Raised in New Jersey, and became a Michigan football fan in 1944-45. Attended Michigan 1951-55 (B.A.) and 1961-65(M.A. and JD). My three children are also Michigan graduates and as big Michigan sports fans as I am. Best game: Victory over Ohio State in 1969.
If I can have a second bite at the apple, I believe consideration should have been given to a player who averaged 16+ points and more than 7 rebounds per game during his three year career, with highs his junior year of 20 and 9. He did all this while never participating or participating fully in pre-season practices because his actual "day job" was playing football. I'm referring to one of Michigan's legendary athletes, Ron Kramer, an All-American and all-Pro end
M.C. Burton played in the late 1950's, and was the star of the team during that period. In his senior year, he averaged nearly 21 points and over 17 rebounds per game, leading the Big Ten in both categories, the first player to do that. He also played school better than almost everyone else, foregoing the NBA to attend U-M medical school. On top of all that he was a fine person.
M.C. Burton played in the late 1950's, and was the star of the team during that period. In his senior year, he averaged nearly 21 points and over 17 rebounds per game, leading the Big Ten in both categories, the first player to do that. He also played school better than almost everyone else, foregoing the NBA to attend U-M medical school. On top of all that he was a fine person.
I was in Evanston to see U-M play Northwestern the year Bubba was a freshman, and he started the game. I believe he was the first true freshman to start on the o-line during Schembechler's tenure.
Mi Sooner is correct. Michigan basketball was poor and Michigan hockey was at a peak when I was in school, the hockey team winning the NCAA three times, if I recall correctly, during my undergraduate days ('51-55). But more about Ron Kramer. I happened to be on the basketball team during the '54-55 season when I was a senior and he was a sophomore. Occasionally after practice Ron would go over to the high jump area in Yost Field House (the track and basketball teams shared the facility in those days and the hockey team used a different building), set the high jump bar at 6' and jump over it with an ease that was incredible. However, he was actually a shot putter and/or discus thrower when he performed for the track team. I heard, but could never verify, that Ray Fisher, the famous Michigan baseball coach in those days, wanted Ron to join the baseball team after seeing him hitting some balls in the batting cage one day. Finally, in one sequence of plays in the 1954 U-M v. Michigan State football game, Ron scored a touchdown, kicked the extra point, kicked off to State, and made the tackle on the kickoff play. He was hard to believe as an athlete, and that's the reason number 87 (his football number) was retired. The Ancient
Mi Sooner is correct. Michigan basketball was poor and Michigan hockey was at a peak when I was in school, the hockey team winning the NCAA three times, if I recall correctly, during my undergraduate days ('51-55). But more about Ron Kramer. I happened to be on the basketball team during the '54-55 season when I was a senior and he was a sophomore. Occasionally after practice Ron would go over to the high jump area in Yost Field House (the track and basketball teams shared the facility in those days and the hockey team used a different building), set the high jump bar at 6' and jump over it with an ease that was incredible. However, he was actually a shot putter and/or discus thrower when he performed for the track team. I heard, but could never verify, that Ray Fisher, the famous Michigan baseball coach in those days, wanted Ron to join the baseball team after seeing him hitting some balls in the batting cage one day. Finally, in one sequence of plays in the 1954 U-M v. Michigan State football game, Ron scored a touchdown, kicked the extra point, kicked off to State, and made the tackle on the kickoff play. He was hard to believe as an athlete, and that's the reason number 87 (his football number) was retired. The Ancient
Ron Kramer played football and basketball and was on the track team (1954-58). All-American in football, all Big-Ten in basketball and was a tight end on the Super Bowl winning Green Bay Packers. I believe he was an All-Pro tight end during his career. He was not that "jumbo" in college, but was very large in the NFL. He's still the greatest athlete I've seen at Michigan since I went there in the early 1950's.
Within the last year or so, my son took his high school age daughter to Ann Arbor for a soccer camp or practice to be held somewhere in the Michigan sports complex. Not knowing exactly where the facility being used was located, my son asked a man walking near one of sports building how to get to the location. The man told my son and granddaughter to follow him. It took at least a few minutes to get to the building in question, and the man had to open at least one door with a key en route. The man turned out to be Coach Borges, and I was impressed by his random act of kindness.
After my sophomore year at Michigan, I played on the USA team in the 1953 Maccabiah games (the first held after israel became a state). I hope Stu enjoyed his time there as much as I did. We won the championship game against Israel, in a very low scoring game, with a tap-in at the buzzer. We had a couple of college stars on our team, but most of us were just fair to middling players
Since memories have been included under this topic, I would like to add to my earlier post in which I described my "M" letter sweater and blanket. In my senior year at Michigan, I was on the basketball team with Ron Kramer who was then a sophomore. His athletic prowess was already remarkable. He joined the basketball team after he had finished his outstanding first football season. He was the high scorer on the team that season (1954-55) and a fierce rebounder. He usually intimidated even the best opposing players. Occasionally after practice, he would go over to the high jump pit (we played in Yost Fieldhouse in those days and shared it with the track team for practice), set the bar at 6'2" or so, and jump over it a few times just for the fun of it. I never heard him brag once about his exceptional skills. I'm convinced he could have played professional basketball in those days if he had not entered the NFL. It was quite an experience for me to have been a teammate of a Michigan legend.
I have a Michigan letter sweater and an M blanket, both of which I received in the mid-50's as a member of the basketball team. They're still in excellent condition, mainly because they've resided in my closet for 60+ years.
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Raised in New Jersey, and became a Michigan football fan in 1944-45. Attended Michigan 1951-55 (B.A.) and 1961-65(M.A. and JD). My three children are also Michigan graduates and as big Michigan sports fans as I am. Best game: Victory over Ohio State in 1969.
If I can have a second bite at the apple, I believe consideration should have been given to a player who averaged 16+ points and more than 7 rebounds per game during his three year career, with highs his junior year of 20 and 9. He did all this while never participating or participating fully in pre-season practices because his actual "day job" was playing football. I'm referring to one of Michigan's legendary athletes, Ron Kramer, an All-American and all-Pro end
The Ancient
M.C. Burton played in the late 1950's, and was the star of the team during that period. In his senior year, he averaged nearly 21 points and over 17 rebounds per game, leading the Big Ten in both categories, the first player to do that. He also played school better than almost everyone else, foregoing the NBA to attend U-M medical school. On top of all that he was a fine person.
M.C. Burton played in the late 1950's, and was the star of the team during that period. In his senior year, he averaged nearly 21 points and over 17 rebounds per game, leading the Big Ten in both categories, the first player to do that. He also played school better than almost everyone else, foregoing the NBA to attend U-M medical school. On top of all that he was a fine person.
I was in Evanston to see U-M play Northwestern the year Bubba was a freshman, and he started the game. I believe he was the first true freshman to start on the o-line during Schembechler's tenure.
Tchaikovsky's 7th? Is there a joke I'm missing ? I thought his 6th was his final one.
Mi Sooner is correct. Michigan basketball was poor and Michigan hockey was at a peak when I was in school, the hockey team winning the NCAA three times, if I recall correctly, during my undergraduate days ('51-55). But more about Ron Kramer. I happened to be on the basketball team during the '54-55 season when I was a senior and he was a sophomore. Occasionally after practice Ron would go over to the high jump area in Yost Field House (the track and basketball teams shared the facility in those days and the hockey team used a different building), set the high jump bar at 6' and jump over it with an ease that was incredible. However, he was actually a shot putter and/or discus thrower when he performed for the track team. I heard, but could never verify, that Ray Fisher, the famous Michigan baseball coach in those days, wanted Ron to join the baseball team after seeing him hitting some balls in the batting cage one day. Finally, in one sequence of plays in the 1954 U-M v. Michigan State football game, Ron scored a touchdown, kicked the extra point, kicked off to State, and made the tackle on the kickoff play. He was hard to believe as an athlete, and that's the reason number 87 (his football number) was retired. The Ancient
Mi Sooner is correct. Michigan basketball was poor and Michigan hockey was at a peak when I was in school, the hockey team winning the NCAA three times, if I recall correctly, during my undergraduate days ('51-55). But more about Ron Kramer. I happened to be on the basketball team during the '54-55 season when I was a senior and he was a sophomore. Occasionally after practice Ron would go over to the high jump area in Yost Field House (the track and basketball teams shared the facility in those days and the hockey team used a different building), set the high jump bar at 6' and jump over it with an ease that was incredible. However, he was actually a shot putter and/or discus thrower when he performed for the track team. I heard, but could never verify, that Ray Fisher, the famous Michigan baseball coach in those days, wanted Ron to join the baseball team after seeing him hitting some balls in the batting cage one day. Finally, in one sequence of plays in the 1954 U-M v. Michigan State football game, Ron scored a touchdown, kicked the extra point, kicked off to State, and made the tackle on the kickoff play. He was hard to believe as an athlete, and that's the reason number 87 (his football number) was retired. The Ancient
Ron Kramer played football and basketball and was on the track team (1954-58). All-American in football, all Big-Ten in basketball and was a tight end on the Super Bowl winning Green Bay Packers. I believe he was an All-Pro tight end during his career. He was not that "jumbo" in college, but was very large in the NFL. He's still the greatest athlete I've seen at Michigan since I went there in the early 1950's.
Within the last year or so, my son took his high school age daughter to Ann Arbor for a soccer camp or practice to be held somewhere in the Michigan sports complex. Not knowing exactly where the facility being used was located, my son asked a man walking near one of sports building how to get to the location. The man told my son and granddaughter to follow him. It took at least a few minutes to get to the building in question, and the man had to open at least one door with a key en route. The man turned out to be Coach Borges, and I was impressed by his random act of kindness.
After my sophomore year at Michigan, I played on the USA team in the 1953 Maccabiah games (the first held after israel became a state). I hope Stu enjoyed his time there as much as I did. We won the championship game against Israel, in a very low scoring game, with a tap-in at the buzzer. We had a couple of college stars on our team, but most of us were just fair to middling players
Since memories have been included under this topic, I would like to add to my earlier post in which I described my "M" letter sweater and blanket. In my senior year at Michigan, I was on the basketball team with Ron Kramer who was then a sophomore. His athletic prowess was already remarkable. He joined the basketball team after he had finished his outstanding first football season. He was the high scorer on the team that season (1954-55) and a fierce rebounder. He usually intimidated even the best opposing players. Occasionally after practice, he would go over to the high jump pit (we played in Yost Fieldhouse in those days and shared it with the track team for practice), set the bar at 6'2" or so, and jump over it a few times just for the fun of it. I never heard him brag once about his exceptional skills. I'm convinced he could have played professional basketball in those days if he had not entered the NFL. It was quite an experience for me to have been a teammate of a Michigan legend.
I have a Michigan letter sweater and an M blanket, both of which I received in the mid-50's as a member of the basketball team. They're still in excellent condition, mainly because they've resided in my closet for 60+ years.