Bo’s
Warriors
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
