We Love You Bo!

When I was in college, I was privileged to be an equipment manager for the University of Michigan football team working with Jon Falk and coached by Glenn E. Bo Schembechler. I got to be a part of Bo’s team that one the 1981 Rose Bowl — Bo’s first Rose Bowl win (see picture above). The teams including the likes of Butch Woolfolk, Anthony Carter, Larry Ricks, Stefan Humphries, Jim Harbaugh, Curt Greer, John Wangler and Bubba Paris. I was saddened to hear the news today of his passing. He was an unbelieveable coach, recruiter, motivator and visionary, and he loved the maize and blue of Michigan. I got to know Bo as a great mentor, a strict authoritarian, a singular focus on winning the Big Ten and a tremendous love for all his players (he helped many players land on their feet post-college, an act that never seems to hit the news pages) Here’s the news report:

Legendary University of Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler died Friday at the age of 77. He collapsed Friday morning at Channel 7’s Broadcast House as he prepared to tape the Big Ten Ticket show and was taken to Southfield’s St. John’s Providence Hospital where he passed away. Schembechler collapsed in a restroom at Channel 7 as he prepared to tape the Big Ten Ticket with Action News Sports Director Don Shane. He was face-down and unresponsive.

Paramedics arrived at Bo’s side at 9:17 a.m., just minutes after his collapse. CPR and other emergency medical measures were performed and the former coach was transported to St. John’s Providence Hospital. He was in the hospital’s emergency room by 9:38 a.m.

Doctors say that in spite of more than 2 hours of resuscitation efforts, Schembechler never regained consciousness. He died in the emergency room at 11:42 a.m.

Please keep the family in your prayers