Michigan Tradition

• Michigan Winged Helmet 
• Michigan Fight Song 
• Capacity of Michigan Stadium 
• National Championships 
• Michigan Athletes of the Year 
• U-M Hall of Honor
• U-M's All-Time Big Ten Medal of Honor Recipients
• U-M in the 2008 Summer Olympics
• U-M in the 2004 Summer Olympics 
• U-M in the 2000 Summer Olympics 
• Past News Releases: 2008-09 | 2007-08 | 2006-07 | 2005-06 | 2004-05 | 2003-04 | 2002-03 | 2001-02 | 2000-01 | 1999-2000 | 1998-99
• Past Features: 2008-09
• Team Finishes: 1999-2000 | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09
• Academic All-Americans: All-Time | 2004-05 
• Challenge Cup: 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 

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Michigan Winged Helmet

Who was responsible for designing the football helmets for the University of Michigan football team? 

Michigan's famed winged football helmet dates back to 1938, when Fritz Crisler arrived from Princeton University with his penchant for detail and style.

"Michigan had a plain black helmet and we wanted to dress it up a little," Crisler recalled. "We added some color (maize and blue) and used the same basic helmet I had designed at Princeton."

There was one other consideration. Fritz thought this unique helmet could be helpful to his passers as they tried to spot their receivers downfield. "There was a tendency to use different-colored helmets just for receivers in those days, but I always thought that would be as helpful for the defense as for the offense," offered the former Wolverine football coach and athletic director.

• Michigan's Winged Helmet (from Bentley Historical Library)

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Michigan Fight Song

What are the words to the greatest fight song in the world? 

The Victors © (L. Elbel)/Regents of the University of Michigan 

Now for a cheer they are here, triumphant!
Here they come with banners flying,
In stalwart step they're nighing,
With shouts of vict'ry crying,
We hurrah, hurrah, we greet you now,
Hail!

Far we their praises sing
For the glory and fame they've bro't us
Loud let the bells them ring
For here they come with banners flying
Far we their praises tell
For the glory and fame they've bro't us
Loud let the bells them ring
For here they come with banners flying
Here they come, Hurrah!

Hail! to the victors valiant
Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan
the leaders and best
Hail! to the victors valiant
Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan,
the champions of the West!

We cheer them again
We cheer and cheer again
For Michigan, we cheer for Michigan
We cheer with might and main
We cheer, cheer, cheer
With might and main we cheer!

Hail! to the victors valiant
Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan,
the champions of the West!

• The Michigan Marching Band Plays Your Songs!
• Official University of Michigan Marching Band Web Site

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Capacity of Michigan Stadium

What is the seating capacity of Michigan Stadium? 

Michigan Stadium completed in 1927 at a cost in excess of $950,000, originally had seating available for 72,000 fans. Numerous renovations and additions over the years have increased the seating to the current 107,501 capacity.

The Wolverines played their first game at Michigan Stadium on October 1, 1927, defeating Ohio Wesleyan, 33-0. The stadium dedication game was played on October 22, 1927, with U-M defeating Ohio State 21-0.

• Michigan Stadium Page