On A Pale Horse

I don't know about other states football rivalries but here in Michigan we've got this huge one - The University of Michigan Wolverines versus Ohio State Buckeyes. Whoo hoo. I suppose I care a little more now that I don't have to hide my head in embarrassment. My ex and I would walk into our local watering hole and he would wear his Ohio State shirt among a sea of Blue & Maize. Well this would usually raise a few insults and some back & forth stat throwing generally ending up in someone saying "Well Ohio just sucks" and/or "UofM is just a bunch of spoiled rich kid brats". Good times.

Bo Schembechler is a LEGENDARY football coach. He coached the Wolverines from 1969 through the end of the 1989 season. He won 235 games. He went to 17 bowl games in 21 years, 10 of those games were the Rose Bowl. Even though he was born in Ohio (and earned his Masters Degree at Ohio State), Schembechler became a fixture in Michigan sports. He was the Athletic Director at UofM from 89-90, President of the Detroit Tigers from 90-92 and stayed on as a sports anaylst for the show "The Big Ten Ticket" at Channel 7 - Detroits ABC affiliate.

The UofM & OS game is traditionally the last game of the year for both teams. This year is particularly an important match up because Ohio State is ranked Number 1 while UofM holds on to the Number 2 spot in the Big 10. Schembechler recently stated about this weekends upcoming game that it was "About as big as it gets, I see this game as being a great classic." I'm sure it's going to be although shrouded with this unfortunate tragedy.

Mr. Schembechler collapsed during a broadcast in October. He was hospitalized and device was implanted in his chest to regulate his heart beat. He returned to work shortly after the procedure. He again collapsed again while taping his show and passed away from an apparent heart attack.

April 1, 1929 - November 17, 2006
RIP

Labels: 1929 births, 2006 November deaths, heart attack, Michigan, sports

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