Bo Shembechler dead

[Rampage]

ohio state is in trouble now. GO BLUE!

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Damn, hate to hear this.

Rest in peace Coach Bo Shembechler.

 

[Screw The Hall]

Hate to disagree with you and start an argument in this thread, but your wrong on this. I can speak from personal experience. When I was in high school our 3rd string QB died doing some yard work with a neighbor. Two days later we played Everman for what basically amounted to a playoff spot. Now, my school hadnt been to the playoffs for football in over 30 years, and hasnt since. My school also hadnt beaten Everman in football for over 20 years, and hasnt since. However, we went out there that day fighting like dogs. All our wristbands had his name on them, we were holding them in the air, saying RIP in the huddles to each other. We used it as fuel the entire game. And we won, 7-6 with a blocked field goal on the last play of the game. We made the playoffs and subsequently got destroyed in the first round. But, there is no doubt emotion carried us to that win. Every year, we go 6-4 or 7-3. We beat everyone but Brownwood, Stephenville, and Everman, and lose out on the playoffs by that one game. Somehow we did it that year. It was emotion.

Great post ... I never tire of these types of stories.

You and the rest of your football team were a perfect example of how to correctly channel your emotion into a streamlined focus for one game. For you guys it was all about leaving it all on the field for one glorious moment in honor of your fallen teammate.

It doesn't always workout that way ... maybe once in awhile god does care about what happens in a football game.

 

[NinePointOh]

And now, Meeeeechigan is gonna be all hyped for this game, this one death might nullify homefield.

I don't know. It might be emotional for the alums, for the media, and for Lloyd Carr, but Schembechler hasn't been officially associated with U of M sports for almost 15 years. Most Wolverine players probably know who he is and what he did for their school, but have very little emotional attachment to him personally.

Kinda like when Tom Landry died and the Cowboys still played horrible football. It was big for us fans, but probably not so much for Emmitt Smith, Flozell Adams, and Dexter Coakley.

 

[dallasfaniac]

Do you think the "Dead Shembecklers" will change their name?

From their site:
The band is crushed to learn of the death of Bo Schembechler. We named this band after Coach Schembechler to honor him as the face of Wolverine football. We have never wished ill will upon him in any way and have always wished him the best. When we learned that Bo had seen our web site and was amused by it we were delighted. We were simply delighted. He said to those with him as he read it, "See, I still matter in Columbus!" That may have been the greatest understatement in football history. We believe that he took the band's name as the compliment that it was meant as and that he was flattered by it. We wish to extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to his family. We are truly sorry for their loss.

 

[peplaw06]

I don't know. It might be emotional for the alums, for the media, and for Lloyd Carr, but Schembechler hasn't been officially associated with U of M sports for almost 15 years. Most Wolverine players probably know who he is and what he did for their school, but have very little emotional attachment to him personally.

Kinda like when Tom Landry died and the Cowboys still played horrible football. It was big for us fans, but probably not so much for Emmitt Smith, Flozell Adams, and Dexter Coakley.

That's not what they're saying on TV right now. They've been saying Schembechler hung around quite a bit and most of the players knew him. Not in an official capacity mind you, but he was around.

 

[TUNANBOX]

R.I.P Bo!! How fitting is it to have Woody and Bo watching perhaps the biggest game in their century old rivalry together once again. These two helped make this rivalry what it is today and they will be looking down watching on what is definetly gonna be one for the ages.

 

[jazzcat22]

It works out with the emotions more for the team if the player / coach is active with that team at the time. Most / all of these players coaches were kids or not even born I should say. And the emotional ties with Bo are not there as if he was actually coaching. The ties and emotions are from the great history, not current history involving their own time. So yes they will be fired up, but not as much, and will not last as long as you think. Those emotions will settle down after the first 10 minutes.

Also, will these players over think and over react, therefore hurting their game. Because they think they HAVE to win for BO and not because their is possible NCAA Championship game spot on the line. It will come down to how well they are prepared and keep focus.

 

[tomson75]

A little wolverine "bo-mentum"...watch out Concord!

 

[Concord]

A little wolverine "bo-mentum"...watch out Concord!

The thought definitely crossed my mind. Just Great!

 

[NinePointOh]

That's not what they're saying on TV right now. They've been saying Schembechler hung around quite a bit and most of the players knew him. Not in an official capacity mind you, but he was around.

Sure, but what I'm saying is that it's nowhere near the same as if he'd actually been their coach or their teammate. The players simply never had a chance to develop a strong emotional investment in him, any more than they've grown attached to the towel boy or a local sports radio host. This might be a big deal to Lloyd Carr and the alumni, but I just don't see a bunch of 20-year-old kids from all over the country firing themselves up and screaming, "Let's win one for that guy who coached here when we were all in kindergarten!"

 

[tomson75]

Sure, but what I'm saying is that it's nowhere near the same as if he'd actually been their coach or their teammate. The players simply never developed a strong emotional investment in him, any more than they've grown attached to the towel boy or a local sports radio host. This might be a big deal to Lloyd Carr, but I just don't see a bunch of 20-year-old kids from all over the country firing themselves up and screaming, "Let's win one for that guy who coached here when we were all in kindergarten!"

Not that they even need this big of a reason to get emotional for this game, but have you ever heard of school pride?

A minority of the players on that Michigan squad will go on to have any sort of career in the NFL...meaning the majority of those guys are out there for the love of football and love of their school (or scholarship money). Everyone at that university is feeling this to some extent, and the football players are clearly not an exeption. They will be pumped up. If they have no respect for those that came before them, how can they expect their own legacy at Michigan to be remembered?

...and if not for any other reason, it is an excuse to get fired up, to shake any nerves well before the game. Bo was a big reason this rivalry exists today, his death on the eve of arguably the biggest game ever between these two teams won't mean anything.....I think not.

 

[joseephuss]

good god, his record was awesome!! anyone with a better percentage in College?

Bo is 18th in winning percentage and 10th in wins.

http://www.ncaa.org/library/records...s_book/2006/2006_d1_football_records_book.pdf

 

[sf49rh8r]

Hate to disagree with you and start an argument in this thread, but your wrong on this. I can speak from personal experience. When I was in high school our 3rd string QB died doing some yard work with a neighbor. Two days later we played Everman for what basically amounted to a playoff spot. Now, my school hadnt been to the playoffs for football in over 30 years, and hasnt since. My school also hadnt beaten Everman in football for over 20 years, and hasnt since. However, we went out there that day fighting like dogs. All our wristbands had his name on them, we were holding them in the air, saying RIP in the huddles to each other. We used it as fuel the entire game. And we won, 7-6 with a blocked field goal on the last play of the game. We made the playoffs and subsequently got destroyed in the first round. But, there is no doubt emotion carried us to that win. Every year, we go 6-4 or 7-3. We beat everyone but Brownwood, Stephenville, and Everman, and lose out on the playoffs by that one game. Somehow we did it that year. It was emotion.

I concur. I witnessed a very similar event about 20 years ago also. One of the more prominent high school coaches in Hawaii's history died right before a playoff game against a beast of a team. It was eerie to be there and watch the strange bounces the ball too and the uncanny twists that resulted in a major upset. You'd swear that he had a hand in the outcome.