Michigan To Play Notre Dame In UTL Game - Honoring Tom Harmon

Submitted by MJ14 on

Dave Brandon @DaveBrandonAD
It will be an exciting night at The Big House again! @umichfootball will play ND in prime time and honor Tom Harmon as U-M Legend!

Thoughts?

Edit: More information can be found here.

ANN ARBOR, Mich.-- The University of Michigan football team will face Notre Dame in a nationally televised primetime game at Michigan Stadium in 2013, it was announced Tuesday (Dec. 11) in a joint announcement with ESPN. The athletic department will honor 1940 Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon, installing him as a Michigan Football Legend during a pre-game ceremony.

The actual game time and ABC/ESPN platform for the Sept. 7 contest will be announced at a later date. This will be the third consecutive night game played between the winningest programs in college football history.

MGoBoard

Section 1

December 12th, 2012 at 5:14 PM ^

Now, I don't mean to pick on you, but just think about what that would mean.  Because it is not just a matter of Mark Harmon getting a two-week advance on a plane ticket. 

For the record, let's recall that the children of Tom Harmon and actress Elyse Knox include son Mark (daughter-in-law Pam Dawber) and daughters Kristin Nelson (widow of deceased star Ricky Nelson) and Kelly Harmon (the famed WRIF model.  Baby!).   And the grandchildren include Tracy Nelson and the musical twins of "Nelson."  And it (the Nelsons in particular) is a really complicated family history that is way beyond the scope of college football uniforms and numbers.

But the one way that you NEVER negotiate is to announce the decision and then ask for permission to do it.  Unless it is a total lost cause, in which case that IS the story that I wondered about.  If there has been a completed negotiation with the Harmon family, then they could have mentioned it.

Ahhh, my memories of the Kelly Harmon WRIF ads...  Baby!

 

 AA

Joined: 06/29/2009

MGoPoints: 16535

dnak438

December 12th, 2012 at 3:27 PM ^

http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/061212aaa.html

"The success and acceptance of the Desmond Howard 'Legend' recognition led to conversations with the family members who had retired jerseys, several of whom were never recognized or celebrated in the appropriate manner," said Brandon. "The Ford, Kramer and Oosterbaan families want to see their family member honored in this way. We have yet to have any discussions with the Wistert or Harmon families. This program is about tradition and legacy and this is a unique way to recognize these great Wolverines." (emphasis mine)

But the quote also makes it seem likely that discussions with the Harmon family would occur.

Joined: 08/12/2009

MGoPoints: 7912

Perkis-Size Me

December 12th, 2012 at 3:32 PM ^

i don't think anyone can ever fill the shoes of a michigan man that received a standing ovation from an ohio state crowd. handing this jersey out might be a bit much. i also hope these jerseys aren't awarded for the sake of being awarded. i hope they're earned, especially in the case of ol' 98, by players who truly deserve the honor.

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 105378

NorthSideBlueFan

December 12th, 2012 at 5:06 PM ^

Convenient timing for this announcement after the psd hike earlier in the week. Deflect the criticism with a huge benefit to the recently impacted psd holders.

Surprised he didn't announce this before the "donation" increase.

Joined: 08/28/2009

MGoPoints: 4750

cozy200

December 12th, 2012 at 6:35 PM ^

Harken back to 2011 when we tailgated for 12 hrs before the UTL game. 8am first drink down.. Paced myself surprisingly and made it through the game with clear memories. Looking forward to next year!

Joined: 01/02/2011

MGoPoints: 2430