Our Story

About Big Blue Football History

This site is the “brain child” of two very passionate Michigan football fans. Barry Gallagher, and his son Marty, share a common bond about their love for the unique history of Wolverine football.

In fact, they are the first father-son team to write books about the history of Michigan football. Marty was the first to write about the Wolverines when he published his book titled The Heisman and The Michigan Man in 2011. His book details the three Michigan men who won the Heisman Trophy and the eighteen who finished in the top ten of the voting over the years.

Barry’s book came along in August 2014. It is titled 21-194-13, Michigan Football’s Greatest Era. This book takes a closer look at the modern history of Michigan football. It puts the amazing twenty-one year tenure of Bo Schembechler in perspective compared to the twenty-one years before and after his work at Michigan.

MEET THE AUTHORS

Barry Gallagher

Barry Gallagher was born in Pontiac, Michigan and spent most of his first thirty years living and working in southeastern Michigan. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education and a Masters Degree in Educational Administration.

From 1973 to 1983 he worked as a teacher, coach and school administrator and also served in the U. S. Army Reserve. In 1983 he went on active duty served in various positions as a Military Police Officer and Human Resources Officer and retired as a Colonel in 2003.

He is very happily married, the father of five children and grandfather to twelve of his favorite children in the whole world. He enjoys spending time with his family, reading, writing, public speaking, following the Michigan Wolverines and the rest of his favorite college and professional sports teams.

21-194-13: Michigan Football's Greatest Era

This book takes a closer look at the modern history of Michigan football. It puts the amazing twenty-one year tenure of Bo Schembechler in perspective compared to the twenty-one years before and after his work at Michigan.

Marty Gallagher

Marty Gallagher was born in Mount Clemens, Michigan, but grew up as an “Army Brat” which meant he lived in lots of different places and went to many different schools. When Marty was seven years old he moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan to a home that was less than one mile from Michigan Stadium.

The Goodyear Blimp would fly over the house on football Saturdays and Michigan Football players would show up at his school for assemblies and special events. Marty received a Presidential Fitness Certificate from a young man named Jim Harbaugh in 1986 so that pretty much made him a Michigan Football Fan for life!

He was an excellent high school athlete and enjoyed success on the soccer field, the track and the basketball court. However, his passion was football and his favorite team was the Michigan Wolverines!

The Heisman and The Michigan Man

Marty’s book details the three Michigan men who won the Heisman Trophy and the eighteen who finished in the top ten of the voting over the years. It is the only book about Michigan football that tells the complete story of Michigan’s Heisman legacy.