Happy Willis Ward Day
Today is the 86th anniversary of the 1934 Michigan-Georgia Tech game, during which Willis Ward was benched by his school because Tech refused to play against an African-American player. If you haven't seen the documentary "Black and Blue," look it up online and order it now. Here's the story from USA Today.
In 2012, the Michigan Senate declared Oct. 20 as Willis Ward Day in the State of Michigan.
He's an incredible man who lived an incredible life. And it can never be overstated how great Willis Ward was as an athlete. In the spring of 1935, he raced against Jesse Owens five times - and beat him twice. I'm so glad there is now a Willis Ward Lounge on campus to honor one of the all-time great Wolverines.
Happy Willis Ward Day!
October 20th, 2020 at 3:55 PM ^
Is the documentary appropriate for middle or high school kids? Might be a good thing to leave for a sub to show my class sometime.
October 20th, 2020 at 4:56 PM ^
Very appropriate for those ages. Prompts a lot of great discussion, too.
October 20th, 2020 at 4:01 PM ^
Impressive individual with an inspiring career. A true credit to the institution.
#BRINGBACKOPPONENTWATCH
October 20th, 2020 at 4:05 PM ^
Thank you, Willis Ward. A great part of UM heritage.
October 20th, 2020 at 4:07 PM ^
Too bad Gerald Ford didn't win the day.
October 20th, 2020 at 4:18 PM ^
Or did he?
October 20th, 2020 at 4:09 PM ^
Thanks, OP!
In the midst of continued polarization and discord around race and a host of other issues, it is encouraging to have a day to be reminded of how far we've come, and that hope is not lost for progress.
I'm not advocating that we "rest on our laurels"; but optimism fuels momentum!
October 20th, 2020 at 4:42 PM ^
In a bit of irony, that 1934 game against Ga Tech was Michigan's only victory that miserable year.
The team went 1-7, was shut out five times—including 34-0 drubbings at the hands of OSU and eventual national champion Minnesota, and 16-0 by MSU—and scored 21 points all season while giving up 143. It was clearly the worst season in Michigan football history.
Luckily for Ward, he played on the '32 and '33 Michigan teams which won back-to-back national championships.
October 20th, 2020 at 5:47 PM ^
That's so messed up, how do you go from B2B MNCs to 1-7???
MGoBlog must have burnt down that season...
October 20th, 2020 at 6:00 PM ^
Great Post!
Go Blue!
October 20th, 2020 at 6:20 PM ^
Thanks for the reminder post about Willis Ward. The saga of Ward and Ford is truly inspirational while the University of Michigan's and Fielding Yost's response were clearly lacking.
I'd like to think that, had it occurred 10, 15, 20 years later that we would have instead refused to play Georgia Tech rather than bow to their demands.
October 20th, 2020 at 6:35 PM ^
A legend and he is the reason for the tip on the number four on the Michigan uniform
October 20th, 2020 at 8:19 PM ^
Thank you for this excellent post and even better story!