The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Photo book a must for U of M fans
Dave Merchant
PUBLISHED: September 11, 2008
This book will definitely meet the needs of those football junkies in your life. "Historic Photos of University of Michigan Football" is a must for those Blue and Maize fans who would like a look back into the history of Wolverine football.
Advertisement
The book covers the time period from the late 1800s up to the modern era. There are nearly 200 photographs that are reproduced in black and white on heavy paper.
These rare photographs were culled from the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan. It really shows of the unique history of Wolverine football and allows the readers to rediscover or for that matter discover for the first time the very deep and rich history of the school's football team.
Not only is the book exciting from a sports enthusiast's point of view but it also shows the reader the history as well as some very interesting photography that people would have a hard time finding on their own.
The author, Michelle O'Brien, received her bachelor's degree in history and political science from Concordia University in Ann Arbor. She is a contract researcher at the University of Michigan's Bentley Historical Library and a third-generation fan of the University of Michigan football. Her father, James, and brother Daniel, are University of Michigan Alum.
"This book should have a positive effect upon life in Ann Arbor," O'Brien commented. "So many people are football fanatics, especially when it come to U-of-M football. This book will allow old and new fans alike to be able to enjoy and learn the origins of Michigan football and the journey it has taken over the years to become the icon that it is."
Some of the pictures show the Wolverines winning the first Tournament of Roses game (now known as the Rose Bowl). It depicts the huge rivalry between U-M and Ohio State.
Some figures featured in the book include President Gerald Ford, Tom Harmon, Anthony Carter and of course Bo Schembechler.
Shots can be seen of players practicing from the 1920s and wearing little or no pads and leather helmets. One shot shows the 1932 team (which went on undefeated) and included Ford and Willis Ward. The photo is black and white but it is in such good quality it looks like it could have been taken yesterday.
The photos show how the stadium has changed over the years and he book ends with a picture of Anthony Carter in the air after a dramatic, final second catch in 1979 against Indiana. Who could ever forget what a great receiver AC was!
O'Brien played soccer in college and this is her first book. The cost of the book is $39.95 and can be found at all major and independent bookstores, Amazon.com, or turnerpublishing.com. It is a perfect centerpiece to any coffee table and real must for those die-hard U-M fans.
Contact Staff Writer Dave Merchant at 697-8255 or dmerchant@heritage.com
Not all stories are guaranteed to appear
online. The Web edition contains a reasonable
sampling of the print edition stories.
For the most complete news coverage, we invite you to
subscribe
to the print edition of the paper.
TOP JOBS
