Bo's Warriors Chapter 1 Go Blue Go Part 5

Bo's Warriors       Chapter 1   Go Blue Go

Part 5 

Coach Schembechler took a group of highly athletic and competitive young men (recruited by Bump Elliott) and created a group goal of winning, by being in the best possible physical condition which dovetailed nicely with his players individual motives. The 1968 team with a previous 8 – 2 record had a high probability of success for that 1969 season. With the clarity of the team’s goal; the cohesiveness of the team; their commitment and participation to the goals were so dynamic that the outcome of success left little doubt. As a result, the foundation of Wolverine football success was set in stone for years to come.

Some may argue that Bo made the player’s successful or was it the players, recruited by Bump, which made Bo successful? You decide.  Bump Elliott was a football legend at the University of Michigan. This handsome Marine Lieutenant was likely one of the most well respected of the many Michigan living legends. He was well spoken, intelligent, and a caring individual with great interpersonal skills. He was impeccably dressed and knew his football from a player’s perspective, from being a student from the University Michigan and was at ease with himself, with his national recognition.  If there was ever a spokesman for the University of Michigan, it was this unpretentious man. What a terrific model.

Those he recruited, had nothing but good things to say about him. Thomas Darden told of Bump coming to his Sandusky, Ohio, home. He said this soft-spoken man has such a great presence that his mother fell in love with him right away. Bump referred to Thomas’s parents, as Mr. and Mrs. Darden. They said to Thomas “he’s not like the other coaches.” Thom thought that Bump was a kind man, someone you can trust. If he said something to you, you knew that he was telling the truth.” I liked Bump and he made me feel that I was part of the Michigan experience. I also wanted to play for him, but he was fired.”

In fact, Bump was responsible for my 6   teammates and I leasing our house, in my junior year. That house became the “Den of the Mellow Men.” Mike Oldham and Glenn Doughty brought Bump the house listing. He took care of it from there. When I moved to Iowa, I looked Bump up and continue to have contact with him.

Mike Keller said that Bump took a personal interest and always came up to him and asked him how he was doing in school. Mike said that Bump knew that in order to play, I had to be eligible .Bump was comfortable to be around, like an uncle. Mike was friends with Bruce, Pete Elliott’s son, and later as a senior became friends with Bruce’s brother Dave. Bump and Pete Elliott were family. Mike said that Bump first approached him before athletic director Don Canham did and asked him to run for the Board of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Michigan. He did run and won.

Frank Gusich told me that Bump made a strong impression with both him and his mother. He said Bump was a real gentleman, a real classy guy. And it didn’t hurt that Michigan had a good academic reputation.

Fritz described Bump as a gentleman, respectful of every individual, dapper, well spoken, perfect, and    like an Ivy Leaguer. He didn’t think that Bump would run that” slap and stomp “drill because it disrespected the individual.

 These Michigan Wolverines contributed greatly and personified the Michigan tradition. They were selected to illustrate a cross-section of young men from different backgrounds who bonded and became relentless, in goal achievement. These young men came together and in 1969, achieved on the football field   and later off the field as well.  Their exceptional ability has been demonstrated throughout their entire lives.

It is  my pleasure  to introduce you to the outstanding men of that 1969, Michigan football team:  Jim Betts, Jim Brandstatter, Tom Curtis, Thom Darden, Frank Gusich, Mike Keller, Reggie McKenzie, Fritz Seyferth and Coach Gary Moeller who learned about mental toughness first-hand from their legendary coach Bo Schembechler. These are their stories.