The Words of Bob Ufer

Submitted by Eric on
This is part of a speech that Bob Ufer gave at Chrysler arena in 1976 at a rally for President Gerald Ford.
"There run's through the core of all Michigan activities both on and off this campus, a certain intangible thing. We call it "The Michigan Spirit". Maybe you can relate to it. It's the atmosphere that permeates that stadium every Saturday afternoon in the fall where over a hundred thousand fans patiently wait to see whether Bo Schembechler is going to continue his winning ways. You know what I mean! You can feel the tension, the excitement, the charisma that surrounds that stadium every Saturday afternoon. Especially ten to fourteen minutes before kickoff. When a hush settles over that stadium and we all anxiously wait for that simple 4 word command to eminate out of the P.A. system. I can hear it now! "Band take the field!" and out of that eastern tunnel pour 215 well drilled, well disciplined Michigan bandsmen. They pour over the Eastern sideline and they form the big block M and they play the greatest college fight song ever written! The Michigan Victors!! That's when the chills go up and down your spine! You get goose pimples all over, your blood turns maize and blue and everyone out there becomes part of the winningest tradition in the history of Big Ten football as well as the winningest tradition in the history of Big Ten athletics. Folks lets join in and sing the song that the late and great John Phillip Sousa claimed was the greatest college fight song ever written. The Michigan Victors!!!"

If only Bob Ufer were with us this Saturday to see the dawn of a new era of Michigan football. I'm sure some of you out there are Bob Ufer fans and also talented writers. Maybe someone can come up with an example of what Ufer would say this Saturday in Ann Arbor if he were in the announcers booth broadcasting on the Michigan Football Network.
Go Blue!! God bless your cotton pickin' maize and blue hearts!!

Comments

Skapanza

August 28th, 2008 at 2:17 PM ^

They would play this for us in Revelli hall during band week without any introduction over the loudspeakers. This will be my first year back at games a civilian since I started at UM, and it makes me sad a little. Not that I missed the hours of broilingly hot summer rehearsals on Elbel's blacktop, but when they come marching out of that tunnel 235 (now) strong, I know i'll feel a twinge of sadness. Can't wait for Saturday morning!

DFRoweJR

August 28th, 2008 at 2:23 PM ^

I just got goosebump and chills up and down my spine just reading that. Thanks for passing that along. I have never read or heard that quote before. Props to you my friend. Is it Saturday at 3:30pm yet? I can't wait!

Emil Faber

August 28th, 2008 at 2:29 PM ^

From Wikipedia: "An outstanding track and field athlete at the University of Michigan, Ufer set eight freshman records. At the Big Ten Conference in 1942, he set the world indoor record in the 440 yards. He was a three-time indoor 440 yard Big Ten Conference Champion."

Eric

August 28th, 2008 at 2:36 PM ^

I did know that actually. I'm a huge Ufer fan. My Dad had the albums when I was growing up and I used to listen to them all the time. I loved the way he announced and his extreme bias toward the "Meeeechigan Wolverines". I think Frank Beckman does a good job, but there will never be another Bob Ufer.