Happy 60th Birthday to the M Club Banner
Do you love learning about the many traditions of University of Michigan Football?
https://annarborchronicle.com/2010/11/05/column-a-banner-tradition/index.html
John U Bacon wrote this week a fine little article in the Ann Arbor Chronicle about the birth and initial public appearance on November 10, 1962 of Michigan's "coveted M Club Banner" (tip of the hat to ol' Bob Ufer for that phrase).
Little known fact: the original banner was sewn by Marjorie Renfrew (wife of hockey coach Al Renfrew)
All in all, proof once again that the best traditions are the organic ones.
November 11th, 2022 at 1:12 AM ^
I have a M Club banner beach towel. It's one of my prized possessions. Happy Birthday, M Club banner!
November 11th, 2022 at 5:27 AM ^
I want one of these. Where did you get it?
EDIT: M Den has them for sale for $30. That is awesome, I ordered 2.
November 11th, 2022 at 10:53 AM ^
A must get!
November 11th, 2022 at 1:16 AM ^
“You can’t explain it. But there’s something to it.” John U Bacon doing exactly this. The walk across Ann Arbor and seeing the team rush out and touch the Banner gets my adrenaline going before a football game.
November 11th, 2022 at 1:22 AM ^
I remember when Syracuse fans somehow stole our banner in 1998 and we had a horrific performance vs. Donovan McNabb. It was 38-7 before we scored 3 garbage TDs.
Was at the game and perhaps the worst D performance as a UM fan until the RR days.
We made some kind of BS substitute banner for the game. Of course, Bill Martin (I can't figure out my cell phone) was the AD that day.
Love the banner these days and hope we never let anyone violate them (expect the 1973 Ohio game when we got screwed by the B1G ADs after a 10-10 tie).
November 11th, 2022 at 4:14 AM ^
No. Tom Goss was AD in 1998. Bill Martin didn't start until 2000.
November 11th, 2022 at 4:57 AM ^
That was the game people started calling for Henson to replace Brady. Win NC on Jan. 1 & then start the next season 0-2, both bad losses. There is a plethora of stupid sparties that throw that in our faces, as if that wouldn’t happen anywhere else.
November 11th, 2022 at 7:13 AM ^
Michigan had a bunch of young sophomores starting on defense for the first time that year. Talented line backers but young and not ready for Donovan McNabb. It hurt to watch but rather expected while examining in the rearview mirror.
November 11th, 2022 at 7:33 AM ^
The first game I remember attending was seeing Roger Staubach and Navy beat us in 1963. I certainly can't remember ever not seeing the banner. It has brought a lot of joy to former lettermen, et.al. who have greeted the team coming out of the tunnel. Happy Birthday, Banner!
November 11th, 2022 at 7:38 AM ^
Happy birthday, Banner!
It's literally and metaphorically a banner day.
November 11th, 2022 at 7:44 AM ^
Happy 60
Only reason I run the Big House 5k is to go down the tunnel, run on the field and to touch the banner
November 11th, 2022 at 8:09 AM ^
Very cool!
November 11th, 2022 at 8:21 AM ^
For a small period of time the M Den sold replica banners. I was lucky enough to get one when remodeling my bar.
November 11th, 2022 at 2:42 PM ^
Got one for my hockey room in the basement. Really ties the room together nicely.
November 11th, 2022 at 10:41 AM ^
Iconic.
It is throwback and modern at the same time.
The "run out and hit the banner" could be seen on any high school football field on a Friday night but moreover, since it is done at the university with the most wins in college football - it's a symbol of unity with the various letter winners at the university.
Go Blue!
November 11th, 2022 at 11:15 AM ^
Happy Birthday! I thought you were older, not just a year older than me. But you still look so young!
November 11th, 2022 at 11:24 AM ^
My cool story, bro: My dad said he and his fraternity brothers stole the M banner in the early 60’s. Not sure how long they had it but they returned it shortly thereafter.
November 11th, 2022 at 2:52 PM ^
Have any player ever got injured from leaping up to touch the banner? I wonder if they have lowered it a bit over the years to prevent any injuries, especially from the big heavy lineman.
November 11th, 2022 at 2:57 PM ^
I had a replica made for my wedding so they introduced the groomsman and bridesmaids they had to walk under it and jump up to “touch the banner”