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Today is a great day to we are going to celebrate the Happy Birthday anniversary of a Michigan legend named Charles Woodson. According to the Wikipedia article linked below, Charles Cameron Woodson was born October 7th, 1976 in Fremont, Ohio.  That’s 90 miles from the Big House and 104 miles from the Horseshoe. (Note – Charles Woodson is shown above near the end of his legendary 77-yard punt return against Ohio State in 1997. Photo courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library at The University of Michigan.) Part I. Wolverine of the Day: Charles Woodson Charles Woodson – Another Buckeye Who Saw the Light and Got it Right! Charles Woodson was a standout two-way player for Ross High School, and rushed for 2,028 yards as a senior while also starring as a defensive back.  He also played basketball and ran track.  Following his older brother, he grew up a Wolverine fan.  Former Michigan Defensive Coordinator Jim Hermann and Head Coach Lloyd Carr recruited Woodson as a defensive back, and he chose Michigan over several schools to include the buckeyes. Woodson saw the field early as a true freshman. Michigan played Virginia in the kickoff classic in 1995.  The heat was on that  ninety-degree day in Ann Arbor had most players needing rest during the difficult playing conditions. Woodson stepped on the field, and never stepped off until he left the Big House in 1997! Yes, Charles C. Woodson Started Early in His Freshman Season and Never Left the Field! Charles Woodson started the next game of the 1995 season and thirty-four more on his path to greatness. The last was the 1998 Rose Bowl, helping Michigan secure a share of the National Championship.  In between, Woodson would beat the buckeyes three times in three games. He left Michigan as an All-American with a total of eighteen interceptions.  He was the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman in 1997, and will always be remembered for the his seventy-seven-yard punt return against the buckeyes in 1997. His one handed, leaping, interception against the Spartans in 1997 was also pretty good!  Charles Woodson was perfect when throwing the ball (2-2 for 32 yards) and managed five offensive touchdowns while playing both ways. Woodson Left Early to Become an NFL Legend in April 1998 After leaving Michigan, Woodson played seventeen years in the NFL for the Raiders, Packers, and the Raiders again. His stellar play earned him selections to nine NFL Pro Bowls. Charles Woodson earned a Super Bowl Ring with the Packers in 2011.  He is the only Wolverine in the history of Michigan Football to win a Heisman, a National Championship and a Super Bowl! He retired after the 2015 NFL Season, and was a key factor in Michigan moving to Nike/Jordan Brand for the 2016 Season. Thanks to Robert Westfall for posting Woodson’s iconic punt-return in 1997 against the buckeyes. Charles Woodson was one of a kind, that’s for sure. In one hundred and forty years, nobody has been better than Woodson in Ann Arbor – NOBODY! Of course, #2 was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018.The Wikipedia article linked below has all the details about the stellar career of Charles Cameron Woodson! Thanks to Charles Woodson for his greatness on the field and at UM’s Children’s Hospital! Go Blue! To read more about Michigan Legend Charles Woodson, and see him in action, follow the links below. http://www.theheismanwinners.com/Charles-Woodson.html http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fballam/aawoodsn.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Woodson Part II. October 7, 2020 National Day Calendar Update:

October 6, 1984 – The Day That Bo Schembechler Lost Three Times in One Day October 6, 1984 was an interesting day for Michigan Football Coach Bo Schembechler. I am pretty certain that it was the only day that the famous Wolverine coach lost three important things on the same day. Let me explain. October 6, 1984 was an interesting day for Michigan Football Coach Bo Schembechler. I am pretty certain that it was the only day that the famous Wolverine coach lost three important things on the same day. Let me explain. (Note- The 1984 unlucky Michigan Football team is shown above. Bo Schembechler is on the far right in the first row. Jim Harbaugh (#4) is the eighth man in from the left in the third row. His head is just above that of #53 Al Sincich. 1984 Team Photo courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library at The University of Michigan.) Bo’s Wolverines Started Strong in 1984 The 1984 season started off beautifully for Schembechler and his fourteenth ranked Wolverines. Michigan upset the top ranked Miami Hurricanes in Ann Arbor (22-14). They rose to number three in the rankings the next week, but lost to the sixteenth ranked Washington Huskies (20-11). Fortunately, Michigan bounced back with consecutive victories over Wisconsin and Indiana before hosting Michigan State at Michigan Stadium. Michigan Was 3-1-0 Heading Into The MSU Game at The Big House Bo Schembechler and the Wolverines suffered three losses on October 6, 1984. First, they lost their starting quarterback when Jim Harbaugh broke his arm trying to recover a fumble early in the second half. (Ouch-1!) Second, the Wolverines tried to win the game for their fallen leader and themselves, but they lost the game to their in-state rivals (19-7). (Ouch-2!) Third, since it was the Spartans who beat them, the Paul Bunyan Trophy left Ann Arbor for the first time in five years.  Yes, that’s Ouch #3. Yes it was a terrible day for Bo, Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Football team. Next Man Up! Things were looking bleak in Ann Arbor with Harbaugh out for the season,. However, Bo had faith in his young team. So, he focused on getting Chris Zurbrugg ready for his first start. Michigan won the next week with an impressive win over Northwestern (31-0) and left the 1984 Homecoming crowd with some hope that the season might turn out okay. Unfortunately, the Wolverines lost four of the last six games to finish the 1984 regular season with six victories and five defeats (6-5-0) and sixth place in the conference (5-4-0). Wow, it was the worst season in Bo’s Michigan career! They almost upset the number one ranked Brigham Young Cougars in the Holiday Bowl, but eventually lost by seven points (24-17). The final record ended at six wins and six losses, (6-6-0) – not good. Jon Falk’s Great Story About The Ugly Season in 1984 One of the best Bo Schembechler stories ever told resulted from this dismal season. It was told by Michigan’s iconic equipment manager, Jon Falk, in his book, “If These Walls Could Talk.”  It was a frigid, snowy, night in January 1985 and Jon Falk was driving, very slowly, down I-94 headed for Detroit. He was on the outskirts of Ann Arbor when he saw a man trying to hitch a ride.  He thought the man looked familiar, but he wasn’t sure.  As the man got closer, he was wearing a blue “M” hat, just like the one Bo always wore.  As Falk got closer to the man, he could see a car behind him that looked just like Bo’s car. Falk pulled over and walked towards the shivering man. He did indeed discover that it was Bo! Bo Was Freezing and Steaming Hot! Bo Schembechler was freezing on the outside, but man was he hot on the inside! Coach was trying to get to Metro Airport for a recruiting trip. He told Falk to take him to the airport – now! As Falk started his trip with the frozen coach, Bo started to rant about the fact that he had been standing on the side of the road for about forty-five minutes. Unfortunately, not one person had bothered to stop and help. What really ticked him off was the fact that three State Trooper vehicles had cruised right on by the stranded coach. Falk’s reply was classic.  He said, “Well Bo, you gotta remember now, you were only six and six last year.” Bo forced a smile, he knew that Falk had him. What could he say, except “get me to the airport Falk!” I thought it was appropriate to tell s story about Coach Bo Schembechler on National Coaches Day. So, October 6, 1984 was not a good day for Bo Schembechler and Michigan Football. The good news is that a healthy Jim Harbaugh and his teammates came back strong in 1985 to give Bo a much better season! Go Blue! National Day Calendar Update – October 6, 2020:

Today is a great day to wish happy birthday to a Michigan Football MVP named Steve Strinko. According to the Wikipedia article linked below, Steven Douglas Strinko was born on this day in Middletown, Ohio. He grew up in the Cleveland suburb on Monroe, Ohio. Steve grew up to become an excellent athlete and starred at Monroe High School. When it came time to take his game to the next level, he decided to head north and play for Bo Schembechler’s Michigan Wolverines. Apparently, Steve’s decision that greatly upset a man named Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes. Woody didn’t lose a lot of highly rated recruits to Michigan, but he lost a lot more once Bo arrived! (Steve Strinko calls the defensive signals against Navy in 1973. Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library at The University of Michigan.) Part I. Wolverine of the Day: Steve Strinko A Good Start in Ann Arbor in 1971-1972 Buckeye Steve Strinko arrived in “enemy territory” in 1971. Freshman didn’t play in the Big House in those days, so he practiced hard and focused on impressing the coaches for his Sophomore season. Steve started one game in 1972. He played a lot and recorded 46 tackles (26 solo and 20 assists) in his first season on the varsity. Two-Year Starter from 1973-1974 Steve Strinko earned the starting middle linebacker job in 1973 and he didn’t relinquish it until he graduated in 1975. Strinko led the team in tackles with a record-setting 137 in his Junior season. He also led the defense in tackles in 1974. The talented Strinko helped Michigan post an incredible record of 30 wins, 2 losses and 1 tie during his playing years. Yes, this was the time when the Wolverines did not qualify for a bowl game because of the Big Ten’s stupid rules and Wayne Duke’s decision to let the athletic directors “vote” for the Big Ten representative in the 1974 Rose Bowl Michigan Man and a Team MVP Steve Strinko left Ann Arbor with his head held high. In addition to helping the Wolverines win a ton of games, he also played on three Big Ten Co-Champions from 1972 to 1974. Strinko lettered on three of Bo Schembechler’s best teams. He also earned first team All-Big Ten Honors and second team All-American honors for his stellar play in 1974. He was the heart and soul of two of Bo’s best defenses. His teammates voted him as the Most Valuable Player at the end of the 1974 season. Still a Michigan Leader Today Not too many Michigan Wolverines had a better career than Steve Strinko. After he graduated, Strinko was drafted by the Detroit Lions, but a lingering knee injury shut-down his professional career before it ever started. After football, Steve Strinko founded FAN, Incorporated a foundation for athletes who need help with their medical expenses after football. Today is a great day to appreciate the outstanding career of Steve Strinko. He is one more reason that Michigan is the winningest program in the history of college football. Happy Birthday Steve Strinko and Go Blue! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve Strinko Part II. October 5, 2020 National Day Calendar Update: 

Today is a great day to wish a Happy Birthday to Michigan Man Mark Huyge. According to the 2011 Michigan Football Media Guide, Mark Christopher Huyge (pronounced Hugh – gee) was born on this day at Grand Rapids, Michigan. He grew up to be an outstanding football player at Catholic Central High School in Wyoming, Michigan. In fact, Mark was good enough to earn a scholarship to play for Lloyd Carr’s Michigan Wolverines. (Note – Mark Huyge (#72) is shown above with the 2011 Michigan Football team. He is seated in the first row – fourth man from the left. Photo courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library at The University of Michigan.) Part I. Wolverine of the Day: Mark Huyge A Slow Start in Ann Arbor – 2007 to 2008 Mark arrived at Michigan just in time for Coach Carr’s last season in 2007. Mark was red-shirted during his freshman year so that he could learn the offense and get stronger for Big Ten play. As it turned out, Huyge never played a down for the man who offered him the opportunity to play at  Michigan. Huyge’s career officially started the same season that Coach Rich Rodriguez began his tenure at Michigan. The 2008 season was a “good” news – “bad” news time for Mark Huyge and Michigan. The “bad” news is that he didn’t earn any starts in his first season. However, the “good” news was that he played enough to earn his first varsity letter. The really “bad” news was that the Wolverines ended the season with a record of 3 wins and 9 losses. As you may remember, it was ugly! A Starter on Some Bad Michigan Teams in 2009 and 2010 Mark had a better season in 2009. He earned 9 starts (5 at right guard and 4 at right tackle) and finished with his second varsity letter. So, that was good for him. However, Michigan continued to struggle on the field. The Wolverines won their first four games and then pretty much fell apart in the Big Ten portion of their schedule. Coach Rodriguez saw his team finish the season with a record of 5 wins and 7 losses. Unfortunately, they set a record for Big Ten futility at Michigan with a final conference record of 1 wins and 7 losses. Ouch! Huyge came back in 2010. He was hoping for a much better season in 2010, but it didn’t work out. Once again, the Wolverines rolled through their non-conference schedule and their first Big Ten game. They were perfect at 5 wins and 0 losses. Then, Michigan State smacked them down by a score of 34-17. Unfortunately, the season went downhill from there. Mark started seven more games (three at left tackle and 4 at right tackle) and earned his third letter. The Wolverines finished the season with a winning record for the first, and only, time in the Rodriguez Era. As it turned out, Rich Rodriguez was finished after a blow-out loss (14-52) to Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl. 2011  A Strong Finish to a Wolverine Career Mark Huyge returned in 2011 to play for new Michigan Head Coach Brady Hoke. Huyge started all thirteen games, so Hoke must have liked him! Of course, Hoke’s Wolverines really turned it around in 2011 by posting a record of 11 wins and 2 losses. Technically, Mark Huyge had three different head coaches at Michigan. He didn’t have any control over the coaching situation during his time in Ann Arbor. All he could do was practice hard and give everything he had to Michigan. So, that’s exactly what he did. Mark Huyge started twenty-nine games at Michigan. He finished with four varsity letters and  left Ann Arbor as a Sugar Bowl Champion. He also left as a Distinguished Scholar award winner for his outstanding work on the field and in the classroom. Yes, his Michigan career had some “ups” and “downs from 2007 to 2011.” However, he did everything his coaches asked him to do and you can’t do much better than that! Mark Huyge and Some Interesting Michigan Football “Firsts” In addition to playing some good football for Michigan, Mark Huyge was part of some interesting Michigan Football “firsts.” Here they are: Happy Birthday Mark Huyge. I hope you have a great time on your special day. Thanks for your contributions to the great history of Michigan Football! Go Blue! http://www.espn.com/colleges/michigan/football/story/_/id/7550917/mark-huyge-cherishes-career-michigan-wolverines http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/2011fbt.htm Part II. October 18, 2020 National Day Calendar Update: 

Posted on October 20, 2020 by Barry Gallagher Today’s post celebrates the birth of a former Michigan Wolverine co-captain named Walter Smith. Walter was born on this day in 1970. He was an outstanding player at Detroit McKenzie High School. Smith played both ways and earned all-league, all-city and all-area honors at the end of his senior year. Walter Smith was good enough to earn a scholarship offer from Gary Moeller and he was smart enough to take it! Part I. Wolverine of the Day: Walter Smith Walter Smith arrived in Ann Arbor in the summer of 1990. He was listed as a defensive back/wide receiver on the Michigan Football Roster in 1990. Smith used his red-shirt in his first season while he acclimated to college life and learned the Michigan system. Although he is not credited with any starts in 1991, Walter Smith got on the field and caught fifteen passes for one-hundred seven yards and one touchdown. He was credited with eight starts at wide receiver in 1992. His productivity increased to twenty-five catches that year which totaled three hundred-twenty yards and another touchdown. He also stepped up when needed at tailback. He had five carries during the season and racked up over one hundred yards (110). His rushing numbers worked out to an average of twenty-two yards per carry – wow! The 1993 season was Walter Smith’s best at Michigan. He started nine games at wide receiver and one game at running back. Smith had a solid year with career highs in receptions (31) and yardage (325). He also scored one touchdown. Walter’s hustle and hard work helped him earn the respect of his coaches and his teammates. He was given the Robert P. Ufer Award at the end of the 1993 season for his enthusiasm and love for Michigan football. Part I. Wolverine of the Day: George C. Schemm A Michigan “Mystery Man” I could only find Schemm’s name on one Michigan roster and that was in 1884. He was listed as a “forward” which was like a lineman in the early days. There is a good chance that he was a pretty tough guy to play that position on the team. George Schemm started both games of the short two game season in 1884. Both games were played in the month of November for the first time in Michigan football history. It was also the first time that an entire season was played at “Home” at the Fairgrounds. Under first year captain, Horace G. Prettyman, the Wolverines finished the season with a perfect record of 2 wins, 0 losses and 0 ties. The first win was against Albion. Final score: Michigan 18 Albion 0. The second win was against a club team from the University of Chicago. Final score: Michigan 18 and Chicago Club 10. Walter Smith received a greater honor at the start of the 1994 football season when he was named a co-captain (along with Steve Morrison). Being a Michigan captain is a huge achievement for any Wolverine. Maize and Blue captains are leaders who set the example on and off the field. They are always very good players who are the hardest workers on the team. Sadly, a serious leg injury early in the 1994 season put Smith on the sidelines for his last season at Michigan. Walter Smith finished his Michigan career with a legacy of productivity and respect. He caught seventy-two balls for almost eight hundred yards (754) and three touchdowns. He also rushed the ball effectively when asked and also returned a punt and a kickoff for the Wolverines. Bottom line − Walter Smith did whatever his coaches needed him to do and probably did it with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind, or close to it! He was good enough to start eighteen games. Most importantly, he earned a lot of respect from his coaches and teammates and that is the best thing about Walter Smith! Walter Smith played on four winning teams at Michigan. He, and his teammates, won two conference championships and three bowl games in four years. He stayed, he played and he left as a champion. Walter Smith was a Maize and Blue winner – that’s for sure! Thanks to Walter Smith for his leadership and contributions to Michigan football. His hard work and achievements contributed positively to the great Michigan Football legacy. Happy Birthday Walter Smith and Go Blue! To read a little more about Walter Smith go to the links below: http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/walter-smith-1.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Michigan_Wolverines_football_team Part II. October 19, 2020 National Day Calendar Update:  National Brandied Fruit Day George C. Schemm

Posted on October 20, 2020 by Barry Gallagher George C. Schemm Okay, today we jump way, way back in time to remember George C. Schemm who died on this day in 1904. George Schemm was another Michigan “Pigskin Pioneer” from Saginaw, Michigan. He played on Team #5 back in the early, early days of Michigan rugby/football. (Note – George Schemm is shown in this 1884 photo of the Michigan football team. He is the first player on the left in the third row. He is leaning against the man in the black suit. Photo courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library at The University of Michigan.) Part I. Wolverine of the Day: George C. Schemm A Michigan “Mystery Man” I could only find Schemm’s name on one Michigan roster and that was in 1884. He was listed as a “forward” which was like a lineman in the early days. There is a good chance that he was a pretty tough guy to play that position on the team. George Schemm started both games of the short two game season in 1884. Both games were played in the month of November for the first time in Michigan football history. It was also the first time that an entire season was played at “Home” at the Fairgrounds. Under first year captain, Horace G. Prettyman, the Wolverines finished the season with a perfect record of 2 wins, 0 losses and 0 ties. The first win was against Albion. Final score: Michigan 18 Albion 0. The second win was against a club team from the University of Chicago. Final score: Michigan 18 and Chicago Club 10. Captain Horace G. Prettyman led George C. Schemm and the rest of the Wolverine Football team to a successful season in 1884. Photo courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library at The University of Michigan. So, Michigan, which had not had a winning season since 1880, was back on a winning track. The program record after the 1884 season stood at 6 wins, 6 losses and 1 tie. Michigan was not yet the “Champions of the West,” but they were improving and the best was yet to come! A Michigan Man to the End! There isn’t a lot of information about George Schemm. Apparently, he graduated from Michigan in 1885 and went on to earn a medical degree. He returned to Saginaw to practice medicine. Sadly, he died at the age of forty-two. Today is a good day for Wolverine fans to remember George C. Schemm on the anniversary of his death one hundred-fifteen years ago. May he rest in peace! Go Blue! If you want to learn a little bit more about George C. Schemm and the 1884 Michigan football team go to the Wikipedia and Bentley Library links below. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1884_Michigan_Wolverines_football_team http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1884fbt.htm Part II. October 20, 2020 National Day Calendar Update: National Brandied Fruit DayGeorge C. Schemm Posted on October 20, 2020 by Barry Gallagher Okay, today we jump way, way back in time to remember George C. Schemm who died on this day in 1904. George Schemm was another Michigan “Pigskin Pioneer” from Saginaw, Michigan. He played on Team #5 back in the early, early days of Michigan rugby/football. (Note – George Schemm is shown in this 1884 photo of the Michigan football team. He is the first player on the left in the third row. He is leaning against the man in the black suit. Photo courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library at The University of Michigan.) Part I. Wolverine of the Day: George C. Schemm A Michigan “Mystery Man” I could only find Schemm’s name on one Michigan roster and that was in 1884. He was listed as a “forward” which was like a lineman in the early days. There is a good chance that he was a pretty tough guy to play that position on the team. George Schemm started both games of the short two game season in 1884. Both games were played in the month of November for the first time in Michigan football history. It was also the first time that an entire season was played at “Home” at the Fairgrounds. Under first year captain, Horace G. Prettyman, the Wolverines finished the season with a perfect record of 2 wins, 0 losses and 0 ties. The first win was against Albion. Final score: Michigan 18 Albion 0. The second win was against a club team from the University of Chicago. Final score: Michigan 18 and Chicago Club 10. Captain Horace G. Prettyman led George C. Schemm and the rest of the Wolverine Football team to a successful season in 1884. Photo courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library at The University of Michigan. So, Michigan, which had not had a winning season since 1880, was back on a winning track. The program record after the 1884 season stood at 6 wins, 6 losses and 1 tie. Michigan was not yet the “Champions of the West,” but they were improving and the best was yet to come! A Michigan Man to the End! There isn’t a lot of information about George Schemm. Apparently, he graduated from Michigan in 1885 and went on to earn a medical degree. He returned to Saginaw to practice medicine. Sadly, he died at the age of forty-two. Today is a good day for Wolverine fans to remember George C. Schemm on the anniversary of his death one hundred-fifteen years ago. May he rest in peace! Go Blue! If you want to learn a little bit more about George C. Schemm and the 1884 Michigan football team go to the Wikipedia and Bentley Library links below. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1884_Michigan_Wolverines_football_team http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1884fbt.htm Part II. October 20, 2020 National Day Calendar Update: