Most cherished "M" memorabilia
What's everyone's most cherished piece of Michigan football memorabilia? I'm thinking of autographs, programs, jerseys, footballs, etc.
I have a tie.
1. The ticket stub from my first Michigan game, Michigan vs. Purdue in 1989.
2. My right hand. After a game in 1991 (I think), Ricky Powers and Desmond Howard both slapped my hand as they ran into the tunnel when I was reaching through the railing.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:48 AM ^
(back up punter) So she managed to get a Michigan flag with 40 or so signatures from the 2005 team, Mike Hart, Jake Long, Jason Avant, Ross Ryan.
She also built me a poker table that is covered in blue and maize and block M's.
But my most cherished would just be my book that's signed by Bo Schembechler. I wish I could've met him, but I'm glad I at least have his signature.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:55 AM ^
I have several footballs I had signed by members of the 98, 99, 2000 and 2001 teams at their annual football busts, which include Anthony Thomas, Drew Henson, David Terrell, Hutch, Chris Perry and Marlin Jackson. My favorite has to be a mini helmet Bo signed during one of these events.
For Christmas, my parents are getting me a signed Woodson helmet, so I'm excited to get that, although I've outgrown the autograph stage of my life. It's still cool to have, and they're great conversation starters.
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:06 AM ^
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
THe autograph stage never goes away,it just matures. Now you are no longer content with getting the third string goalie, but you are getting Charles Woodson autographed helmet. That is not a conversation starter, that is the center of your house. Decorate around it. Make it so that whenever anyone walks in, they know that Charles is the reason for your being.
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:14 AM ^
Haha. I like you're thinking. It will be diplayed prominently. Rest assured.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:52 AM ^
My daughter was born in December 1988. She is a sophomore at UM. My ex-wife and I attended our first game a month before she was born. We sat through a driving rainstorm to watch UM batter Minnesota and clinch a Rose Bowl spot. Michael Taylor, unless my memory has deserted me, broke his ankle in that game (the conditions, with the rain, were horrible) and we rode Demetrious Brown to a rare Rose Bowl win 6 weeks later.
I guess, in that respect, my daughter is my UM memorabilia. Good enough for me.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:59 AM ^
Couldn't you think of something better than your daughter?
Jeez.
Seriously, though, that's cool. I would be pretty damn proud if I had a kid who grew up and went to Michigan. For one thing, that means they COULD have gone to MSU but decided they had higher standards than that.
ZING!
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:10 AM ^
I've always bled maize and blue. And everytime I see her, it reminds me that I did SOMETHING right. And, yes, she got accepted to both UM and tuOSU, and she turned them both down.
And it is VERY cool.
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:35 AM ^
Your 8 month pregnant wife sat out in a rainstorm for a football game. That's dedication.
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:58 PM ^
You got your 8 months pregnant wife to come to a football game?
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:57 AM ^
i met and spoke with Bo on a handful of occasions at length. nothing else has come close.
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:10 AM ^
I have a plate (Yes like a dinner plate) that has all the images of the typical Football Saturday on it from the banner to the band and Marquis Walker and David Terrell chest bumping and not to mention the stadium. I think that is my most treasured M memorabilia.
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:12 AM ^
I was a freshman in 1996 and Bo was doing a book signing at the M Den in Briarwood. My roommate and I went out there expecting a long wait. To our surprise, Bo was sitting in the back of the store by himself with just one M Den worker alongside him. He was charismatic, talked to us for about 20 minutes, and seemed happy as could be. My roommate and I still talk about that and it was if we were in a time warp. It didn't seem real. He signed my mousepad which he remarked, "I wouldn't know what to do with one of these." I had Rich Rod sign the same mousepad this year during his Alumni Assoc. tour in Chicago.
Also, I met Desmond Howard and Tripp Welbourne at Paradise Island in the Bahamas. They were there for their friend's bachelor party. He was Desmond Howard's agent based in Florida. I watched them play blackjack. After the trip, Desmond's agent sent me a signed photograph of Desmond in a Packers uniform.
Damn, I feel blessed. I love Michigan.
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:23 AM ^
It is tough for me to choose just one I would say my 5 favorites are in no particular order
1. Signed Chad Henne Jersey framed
2. Desomond Howard Signed mini Helmet
3. Charles Woodson Signed mini Helmet
4. Steve Hutchinson Signed Mini Helmet
5. Collection of Michigan Football Sports Illustrated Covers framed
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:31 AM ^
hello superfan
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:02 AM ^
but above all the jerseys, books, helmets, framed shot of the 97 Rose Bowl, etc.... one of the most cherished M things I own is quite simply, a t-shirt.
But not just a t-shirt... it's the official Nike team issue shirt from 1997. Yes, THAT shirt. It's beat and worn and weathered and looks like I've been washing cars with it since 2002, but that thing is simply LEGENDARY. I swear the thing brings our team luck.
It doesn't even fit anymore (too big), but whenever I wear it we seem to win. I wore it twice this year, and can you guess which games they were? Minnesota and Wisconsin. (Couldn't bring myself to wear it for the OSU game, because I didn't want jinx it).
GO BLUE and Happy Holidays everybody
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:06 PM ^
Was this a shirt only given out to the team? How did you get one?
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:13 AM ^
As a recent U-M grad, I'm not old enough to remember AC or any other of the 70s/80s Michigan legends, but I have pictures with Bo, Desmond, Derrick Alexander and most of the rest of the guys from UM Picture Day when I was a kid...autographs from all of them too.
But I'd have to say my most prized possession is my Jalen Rose memorabilia collection. I'm probably the most insane J-Ro fan ever (not kidding – my family and friends think I'm crazy), but that collection includes a signed Nike Michigan practice jersey from the early 90s and a signed pair of his game-used shoes from the Bulls. I had them signed last year after the 'Jalen Rose Day' game against Illinois.
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:07 PM ^
I must say that I have three pieces that are of much importance to me but probably not that cool.
1. Just a plain old framed picture of Desmond doing the heisman. I know that everyone has that pic but it was an inspiration for me as a kid wanting to play college ball.
2. We ordered the turf drink coasters from the AD when they ripped the old astro turf up. Still have those but do not use them.
3. The last is not a thing but more of an encounter. I was visiting a spring practice with our high school football staff and had a chance to meet coach Carr in 2003. Just a hi and hand shake, but he was very cool. Then about an hour later, we are outside watching drills and my cell rings. It's my wife. I tell her can't talk right now and as those words are coming out of my mouth I look over to Carr pointing at me commanding one of his ball boys my way. The kid comes over and says, "If you don't get off that phone coach will confiscate it". I look over to coach and I get this:
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/writers/cory_mccartney/11/16/marquee.matchup…
Yes sir.
December 26th, 2008 at 7:01 PM ^
LOL - That's awesome! Did you poop your pants? I would have...
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 PM ^
My dad died in '99 and willed me his M Club ring from when he played on 45/46/47 teams. It has a nice place of honor on my credenza, but I can't ever wear it cause u can only slip it on if you earn it.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:46 PM ^
and may your father rest in peace.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:50 PM ^
kinda good.
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:38 PM ^
My Dad signed up for one of Bo's charity golf outings years ago. And through a random drawing was paired with Bo throughout the 18 hole tourny. On eighteen, someone took a picture of my Dad hovering over his putt. Bo and the other two guys who made up the foursome are looking on from the fringes. Bo looks relaxed and appears to be cracking wise because he has a sly grin on his face.
Later on that year my Mother took the picture to Bo's book signing and had Bo autograph it. She then had it matted and framed, and gave it to my Dad for his birthday.
I do not own this particular piece of M memorabila, but it is still my all-time favorite picture of Bo.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:01 PM ^
a story.
I've told it on this blog once before, so maybe one last time (I promise).
I went to pick up my aunt at the Phila. airport back in the early '80's one summer night, and the flight was delayed. While waiting outside my car outside the baggage claim (you could to that back in them days), a very stocky, strong curly-blonde guy in his mid-20's approached me to ask if I attended the University of Michigan (I had a sticker on my back window).
I told him I had and he introduced himself to me (I don't recall his name), and told me that he was the center at UM in the late '70's. As we we talking about Ann Arbor and the team, he then told me that Rick Leach was a crazy guy.
He then proceeded to tell me that he, Leach, and a few other teammates decided to take a road trip in a cargo van to Atlantic City to do a little gambling, since the casinos (Resorts was the first) had just started opening up then.
After driving 10 hours through the night, they were on their last leg, the Atlantic City expressway through South Jersey.
While still dark and the center was driving, he noticed that cars behind him were swerving and, when passing him, he noticed a few dirty looks from the drivers in the other cars. Looking back into the compartment, Rick Leach had one of the back doors open, pants down, and was taking a dump on the expressway at 60 mph.
That's all I got.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:15 PM ^
story takes the cake.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:41 PM ^
Damn, I wish I knew about that earlier. He was also at the basketball game last night with his wife and one of his sons. I might have asked him about that little gem...
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:08 PM ^
i've always wanted is a smaller replica M Club banner. I think that would be sweet to have. anyone have something like that?
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:10 PM ^
For graduation my brother got me the panoramic photo from the Michigan game when Mario made the catch. The photo was signed and says "Mike a great Michigan man - Lloyd Carr"
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:32 PM ^
After years of putting it off, I finally finished my basement this past summer. I'd be happy to post pictures, or a link if anyone is intrested in seeing them. The walls are Maize and Blue and I have 7 autographed mini helmets on display (Henne, Hart, Howard, Woodson, Perry, Navarre, and Edwards).
There's a (blue) light up glass sign of the winged helmet behind the bar, and 10 autographed football cards (most are duplicates of the players listed), a glass "M" clock, and (of course) a photo of Desmond striking the pose.
The M club ring story was very touching. It's obvious by the way you speak of your father he was very important to you. May you always find inspiration and remember him whenever you look at it.
December 26th, 2008 at 5:29 PM ^
please
December 27th, 2008 at 10:28 AM ^
I'd love to see pictures of your basement with all of Michigan Stuff. I am waiting to finish my basement, and then be able to display all of my stuff.
December 26th, 2008 at 5:55 PM ^
hmm I cherish my right hand for different reasons, but that's cool.
I have a cloth "M" picture type thing with about 20 signatures on it from the '91 season I believe. I also have many many tickets saved from the '80's and 90's and game programs with signatures. I'm pretty sure I have Desmond's signature one. He signed "Magic", which I thought was kinda lame, you know, due to some guy named "Magic Johnson". Oh well.
My most recent Michigan treasure is my tiny helmet signed by Mike Hart (ha ha..."tiny helmet")
December 27th, 2008 at 12:45 AM ^
I have two:
1) One of the scaled down "M Club Supports You" banners signed by most of the 2006 team (oh, so close). Henne, Long, Woodley, Branch, etc. ... the only one I don't have that I really wish I could have gotten was Hart. It's hanging over my bedroom door just in case I need to jump up and touch it for added motivation (and yes, I am an adult).
2) My son. I went to UM for just over a year, and he was born during my time there. He was even delivered at U of M Hospital, so he was true blue from day one.
December 27th, 2008 at 10:29 AM ^
Where did you find the scaled down version of the "M Club Supports You" banner? I have been looking for one for awhile.