Bo's Warriors

I have received word from my editor that I am no longer permitted to submit any more new material regarding Bo’s Warriors. That is a new experience since I have been thinking and writing about this project for roughly the past 3 years or so. It was sometime in or around 2011 that I first began thinking about mental toughness. In fact, Linda was riding her horse Nails and I was running alongside them on the Olmsted loop when she commented on my mental toughness. We talked about that concept and that was” it” for me.

I then began researching and writing about the idea. I developed a model of mental toughness and applied it to my running of the Western States in 2002. I then wrote a couple of articles regarding mental toughness for running magazines, and gave a number of presentations regarding the same.

I then progressed to thinking about writing a book about the subject. I met Mike Keller, an All-American football player from the University Michigan who played for the Dallas Cowboys. He liked my idea, and told me about a teammate from the Cowboys named Walt Garrison. Walt Garrison, the cowboy from Oklahoma, played football for the Cowboys with a broken collarbone. Mike said Walt is a really tough dude. As it turned out, Linda’s sister was a sorority sister of this cowboy’s future wife and knew about their struggles while they were in college (her family was wealthy & Walt just a football player).

Mike also talked to me about Jack Youngblood, the All-American from the University of Florida who played with the Los Angeles Rams. Jack played with a broken bone in his leg and was legendary for his toughness. After talking with Jack and Gil Brandt, Cowboy GM, I decided to limit my focus. I changed gears and decided to write about the 1969 Michigan Wolverines with first year head coach Bo Schembechler.

Besides, Mike Keller, I interviewed Jim Brandstatter, Frank Gusich, Thom Darden, Reggie McKenzie, Jim Betts, Tom Curtis, Fritz Seyferth and Coach Gary Moeller. In essence, this book tells the story of the University of Michigan, Bo Schembechler and these 9 men.

As it turns out, the University of Michigan erected, last month, its first statue ever on the campus in front of Schembechler Hall. They now have a statue of Bo. This fall, the same 1969 team is having their reunion. My publisher Triumph Books is planning a marketing blitz in Ann Arbor, to coincide with this history.

 I could have never predicted any of this back in 2011. I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, during the full moon in June will be the Western States 100 ultra-run. And this coming Sunday, Tony and I intend to run 50 km run in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Likely, on the back cover of Bo’s Warriors will be this blurb.   "Bo Schembechler was one of America's legendary coaches.  For over twenty years he led the University of Michigan to greatness.  Frank Lieberman has done an outstanding job returning us to the days of Big Blue's finest hours.  Through some of his greatest players you will come to understand what made Bo and his warriors so special.

           Peter Golenbock, author of Landry's Boys and Driven (with Donald Driver).

Do not forget to keep moving, laughing, smiling, loving, bonding and appreciating since good things are yet to come. 

Jack Sholl 10/30/25 to 5/18/14

 Jack Sholl    In Memory 10-30- 1925 to 5-18-14

Jack Sholl 1925-2014

I recently received a phone call from Joan Sholl about Jack’s passing. I was shocked when I heard the news. She told me how how pleased Jack was in meeting me. The reverse is true for me as well.

I first met Jack about five years ago, in 2009 while researching for my book It Has Nothing To Do With Age. I found Jack to be intelligent, warm, caring and a very interesting man. He was certainly passionate and knowledgeable about his sport rowing and about being a descendant of the American Revolution. We had many conversations and meetings over the past five years. I got to know him and his wife Joan very well.

Jack’s life, was extremely interesting. In fact his death has a peculiar twist. Being patriotic, Jack wanted to enlist in the service during World War II at the age of 17. His parents, would not give permission. So Jack did the following. He dropped out of high school and went to work in the shipyards for a year and then enlisted. It is believed that his cancer was caused by that asbestos poisoning. The Second World War did not kill, but being around asbestos did.

I remember visiting Jack and seeing paraphernalia dating back to the Civil War. I attended a Sons of the American Revolution with Jack and learned more about our military history. In fact, Jack and I talked at length about American history and how the schools were omitting significant information about our past. As a volunteer, Jack spent his summers in Philadelphia, giving tours and speaking about our country’s founding, with the National Park Service. It wasn’t uncommon for someone in the audience to ask Jack if he taught history in college. Jack’s reply was no, I worked for IBM for 29 years.

Jack has traveled all over the world and has been a great spokesman and representative for our country. He knows royalty, and yet in many ways he was just a good, warmhearted individual. I miss his stories, our conversations and his friendship. Although not a physically tall man, Jack was mentally tough. I feel sad to have lost another friend.

It is hard to believe that I just can’t pick up the phone or email Jack again. Death has a finality that’s unlike anything else .It’s so different. Thank goodness, fond memories remain.

I miss you Jack.

Craig Thornley,Western States and Friends

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

  Last Saturday, Sue Smyth put on a ride and tie in Cool, California. It was neat, seeing old friends at this event. In fact, former ride and tie partners, Tom Christofk and Dan Barger where there. They were quite the team when they competed. In fact, Tom, and his wife, Laura, were two of the players that influenced my moving from the Bay Area to Cool. For more about Sue, Tom and Dan, I refer you to their TV interviews: Sue http://youtu.be/8PkfK6fpWBY;   Dan http://youtu.be/jm1X7pWZg-8and Tom http://youtu.be/E7pVe44sqSA.

I also talked with Gunilla Pratt a serious ride and tie competitor from Southern California about being interviewed, along with   Veterinarian, endurance rider and ride and tie competitor Michelle Roush. Look for their interviews this fall.

On Sunday, Tony and I ran from Forest Hill to Drivers Flat, the middle day for the Western States 100 mile ultra-run. It was good for Tony, and you can check his Strava running time. For me, I didn’t do well with the 90+ degree temperature change. And, I knew it was going to be hot. So I ran with a heart rate monitor. Because of the warm weather, I wanted to monitor how I was doing in the heat. I knew that would be a good thing since I don’t do too well at this point in the heat. Sure enough, my heart rate was raised more than I would’ve liked. Aside from a high heart rate, I started to lose my voice, which is another symptom.

Craig Thornley (     http://youtu.be/e-BmOb2bw5k)race director for Western States caught up to me about the 17 mile marker or so. Concerned about my condition, I asked him if I could get a ride to the bus. He told me that I could ride with him back to Drivers Flat. So at that aid station, I drank Coke, cold water and placed ice under my cap. It took quite a while for my resting heart rate to subside, but it did.

At the first aid station, Western States legend Tim Twietmeyer was helping out the runners. For more information about Tim check out his TV interview (http://youtu.be/wr2v3D4JreU). Also at the aid station was Ann Trason another legend. This woman was the ultimate women’s runner as she owned this hundred miler. I’m pleased to announce that she’ll be interviewed this fall as well.

At the second aid station, Meghan Arbogast female phenom was helping out. See her TV interview:  http://youtu.be/bgKMyPbkJJg.  At the top of Drivers Flat, Dan Barger was helping out. I told him that I would meet him at ALT aid station some 84 miles into the run, like I did last year.

On the ride back to Forest Hill, I sat next to a young woman who ran the Boston Marathon last year as well as this year. Luckily, she had finished her run before the explosion last year. This year she said the support for the runners by the spectators was phenomenal and she enjoyed herself like no other marathon.

Be sure to keep moving, laughing, smiling, loving, bonding and appreciating.

PS Another female running phenom Mo Bartley also ran http://youtu.be/Xi0D3EPHmx8. This post is really about phenomenal people who happen to be ultra-runners. To enhance your understanding, watch their interviews.

Alfred Adler's Creative Self and Tony

"Success is blocked by concentrating on it and planning for it.…Success is shy — it won't come out while you're watching."
– Tennessee Williams

On Tuesday, Tony and I were on the trail. While on the trail, Tony told me about his Coloma run last Saturday. During that particular run, he mentioned that he caught up to another runner. This younger runner attempted to keep in front of Tony, but was unable to do so. For Tony, that was his “glory”-being able to beat another competitor. He also told me about a second record that he holds per posting on Strava, which also delights him.

During our trail experience, we also talked about creating a documentary as Tony recently figured out a problem related to perfecting our Skype interviews. Tony enjoys the challenge of solving various technical issues that confront him. He works hard at perfecting and thereby eliminating problems. We both laughed as we talked about beginning new careers.

I told Tony about Alfred Adler, the psychiatrist from Vienna. Dr. Adler, once a disciple of Freud, developed his own theory of personality. While Freud assumed that man’s behavior is motivated by inborn instincts, Adler emphasized social urges, consciousness and the development of the ego in his theory. In Adler’s theory, he talked about a striving for superiority. Adler thought the final goal of man was to be: 1. Aggressive 2. Powerful and 3. Superior. And a person attempts to become superior by developing his intellect or in achieving muscular strength. And that the details of his existence are exemplified by his habits, his recreations, his daily routine, and his relations to his family, friends and acquaintances. Practically everything he does, man does with an eye to this ultimate goal. So man perceives, he learns and retains what fits in his style of life. Further, Adler also talked about a creative self. This creative self means that man makes his own personality and that he constructs it out of both heredity and experience. It is the creative self that gives meaning to life. It creates the goal as well as a means to the goal.

Tony’s quest to continually to improve his running is paramount as evidenced by his training and his keeping track of miles, times, elevations, etc. Further, his motivation to overcome, especially technical software challenges is also clear. So if you talked with Tony, you would understand that. His life space correlates with him as being the master and not the victim of his fate. In this regards his personality style corresponds to Adler’s way of thinking.

So, in part, you’re likely to find Tony either on the trail, in his office or around his property, either fixing or making things better for all.

He keeps moving, laughing, smiling, loving, bonding and appreciating.

Guns,Death Instinct and Freud

"No man can think clearly when his fists are clenched."
– George Jean Nathan

As we know, Freud’s theory of personality, postulated two main drives or instincts. One was the life instinct and the other the death or destructive instincts. He believed there was an interplay between the two instincts .They could fuse together, neutralize each other, or even replace one another. Further, there was an aggressive component in which this aggression is either turned outward against some other substitute or turned inward against the self as in self-destruction. Freud also believed in psychic energy. And that the person seeks to gratify needs (when a need is met it’s pleasurable and when a need is not met, it creates tension). Further, Freud believed that personality is largely governed by the necessity for gratifying needs by means of transactions in the external world. So the surrounding environment can either provide mechanisms (like food) for gratification or contain regions of danger and insecurity. In other words, it can either threaten or satisfy. This means it can produce pain and increase tension or bring pleasure and reduce tension.

Many individuals say that, according to our Constitution, they have a right to bear arms. And of course we have this industry that easily supplies bullets and guns. Sometimes we hear it’s a constitutional right. Another times we hear it’s about protecting our family. I would say that a main issue is neither about our Constitution nor protection, but it is about anxiety,aggression, and insecurity. Also, it’s about this death instinct and the perception and belief that the environment-other people are dangerous and threaten us. So this aggressive component of the death instinct is potentially turned against others.

We hear many stories in which some young innocent child becomes the victim of a loaded weapon in the home. Time and time again we hear about some individual killing others, and then turning that weapon upon himself.

Yes, the environment can be dangerous. Freud recognized three types of anxiety. For one, reality anxiety is based on real dangers in the world. On Thursday, Linda, Nails (her Arabian) and I traversed the trails with the temperature expected to reach triple digits. Linda heard on the radio that because of the dramatic change in warm weather, there have been a series of rattlesnake bites. Okay, that makes sense. So we made it a point to be alert on the trail and also to avoid going through tall grasses. I did not bring with me a handgun to shoot a rattlesnake. I am happy to report that we didn’t see any rattlesnakes either.

On Saturday the 17^th Tony and I ran a 10 mile trail event for Juvenile Diabetes Research. I believe this was our third consecutive year. I’m happy to report that we both received first-place medals and our times were faster than last year. A week from Sunday, we are running the middle day of the Western States training run going from Forest Hill to White Oak Flat( about 21 miles).

See you on the trail and remember to keep moving, laughing, smiling, loving, bonding and appreciating.

Obesity and a Death Wish

 “Ruin and recovery  are found within.” -Epictetus

Have you ever wondered why so many people are overweight? There is so much information about healthy choices that are available to everyone. Yet, people continue to make poor health decisions regardless. Perhaps, Freud’s theory of personality has an answer.

Freud postulated two main drives or instincts. There was the life instinct and there was the death instinct. He believed that the ultimate goal of life, was death. He also thought that this death instinct or wish was, of course, unconscious and had an aggressive component to it. This drive could either turn against itself and/or against others.

We know that oral gratification (lips and tongue) and eating are in fact pleasurable and related to the life instinct. We also know that people eat when they are hungry and for nutrition. However, it is obvious that overweight people consume great quantities of food that far exceed their need for hunger or their nutrition deficiencies.

It seems that the overweight individuals are driven to eat in unhealthy ways despite knowing whether it is right or wrong for them. Perhaps it is their death instinct that has emerged and gained control over their life instinct behavior. We know they are essentially eating themselves to death and to an early grave. One certainly can argue that their death wish is unfortunately dominant. And, their aggressiveness is turned inward on themselves.

So underneath the outward, smiling jolly ness, these individuals are driven in a very unproductive way. They might tell you they’re happy, but they are obviously fooling themselves. So all the literature about healthy eating, and exercise goes for naught. That’s why someone telling them to change falls on deaf ears because they are driven by an unconscious instinct.

Hopefully these points are food for thought. In any event, if you can, keep moving, smiling, laughing, loving, bonding and appreciating.

Bo Schembechler's Warriors

Well I have good news. Last week I signed a contract with Triumph Books to publish my manuscript titled “Bo’s Warriors” I am very pleased to say the least. Triumph books publishing company is a leader in the sports world. And I am happy to be on their team.

My book is about sports, life, motivation, mental toughness and my philosophy. Some 45 years ago, in 1969, a miracle , many would say, happened on the turf at the Big House on that cold November Saturday when the Michigan Wolverines football team beat the heavily favored number one -ranked Ohio State University Buckeyes. Coach Bo Schembechler and position coach Gary Moeller in their first year bested Bo’s mentor Woody Hayes. Thus, the infamous 10 year war began. Bo’s Warriors is an in-depth view of the secrets behind the success of Bo’s Wolverines.

This is how the transition of Wolverine football began. Newly appointed athletic director Don Canham hired Bo Schembechler. That was significant in part because Canham knew that Bo would bring in diverse racially talented athletes. So the interracial base of Michigan football, was firmly established. Coach Schembechler then embraced his racially diverse group of young men and established the cohesiveness of the team, the team, the team. He taught his players that they could not be divided because they were all one and part of the University of Michigan football team. As a team captain senior, football legend, an All-American. Jim Mandich took it upon himself and made sure the entire team partied together.

This 1969 team had a 3-2 record after its first five games. The sixth game, in fact, at halftime. The Wolverines trailed the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The intense, excitable, type A personality coach did not scream, and his warriors. Instead, he calmly told them they were the better team and not to lose the opportunity. The players do not lose the opportunity. For that game and the next 24 games(10 game season), their record was 24 wins and one loss. The miracle and transition was established on the last game of that 1969 season. Michigan 24-Ohio State University, 12.

For more insight, secrets of Wolverine success and player and coach histories enjoy the details of the eight Michigan Wolverines (Coach Gary Moeller, Jim Brandstatter, Fritz Seyferth, Jim Betts, Reggie McKenzie, Tom Curtis, Thom Darden and Mike Keller).

Some benefits of reading Bo’s Warriors include the following:

1.       How Bo created winning football

2.     learn about the mental toughness of successful men

3.       learn about how the University of Michigan experience changed(impacted) lives

4.       learn about the positives of playing the brutal game of football

5.       Challenge the “dumb jock” stereotype of football players

6.       learn how racial differences got mitigated for the Wolverines

7.       Learn about the lives of nine successful men

8.      learn about the relevance of 1969 to today

More to follow on subsequent posts. In the meantime, keep moving, laughing, smiling, loving, bonding and appreciating.

It Has Nothing To Do Wiyh Age Or Gender with guest Tom Self

Memory Lapse Suggestions

"We cannot do everything at once but we can do something at once."
– Calvin Coolidge

In the April 15, 2014 edition of the Wall Street Journal, there was an article about memory lapses. The article was titled “Why We Keep Losing Our Keys.” Some explanations are as follows: 1. Memory lapses are the norm for all ages 2. Stress, fatigue and multitasking can make things worse, and interfere with memory 3. There is a breakdown between attention and memory 4. Forgetfulness and distraction is related to a variation in the dopamine D 2 receptor gene (DRD 2) 5. The brain keeps track of similar but distinct memories in the dentate gyrus, part of the hippo campus. In other words, the brain stores separate recordings of each environment in different groups of neurons when activated (non-identical memories are encoded and later retrieved).

Some of you might be more interested in suggestions or tips for finding lost items. Michael Solomon in his book “How to Find Lost Objects” suggests the following: 1. Don’t look for it yet (wait until you have some idea where to look) 2. It’s where it’s supposed to be (look first where the object is normally kept) 3. Domestic drift (where was the object last used? Retrace your steps) 4. Repeatedly murmur what you’re looking for 5. Camouflage effect (it’s were you thought it was, just covered up) 6. Look once, look well (don’t rummage haphazardly 7. Eureka zone (objects usually wander no more than 18 inches from their original location) 8.Que sera sera (if all else fails, employ this rarely used principal. You’re missing object may eventually just turn up.

My wife generally asks about her keys, cell phone and purse. Finding the cell phone is easy because we simply call that number. Finding the purse is not that difficult because it is a large item. It’s generally the keys, the keys, and the keys. Often, I assist her and we have success.

What are your tips for finding the misplaced articles? In any event, keep moving, smiling, laughing, bonding, loving and appreciating.

Making Behavorial Changes

We have to fight them daily, like fleas, those many small worries about the morrow, for they sap our energies."
– Etty Hillesum

For those of you that are aging, a recent study of 46 adults ages 63 to 85, found that as mood improves, so does the decision-making process. And some suggestions were found In the Blue Shield of California Better Living Newsletter-spring/summer 2014. Aside from performing regular exercise, sleeping and eating well, consider the following: 1. Wake up to bright sunlight by leaving your curtains and blinds open or using fluorescent bulbs 2. Smile-we all know how to do that 3. Be creative-painting or writing in a journal 4. Paint  verdant hues in your rooms 5. Sing a song 6. Eat dark chocolate and 7. Be around people that are upbeat and positive.

None of these suggestions are difficult to do or are they? It seems to me that regular exercise, sleeping, eating and being around smiling, happy people might be hard to accomplish, especially if you’re in your 60s. Likely, making major behavioral changes are not easy as many people are set in their ways. We all know there many excuses that get in the way of exercise like arthritis, bad knees, bad hips, being overweight, etc. Also, sleeping, and eating well can be problems, especially if one drinks alcohol a lot. How many people want to give up drinking alcohol? We know that alcohol affects one’s ability to sleep.

The major problem in making changes is the person’s personality. Likely, how an individual thinks (which is part of personality) is a major culprit. A general list of things to do is certainly not the answer. One question to ask is simply “what gets in the way of your making consistent beneficial health changes?” That question might be a good place to start for those that want to make behavioral changes.

Keep moving-put one step in front of the other, smiling, laughing, bonding, loving and appreciating. If you don’t know how, find someone to teach you.

Find Your Happiness

"We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same."
– Carlos Castaneda

Recently, I read about what one person believed that happy people do. Unfortunately I do not know how this person arrived at his conclusions. Also, the definition of happiness was not defined. His seven points were as follows: 1. Make good friends 2. Actively express thankfulness (gratitude) 3. Actively pursue your goals 4. Do what you excel at as often as you can 5. Give as opposed to taking 6. Don’t single-mindedly chase stuff 7. Live the life you want to live.

These seven points are all positive and may or may not lead to happiness. In my book “It Has Nothing To Do with Age,” I prescribed seven points that I believe creates a healthier lifestyle. My seven points take account of adjusting both attitude and behavior. These seven points are based on the profiles of eight mature athletes that compete in extraordinary sports as well as current research. My prescriptions are as follows: 1. Get inspired. It’s okay to begin a new activity by taking baby steps. A physical activity can help in improving physical fitness, losing weight, reducing anxiety and minimizing depression. 2. Find meaning in an activity outside of family, career, or raising kids; it can build self-esteem.3. Enrich your emotional life by making physical contact, having friends, sharing interests, and learning about others, by becoming part of a new group. 4. Realize that there is more to life than the accumulation of material things; having the biggest toy does not result in happiness. 5. Participate in outdoor activities to help nurture spirituality. 6. For a way to escape, read about other people’s adventures. 7. Find inspiration motivation through the illuminating profiles of eight remarkable senior athletes found within this book.

Further, in each of my posts I talk about keep moving, laughing, smiling, bonding, appreciating and loving. I do not claim to have the secret for the pursuit of happiness but I do know something about creating wellness and a healthier lifestyle. And, when leading a healthier lifestyle you have the best.

When I was a young boy, I remember one of my aunts saying something to the effect of, “to have your health is to have everything.” I fully understand and agree with my wise aunt. Thank you  aunt Eva.

Prsonality Traits and Marathons

"The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labour is immense."
– Arnold Bennett

 

There is good news for those that are getting older. On April 22, 2014, there was an article in the Wall Street Journal that mentioned that Meb Keflezighi ran the Boston Marathon in a time of 2:08:37. This American, who will turn 39 on May 5, became the oldest to win this prestigious running event. Not only that, but he ran 31 seconds faster than his previous best.

The article focused on “older” runners and gave them hope. One woman, age 44, hopes to set a personal record in August, while another 36-year-old male believes he can run his fastest marathon yet. A quote by Neil Fitzgerald, age 45, a New York runner  who sits on a Masters committee of USA track and field, said that Meb’s victory is likely going to help  the mentality that a young running stars career is not over at age 22. He also went on to say that there is potential for runners in their 30s and even 40s. Thank you Neil and Meb for your reassurance and performance.

When I told Tony about this article we both laughed and he said that he must be ancient. Although both Tony and I are running faster than last year, we are not setting personal bests. We both are running in a local marathon that is being held for the first time. In other words, our running time will be a personal best for both.

The other article was about that many of us have personality changes as we age. For example, often we become more conscientious (organized, consistent, dependable); agreeable (polite, trusting, preferring cooperation of the competition, feeling compassionate for others); open (intellectually curious, inventive, sensitive to art and beauty, imaginative); extroverted (talkative, sociable, assertive, socially dominant); and less neurotic (worrying hope all these, feeling stress, prone to feeling sad, anxious, temperamental, moody). I hope all these change in traits are happening to you.

Yesterday, Tony and I ran the Miner’s Revenge marathon with 4902 feet of elevation change. Although it was one tough marathon, we both ran our best time. Incidentally, that was its first running.

Okay, now you can look forward to the future because you’ll likely be a faster runner with more pleasing personality traits. I trust that this information is going to make your day. However, no matter what, don’t forget to keep moving, laughing, smiling, bonding, loving and appreciating.

It Has Nothing To Do With Age Or Gender with guest Samina Mahmood

After the Boston Marathon

"The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything."
– William Connor Magee

 

Tony and I have registered for this Sunday’s, Minors Revenge Marathon, and I hope that Jonathan joins us for this trail running event. This week we have been tapering and I will let you know about my effectiveness. One idea on tapering is to run relatively short distances at a fast clip. This past week I have cut my distances considerably, but not my pace. I should be well rested.

On another note, there is going to be a change for Wolverine football this fall. Previously, Jim Brandstatter had been handling the color, on the radio. Jim is one of the football players that I profiled in my manuscript “Bo’s Warriors.” Jim will be now handling play-by-play and joined by Dan Dierdorf. Dan was an All-American at Michigan and has been inducted into the professional football Hall of Fame. He recently retired from CBS. Incidentally, Dan was born in Canton, Ohio.

I talked with Jim about Dan’s joining him in the booth and he’s excited. These former teammates played the same offensive position-tackle under Bo Schembechler. In any event, Go Blue!

In the meantime, keep moving, smiling, laughing, bonding, loving and appreciating as it’s good for you Minors revenge.

Too Late for the Boston Marathon

"To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle."
– George Orwell

 

I just read an article found in the April 15, 2014 edition of the Wall Street Journal. This article had to do with sore legs, aches and pains as a result of running marathons. The article added that long-distance runners often experience these problems in their quadriceps and calf muscles.  

Reasons for sore muscles and spasms are caused by nutritional and functional issues. And, slowing down does not always resolve the issue. Eccentric contractions (lengthening the muscle and then loading on it) can result in tearing the myofibrils (tiny strands within the muscles) as well as damaging muscle cell membranes.

Some suggestions to consider to resolve or minimize muscle soreness include strength training, which might delay the muscle breakdown. One doctor suggested workouts that involve quick explosive repetitions like squats, planks, sit-ups, push-ups, and leg lifts, with comparatively little weight work.

Another idea is to have the proper fuel, which means hydration and the replenishing of electrolytes. For example, pickle juice has great amount of concentrated sodium. Another drink, to consider would be cherry juice. The advantage of ingesting pickle juice or cherry juice (if you can stomach it) is that these drinks do not have side effects such as ulcer or kidney damage.

If you are experiencing leg problems, consider the above suggestions. In any event, consider moving, laughing, smiling, loving, bonding, appreciating in the process. 

Frank Gusich- a Bo's Warriors

"Character is simply habit long enough continued."
– Plutarch

 

Unfortunately, Frank Gusich at the age of 64, passed on 4/1/14. The following is a brief excerpt for my manuscript titled “Bo’s Warriors.” Frank is one of the interviewed football players from the 1969, Michigan Wolverine team. He was the second “Wolf Man.” The Wolf Man position was essentially a defensive back that, depending upon the formation, moved close to the line of scrimmage for additional run support .

“Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s Co-captain Frank Gusich was called as one, if not the toughest Wolverine on the Michigan football playing field. Bo called him “a candy ass,” while the media, called Frank “Superman.” Even today, his teammates continue the respect for this warrior.

On October 23, 1956 Frank’s young life changed for the very worst. He was just under six years old since he was born on March 27, 1950. Although a sunny day in Cleveland, Ohio, Frank’s mother, Wilma, age 33, just returned home after taking her husband, Frank senior age 35, to neighboring hospital. Frank and his two sisters Marilyn and Anita were happy to see her. Before they could inquire about their father’s health, Wilma blurted out, “your father died.” Before words could be expressed, Frank teared up and cried. Frank had no clue about his father’s illness as the terrible news came as a complete shock to him.

This date was coincidentally, the date of his parents 10^th year wedding anniversary. At the time, Wilma was pregnant with her fourth child. For the next 13 years or so, Wilma stayed home, rearing her four children. As finances were extremely tight for the Gusich family, they did not have a lot of luxuries. Thank goodness the Gusich family received Social Security benefits to supplement the limited family income. Even though Frank grew up without extras, he remembered that his mother, always had food on the table. It wasn’t until the youngest-Frank’s brother Tony entered the ninth grade/high school (the other three siblings were gone), Wilma entered the workforce. She remained employed for the next 20 years.

Wilma, although dated, never remarried. She had a very close friend named Joe Gorman. Joe became a father figure and was a positive part of the family. Frank remembered that Joe and Wilma went out to dinner and then headed to the dance floor together. His mother loved to dance. Frank liked Joe very much. He felt happy that Joe celebrated Christmas with their family. Joe and Wilma even attended Frank’s games in Ann Arbor. Joe was and became like a well-loved step father.

 

More to follow.

Frank Gusich 3/17/50-4/1/14

"We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results."
– Herman Melville

 

I’m sorry to report that Frank Gusich passed on April 1, 2014. Frank just turned 64. Frank was a 1971 Co-captain on the University of Michigan football team. He played the position as Wolf man and Sports Illustrated featured him in an article titled Superman.

Frank grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and unfortunately lost his father prior to the age of six. In grade school, Frank loved all sports and played, when he could, football, basketball and Little League baseball. In the eighth grade, he wanted to attend St. Ignatius high school. He applied, but was not accepted. Because of his and his mother’s perseverance, he was eventually accepted and even given a tuition grant.

At St. Ignatius, Frank lettered in basketball, track and football. For football, he played on the offense and the defense and was a Co-Capt. In his senior year. His team then won the city championship. He was recruited by such notables as Woody Hayes, Lou Holtz, Bob Devaney, Marv Levy and Lee Corso. However, Don James and Bump Elliott sold him on attending the University of Michigan.

Even though his three siblings attended Ohio State University, they became Michigan fans when the two teams played each other. In Frank’s sophomore year, he broke a bone near his wrist. He wasn’t allowed to play in the games with the cast. So, his trainer, cut off his cast, padded and taped his arm and hand so he could play in the games. So each week during the season, after each game, Frank had a new cast made. Unfortunately, in one of those practices, he also broke his thumb because the thumb wasn’t protected. Finally, the following January or February, after the season, his hand healed and he didn’t have to wear a new cast. Frank actually, still retained one of his special maize and blue casts as a memento. Frank became a starter in the Wolf man position as a junior. His teammates called him the “toughest.”

Frank is one of the men that I interviewed in my upcoming book titled “Bo’s Warriors.” It was a real honor for me to get to know this fine spiritual man. As far as coincidences go, his wife is named Linda. Linda grew up in East side of Detroit, and attended Dominican high school. I passed her high school   each day while attending Denby high school.

I know that Frank is still rooting for his beloved University of Michigan teams. Go Blue!

It Has Nothing To Do With Age OR Gender with guest Jennifer Pfeifer

The Pursuit of Happiness Part 2

                       The Pursuit of Happiness    Part 2

 

This is my take. I have learned over the years some things. In my opinion,” happiness” changes somewhat like the weather. It is here one moment, then gone the next. Happy (in the dictionary) is defined as indicative of pleasure, content or gladness: a happy mood. Delighted, or pleased, or glad as over a particular thing: to be happy to see a person. So happiness is the quality or state of being happy, good fortune, pleasure, content or gladness. Synonyms for happiness include bliss, blessedness contentedness (an active or passive state of pleasure or pleasurable satisfaction).

 

 What I believe to be more stable and more lasting than a happy mood/ feelings is” well-being” (one’s mental and physical health). I prefer employing terms like “wellness, or well-being” instead. I also think that when you have wellness, or well-being, one pretty much has it all. 

 Optimum mental health is related to how it what we think long with our behavior (things we do).  That means in order to experience and live mentally healthy, the individual has to deal effectively with his many irrational or self-defeating ideas; be able to understand his defense mechanisms; and resolve various psychological life issues in order to reach the stage of ego integrity ( i.e. emotional integration, generosity, accepting ones life and death).

I also believe that getting inspired, finding meaning (purpose), spirituality, laughing,  appreciating  , and bonding (having that significant relationship not only with a spouse, but with others as well) contribute to the equation of good mental health.

And, physical health has a lot to do with   psychological health; maintaining proper nutrition, along with some form of exercise. And we know that there’s interplay between our brain and our body. If we are making good choices/decisions through movement or exercise, we are likely going to improve many things that includes but not limited to: heart health, immune system functioning, reducing high blood pressure, improving short-term memory, reducing risk of various cancers, help relieving various stresses, improving blood circulation, including better brain functioning, elevating mood, reducing depression and improving overall quality of life.

For your information, Professor Victor Strecher, a professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health in his book “On Purpose” wrote about the elderly. Dr. Strecher concluded per research that the elderly live longer when he has a sense of purpose in his life. Having a sense of purpose means that the individual is looking toward the future. Further, the importance of living or dying was the result of having something to look forward to (a future) and was illustrated by Dr. Viktor Frankl, in his book “Man’s Search for Meaning.” Dr. Frankel, a psychiatrist, wrote about his experience in Auschwitz during World War II. Without a purpose or meaning one dies more quickly.

In my book “It Has Nothing to Do with Age” I prescribed seven principles to lengthen your life span. These seven principles can create a healthier lifestyle. 1. Get inspired. It’s okay to begin a new activity by taking baby steps. Physical activity can help in improving physical fitness, losing weight, reducing anxiety and minimizing depression. 2. Finding meaning in an activity outside of family, career or raising kids; it can build self-esteem. 3. Enrich your emotional life by making physical contact, having friends, sharing interests, and learning about others, by becoming part of a new group. 4. Realize that there’s more to life than the accumulation of material things; having the biggest toy does not result in happiness. 5. Participate in outdoor activities to help nurture, spirituality. 6. For a way to escape, read about other people’s adventures. 7. Find inspiration and motivation through the illuminating profiles of eight remarkable senior athletes found within this book.

Make sure you find your own “happiness” or “well-being.”

The Pursuit of Happiness

 

"The be-all and end-all of life should not be to get rich, but to enrich the world."
– Bertie Charles Forbes

An article by Charles Murray titled “Rules for a Happy Life” appeared in the March 29-30, 2014 edition of the Wall Street Journal. According to Murray, Rule: 1. Consider Marrying Young. He talked about one advantage (a start up) is that you have many memories of your life (going from the initial insecurities to knowing you’re going to make it) and that you and your spouse have made your way together. He also talked about merger marriages (being more mature and less likely to outgrow each other). 2. Learn How to Recognize your Soul mate relates to not allowing objectionable deal breakers i.e. (punctuality, orderliness and thriftiness) to get in the way, since you’re not able to change your mate anyway. He added that it is important and critical for you to really like your spouse also. 3. Take Religion Seriously has to do with intellectually and experientially reading about i.e.  atheism, agnosticism, Hinduism, Christianity, etc. Also, to associate with people who are profoundly religious because they have learned to generally reconcile faith and reason (they transcend intelligence and judgment). 4.  Eventually Stop Fretting about Fame and Fortune and come to grips with your station in life. He quotes David Geffen, the billionaire “show me someone who thinks that money buys happiness and I’ll show you someone who has never had a lot of money.” Murray went on to say that fame and wealth do accomplish something: they cure ambition, anxiety, but that’s all. 5. Watch Groundhog Day Repeatedly since that fable deals with the most fundamental issues of virtue and happiness in that the protagonist Bill Murray learns to experience deep, lasting and justified satisfaction with life even in only one day to do it.

I really take exception to this article as Murray seems to be missing the boat. Perhaps his book provides more enlightenment then this adaptation.

 

Part 2  To be Continued

It Has Nothing To Do With Or Gender with guest Greg Kimler

The Heart of the Matter

"Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world."
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

This article was published in the Wall Street Journal on March 26, 2014. Dave McGillivray, Boston Marathon race director, finisher of 130 marathons was diagnosed with coronary heart disease. This marathoner was shocked and prior believed he could eat anything because his running would burn it off. He even advocated a chocolate chip cookie recipe and visiting Dairy Queen’s after his runs.

Since receiving his diagnosis last October, he changed his diet, and his weight dropped from155 to 128 pounds.  On the other hand, he increased his weekly mileage from 60 to 70 miles. Dave rationalized that it’s not that running will have killed him, but that the trigger would’ve likely happened even sooner, except for his running.

The following two studies suggest concern (50 men who had run at least one marathon a year for 25 years had higher levels of coronary artery plaque than a control group of sedentary men). Another study of 42 Boston Marathon runners found that their carotid arteries had a less favorable arthroscopic risk profile than a control group.

The article went on to talk about that some cardiologists believe that beyond a certain point, exercise stops preventing but actually and starts causing heart disease. In fact, one cardiologist believes that sustained endurance exercise can damage the heart and he doesn’t recommend any more than 20 miles a week at a moderate pace. On the other hand, another cardiologist might say, exercise might not add years to your life, but it adds life to your years.

In any event, consider having scans taken of your coronary arteries. In any event, there’s no guarantee that you can live to 100 years of age. Just make sure that whatever you do, it enhances your life.

For me, the key to life is to keep moving, smiling, laughing, loving, bonding and appreciating. What is your recipe ?

Self Care Reform

"Your life becomes the thing you have decided it shall be."
– Raymond Charles Barker

 

I just received “Self-Care Reform” written by Rusty Gregory a certified personal trainer from Austin, Texas. Rusty’s book is available on Amazon.com. This book helps the reader in discovering a path to good health. It does that by assisting people make better behavioral changes. Rusty believes that coaching facilitated his becoming more empathetic in dealing with people and their wellness.
In his 13 chapter book, Rusty, after each chapter, raises questions for the reader. This allows the reader to take an active approach in more fully understanding each chapter. Chapter 3 is titled What Does It Mean to Be Well? He draws four conclusions as to why individuals choose or stay with the easier or more comfortable behavior pattern: 1. Our identity becomes so wrapped up in our illness that we wouldn’t know who we were if we made a change for the better. 2. Some get comfortable with their illness, and it’s easier to stay where they are because otherwise they would have to become responsible and accountable for normal day- to- day living. 3. We lack the confidence needed to change. 4. We established the “societal norm” routine. The reader can either agree or disagree with Rusty’s ideas. But, in doing so, you have to think. Thinking is one of the beauties of this book.
Rusty talks about his four conclusions by illustrating examples from his clients. At the end of  Chapter 13, he raises three more questions: 1. What does wellness mean to you? 2. What changes are you willing to make in order to meet that definition? 3. On a scale of 1 to 10, what is your level of confidence that you can make the changes you need to make to be well? Remember, it all takes place between your ears.
Consider taking advantage of Rusty’s knowledge and experience (since 1991), If you’re at all concerned with your health and/or have reached a plateau and are stuck. We all realize that change is difficult, as well as being compulsive (stick- to- it- ness). Remember, no one ever said it’s easy to be consistent without employing rationalizations, denial or other defense mechanisms.
In any event, keep moving, smiling, laughing, loving, appreciating and bonding in your life space. 

Strategies for your Brain

"Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought."
– Henri-Louis Bergson

On Friday, I took a continuing education class sponsored by the Institute for Brain Potential and presented by Michael Lara, M.D.   Further Information from Dr.Lara can be obtained from his website, www.drmikelara.com. The following information are for educational purposes only.

According to Dr. Lara the prefrontal cortex is responsible for effective cognitive functioning and beginning as early as the mid-20s, a variety of impaired neurotransmitter signaling are  a result of age-related changes. Cumulative effects of chronic stress, such as depression, increased levels of cortisol, increased production of free radicals and other forms of bio markers like “ inflammation” are associated, and contribute to these changes. And of course we’re all familiar with memory loss.

Mild forgetfulness (where did I leave my keys, can you help me find my cell phone) are generally part of normal aging and occur  around age 70. Mild Cognitive Impairment is characterized by more severe lapses in memory and occur roughly around age 60, while Alzheimer’s Dementia(loss of memory, thinking, and reasoning skills) is more severe.

Memory loss is generally affected by age-related sleep changes, and can be  a significant stressor because of decreased total nocturnal  sleep time, delayed onset of sleep, reduced slow wave sleep, etc. These changes affect hippocampal atrophy in the aging brain.

Dr. Lara indicated that the following are not intended for “patient” diagnosis, education or treatment. A few of his ideas are as follows: 1. The B vitamins can support neurotransmitter function, and researchers found that homo cysteine-lowering B vitamins slowed the rate of brain atrophy in mild cognitive impairment by as much as 53%. 2. Bacopa is an Ayurvedic herb used to promote learning and memory. 3. As body weight increases (the abdominal cavity), brain volume drops. And obesity is primarily a disease of inflammation. 4. Omega-3 fatty acids and the ratio of Omega: 6: 3 is associated with and can be an anti- inflammatory nutrient. The ratio of approximately 1 is recommended. 5. The Mediterranean Diet is associated with reducing the risk of negative metabolic syndrome, reducing the risk of age-related cognitive decline and lower mortality rates.

Dr. Lara also talked about the benefits of Resveratrol (alcohol or grape juice) as a potent antioxidant; Dark Cocoa, CoQ10, and Blueberries, reducing oxidative stress caused by damaged mitochondria. For wine drinkers, you’ll like this quote “a meal without wine is like a day without sunshine.” Dr. Lara also talked about nutrients  that supported brain metabolism such as: 1. Berberine 2. Caffeine 3. Cinnamon.

His strategies for protecting the aging brain include: 1.Caloric restriction 2. Intermittent fasting 3. Aerobic training 4. Resistance training. Dr. Lara also mentioned that one hour of exercise was negated by six hours of sitting.

For those of you that want additional information, I suggest that you go to his website, or to WWW.ibpceu.com for additional references such as DVDs, booklets, and/or recommended readings. I totally support incorporating diet, supplements, and exercise to increase brain volume, longevity and to slow down cognitive  impairment for our aging brains. The key, of course, is finding the right  answer/practitioner.

In any event, keep moving, laughing, smiling, loving, appreciating and bonding too.

Way Too Cool 50 Km

"Could we change our attitude, we should not only see life differently, but life itself would come to be different."
– Katherine Mansfield

On March 8, I ran the 25^th annual, Way Too Cool, 50 km trail run. I am pleased to report that I ran it faster than last year. A couple of possible explanations are in order for the faster time, even with the wet and muddy trail conditions. For the past six months or so, I began running the hills and not worrying about my Achilles. Running the hills likely increased my cardio (overloading my cardiovascular system), which contributed to additional endurance. I’m considering running with a heart rate monitor to more accurately measure my cardio rate. I’ll  keep you posted. Not thinking about injuring my Achilles eliminated negative self-thoughts, which likely helped also.

I’m pleased to report that Tony, after a long Way Too Cool absence, met his running goal too. Further, my 100 mile ride and tie partner and friend Jonathan Jordan again ran in the event also. Jonathan, last year, experienced cramping at about 20 miles. This year, he ran well and didn’t cramp.

At about 14- 15 miles or so, Jonathan and I were accompanied by my friend Madhu. Once we reached the recycling center (21 miles), Chris and Bill joined us. My wife Linda and Chris’s wife Michelle were there also. At Goat Hill, Randall joined Linda and Michelle to welcome us. Meanwhile, Jonathan continued to stay in front.

It was great seeing everyone on the trail and at the aid stations. It certainly makes running more enjoyable. We all hung around at the finish, ate pizza, drank Coke’s and took pictures.

Afterwards, Linda and I hosted a potluck and were joined by spouses (Farah, Diane etc.}. We ate, drank, and it was all good. Further, I did not require any ibuprofen or icing afterwards. On Sunday, Jonathan, Linda and I hung out and took the day off. It was all good.’

An article from February 15, 2014, Bottom Line had a list of 9 Things Happy People Don’t Do. According to Dr. Dan Baker, he said that happy people don’t blame others for their problems. He said that taking responsibility for problems can lead to feelings of shame, guilt and inadequacy, but if we blame other people it’s more likely to lead to unhappiness. Because then, according to him, our happiness is outside our control, and then we are victims. He said take responsibility for solving your problems to learn that you have the power to set things right.

Taking responsibility for your issues, allows the individual to evaluate the effectiveness of decision-making. Hopefully, if poor decisions are made, we can then make proper changes. And as Katherine Mansfield states, it may be as” simple” as changing one’s attitude.

In any event, use the space between your ears, and employ effective, and self-fulfilling behaviors. That means keep moving, smiling, laughing, loving, appreciating and bonding.

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.

Bo's Warriors Chapter i Go Blue Go Part 4

Part 4            Bo's Warriors        Chapter 1       Go Blue Go

In fact, on one occasion, the offensive team was doing a punting drill. Bo said that he would give $10 to any defensive player that blocked the punt. As it happened, the punt got blocked and there goes offensive tackle Jim Brandstatter running down field to make the tackle. Bo becomes irate and runs down field after Brandstatter thinking he missed his block, which resulted in the blocked punt. He finally catches up to Jim and starts berating him. Quickly, one of the coaches, Jerry Hanlon, runs up to Bo telling him that Jim made his block. Do you think that Bo apologized for his mistake?   Instead, Bo said something to the effect “he needed it.”   Doesn’t that remark sound so much like Bo?      

Bo knew that expectancy of success has a positive incentive value. Further, that expectancy of failure can affect the achievement motive as well; such as the motive to avoid failure. He knew that leadership, bonding, social pressure, and wanting to please could be nurtured in a group setting. He also knew that the players would bond around Jim Brandstatter and that Jim could take the verbal abuse.

Coach Schembechler understood that purposive behavior /positive valence goals gave meaning to these young curious competitive minds. He knew that aversive stimulation or negative reinforcement worked too especially and more so back then. He also knew about intrinsic motivation (desire to practice in order to become a better football player) and extrinsic motivation (a team win over OSU and MSU red letter games), as powerful motivators. Schembechler made it clear to his troops “do it my way, or the Highway; do it right the first time.” His communications were clear, not ambiguous. He knew how to communicate with his guys.

 In essence, Coach Schembechler knew how to increase motivation, so that his players would put out maximum effort. He realized that expectation of success (winning regular and red letter games) and expectation of failure (had to be avoided). He also was cognizant that success has a positive incentive value (important for the team, important for the coaches, important for the University, important for the tradition) increased motivation and behaviors associated with achieving the goal. He also knew that achievement, competitiveness, were in the psychological DNA of the exceptional group of men that he was leading. He knew they would avoid failure at any cost. They knew the importance of winning this OSU game.

Another significant and an important part of Bo’s psychological genius was related to conditioning. Bo Schembechler had an understanding that being in top physical condition resulted in not only intellectual growth but development in mental toughness as well (it ain’t just toughness). These young warriors realized that if they could survive Bo’s practices during the spring and fall, the game on Saturday would likely be a break/reward and/or relief.

Coach Bo’s most significant contribution to success was his ability to get the most out of his young players by changing their thought process. He did that by challenging them, getting them to believe that the impossible was possible. In other words, these young men began to believe in Bo, in the team and in themselves. The team mindset changed, barriers and obstacles overcome and on the field performance reached new heights. They no longer sold themselves short because their concept of self was raised beyond what they originally thought.  As these young man began to fulfill their football potential, their confidence soared and now the sky became their limit. This team could and did achieve anything they set their collective minds to accomplishing.

Bo utilized the achievement model of motivation.  He knew that goals were related to involvement of the task (which the main goal is to improve and increase one’s skills through practice, drill and more drill). Achievement goals are also related to ego involvement with the goal to demonstrate superior ability or out achieving-outperforming others. And that these high achievers will gain such things as approval and acclaim within the group. In other words, he knew that mastery within the sport and high-performance was paramount for team success. Bo was a master social psychologist, teacher/sage/ mentor to this collection of physically and mentally exceptionally gifted young men.

Bo's Warriors Chapter 1 Go Blue Go

                                           Bo's Warriors           Chapter 1 Go Blue Go  
Part 3 Continued

Certainly, having the Ohio State playing date written in red letters on the blackboard was an incentive and was a clear group goal. No one had to say or even verbalize the importance of that Ohio State game. It was simply understood. The expectation was great and the consequences were clear and the outcome could only be provided by this group of young men/ the team.

Bo understood this concept of group/team cohesiveness. Bo himself had great teachers and he learned from the best like Woody. Bo also surrounded himself with smart coaching minds and valued their input. Serving in the U.S. military no doubt contributed to his understanding of the dynamics of groups. Some people compare psychologically a football team’s cohesiveness to being in a foxhole with a buddy, within your company during battle with the enemy. Woody was a great field general and understood historical battles and taught his protégé Bo well.

Bo also knew about human learning, human development, group dynamics and motivation. He realized that external and situational factors play a part and create motivations which otherwise might not exist. He knew about focusing. He knew about expectations and probability of reward/ reinforcement. Bo also was cognizant of the fact that reinforcement (feedback) didn’t always have to be positive. In fact he knew when to talk disparagingly to his young troops. He was smart enough to realize that negative or critical feedback also works and influences behavior. He knew who could take it and who couldn’t. Some like Brandstatter heard comments, from the coaches, such as “you’re the worst tackle in the history of intercollegiate sports; “and “We wasted a scholarship on you;”   Bo called Gusich “a candy ass.”   By the way, candy ass co-captain Gusich was called by his teammates “the toughest dude on the team. “ When Bo told Keller “cut your hair.” Keller responded “baldness runs in my family and I am keeping my hair as long as possible.”   Bo also said, according to Seyferth something to the effect that, “I have the 10 worst players in college football.”

 

 Coach Schembechler’s assistant coaches realized (on their own) that these young man required positive interactive reinforcement. The assistant coaches knew that Bo was going to break the men down (mental toughness), so that he could rebuild them to excel at the highest level.  Within this situation, of being in a highly competitive big time Division 1 program, football players were obedient and eagerly followed directions( of an authoritarian, no- nonsense disciplinarian, tough- love father figure), the head coach during that era . In spite of Bo being, on the field, critical, these assistant coaches also knew that Bo was gentler with his young players, one-on-one, behind closed doors. The assistant coaches also knew that Bo (warm and fuzzy as an assistant under Woody) somewhat imitated Woody, when Bo became the man and ran his program.

It was okay with Bo that the assistant coaches would be the good guys, gentle, personable, friendly warm, who made football fun with their creative drills. Gary Moeller, for one, had his defensive men doing  end zone drills, laughing-having a good time while Bo’s offense were doing their not so fun  drills.  According to Frank Gusich, Dick Hunter was a good guy, and even fed Hunter’s kids lunch during his junior and senior seasons. During a practice/scrimmage session, Fritz Seyferth was discouraged by Bo’s criticism. However, assistant coach Jerry Hanlon would come by and pat him on the back and say “you are doing this right.” Did that ever sooth the wound.

To Be Continued

Bo's Warriors Chapter 1 Go Blue Go

Part 2       Continued               Go Blue Go

And with team bonding, team unity also influences positively the kind/type of personality each player was is developing. These players became less self-centered, and more caring and giving. These young men became less full of themselves. They cared a lot about each other.  Membership in the group was paramount for security, achievement, competitiveness   and status. As” the team” became more and more of a positive attraction, it became more cohesive and turned toward a collective “we.” Forget about “I” or “me.” Even when Fritz Seyferth, a starting fullback (had a Rose Bowl scoring touchdown) began sharing duties with a sophomore, he didn’t complain or say “poor me.” Fritz worked hard for the team.  Reggie McKenzie told the story about Preston Henry during one spring practice. During that particular practice, Henry, a running back, had to practice offensive maneuvers for both the first and second string offense for some 130 plays or so. After practice, everyone ran sprints, even Preston Henry.” We all felt sorry for him. “Absolutely no one on the team would have been upset if Preston Henry was excused from running wind sprints.” It’s highly unusual (unheard of) for one player to run that many plays in one practice or scrimmage session.

With cohesiveness, this team was able to mobilize its energies in their support of the group goals, which were to prepare self physically (even if doing exhausting, unintelligible exercises i.e. .slap and stomp), so that on the field performance (a win) would be second to none. Solidarity was important and expressed by the final core players that didn’t quit or leave the team. There was a sign, on the wall, that attempted to reduce the number of players from quitting and keeping only the toughest. It read   “those that stay will become champions.” A player (Pru man) who left the team added “those that leave will become captains of industry, lawyers and doctors.” Roughly, 75 or so players stayed with the team. They may have complained about some of the tactics employed by Bo, but stayed. In fact, a player or two would be talked out of quitting the team-Reggie McKenzie for one. Reggie went through a spell thinking that Bo was unfairly on his back. He was told” McKenzie men do not quit.” From that point on, Reggie showed Bo his character. His self-talk was something like” I’m not going to let Bo beat me. “

These young men became strongly motivated to contribute to the team’s welfare and advance its objectives versus me / my individual goals. As a team they became more cohesive; the more the individual players wanted to become part of the team, the more they liked/bonded with each other. They roomed/lived  together, took the same classes , socialized , partied,  got fixed up on dates by teammates, worked  at the same off season jobs   ,pledged the same fraternities , boycotted the same classes  and became inspired together.  They had common interests and belonging was important as they identified with something much bigger/larger than themselves (University of Michigan’s gridiron history).  Bo told them during the racial unrest on the campus that, according to Brandstatter, “we are one race-Michigan football; you guys are not about race; no one from the outside is going to get between us; race is not an issue. “ Keller remembered “son of a bitch you’re not red, you’re not white, you’re not blue-you’re Michigan.” Even Bo supported the Mellow Men’s (seven black football players) stand on boycotting (shutting it down) the Economics building during a campus demonstration.

As desirability of membership and being part of the team Increased, the greater the value of expectations or outcomes became apparent. It was significant that their need state for achievement, affiliation, competitiveness, recognition and security were being realized through team membership.

To be continued