on Illinois.  It was that day, according to John U. Bacon, that one of the greatest traditions in college football was hatched: the coveted Michigan GO BLUE banner.

This week head back to this day exactly five decades ago in 1962, as head coach Bump Elliott and his struggling Wolverines were about to get a boost as they faced Illinois in Ann Arbor.   Team 83 had but a single win in 6 tries, and was shut-out 3 times. 

They clearly needed a lift, and they got it from an unlikely source: head Michigan hockey coach Al Renfrew and his wife Marge.  According to Meechigan historian John U. Bacon, in an effort to raise the spirits of Bump’s men, Marge sewed a maize ‘M’ on a large sheet and presented it at the Friday practice.  

The players liked it so coach Coach Elliott agreed to have it propped up in the stadium tunnel before the game played on this day 50 years ago. 

After Bump’s men prevailed 14-10 over the Illini– the banner, needless to say, was here to stay.  According to Bacon it moved to midfield the following season where it has become one of the greatest traditions in college football.

In a football program with deep running traditions, perhaps no one ritual ties together so many of the elements that make Michigan football special.  Consider that in those few moments as the banner is raised, you see a confluence of so many traditions: The Stadium, the Winged Helmets, The Marching Band, The Victors, Over 100,000 fans, the Coaches, the Players, and over 100,000 fans ALL focused on that moment and coveted Go Blue Banner.  

Is it any wonder that since this day in Michigan Football History 50 years ago Wolverine football teams have captured a stunning 22 Big Ten championships?

You can catch all of the This Week in Michigan Football History clips here.   Listen to it live tomorrow on the KeyBank Countdown to kickoff on WTKA 1050AM or catch it live inside the Bud Light Victors Lounge.

Want more?  Check out John U. Bacon’s piece, Banner Beginnings here and follow MVictors on Twitter.