Poem written about Bo by '74 football MVP Steve Strinko
My dad went to high school with 1974 football MVP and second team all-american, LB Steve Strinko. Steve is in Ann Arbor this weekend to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of the '74 team, as well as the unveiling of the Bo statue. I have never met him personally, but I am connected with him on social media, and thought I would share this poem he wrote about Bo (I'm guessing he wouldn't mind). Pretty cool to get an inside look at one of Bo's players, and their feelings about him. Also, Strinko's bio on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Strinko
My favorite quotes:
As one of Ohio's top football recruits in the Class of 1971, Strinko was recruited by Ohio State, Notre Dame, Stanford, Michigan and other universities. In January 1971, Strinko and his parents watched Super Bowl V with Ohio State Coach Woody Hayes at his house. The Strinkos were the only family invited and enjoyed a home-cooked meal prepared by Hayes' wife Anne. In March 1971, Strinko announced that he had accepted a scholarship to attend the University of Michigan.
Strinko dismissed the notion that he was a "traitor" for choosing Michigan over Ohio State, noting that he chose Michigan "because I liked Bo [Michigan head football coach Bo Schembechler] a lot. I was probably more impressed with him than with OSU Coach Woody Hayes. They (Michigan recruiters) said I'd definitely play linebacker here. That's what I've always wanted to play. Other schools said I might play somewhere else."[5] Strinko later recalled that Woody Hayes never got over his decision to attend Michigan.
And his poem:
What Would Bo Do?
When it comes to the greatest men who've led
The teams of the "Maize and Blue,".
The leader who stands above the rest
Is a champion both tried and true.
His methods always seemed sublime,
And his ethics beyond reproach.
Those who loved him called him Bo,
His players proclaimed him “coach.”
His shouts of “Ham 'n Egger”
Would make our hearts just gleam.
He never failed to stand in the gap,
For “the Team, the Team, the Team”.
So when the question of how to win,
And in life just what to do.
I think of Shembechler and ask,
“Hey, what would Bo do?"
by Steve Strinko - 1974 MVP
Perfect timing given the Bo statue is being unveiled tonight at the new Schembechler Hall along with the new Towsley Museum opening tomorrow at 9am.
From what i gathered he wrote the poem this week before heading to AA. This is his first trip back to the area in 25 years. Seems like a real class-act of a guy.
I was only 10 years old that season but I was a big Michigan fan back then. I remember Steve playing. Hard to believe it was 40 years ago!
I was in Door County, Wisconsin, last year, eating dinner at a bar/restaurant (Casey's BBQ) in Egg Harbor, and I met Greg Strinko, Steve's brother there. Greg also played football at U-M, and he was thrilled that I approached him and introduced myself (he was wearing a some sort of Michigan apparel). We then got mixed up with a couple who were Ohio State fans, and good times were had by all.
Go Blue!
mispell Schembechler?
Sorry about the misspell on Schembechler. Bo's Son Shemy spells his first name without the C. But no excuse. Thank God I got it right on all the T Shirts we had printed.
Roses are Red
Violets are blue
I'd like to drop a nuclear bomb
On that stadium they call the horse shoe.
Drew02,
Just wanted to find out who your Dad was.
You can respond via email if you would like.
Steve Strinko
Hey, I was a MLB. Not a position were you need any intelligence. Just agile, mobile and hostile. Obviously I did mispell Schembechler. Fortunately, the t-shirts we had printed do not have the same error. BTW for those interested, the t-shirts are going to be available soon online. Given permission I will post here for those interested.