My Memorable Moment at Michigan Stadium
9/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Episode 5 (Friday, Sept. 25)
Bruce Madej -- Associate Athletic Director and Director of Athletic Media Relations
The date was November 16, 2006, two days before the U-M/Ohio State game in Columbus - the classic No. 1 vs. No. 2 match. It was a very, dark, dreary late afternoon setting. The press box lights were off except for some security lights. HBO was doing an interview in the middle of the press box for its documentary called "The Rivalry", and the TV lights created a bright aura in an otherwise ominous setting. I was giving a quick tour of the press box to Jordan Young, his family and friends, and we all walked over to the interview area.
In the middle of the lights with the gray background of Michigan Stadium field behind sat Bo Schembechler. He was preparing for the HBO interview with producer Josh Fine, a Michigan graduate.
Before the interview started, I introduced Bo to Jordan and his contingent. We kidded back and forth about the upcoming game and interview and Bo asked me, "Aren't you going to stay around and listen"
I laughed and told him, "No, way. I heard all those stories a hundred times!"
Bo let out a big laugh and said, "I know, I wouldn't stay either."
I walked the group to the elevator, waving goodbye to Bo as he sat awash in the bright lights superimposed upon the darkened backdrop of what had been his domain for 21 years.
The next day, Bo died.
I will never forget that evening in Michigan Stadium.
Red Berenson -- Head Ice Hockey Coach
I remember the first time I went into the Big House when I was a student. I'd heard it was a big stadium but when we walked in from the outside I saw the whole bottom of the world drop out. I thought to myself, "that would fit our whole city of Regina," which was 100,000 people. The Michigan Stadium capacity at that time was 101,001. It was just overwhelming. I was so impressed, yet I never saw it full during my time as a student at Michigan.
Lex Williams -- Senior, Men's Track and Field
My most memorable moment in Michigan Stadium was from years ago. I went to a game with my dad and we had tickets in the eighth row behind the bench. I don't remember the date or who we were playing, but what I do remember is how fast the players looked and the atmosphere in the stadium. I always liked Michigan, but that experience, along with hockey games at Yost, converted me to a lifelong fan of the Maize and Blue.
Judy Van Horn -- Director of Compliance
There is nothing like being in Michigan Stadium down on the sideline before the game begins. Without fail, chills run up and down my spine every home game when the band comes marching out of the tunnel in all their pomp and musical glory, further fueling the excitement already in the air. Then the student-athletes run out onto the field proudly holding the "Go Blue" banner. I stand waiting impatiently with anticipation until the team charges under the banner to the thunderous applause of the crowd. Looking around the stadium filled with cheering fans, one cannot help but be awed by witnessing this taste of tradition that is Michigan football.
Jeremy Reid -- Michigan Athletic Media Relations
My most memorable game in the Big House was the first game after the September 11, 2001, tragedy. The mood in and around the stadium before the game was different, it was much more subdued than usual. People didn't really know if they were supposed to cheer and get excited like they had before. American flags flew around the top of the stadium, the Michigan and Western Michigan bands joined together to play the Star Spangled Banner and when it was finished 110,000 fans began chanting, "USA! USA!" It wasn't scripted but it felt like the perfect reaction for the moment.
As the game kicked off and Michigan steadily pulled away, the Wolverines won 38-21 that day, the crowd grew more and more comfortable singing the Victors and cheering on the Maize and Blue just as they had in the weeks and years prior. On that day the fans in the Big House cheered not just for the Maize and Blue, but also for the red, white and blue.
Episode 4 (Thursday, Sept. 25)
John Falk -- Director of Football Equipment Operations
The most memorable game I recall was the 1977 Michigan/Ohio State game. Michigan was up 14-6 with 4:58 left in the game. Ron Springs, OSU's tailback, broke out in the open and was heading down the field to score. Mel Owens, our linebacker, was on the far side of the field away from the play. Owens ran across the field and pushed Springs out of bounds at the Michigan eight yard line. When Owens came across the field to our bench after the play, I ran over hugged him and thanked him for making the play.
The next play, John Anderson hit Rod Gerald, OSU's quarterback, and he fumbled the ball. Derek Howard recovered it on the eight yard line and the OSU threat was over. Michigan went on to win 14-6, won the Big Ten Championship and went to the Rose Bowl.
The thing I remember most was Owens' smiling face after knocking Springs out of bounds to save the game.
Lauren Bogema -- Class of 2007
During my junior year, sometime at the beginning of the season, I had a chance to take the day off from working with the media relations department and enjoy a football Saturday. I was in the student section and we saw some guy with an armload of hotdogs come down the steps. He bought around 20 hot dogs at the concession stand and proceeded to throw them into the crowd. It was pretty generous of him. The security guards came and escorted him out while our entire section chanted, "Hot Dog Man! Hot Dog Man!
Richard Retyi -- Michigan Athletic Media Relations
Growing up in Canada, I wasn't a big football fan, but we'd get a lot of Michigan games on TV. One Saturday, I was flipping channels and saw that Michigan and Ohio State were playing. They kept mentioning this guy named Tim Biakabutuka and it came out that he was Canadian. He kept running over Ohio State players and it seemed like a good game, so I watched to cheer on my countryman. As the game went on I knew he would be carrying the ball every play and on script, he would barrel over OSU players for more and more yards. He was all covered in dirt and just kept chugging along to what would amount to 313 yards. It was probably the first college football game I watched from near start to finish.
Alex Morisset -- Senior, Men's Soccer
My most memorable moment in the Big House was during my senior year in high school in 2004. I saw the Michigan/Michigan State game, when we came from behind in the fourth quarter and won in triple overtime. That game was insane.
Jessica Poole -- Michigan Athletic Media Relations
My favorite memory of Michigan Stadium is one that I share with my favorite memory of my best friend. In middle school, my best friend Kirsten Reynolds and I were going to our first game together. Kirsten's father, H. Robert Reynolds, is a former director of the Michigan Marching Band so we got to march with the band into the stadium from Revelli Hall and we got to stay on the field as the players came out. As we were heading up the stairs to go to our seats, Tim Biakabatuka came up to us and shook our hands and said "Wish us luck guys". We were SPEECHLESS and from that moment on he has been my favorite Michigan Football player ... EVER!
Episode 3 (Wednesday, Sept. 24)
Eric Gerbens -- Academic Counselor
My most memorable Michigan Stadium moment was the 43-10 victory over Miami (Ohio) in 2004. Although not a very memorable game on the field (it was the beginning of the Henne/Hart era though), I proposed to my wife before the game at the Michigan Golf Course during tailgate festivities. What better way to celebrate your engagement than with 110,000 of your closest friends at the Big House with a Michigan victory
Kurt Golder-- Head Men's Gymnastics Coach
I remember Phil Brabbs' last second field goal victory kick against Washington in 2002. It's something I'll never forget.
Matt Baumer-- Michigan Athletic Media Relations
My memorable moment was in 1995 against Purdue, a 5-0 win. I remember watching the game on television in Oregon with my dad and there was incredible rain on the field and while I could see the game all I could really make out well was the winged helmet and maize colored pants. I remember telling my dad that I was going to go to Michigan and I did, all because of Michigan football. They also won the first game I ever attended, on a last-second field goal against Washington on a really hot day. It was amazing.
Carly Benson -- Senior, Women's Basketball
My favorite memory at Michigan stadium would have to be from my official visit. I was not a very big college football fan at the time, and had never been to a Michigan football game so I did not know what to expect. The coaches asked me to come to the first football game of the year, so I asked two of my friends to join me and made the trip from the Upper Peninsula to Ann Arbor. I remember walking down the tunnel and onto the field. The stadium was by no means full when I arrived but that did not make it any less impressive. When the team came out and began warm-ups the fans started to trickle in and then out of nowhere the stadium was completely full. I remember the band coming out and seeing the crowd respond, and then when the team ran under the "M Club Supports You" banner I was in love. The atmosphere of a Michigan football game cannot be beaten and I knew from that moment on that I was born to be a Michigan Wolverine.
Kari Pearce-- Sophomore, Women's Gymnastics
My most memorable Big House game was the Central Michigan game in 2006. I went to this game on my official recruiting visit and the weather was not good. A storm moved into Ann Arbor and lightning started flashing in the sky so they had to delay the game and clear the stadium. We got to run across the field and through the tunnel. This was the first game that was delayed in 30 years. It was definitely an experience I will never forget!
Episode 2 (Tuesday, Sept. 23)
Marty Bodnar -- Associate Athletic Director
My most memorable moment is the Western Michigan game in 2001 - the first game played after 9/11. Before the game, you could hear a pin drop when over 100,000 fans stood quietly during the moment of silence. At halftime, the two bands played patriotic songs and there were many tears shed. After that tragedy, people needed to gather together to play sports but also to be united as Americans.
Cassie Petoskey-- Junior, Volleyball
My favorite memory in Michigan Stadium was in 2004 for the Michigan/Michigan State game. It went into three overtimes and we eventually won. I have been to about three Michigan football games every year since I could walk and that is the one that I will never forget. My brother, my dad, and I were sitting together in my grandparents seats on the 50 yard line. We were close to leaving early because it was absolutely freezing out and, being a 3:30 p.m. game, it was dark when the game was getting close to the end. We were all glad that we stayed for the three overtimes because it was such an amazing game.
Jackie Nissen-- Sophomore, Volleyball
My most memorable Michigan Stadium moment was definitely my official visit. I had never been to a Michigan football game so the excitement of being on the field with my family, seeing Coach Carr for the first time and sitting in the front row of the 50-yard line made it great. It was so exciting to feel the enthusiasm of the Michigan family that I was soon going to get to be a part of.
Julie Hyrne -- Senior, Water Polo
My most memorable moment in the Big House was my first game freshman year (2005). Being from the West Coast I didn't really have an idea of the tradition surrounding Michigan football and I was amazed at the enormity of the crowd as well as its exuberance.
Matt Fancett --Michigan Athletic Media Relations
My most memorable moment was the infamous 1990 trip game versus Michigan State. My dad (Jimmy Barrett) was doing sideline reporting for WJR at the time and I was with him on the sidelines lugging around his broadcast equipment. We were standing near the end zone when Michigan ran its final play and watched in horror as Desmond Howard fell while attempting to catch what would have been the gamewinner. I had a good look at the play (it was pass interference) and remember the disbelief of what I had witnessed. I also remember Frank Beckmann and Jim Brandstatter tossing it down to my dad on the sidelines and him basically being speechless that the whistle had not blown. While the final outcome was not in favor of our Wolverines, it was cool to be on the field for the first time and witness that game. The energy of the crowd the entire day, the game running into the night with the lights and the atmosphere (I especially remember being hit with marshmallows) was so awe-inspiring to me. As a 13-year-old at the time and a HUGE Michigan fan it gave me goose bumps. I have been to three or four games a year growing up in Michigan and that one stands out to me.
Episode 1 (Monday, Sept. 22)
Carrie Stover -- Senior, Water Polo
My memorable Michigan Stadium moment was our big win against Penn State my freshman year (2005). It was the first time I really felt a part of it all. We won the game on a touchdown pass with no time left -- an incredibly exciting finish that left the student section ecstatic. For me, nothing has topped that since.
Helen Nelson -- Baseball Administrative Assistant
I was in the stands when Anthony Carter made the improbable catch from John Wangler to win the Indiana game in 1979. It was a very magical moment, made even more magical because the guy next to me had a radio, so I could hear Bob Ufer's call that day (I can still hear Ufer's horn and the emotion in his voice). The entire stadium went silent for a split second when A.C. nearly went down, but he only brushed the carpet with his fingertips, righted himself and danced into the end zone the way only A.C. could. Even Bo gave a leap of ecstasy for that play. That is MY Michigan moment.
Madison Gates -- Senior, Women's Soccer
My most memorable moment at the Big House was on my recruiting visit. I was able to walk through the tunnel and onto the field before the game started. Our seats were right on the 50 yard line!
Krista Phillips -- Junior, Women's Basketball
My favorite moment/memory at Michigan Stadium would have to be sitting in the stands, surrounded by 110,000 people, watching the wave go around the stadium in slow motion. It gets me every time.
Kurt Gulbrand -- Assistant Athletic Director
There are so many games to choose from. Michigan's 100th game against Ohio State or the first overtime game in Michigan Stadium (both Michigan wins). Of course there's Desmond's Heisman pose in 1991 and the last-second victory over Virginia in Coach Carr's first game. There are tons of games to choose from.
