Thank you Frank Beckmann

Submitted by ziggolfer on

Thank you Frank Beckmann. Great tribute to the radio great during the Game today. 

 

Really classy move on his part to give away his hat to the fans today also. I never really had a reason to listen to him on the radio, but I went back and checked out some old recordings and wish I had experiened some of it live. 

http://http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2013/11/frank_beckmann_contemplates_la.html

LB

November 30th, 2013 at 4:45 PM ^

reminded me that she has never heard anyone else. I clearly recall saying the same thing about Ufer. An amazing run, thanks Frank!

QVIST

November 30th, 2013 at 5:00 PM ^

Please hire Gregg Daniels. He's seriously really good for Compass Media Networks and has talked about wanting the job. He called the national broadcast of both UM-PSU and UM-NW this year. He grew up a Michigan fan, too.

Ray

November 30th, 2013 at 5:02 PM ^

My wife and I live overseas and we had the chance to watch (on Slingbox) or listen over MGoBlue.com. I opted for the latter, while the MGoBride watched ABC in the other room. I tried watching, but knowing this was Frank's last game in Michigan Stadium was just too much to pass up. As has always been the case, his play-by-play made it like being there.

Thank you, Frank. You have been done an exemplary job over all of these years, and I will miss hearing you.

Wolverine Devotee

November 30th, 2013 at 5:21 PM ^

Michigan has had 3 voices. Doc Holland, Bob Ufer & Frank Beckmann. Pretty big shoes to fill for the next guy.

Hope it's Dan Dickerson. Didn't he do the 1997 game vs Colorado?

blueandmaizeballs

November 30th, 2013 at 5:37 PM ^

When I think of Michigan football he comes to mind cause he is who I listened since I been a meeeichigan fan always put him on if I didn't like the TV announcers.  Turned TV on mute n listened.   I know I will miss him.    Thanks frank

Class of 1817

November 30th, 2013 at 5:53 PM ^

Truly part of the Michigan tradition throughout my life. His voice helped me grow up a Michigan fan and I feel lucky to have heard his last home broadcast.

A true Michigan Man. Go Blue!

Bando Calrissian

November 30th, 2013 at 6:22 PM ^

The politics thing is the elephant in the room here, and I'm going to tread very, very lightly here. Mods, if I've gone too far, please feel free to delete.

Except for his Detroit News op-ed about the Fab Five, no matter how you cut it, he's done an admirable job of insulating his day job from his weekend job. A very good job, in fact.

That being said, the particular ways he's taken the stances he has (especially in the past few years), in the venues in which he does it, became a potential PR liability for the University. Wherever he goes, he's always Frank Beckmann, Michigan football broadcaster, and that's a big responsibility that really shouldn't have potentially divisive political implications, IMO.

Mi Sooner

November 30th, 2013 at 6:51 PM ^

Many of us who work for the man, understand that anything that we put out there that is recoded whether through blogging, on air etc can result in termination. Whether you mean it or not, you represent the entity that hired you. One needs to understand that and react accordingly. Frank didn't in a big way.

Bando Calrissian

November 30th, 2013 at 6:57 PM ^

Like I said, to his credit, he's never really mixed his Michigan work with his WJR/Detroit News work. He did the job Michigan hired him to do, and he also does the job the news media hires him to do. 

My point is that you can be a sportscaster, or you can be a political commentator, but you really can't be both. This blog is testament to the fact that sports and politics really shouldn't mix, especially college sports. 

Section 1

December 2nd, 2013 at 9:47 AM ^

Even if I don't always agree with it.

I will look forward to the day when someone tells the whole Beckmann-departure story. The Regents have to run for re-election.

In the meantime, he'll do one more Michigan bowl game, right? Thank God we squeaked out wins versus Akron and Northwestern to get bowl eligible. One last (I hope) Beckmann broadcast to savor.

Mi Sooner

November 30th, 2013 at 6:14 PM ^

I agree with Hoke; he should have been fired before the season. Probably cost us a recruit or 5 because the university did nothing.

Don't let the door nob hit hit ya on the way out. You are no Ufer!!!!

Section 1

December 2nd, 2013 at 10:44 AM ^

I am calling bullshit.

Name five recruits who declined Michigan offers because of... Frank Beckmann. Name a couple of sources who will confirm that Michigan lost recruits because of Frank Beckmann.

Do it now. Or shut the fuck up.

MGoLesher

November 30th, 2013 at 6:35 PM ^

Here is a name for you that I have heard thrown around: Mike Tirico! He often complains about the lack of quality of his MNF games and he is an Ann Arbor native and has always shown a little favortisim towards Michigan in the games that he has had. I think that would be awesome.

Mocha Cub

November 30th, 2013 at 7:02 PM ^

He is the sound of Michigan football to me. I still remember my childhood travelling to and from Saturday soccer games or other sporting events I was taking part in, listening to his voice call Michigan football games. To me, it's one of those things that you don't really appreciate until you know it's gone or going to be gone. In terms of calling sporting events for teams in the state of Michigan, he's right up there with Ufer and Harwell. I'll definitely miss him next year. Thanks for the many wonderful years of service to Michigan Football Mr. Beckmann. :-)

ChiefLB

November 30th, 2013 at 8:47 PM ^

Beckmann sucks, he got pushed out the door.  Should have happened a long time ago  Another example of a crusty old fart who was to senile to know when to step aside.  Which seems to be very common now a days.

Go ahead and neg me, you old blue hairs.  If we are going to be relevant again, we need to dump this Brandon-ass panzy crap and stop touting to the blue hairs.  That and we need to get a new offensive coordinator who appreciates the option. Fahq man-ball.

Go Blue!

You Only Live Twice

November 30th, 2013 at 9:11 PM ^

Loved it that he was honored today.  Congrats on a great career Frank, I grew up listening to Bob Ufer and learned to love Beckmann and Brandstatter as a team.  Loved everything about the broadcast, their interaction, their character, their analysis (most copiously missing from any TV team).. their infectious enthusiasm and even with that, good sportsmanship. 

There are no TV announcers that I can stand.... so, for away games, it's been MUTE the TV and turn up Frank and Jim. 

 

jmblue

November 30th, 2013 at 9:40 PM ^

He will be missed.  He's had many legendary calls over the years.  "POLISH OFF THE HEISMAN" after Woodson's INT against OSU and "Denard Robinson, shoelaces flopping in the wind!" come to mind.

 

Slamdo

November 30th, 2013 at 10:02 PM ^

Frank Beckman has been the voice of Michigan football for most of my memorable years.  I grew up with Ufer and never thought I would see another who could match his energy and expertise with commentary and play calling.  Beckman did.  He has so many memorable calls.  I will miss him immensely and can't say enough about how much he has impacted my love of Michigan football.  Thank you Frank.   I wish you all the best as you transition into retirement.