Subscribe to It Has Nothing to Do with Age by Email Follow Tusk95664 on Twitter It Has Nothing to Do with Age: February 2014
It Has Nothing To Do With Age provides self-help principles. The inspirational stories give concrete illustrations of overcoming many of life's challenges. Difficulties pertaining to depression, grief, divorce, and death are presented and worked through by the participants. Physical impairments, injuries, overcoming issues with weight, alcohol, and nicotine are also dealt with and resolved by the athletes.

This book provides a model on how to overcome some of the difficulties that confront all of us . Further, this read sheds a beacon of light on preventive measures for good physical and mental health. Research demonstrates that exercise is an important component in treating such ailments and debilitating illness such as depression, stroke, heart disease, brain or cognitive malfunction,and Alzheimer's disease.

I suggest that proper exercise can be used as a preventive measure for psychological, cognitive, and physical health as well. Follow my prescription and lead a better, more fulfilling, and healthier life.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Bo's Warriors - Chapter 1 Go Blue Go


                                                                       Bo’s Warriors

     

 

 Chapter 1 Go Blue Go

 

This read, is about the young men who played the game of football. The vehicle, in this case, is” the game “and its consequence. Some, might view this book as a defense for football in spite of the recent legitimate criticisms made about the game. The impact (scientifically measurable) of football and one game, in particular, is the focus here.  The explosion has likely touched millions. In fact, what happened in the fall, between gridiron rivals the University of Michigan and Ohio State University in 1969, still has tremors.

On a Saturday, the 22nd in November, the University of Michigan hosted the Ohio State University Buckeyes in Ann Arbor in front of 103,588 fans. At the time, Woody Hayes coached the nation’s unbeaten (22 games), defending national champions and number one college football team. This team was called the greatest of all time and compared to none other than the Minnesota Vikings. This Buckeye juggernaut was the” Goliath “   and the Wolverines the “David.” Woody Hayes believed this team was one of his best, if not his best. You know what happened between David and Goliath.

Even though playing at home, the Wolverines were 17 point underdogs to the monsters of Ohio.  Michigan had two early season losses, but were on a roll and entered the game with a 7-2 record. This Michigan team were led by a young, first-year coach named Bo Schembechler. Coach Schembechler told his team that if they couldn’t remember Schembechler, just call me “Bo.” Prior, Coach Schembechler was a head coach of Miami of Ohio, referred to, and had the reputation of the “cradle of coaches.” He brought with him young, talented, energetic and intelligent football minds. Gary Moeller, Jim Young, Chuck Stabart, Jerry Hanlon, Rick Hunter were some examples. These coaches were also at one time high school head coaches which some believe contributed to their understanding of how to better communicate, teach and motivate athletically gifted young men. And in fact, most became college head coaches.

Bo, was called, by many, a psychological genius for his ability to understand, teach, motivate, and to create the importance of” team.” He employed” brain washing” and drilled the concept of team which resulted in forming and creating “team cohesiveness.” It was about the team, the team, and the team. These young men became psychologically part of a group to which they belonged (bonded teammates). For example, Mike Taylor, a defensive All American specialist, got on Reggie McKenzie an offensive All American stalwart for dogging it/not blocking him hard during practice drills. He said to Reggie “come on, their watching you; don’t go through the motions.”

  Within their team practices/drills, the teammates began to identify with each other, and developed unity; their goals became interdependent, and in the process they formed aspirations/ expectations which became rewarding. However, as the teammates began to identify highly with the group and its goals;   they gained camaraderie and satisfaction with the attainment of a goal (not making a mental mistake) or for that matter dissatisfaction with failure (making a mental mistake) to reach the goal. But even under certain circumstances, failure to meet a group goal increased group bonding (like an early-season loss to arch rival Michigan State). When the teammates easily accepted a common goal (i.e. executing and minimizing mistakes of the” I” formation) and supported the actions required to reach it (practice, practice, practice, drill, drill, drill), teammates felt great and thrilled about the contributions of their teammates (a solid block, a hard hit tackle, or a key interception) toward the meeting and completion of the many and various goals.
To be continued

Monday, February 24, 2014

Bo's Warriors -Introduction Part 5


Bo’s Warriors -   Introduction continued   (5)

 

In 1935, in Ann Arbor, the Big Ten championship in track and field was hosted by Michigan. Within 45 minutes(of competition), Jesse Owens tied the 100 yard world record; and set world records in the long jump, 220 yard sprint and the low hurdles. In the Summer Olympics of 1936, held in Berlin, Germany with all the Nazi propaganda, in front about of Adolph Hitler, Jesse Owens won gold medals in the 100 and 200 m dash, the long jump and the 4 x 100 relay. Do not forget that there was racial segregation and discrimination at that time, even for this celebrated Olympian.

In basketball, Bobby Knight played on the 1960 NCAA championship winning Buckeye squad. As a head coach, he led his NCAA Division I teams to 902 victories which is currently third on this prestigious list of basketball coaches. Coach Knight also was victorious in three NCAA championship games and won 11 Big Ten titles. Bobby coached the 1984, men’s Olympic basketball team to gold as well. Currently he is a media basketball analyst.

Jack William Nicholas was born in Columbus, Ohio, on January 21, 1940. I’m sure that “the Golden Bear” remembered that 1969 Ohio State game with Michigan. This golfing legend has won 18 career major championships and has a total of 73 PGA tour victories during the process. On a side note, Tiger is chasing him as far as career majors go. Even if the Golden bear falls to number two, that doesn’t take away anything from his contribution to the golfing world.

On the gridiron, some All-Americans from the Buckeyes defeat in Ann Arbor in 1969 include Jack Tatum(1968, 1970), also known as “the assassin”; Rex Kern, quarterback(twice finished in the top 5 for Heisman voting); Jim Otis, fullback(scored four touchdowns in that 1968 blowout against Michigan); safety Mike Sensibaugh 1970, defensive back who has the most career interceptions; middle guard Jim Stillwagon 1969, 1970, two-time All-American defensive lineman, who won both the Outland and the Lombardi trophy; Tim Anderson defensive back 1970; John Brockington, fullback, 1970; Jan White tight end, 1970.

Two other OSU football-All-American and Heisman winners include two time winner running back Archie Griffin 1974, 1975 and running back Eddie George, 1995. NFL Hall of Fame greats include: Howard “Hopalong” Cassidy, half back 1954-1955; Jim Parker, 1955-1956; wide receiver Cris Carter, 1986; Chris Spielman, 1986-1987 to name just a few from their impressive list.

Back to the Buckeyes and the Wolverines on the gridiron. These two colleges have played 108 football games between themselves. Michigan has been the overall winner 58 times with 6 ties. Ohio State University has 44 victories in the series. Michigan has attained 42 Big Ten championships compared to Ohio State’s 34. As far as national championships go, Michigan holds title 11-7. The Wolverines overall record is 903 wins, 315 losses and 36 ties for a .734 winning percentage. Ohio State University has 837 victories for a .716 winning percentage in their illustrious history. The Buckeyes have 7 Heisman Trophy winners and the Wolverines 3. The Buckeyes have 42 bowl appearances, while the Wolverines have 41. Yes, Michigan’s “Big House” seats over 111,000 compared to OSU’s “The Shoe” which seats over 102,000. And in 2010, the Wolverines averaged 111,823 in attendance, an NCAA record and has the largest crowd of 113,823 also an NCAA record. The regional and national rivalry between these two great universities is simply legendary.

Philanthropy

On a lighter side, the Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) chapters at Michigan and Ohio State came up with a creative way to give back during “the rivalry.” This rivalry has been called the greatest in North American sports and the fraternity takes advantage in a positive way.

The Ohio State chapter has adopted the Stephanie Spielman (all American Chris’s wife) fund for breast cancer research, while the Michigan chapter donates to the American Cancer Society. They decided to run a relay. One chapter (visiting team) carries an official game ball from their football Stadium, to the home team Stadium. In essence, both chapters meet in Findlay, Ohio, and pass (visitors) the ball to the other (home team) chapter to carry and arrive before Saturday’s kickoff. The distance covered, between the two stadiums, is roughly 187 miles and takes the students over 30 hours to go from one Stadium to the other. Way to go fellow Greeks. As an alumni of Sigma Alpha Mu, I applaud your spirit and you’re giving back to society.

And now the story.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Bo's Warriors-Part 4


                                            Introduction of “Bo’s Warriors” to be continued (4)

Michael Fred Phelps11, collected 22 Olympic medals, of which 18 are gold. He was a world record holder in the 100 m butterfly; 200 m butterfly and 400 m individual medley. Michael has attained more Olympic medals than anyone else, and has doubled the number of the individual second place record holder. He has also attained 71 international long course competition medals as well. There is still some mystery as to whether he will compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics. From 1900-2012, Michigan athletes have attained 149 Olympic medals, of which 72 are gold.

If you are a basketball junkie, you might remember Cazzie Russell’s exploits and his team’s battle with John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins in the NCAA championship game in 1965. In 1966, Russell was the college basketball player of the year and Michigan’s Crisler arena was referred to as “The House that Cazzie Built.” Mr. Russell was also the number one pick in the NBA draft.

Another Michigan All-American, 1970, Rudy Tomjanovich (Jersey was retired by Michigan) both played and coached in the NBA. This five time NBA All-Star coached the Houston Rocket’s to two consecutive NBA titles. He was also the head coach for the USA men’s gold medal basketball team in the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Michigan great Glenn Rice (Michigan’s leading career and single-season scorer) led the Wolverines to a national title in 1989. He won an NBA title in 2000 with the Los Angeles Lakers. In the NCAA tournament, Glenn was selected and received the tournament’s most outstanding player award. He was a fourth player selected in the NBA draft, and recently had his Jersey retired from the University Michigan.

More recently, in the 1990s, “The Fab Five” (Chris Webber, Juan Howard, Jalen Rose, Ray Jackson and Jimmy King) led the Wolverines to two consecutive NCAA championship games. Webber, Rose and Howard were All-Americans and these three had tremendous NBA careers. Currently, Webber and Rose are NBA TV analysts. In 2012-2013 Trey Burke (NCAA player of the year) and Tim Hardaway Jr. led the Wolverines to the championship game against Louisville. Both were drafted in the first round and play in the NBA.

When Wolverine football began in 1879, Rutherford B Hayes, was the 19th Pres. of the United States. Pres. Hayes served one term. He was born in Delaware, Ohio; was a Congressman and a two-term Gov. of Ohio as well. He assumed the presidency, even though we lost the popular vote, with 20 contested electoral college votes. Several the issues of the day related to the end of reconstruction; the great railroad strike; the coinage of silver as it relates to gold; and the Monroe doctrine In reference to the Panama Canal. And, Michigan is playing football?

In 1925, 26, 27, Michigan’s Benny Oosterbaan was an All-American during those three years and also had his Jersey retired. Tom Harmon was an All-American halfback in 1939, and a Heisman winner in 1940. His Michigan number was also retired. Ron Kramer, was an All-American end in 1955 and 56, and also had his number retired. Our 38th president, Gerald Ford played center and was an All-American too.

More recently, other Michigan All-Americans, NFL greats, and Super Bowl champions include Ty Law(1994) of the New England Patriots; Desmond Howard(1991) of the Green Bay Packers; Charles Woodson(1996, 1997) of the Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders and Jim Harbaugh(1986) who coached the San Francisco 49ers in the 2013 Super Bowl. And last but not least, Tom Brady three time winner(New England Patriots) of the Super Bowl.

The Ohio State University Buckeyes aren’t too shabby either. This great University, located in Columbus, Ohio, was founded in 1870 and currently ranked 56 among national universities in this country. The Scarlet and Gray has a third-largest University campus in the United States and the 18th largest University research library in North America.
Ohio State is one of four universities(the others-University of Michigan, Stanford and University of California-Berkeley) to have won national championships in men’s basketball, men’s baseball and football. Not only that, Ohio State is one of two, the other being, Florida to win national championships in the same calendar year in men’s football and basketball

Monday, February 17, 2014

Bo's Warriors- Introduction


 

                                                              Introduction to be continued   Part 3

 

I am settled on a title for my manuscript - Bo’s Warriors. Today’s post continues the introduction to my upcoming soon-to-be published book.

Was Don Canham that smart or should it be apparent to anyone about Bo’s potential to teach and motivate young men in this macho sport of American football?

For those of you that do not know the story, Bo became the winning est coach in Michigan football history with a 194-48-5 record from 1969 through 1985, and at the time, retired as the winning est football head coach in the nation. Bo was also voted Big Ten coach of the year and national coach of the year by both the Football Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association. Bo was now elite and a football legend.

What about and what do we know about the football coaching genius Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes?” Woody started his coaching career at Miami of Ohio. Other notables that started their career at this University included Paul Brown, Pro Football Hall Of Fame; Ara Parseghian, national college football champion Notre Dame 1966 in 1973 and College Football Hall of Fame 1980; Weeb Ewbank, Pro Football Hall of Fame 1978; Bill Mallory, Indiana Hall of Fame 1993 and Sid Gillman, Pro Football Hall of Fame 1983 and was ranked by ESPN, as one of the 20 greatest NFL coaches.

Woody, the legendary genius, was the head coach at Ohio State University from 1951 through 1978. During that time, Lieutenant Navy Commander Hayes won five national championships in 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, and 1970. Woody’s teams won 13 Big Ten conference titles and he compiled a 205-61-10 coaching record.

According to Buckeye co-captain Gary Moeller, “Woody, hated the media.” He told us players “if anyone comes up to you and tells you how good you are blah blah blah punch them in the nose, unless it’s your parents.” The blemish on Woody’s resume was his interaction, with Clemson’s Charlie Bauman. Charlie intercepted an Ohio State pass (thrown by quarterback art Schlichter) sealing Ohio State’s loss. A physical altercation quickly followed when Woody assaulted this Clemson middle guard, in 1978, Gator Bowl. Woody Hayes, the legend was quickly dismissed, lost his coaching position, and never coached again. I don’t believe that coach Hayes ever apologized to Clemson’s Bauman. However, I wouldn’t expect that he would. Would you?

During the 10 year rivalry (war) between Ohio State and Michigan, either Bo Schembechler or Woody Hayes, either won or shared the Big Ten conference title between themselves. No other Big Ten school would win the conference title during their decade of battle. Not only that, both Michigan and Ohio State placed in national rankings every year during this rivalry. Clearly, the battles between Bo and Woody and Michigan and Ohio State reached national significance. Their battles became legendary, their teams dominated and their players became media and household names.

A number of you might be thinking what is so special about the University of Michigan? And why should we care about the game of football? And, more specifically, what difference does it make as to the final score on the football field between the Buckeyes and Wolverines? These are just a few the questions that you might be thinking at this time.

Did you know, the University of Michigan was founded in 1817? Doing the math, I come up with 197 years as of 2014. That makes my University older than Ohio State’s. Since its founding, the University of Michigan is considered one of the top universities of the world. It’s not only a multi ethnic public institution of higher learning, it also has reached unequaled achievement in research.

As far as sports are concerned at the University of Michigan, intercollegiate competition began in 1865-1866. Historically, this means going back to Abraham Lincoln, the civil war, and the freeing of African-Americans. For some reason, intercollegiate sports, and fighting for equal rights and economic interests between the North and South do not seem to be correlated. In reference to the recent movie “Lincoln,” I’m picturing rugged living, political shenanigans, manipulation, young men dying and the death of a great American. Sports do not come to mind, let alone football.

Michigan has more NCAA Division I national titles in both hockey, in men’s swimming and diving than any other University of Division I status. Their prize swimmer was Michael Phelps.
To be continued

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Players Mental Toughness with Bo Schembechler-Part 2


                                                                 Introduction Continued

Don Canham  has an illustrious Michigan athletic and coaching history as well. Don obviously felt confident that he could weather out the storm he initiated. To ease some feathers, he offered Bump a position in the athletic department as Assistant Athletic Director.

Don Canham lettered in track at the University of Michigan from 1939-1941. In 1940, he held the NCAA title in high jump and was an All-American. From 1949-68, he was the track and field coach for the Wolverines. He led them to 12 Big Ten Conference Championships, of which seven(7) were indoor and five(5) were outdoor. His Michigan track team also set world records in both the 4 mile relay and the distance medley relay. Yes, he too was impressive as an athlete and as a track and field coach .

From 1968-88,Athletic Director Canham rebuilt and solidified Michigan’s dominance as a sports powerhouse. In fact, under his stewardship, Michigan’s Wolverines teams amassed 72 Big Ten championships. Behind his marketing and promotional leadership, the attendance for Michigan football reached unheard of heights. Since 1975, the average attendance for 186 home football games averaged more than 100,000. And from 1973 through 2004, Michigan, led the nation, in football attendance 30 out of 31 times. Throughout the land, the Michigan Stadium is known as the “Big House.” Canham, used his business skills as a marketer, promoter and fundraiser talents wisely. In fact, he was a first-ever to incorporate a direct mail advertising program to solicit attendees for football and other sports at the University Michigan. This genius won many awards as an athletic director; his counsel with sought by many; and his model was imitated throughout NCAA sports. This icon set the bar very high and redefined the position of athletic director.

Who was this 39-year-old man from Ohio named Bo? What did Don Canham, realize, at the time, that others did not? Was Don really a genius or was he just lucky? Maybe the planets were aligned since this was the Age of Aquarius. Well, Bo was born in Barberton, Ohio. Was there  significance in where he was born? Maybe, just maybe, being from a rural farmland area suggests that Bo knew about the world of hard, physical work first hand. What about the fact that he played football, tackle position, in high school and achieved all-state honors? Okay, he was a very good high school football player and played in one powerful football milieu within our country. Terrific football and other sports are played, at exceptional levels, in this state. So far we have a combination of a young man knowing about hard work, playing a team sport and excelling in the sport of football. Further, we know, that he attended college at Miami of Ohio, played offensive tackle in football and lettered in 1949 and 1950. Now we know, that he can learn, he can follow direction, he likes game of football, he is teachable, and he made a significant contribution to his teams.

Bo Schembechler was forming and curing the foundation for what was  to follow. This might interest you as the dots start to be connected. You might ask, and/or might be curious as to who coached, Bo in college? If you’re football fan, you certainly know the name Sid Gilman. Mr. Gilman was considered a football man ahead of his time as far as offense was concerned, and some will say, was the architect of today’s West Coast offense. You might be surprised to find out that his other coach was the one and only Woody Hayes. Really, you might say, this young man was playing for, and learning from the best of the best and he didn’t have to travel very far from home to do it. I’ll wager that Bo learned a lot from both of those men and his impressionable young mind was being shaped and sharpened, especially offensive football philosophy.

After college, Bo went into the service and learned more about discipline, giving direction, following direction, order, group cohesion and working together for a common cause. This young military man also coached as he was serving his country. Bo was developing even more insight into the social psychology of human behavior and group dynamics: thank you.

Bo, after service, enrolled at Ohio State to get a Masters degree  in education and became a graduate assistant under head football coach Woody Hayes. Bo, being intelligent, reconnected with his mentor. Bo spent the next five years with Woody learning more under this master coach. Bo Schembechler was paying his dues. In fact, while being a line position coach, he coached a young man named Gary Moeller who was a team Captain  on Woody’s undefeated 1963 team. Co-captain Gary later became Coach Gary Moeller.

Bo coached at a number of other colleges(Presbyterian, Bowling Green, and Northwestern) before becoming the head coach at Miami of Ohio. At Miami of Ohio University, he compiled a 40-17-3 record from 1963-1968. During his  coaching career as an assistant , coach Schembechler learned from and with another football legend by the name of Ara Parseghian. Mr. Parseghian reached fame and legendary status as the head coach at Notre Dame. By now, it must be clear, to you, that Bo was being trained by not only the best minds in football, he’s been given the opportunity to implement what he has learned. Up to this point, he’s moving rapidly up the coaching ladder with determined motivation. Can you predict at this point, how high he will climb and what he will become?

 

                                                              Introduction to be continued  

Monday, February 10, 2014

Players Mental Toughness with Bo Schembechler


The following few posts are from my next book “  Players Mental Toughness with  Bo Schembechler.”

 

                                                                               Introduction

 

Was it a tidal wave, a giant tsunami, a nuclear explosion or earthquake when announced, in 1968, by the media, that Glenn Edward “Bo” Schembechler was named as the head football coach at the University of Michigan by first year athletic director Don Canham. And that Chalmers W. “Bump” was not expelled from the University but was being transferred (booted) from head football coach to assistant athletic director. Was it true? I can’t believe what I just heard; it obviously must be a mistake. How could this have happened to the beloved Bump Elliott? This couldn’t possibly set well with Bump. I’ll wager that his team, his recruits and his Michigan friends were not happy or thrilled with this news.

And, all this was going on within the tumultuous uprisings of the 1960s. There was the pill; Detroit and Watts race riots; the Vietnam War; the Black Panthers; gay and lesbian rights; ban the bomb; and political assassinations  etc. going on campuses throughout the United States and especially at the University of Michigan. That infamous announcement in late December 1968, still resonates and has implications even today (Michigan football continues to set NCAA attendance records).

For those of you not cognizant, the well-respected Bump Elliot was a Michigan football legend. Bump first lettered in football, baseball and basketball at Big Ten rival Purdue University. He left Purdue, before graduating, to serve (called up in 1944) his country. Bump became a Marine Lieut.(saw duty in China) and after his service; instead of going back to Purdue to finish his studies, he enrolled at the University of Michigan, and joined his brother Pete in the Michigan football backfield. He was coached by Mr. Fritz Crisler. Only this time, this handsome Marine became nationally known as one of the “Mad Magicians” in the Wolverine backfield. He was a spark plug that propelled the Wolverines to a big nine title in 1947, and also to a Rose Bowl victory, January 1, 1948, over the USC Trojans 49-0. On top of that, he received individual honors as he was named All-American (1947) By the American Football Coaches Association. This Marine Lieut. excelled on the gridiron, just ask the Trojans.

11 years later, after initially coaching football at other colleges, coach Elliott was named the Wolverine football head coach in 1959 by athletic director, Fritz Crisler, his former head coach another Michigan football legend. And in 1964, the Mad Magician coached his Wolverine squad to a Big Ten title and to a Rose Bowl victory over Oregon University on January 1, 1965. His overall head coaching record (wins-losses-ties) at the University of Michigan was 51-42-3 for a .547 winning percentage. Do not lose sight of the fact or for that matter forget that Bump recruited such players as Jim Mandich, All-American end in 1969; Tom Curtis, All-American defensive back in 1969; Henry Hill, All-American guard 1970; Dan Dierdorf, All-American tackle 1970; Billy Taylor, All-American halfback, 1971; Reggie McKenzie, All-American guard 1971; Thom Darden, All-American defensive back 1971; Mike Taylor, All-American linebacker 1971; Mike Keller, All-American linebacker 1971; Jim Brandstatter, all Big Ten tackle 1971; Jim Betts, defensive back 1970; Frank  Gusich, defensive back 1971; Bruce Elliott, academic All-American and defensive back 1971 and numerous other notables.

 

 

After the 1968 football season, Coach Elliott was removed by A.D. Don Canham, in spite of  leading his  Wolverines to an 8- 2 record. However, in that final game of his last Michigan coaching assignment, 43 year old (born 1/30/25 in Detroit), Bump’s Wolverines were pitted against none other than Woody Hayes’ Ohio State Buckeyes. In that game, the halftime score was 14-14 with the outcome in doubt. However, at the games end, the final score left no suspense, as the numbers were Ohio State 50-Michigan 14. Before you ask, how did that happen, there’s more to the story? To make that embarrassment worse or to rub Michigan’s face in the mud, Coach Woody Hayes went for a two-point conversion on Ohio State’s last touchdown in the closing minutes of the game. When sportswriters wondered and asked “Woody, why did you go for two points on your last touchdown?” Woody’s reply was direct, clear and to the point, “because I couldn’t go for three.” That reply tells you and suggests all you need to know about head coach Woody Hayes’ competitive nature. Aside from Woody’s competitiveness spirit, someone said “Woody just poured gasoline on that rivalry.” And the match was lit and the flame became hotter and hotter.

During Coach Elliott’s reign, Michigan’s football attendance was poor by Michigan standards. In fact, their average attendance was roughly 67,000 which was substandard due to the size of their Stadium. Did Bump deserve to be fired by first year A.D. Don Canham? You be the judge. Just ask, how long or how much time could pass before Coach Elliott, who viewed his removal as a slap in the face, work under/or in concert with Don Canham? Well, how about from 1969-70, when Bump left being assistant A.D. after one year to become the athletic director at another Big Ten school, the University of Iowa, of course a Michigan rival.

Not only did A.D. Don Canham, not hesitate to remove All-American Bump  Elliott, as football coach, he made a second decision quickly and hired a young, fiery and spirited Bo Schembechler (an Ohioan, no less) to replace the Mad Magician. This quick decision, the story goes, that it took Canham just a 15 minute conversation between him and Bo Schembechler at a restaurant no less, to offer Bo the prestigious Michigan head coach position. You might not be surprised that it took Bo less than 15 minutes to accept the offer. Just how much can you eat (if not in an eating contest) and/or to discuss the business of the day within just 15 minutes? A fly on the wall could tell who did the majority of the talking. Who do you think did the majority of the talking? What exactly was Mr. Canham seeking from this unknown young man? How did Canham envision Michigan football?

 

To be continued.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Jed Smith 50 Km Orcas Island 50 K and Mental Toughness


"Great minds have purposes, little minds have wishes."
– Washington Irving


On Saturday, February 1, I ran the Jed Smith, 50 km race. My goal was to run it faster than last year. Chris Turney accompanied me and ran with me for the first two laps. At the end of the first two laps, I was on pace to break the US 50 Km race record for my age group. I felt good and was running strong. Then, starting the third loop, I was joined by Susan Smyth, who was running the 30 K. I started to feel a little tired and ran a slower third loop. My fourth loop was a little slower and I was more tired, starting loop five. Chris joined me again at that point.

As I was tiring, I began to think about shorter-term goals and re framing. For instance, I thought about the distance to be completed and said I “ only” have about 10 more miles; I “only” have about five more miles to go. The keyword here is “ only “ as I wanted to minimize, in my mind, that distance. Running with a friend (affiliative), also helped as we had a chance to talk about many different things. I also paid attention to my body(mindfulness) to determine  discomfort as well as to my breathing and running form.

Having a goal, employing mindfulness, re framing and meeting affiliative needs is very important and assisted me in running this 31 mile event faster this year than I did last. These concepts are significant parts of my definition of mental toughness that I incorporate when needed. My second book will apply my mental toughness  concept to those 1969 University of Michigan football players that beat the Ohio State Buckeyes on that memorable November.

This Jed Smith race was sponsored by  the Buffalo Chips running club. Chris introduced me to some of his  compatriots  that I invited to be guests on “It Has Nothing to Do with Age or Gender”  TV show. Look for these runners down the road.

Tony called from Washington State after he completed his very difficult 50 Km trail run. He said he ran the first 21 miles well and then tired, climbing the mountain. He finished and predicted his time accurately. I’m sure I’ll hear more of his story this week. Well done Tony. I told him that Chris and I went to Baskin-Robbins for our reward  and he told me that he was going for ice cream too.


From Tony: I decided to do something more adventures and went to Orcas Island to do a 50 K. Had to be the toughest 50 K I have ever done. All I can say is I finished and had a great time. Rain Shadow Running puts on a great party and great run to go with it.
For inspiration here is a report from one of the other runners Edward Lychik I think you will find his story quite remarkable.
http://edwardlychik.wordpress.com/2014/02/03/orcas-island-50k-grizzley-bears-great-people/



On Sunday. Linda and I hosted another Super Bowl party and watched the Seattle Seahawks blowout.


 Remember to keep moving, smiling, laughing, deep breathing and appreciating while you can.