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