Frank Beckmann to retire after 2013
Frank Beckmann, the legendary voice of Michigan Football, has announced his retirement effective the conclusion of the 2013 season.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:12 AM ^
August 9th, 2013 at 11:12 AM ^
August 9th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^
Mark Champion has to be the odds on favorite BUT...........
Dark horses?
August 9th, 2013 at 11:20 AM ^
I can hear it now after a bad play by Michigan: [Insert melencholoy, dejected voice] "Oh, boy... here we go...."
August 9th, 2013 at 11:47 AM ^
The Lions used to just tear that man's heart out game after game.
August 9th, 2013 at 12:46 PM ^
I would kiss Dave Brandon if he hired Mike Tirico.
but I doubt he would take the pay cut. . .
August 9th, 2013 at 12:53 PM ^
How old is Champion? Dude was around for like 20 years.
I'd bet $10 they just promote Doug Karsch
Has Karsch ever done play by play before? Doesn't seem like a job you cut your teeth on.
Back in his WTKA days he did some women's basketball broadcasts. My memory of that, mostly, is of the promo WTKA would play of him calling a basket: Karsch's call was not good, and this was a highlight.
This will come as a slight I guess, but he's "non-revenue sport" good, not "revenue producing sport" good.
Not a huge fan of Crash to be honest. I don't know what it is; maybe he just reminds me of an obnoxious kid from my high school days.
Also, this will be the saddest retirement since Ernie Harwell. I loved Beckmann.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:13 AM ^
Wow, they are really starting to push people out the door. Big question is, who is going to replace him!!!! Let's start dropping names...this will not be an easy replacement.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^
George Blaha, Michigan grad.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:24 AM ^
Michigan State grad, but does a lot of Michigan work (including the countdown videos) and is in radio. Might be a fairly easy transition for him.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:36 AM ^
Also a lifelong M fan who apparently went to Staee for its (reputedly) good journalism school.
August 10th, 2013 at 12:45 AM ^
August 10th, 2013 at 11:58 AM ^
I'm pretty sure it was the jounalism school at MSU, I recall hearing him say it on WTKA years ago, but that was.... years ago.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:57 AM ^
He's smart, he knows as much about Michigan football as anybody in the media, and he's got the right kind of energy. I don't think he's got a great play-by-play voice, though.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:59 AM ^
Besta luck to him, though!
August 9th, 2013 at 12:13 PM ^
August 9th, 2013 at 11:25 AM ^
or high?
August 9th, 2013 at 11:31 AM ^
Didnt' know he went to UM for his MBA, why is he subjecting himself to MSU games?
August 9th, 2013 at 11:40 AM ^
When I found out he went to Michigan, I was all "Benedict Arnold!!!" and ready to grab my pitchfork. I was kidding about old George. Dennis Miller?? (again, kidding...)
August 9th, 2013 at 12:55 PM ^
because he's the worst play by play guy ever and State is what he deserves
August 10th, 2013 at 12:47 AM ^
August 9th, 2013 at 11:58 AM ^
especially the corny way he announces the time left on the clock.
August 9th, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^
Really? Of all things you can't stand, you pick "two and twenty-eight to go in the fourth."
He's got a face made for radio, that's for sure.
August 10th, 2013 at 12:47 AM ^
August 9th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^
You could make the case that he should have retired this summer.
Honestly, it was only a matter of time before this came to a head. It's hard to imagine a stranger idealogical fit than UM and Beckman, it was just a matter of when and not if. Still, he was great at the play by play... a total homer, which is exactly what I want to hear when I turn down the TV volume and turn on the radio
Please for the love of God not Matt Shepherd.
Dan Dickerson
August 9th, 2013 at 11:13 AM ^
I was just in theprocess of creating this very same thread. I wonder who they'll try to get to be his replacement. Perhaps Griese? Beckman can be controversial at times when asked about other things, but I've always enjoyed his broadcast work.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:15 AM ^
I think Griese would replace Brandstatter when he decides to hang it up.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:51 AM ^
Griese is an analyst. He also lives out in Colorado. Not sure he'd come in every week or move the family. Don't know many play by play guys with UofM ties.
I wonder if
1) They'd pull any of the BTN play-by-play tv guys over to do it. Most of them don't have any Big Ten ties.
2) I don't know if he's done football play-by-play or if he just sticks to basketball but Matt Shephard?
August 9th, 2013 at 12:24 PM ^
GUS JOHNSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 9th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
August 9th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
August 9th, 2013 at 11:15 AM ^
...not shocking.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^
Growing up in Michigan, FrankBeckmannJimBrandstatter and MarkChampionJimBrandstatter were essentially single words to me, heard many weekends in the fall when my family would tune in to hear the games that weren't on TV. Its always sad to see those voices of childhood go. All we can hope for, I suppose, is that the next man up will make new memories for a new generation. Best of luck in life to Frank Beckmann.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^
I'm going to suggest Pat Caputo while points aren't enabled.
August 9th, 2013 at 12:24 PM ^
+1 "Funny" or -1 "Trolling"
hmmm...
August 9th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^
His old school radio voice will be missed. So many PBP guys sound the same today.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^
Bring back Larry Henry! Back in the days when WWJ and WJR both had M football, Henry was the better play-by-play man, no question.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:29 AM ^
He's living down in Madison, Indiana these days --- a beautiful town on the river halfway between Cincinnati & Louisville --- but it's definitely off the beaten track. I know he still does a lot of Auto Racing play-by-play.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:30 AM ^
I thought he was great doing the PBP for UM basketball, too.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:15 PM ^
Agreed. Larry Henry and Dan Dickerson are the two that immediately come to mind for me. I miss Larry and think it would be a great hire to replace Frank.
August 9th, 2013 at 11:16 AM ^
if Dan Dickerson will be the replacement.