The Day Michigan Football Changed

The day started like any other day for me.  I went to work and was going about my day with 12 preschoolers, and then there was a knock on my door.  It was a paraeducator from an upstairs classroom. I was a bit confused as to why she was at my door during the mid-morning. I had no idea that what she was about to ask, and then subsequently tell me, would change the course of my day and the following 8 years as dramatically as it did.

Lady from upstairs, "Do you know who Bo Schem...?

"Schembechler? Yes, I know who he is. Why?"

"Well, my husband just told me that he died."

Me, completely in shock with a lump in my throat "What?!?! You've got to be kidding me?"

The Game was only a couple days away and had been built up with as much anticipation as a National Championship game.  Michigan and Ohio State were the two top ranked teams in the country, the biggest rivals in all of sports, and now this.  How could this be happening?

I immediately went to the phone to call my dad the first moment I had a chance.

"Dad, is it true?" I said with tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Yeah, Bek. It's true.  He was doing what he loved. Talking about Michigan. No better way for him to go."

"I'm so sorry Dad. I don't know what to say. I know how much you loved him. I can't believe this is happening right now. He won't be able to see the game."

"Yeah he will. He's gonna have the best seat in the house to watch our guys beat the Buckeyes."

"Ok, Dad. I gotta go. I'll come over after school."

Bo Schembechler was my Dad's idol. He looked up to him for so many reasons. He was firey. He was honest. He was intelligent. He was a motivator. He operated with integrity. He was successful. But most importantly, he loved Michigan. He would do anything and everything to make sure they were successful, the right way.  He never compromised that. Never.

November 17, 2006 is the day things changed in Ann Arbor. And they have never been the same since.  Michigan didn't win The Game and it has been a downward spiral ever since that day. I realize there will never be another Bo Schembechler. How could there be? But I honestly believe, if he were still alive, things in Ann Arbor, in Schembechler Hall, on State Street, and the surrounding areas, would not be the way they are today.  Bo wouldn't have allowed it to get to this point.

It seems inevitable that Michigan, once again, will be conducting a coaching search and possibly an Athletic Director search, too. I hope that the people who control this search, do a little soul searching for themselves.  And during this search, the first question they should ask themselves should be, "What would Bo do?"

My Pick 6 criteria for a new coach
1. integrity
2. passion
3. winning record
4. honesty
5. love for student-athletes
6. great motivator

~Bekki
Go Blue!