Bob Ufer and the Michigan Spirit

Submitted by Eric on

I used to post this every year on the day before first game, but haven't done it the past couple of seasons. I figured I'd bring it back this year. This is the speech that Bob Ufer gave when President Ford visited U of M in 1976. Go Blue! 

 

 "There run's through the core of all Michigan activities both on and off this campus, a certain intangible thing. We call it "The Michigan Spirit". Maybe you can relate to it. It's the atmosphere that permeates that stadium every Saturday afternoon in the fall where over a hundred thousand fans patiently wait to see whether Bo Schembechler is going to continue his winning ways. You know what I mean! You can feel the tension, the excitement, the charisma that surrounds that stadium every Saturday afternoon. Especially ten to fourteen minutes before kickoff. When a hush settles over that stadium and we all anxiously wait for that simple 4 word command to eminate out of the P.A. system. I can hear it now! "Band take the field!" and out of that eastern tunnel pour 215 well drilled, well disciplined Michigan bandsmen. They pour over the Eastern sideline and they form the big block M and they play the greatest college fight song ever written! The Michigan Victors!! That's when the chills go up and down your spine! You get goose pimples all over, your blood turns maize and blue and everyone out there becomes part of the winningest tradition in the history of Big Ten football as well as the winningest tradition in the history of Big Ten athletics. Folks lets join in and sing the song that the late and great John Phillip Sousa cl aimed was the greatest college fight song ever written. The Michigan Victors!!!"

Comments

1VaBlue1

September 1st, 2017 at 3:32 PM ^

Its too bad that the, ahem, young'ins growing up in the 1980s-20xx's never got to experience him live, for an entire game.  The highlights are awesome, but he wasn't just a handful of highlights.  He was the whole game - the entire thing.  Made you feel right there in the stadium, described with more color and detail than Ernie Harwell gave Tigers fans.  He was good...  As a young lad home on vacation from the Navy, I shed a tear when he was shown waving goodbye out of the press box window against Iowa.

JWG Wolverine

September 1st, 2017 at 8:12 PM ^

I wouldn't be nearly as much the Michigan fan today if it weren't for this legendary voice. I still miss you Bob Ufer!

I am excited to listen to some Ufer Tapes early tomorrow morning to get me all set for GameDay!

coach45

September 13th, 2017 at 12:42 PM ^

I know there is an audio of this speech as I used to have it on cassette tape.  I have heard a part of it on line but cant find the entire speech.  Any suggestions?  Thanks

coach45

September 13th, 2017 at 12:42 PM ^

I know there is an audio of this speech as I used to have it on cassette tape.  I have heard a part of it on line but cant find the entire speech.  Any suggestions?  Thanks