Addendum to Parental Expectations and Damaged Self-Esteem Part 2

Addendum to Parental Expectations, and Damaged Self-Esteem Part 2

Examples of Bo Schembechler’s character and tendency to express power was displayed on the football practice field and during spring conditioning drills. He pushed, screamed and even challenged Cecil Pryor, a massive defensive end, “if you want to fight somebody, fight me” during a Slap and Stomp spring conditioning drill. “The athletes agreed at the time that Bo was a crazy maniac” per Frank Gusich who became the second Wolfman and was considered by his team’s player’s as one of the toughest, if not the toughest. While going through Bo’s unorthodox and grueling conditioning and practices, Frank reported the following thoughts “lock the coach up and throw away the key; how could any other team be in better shape than our Michigan team... Especially in the fourth quarter of a close or difficult game? because of all the superior or extreme conditioning. The better conditioned team would win the game.” Frank also reported overhearing an NFL scout at one practice, state “these guys practice hard.”

Make no mistake about it, for Bo, football was for the strong and not for the weak. In fact, early in his first year of coaching with the Wolverines, It was “do it my way or take the Highway.” Not only that, a drove of players left “the team because of Schembechler’s autocratic way of teaching.” Because of the dwindling numbers that quit the team, because of Bo, he put up a sign stating “those who stay will be champions.” The Pru man or John Prusiecki added to the sign “those who quit will be lawyers, doctors and captains of industry.” The players never revealed Pru man’s identity. His teammates protected him from the maniac.

To Be Continued