Retired Numbers Article in Michigan Today

Submitted by Yostal on

Ann Arbor.com's James David Dickson deserves massive credit for this article for Michigan Today about retired numbers in Michigan athletics.

Among the money points in this article:

  • "former head football coach Lloyd Carr said he "was never under the impression" that it was in his power to retire a jersey."
  • "One of athletic director Dave Brandon's priorities is setting a consistent standard for retiring jerseys at U-M."
  • "Former head coach Lloyd Carr said that while it might be easier to simply avoid the controversy of retiring football jerseys, that wouldn't be the right thing. Carr is part of a preliminary and advisory committee Dave Brandon put together to explore the issue."
  • "I'm not saying it should just be Heisman winners, because that eliminates certain positions," Carr said. "There's also a number of Schembechler players who should get a look, but I'm not going to publicly get into naming names."
  • Only Cazzie Russell's #33 is retired by the basketball team, all of the others in the rafters are "honored" and can be issued again.
  • Red, not big on retiring numbers because he only likes to issue numbers between 1-39.

The "backlog of Schembechler players who should get a look" has to include Anthony Carter, which would mean that both Michigan players who were three time all-America would be honored.  Except, oh, wait, that's the #1 and that's a whole thing and a thing.

I hope they don't retire Desmond's 21, because I like seeing it out there. 

If they do retire any numbers in hockey, it should be the #9 and it should be for both Red and Brendan Morrison, unless you wanted to retire "The Unit" for Red.

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ironman4579

November 10th, 2010 at 5:46 PM ^

I personally prefer something like what Miami does.  Just have a "Ring of Honor" type thing.  Michigan has too many great players to be retiring numbers.  We'd have like 5 numbers total (somewhat exaggerating obviously, but there would be alot of numbers no one could use).  If you go with the Ring of Honor type thing, you don't lose a bunch of numbers, and you retain that honor and excitement for a player at certain positions when he gets to wear #1, #2, #21, #77 etc.

Joined: 11/08/2009

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jmblue

November 10th, 2010 at 6:49 PM ^

There have been too many greats to retire numbers without facing a shortage.  I think it's better to just conclude that retiring numbers for guys who have 3-4 year careers probably doesn't make sense.

Joined: 11/07/2008

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Ben from SF

November 10th, 2010 at 6:56 PM ^

Michigan has too many great players in all sports to seriously entertain number retirements.

The Ring of Honor is a good way of giving the past greats recognition.

In addition, special numbers such as #1, #2 (Charles Woodson), #21 (Desmond), #47 (Bennie Oosterbaan), #98 (Tom Harmon) and others I have missed should not be issued to incoming freshmen.  They should be used to honor upperclassmen for their field contribution and leadership instead.

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Mfan1974

November 10th, 2010 at 9:55 PM ^

say about this?  No doubt the back log of retireable numbers would be so great

1 AC, 2 SIR CHARLES, 5 RICK, 10 TOM, 20 WELL, 21 AGAIN, 23 PERRY, 55,56,77,plus the 5 (11, 87, 47, 48 and 98) currently gone that Mr. Falk would have to apply for an NCAA ruling on issuing numbers well into the 100's.

 check out the link. And how many of the gentlemen deserve the honor!

 http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fballam/fballam.htm

Joined: 06/11/2009

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MattC87

November 11th, 2010 at 7:12 PM ^

"I'm not saying it should just be Heisman winners, because that eliminates certain positions," Carr said.

 

Like cornerback...Hey, wait a second! :D

 

No. 2 needs to be retired now.

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