Michigan Wolverines- Raiders of the Lost Books

Gaps in the historical record of Michigan Wolverine Sports History

Esteemed writer John U. Bacon has written another book the on college football. Fourth and Long: The Fight for the Soul of College Football, “…[which] searches for the sport’s old ideals amid the roaring flood of hypocrisy and greed, as he was embedded in four programs- Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, and Northwestern.” It joins Bacon’s other works; Blue Ice, Bo’s Lasting Lessons, and Three and Out, as mandatory reading for Michigan fans.

But what books should be written?

What gaps in the historical record still need to be filled?

I doubt that any of these men would write a no-holds barred account of their experiences but if they ever did it would be some amazing stuff.

Fred Jackson

2011-UMFootball-Practice-0815-014 — Fred Jackson

Long time coach Fred Jackson has had a front row seat during the most turbulent times in recent Michigan Football history. Begin with that Jackson has been on staff for the four most recent head coaches; Gary Moeller, Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriguez, and Brady Hoke. Jackson was there when Gary Moeller left the program in disgrace. He won a National Championship with Carr, and the was sole coaching survivor after RichRod brought in his own staff. As the losses and and criticism mounted, not to mention the problems with the NCAA , Jackson survived. When RichRod exited the Wolverine stage, Jackson once again made the transition to a new staff being retained by new Coach Brady Hoke.

A great recruiter and a talented coach, Jackson is in a unique position to compare and contrast coaching regimes.

Lloyd Carr

A polarizing figure for many, Lloyd did what Bo was never able to do- win a National Championship. A great coach by the numbers and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, fans would probably be most interested in his thoughts on close of this career and the subsequent transition to RichRod.

A noted history buff, it would be fun to imagine Lloyd penning chapters in line with his interests:

Appalachian State- My Personal Waterloo

I am not Benedict Arnold- I Didn’t Undermine Anyone

Old Soldiers Don’t Die, They Just Fade Away- My Perceived Lack of Support for Rich Rodriguez

Humorous chapter titles aside, there are many questions that Lloyd could address. Starting with the persistent rumors of health problems, his snarly attitude with some members of media, and feuds with former Wolverine Quarterbacks Jim Harbaugh and Rick Leach. What about his take on the athletic directors he has worked for?

Not to mention the elephant in the room- his behavior and attitude towards his successor Rich Rodriguez.

Did Lloyd really call Rodriguez to gauge his interest in the Michigan job?

What was he thinking when he offered to help his players transfer before Rodriguez arrived on campus?

What really went down when he met with Rodriguez for lunch at the Michigan Union to clear the air?

Rodriguez and his staff have aired their grievances. Lloyd declined to make himself available despite John Bacon’s efforts during the writing of Three and Out.

Someday Lloyd should answer these questions on the record. His answers would make for interesting reading.

It was Winston Churchill who said, “History is written by the victors.” Lloyd is allowing the final word on his career to be told by RichRod- and that is unacceptable.

Chris Webber

The highs and lows of Webber’s Wolverine athletic career alone would make for a great book. From high school phenom to a cultural icon as leader of the Fab 5 his ill advised time-out crushed the hopes Wolverine fans. But his involvement in one of the largest NCAA scandals in history elevates his tale to the level of a Greek tragedy.

Many fans would like to see Webber and Fab 5 honored in some way by Michigan. Webber could go a long way towards rehabilitating his image with a thoughtful account of his disagreements with the NCAA and troubles as a reluctant witness during the federal investigation of bookmaker Ed Martin.

With former athletes challenging the NCAA right to profit from their likeness, a book by Webber would be most timely.

Chris could thrust himself back in to spotlight and perhaps help current college athletes in their quest for more compensation from the NCAA.

Bruce Madej

Michigan Assistant Athletic Director Bruce Madej recently announced his retirement. His career has spanned from Athletic Directors Don Canham to David Brandon, football coaches from Bo to Brady Hoke. His tenure began with stories written on typewriters and published via printing press and ends with reporters tweeting from the their smartphones to a global internet audience.

Madej has help the guide the coverage of virtually every major Michigan sports story for the last quarter century. He is a living encyclopedia of Michigan Wolverine history.

July 4, 2013July 4, 2013

July 4th-Declaration of Independence

Action of Second Continental Congress, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America

WHEN in the Course of human Events,

it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.

WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness — That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness…

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Full Text and History

May 27, 2013May 27, 2013

Memorial Day…Lest We Forget

If you’ve gone to a Michigan football game you’ve probably walked right by it. Just inside the main gate at Michigan Stadium rests a memorial which reads:

TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY

In 1945 Michigan Stadium was dedicated to all Wolverines who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The bronze eagle memorial is a reminder that the freedoms that we take for granted have come with a steep price.

Remember

Today we take time to remember those who have died serving their country. We remember the 5000 people who died in the Revolutionary war, the 600,000 who died during the Civil War, the 50,000 who died in World War I, and the 200,000 who died in World War II, and everyone else who died in the service of their country. With our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan those numbers continue to grow every day.

The stark reality is that US combat deaths are equal to an entire season attendance of a Michigan football. Not to mention the countless others who died during “peacetime” and countless seriously injured in service to their country.

So the next time you go to Michigan Stadium take some time to visit the memorial. When you’re sitting in your seat look around at the 100,000 people watching the game and consider how many Americans have given their lives to protect your way of life.

Despite all of the comparisons that we make between football and battle in reality football is just a game. Everyone comes home from a Michigan football game no matter what the outcome.

The same can’t be said for those who have defended our country in its time of need.

April 13, 2013April 13, 2013

2013 Spring Game Photos

April 7, 2013April 7, 2013

Fab 5: Time for New Ending

It wasn’t supposed to end that way.

Once a long time ago, the Fab 5 ruled the world. As a University of Michigan during their reign, basketball made for a welcome diversion.

Their swagger, their style, and most of the all their play made them the talk of the country.

Wherever you went people were wearing Michigan gear.

Some older alums shunned their brazen style but most of the country embraced them as budding superstars.

As freshman they came up short in the national championship game but they returned to claim what was surely their pre-ordained championship the following season.

Of course, we know what happened. Michigan didn’t win, falling to North Carolina 77-71 in the 1993 final. It was painful to watch.

Chris Webber declared for the NBA draft and the Fab 5 were no more.

And in a perfect world the story would have ended there. A great team comes up short on the court but makes a huge cultural impact before eventually going pro for NBA riches.

Of course, that wasn’t to be.

Mistakes made during their high school careers would come back to haunt some members of the Fab 5.

Webber, Rose, and Howard would go on to have successful NBA careers but the fallout from the booster scandal that began during their time in Ann Arbor and continued after their departure would result in many of their records being erased by the NCAA.

The scandal would also have grave implications for Michigan basketball program which struggled for years to dig out from the resulting sanctions.

Many Wolverine fans are bitter towards Chris Webber for his role in the scandal.

His comments about Michigan over the years haven’t done much to win over his detractors.

I should know, as I’ve carried around a lot of bitterness towards Webber since his role in the booster scandal became evident. But there is a lot of blame to go around from that era starting with the coaches, parents, and administrators who all should have made better choices themselves. Not to mention a media (here’s looking at you Mitch Albom) who were eager to profit from the hoopla surrounding the Fab 5.

Webber’s mistakes now are over 20 years in past. It’s time to let it go. I doubt he’s the same person who made the wrong decisions back then.

And while I can’t imagine myself ever actively cheering for him, I’m done rooting against him. There’s too much positive happening with Michigan basketball under John Beilein to keep harping on 20 year old mistakes.

Tomorrow the Michigan Wolverine Basketball team will play for the National Championship in Atlanta. Many players on the team grew up idolizing the Fab 5.

At this point according to Jalen Rose, 4 of the Fab 5 will be present at the game. Only Chris Webber, who lives in Atlanta, has not confirmed his attendance.

Let’s be clear- this will be a story whether Chris shows up or not. Right now the story depends on what choice Webber makes tomorrow. Hopefully Jalen will convince him to attend.

It would be a great boost for the team and maybe, just maybe, it would provide the groundwork for continued healing between Webber and the University of Michigan.

Webber can’t change the past but he does have an opportunity to inspire this current team by reuniting with his Fab 5 teammates in Atlanta.

It would be a great way to start writing a new ending for the Fab 5.