[Ed. Bumped up – I wrote this on MVictors just after I heard Bo passed away 10 years ago on November 17, 2006]
NOVEMBER 17 – What an empty feeling here at noon on Friday before the biggest game that may ever be played against Ohio State and Michigan. I just heard on WTKA 1050 am that we lost the man that single-handedly restored Michigan Football to its rightful place.
I had the pleasure to be in school for Bo’s final season. He is the heart and soul of modern Michigan football, and his legacy will be felt in Ann Arbor forever.
I actually heard Bo talking live on WTKA this morning giving his thoughts on the game…he sounded a little rough. I remember thinking ‘Wow, Bo is getting old’. I understand he was in his car on the way to the taping. He collapsed at the TV station minutes later.
For whatever reason, coincidence I assume, perhaps it was stressful on him, he collapsed again during the taping of his TV show. This is pretty shocking, and the timing of this is really crazy, and this turned this into a really sad day for college football.
For those of you outside the football program. Yes, Bo Schembechler was still an active part of the team and the program. Look no further than this week’s Sports Illustrated:
The Football Complex..is named Schembechler Hall, where 77-year-old Bo keeps an office and occasionally pokes his head into metting rooms.
So where does this leave the game? Well, the game will be played. Michigan will play their asses off. Carr won’t give a rah-rah ‘Do it for Bo’ speech, he might remind them about the legacy that Bo leaves, and have them remember why they chose to be part of this program, and perhaps Carr will ask them to remember the time each of them had with Coach Bo. The players will understand and they will play like champions, win or lose.
A favorite memory of mine? I remember when Bo was part of the Detroit Tigers organization. Everyone blamed him for firing legendary radio man Ernie Harwell (which Bo denied to his death that this was his doing). One of my roommates defended Bo and instead turned the attention on Harwell, of whom he called “An Old Coot”. Rogie, this was an instant classic.
Another great memory and he’ll leave this forever: When he first started at Michigan, players were quitting the team in droves, complaining about the workouts Bo put them through, Schembechler made a promise. He hung a sign in the locker room that read “Those Who Stay Will Be Champions.” After one game this year I saw an ex-player with a hat that simply read “We Stayed”. I love it.
Here’s an encounter I had with the legend not too long ago, inspiring this post:
Seeing Bo Schembechler
7 Comments
Jim
Wow. Very sad.
BoFan
Terrible news for Michigan fans. And, although I shouldn’t be thinking about the game at a time like this, I can’t help but wonder how this will impact the Michigan players. I would imagine it is going to inspire the team even more to “Win one for Bo.”
mikej ohio
I am really sad, BO was a hero to me. I am speechless. I know that the football team along with Carr will go and win one for the greatest coach ever. BO
“hail to the victors”
ROCHESTER
DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER ACCEPT ONE OF YOUR
GREATEST WARRIORS INTO THY CHAMBERS,A TRUE
AND DEVOTED CHAMPION,AND HERO.A CRUSADER WHO WAS VICTORIOUS IN WHAT HE BELIEVED IN.MAY
HIS LEGACY BE ITERNAL,MAY HIS SPIRIT,HEART,AND
STRENGTH BE WITHIN US.MAY HIS EVERLASTING
MEMORY BE FILLED WITH COMPASSION AND GRACE
AS HE RIDES IN THE GLORY OF THE WHITE AND GREEN
CHARIOT.AND MAY ALL WHO HAVE KNOWN HIM,SHOW
REVERENCE TO THE MAN OF ALL MEN FOR NOW AND
ETERNITY BO SCHEMBECHLER.
Anne
Does anyone know where I can find a video copy of Bo Schmebechler’s Go Team speech? I cant seem to find it anywhere!
Thanks,
Anne
charley
my interest is in the future because i am going to spend the rest of my life there.
[Webmaster’s note to ‘Buckeye’ Charley: So now we can’t look back at our great coaches and great traditions? Please..that’s what makes our teams and our rivalry so great otherwise we’re just Florida State vs. Miami. Please. We’ll continue to look back and honor our history.]
Michigan Freddy
My response to Anne: If you live near Ann Arbor or know how to get to Briarwood mall there is a store in there called the M DEN, they have an entire section with Bo memorabilia on it. From cd’s to dvd’s, posters and other things. Trust me you will not be disappointed when you go in there. My husband was just in there less than a week ago and bought two videos one is called special commemorative dvd Vintage Bo, the other one is called BO 1929-2006 a celebration of Bo’s life, (that one is in black and white)(the cover). I hope you find what you are looking for. GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!