Sunday, November 16, 2014

Michigan and Ohio State Rivalry-Orange County

 Michigan and Ohio State University

I’d like to thank Shelly Komer for inviting me to attend and present on November 12, 2014 to the Orange County Chapter of the University of Michigan Alumni Association.  I invited my wife Linda and my good friend Jonathan Jordan (my 100 mile Ride and Tie partner) to the breakfast presentation and book signing.

I gave some explanations to the group as to why and how the young Michigan Wolverines were victorious over the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 22, 1969. Some of my reasons included: 1. Frank Gusich mentioned about the extreme conditioning tactics of coach Schembechler and he thought he would be in suburb physical condition in the fourth quarter of every game. And because of this superior conditioning, his team would be victorious. 2. Reggie McKenzie claimed that the Mellow Men watched the 1968, Michigan and Ohio State game when Michigan got slaughtered and lost 50 to 14. He said his teammates vowed never to let that happen again. 3. The players stated that they marveled when their coaches shoveled off the snow on the practice field prior to Monday’s practice of that Ohio State game. They knew the coaches were totally behind them. 4. Coach Schembechler, coach Moeller, and other coaches and players i.e. Frank Gusich, Tom Curtis, Jim Betts, and Thom Darden were all from Ohio. In the communities in which they grew up, it was simply Buckeye territory. Not only did these men not go to the most prestigious school in Ohio, they left and went to its archrival. So for bragging rights it was important for a win. 5. Reggie McKenzie remembered Mad Dog Jim Mandich in the tunnel with his fists clenched, tears running down his face, spitting out unintelligible words-he will never forget Capt. Mandich’s passion. 6. Thom Darden remembered Bo slamming the blackboard and the seniors throwing and breaking chairs as they left before going to the tunnel. Darden will never forget that either. 7. During the season’s practices, coach Schembechler ran Ohio State’s basic plays so the defense would know what likely was coming on that Saturday. They were prepared. 8. Also, prior to that Ohio State game, the practice squad had a number 50 on their helmets signifying the year be fore’s humiliation. 9 On the blackboard, the Michigan state and Ohio State games were circled. Everyone knew, without a word being spoken, the importance of those rivalry games. And 10.

The week before the Ohio State game, the Wolverines were in Iowa City and they demolished Iowa convincingly. After the game, on the way back to Ann Arbor, the players wanted to play Ohio State, right then and there. In other words, they were ready in their own minds. The group ego expected to win that game, and it didn’t matter when or where that game was played. The power of positive thinking/expectation was so immense that nothing would diminish it.

Ohio State scored first, but missed the extra point; Michigan scored, and kicked the extra point; Ohio State scored again and missed the extra point; Michigan scored, and kicked the extra point. Michigan went on to score 10 more points. Final score Michigan 24 Ohio State 12.

Not only did the 10 year war start between Bo and Woody, but the transformation of Michigan football began.


Go Blue !

Saturday, November 15, 2014

President Obama, CTE and the NFL

President Obama, Adrian Peterson, Reggie McKenzie, Jim Brandstatter and Thom Darden

An article published in the November 9, 2014 edition of The New York Times Magazine, focused on the coming settlement over brain injuries in the NFL and suggested the likelihood of forthcoming legal and regulatory nightmares. For a few facts: 1. There are 1.2 7 million lawyers in the US or one for every 300 Americans 2. Dr. Omalu performed an autopsy on Mike Webster and found that he suffered from a degeneration of tissue and other markers of decline usually present only in people much younger. 3. In this doctors published study, he found evidence of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) – football, caused irreversible brain damage. 4. The NFL filed documents in federal court and estimated that 28% of retired players eligible for settlement will develop long-term cognitive deficiencies, many of them at a statistically younger age. 5. Current NFL players Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, college player Jameis Winston, high school players from Sayreville, New Jersey are all in the news for their inappropriate behaviors. 6. A proposed settlement with the NFL has set aside about $765 million for brain injured players-NFL’s total liability paid out over decades may not rise much beyond 1 billion.

Perhaps, as result of research regarding brain injuries in football even Pres. Obama said that if he had boy children, and he would not allow them to play football. And in California, a law was passed barring state middle school and high school teams from conducting full contact practices for more than three hours a week during the season. Physical contact is not allowed at all in the off-season. And between 2010 and 2012, Pop Warner, the nation’s largest youth football program lost about 10% participation. An unnamed family member said he would not allow his 10-year-old play football but has him involved in club wrestling and raves when his son wrestles older and bigger kids. I just had to add that fact.

The New York Times writer went on to suggest that football might become like the tobacco industry .This industry it’s lost many US smokers (about 18% of American adults smoke) and that there are very few places or locations where an individual can smoke. He’s suggesting there are going to be more regulations and lawsuits, which is good for the attorneys.

Currently, as far as the number of people watching TV programs on the 2013 list, only the Academy Awards broadcast at number 7 broke into the top 10. The other nine most-watched TV programs were NFL related.

Joe DeLamielleure was mentioned as a client of one of the attorneys in the article. Joe was a teammate of Reggie McKenzie of the Buffalo Bills. Reggie and I talked at length about his life, both past and current. Although, Reggie has some physical problems, he never mentioned other symptoms.  I did not conduct a mental status evaluation with him.

Thom Darden played with the Cleveland Browns. Thom and I spoke about physical impairments and conditioning only. Once again I did not conduct a mental status evaluation with him. If the reader is at all concerned about the dangers of football, I especially refer you to the chapters on Reggie and Thom. Although Jim Brandstatter did not play professional football, he is still the radio voice for the Detroit Lions and the Michigan Wolverines. Just listen to him on the radio to determine if he still has it.

From the players that I have interviewed, not one has said that they wouldn’t have played the game of football. So if they had, do overs, football would be on the list.


This is a bye week for the Wolverines. Practice well and prepare for Maryland on November 22, 2014. Do you remember what happened on November 22, 1969?

Friday, November 14, 2014

Valor,Band of Brothers,Bo,and Peyton Manning

 Valor, Band of Brothers, Bo Schembechler and Peyton Manning

While I was on my elliptical this morning, I was watching a taped program from a Veterans Day program “Concert of Valor.” While watching this concert, I was moved by the Spirit of the entertainers as well as the audience. It was very patriotic to say the least and that was neat. Early on in the program, an orthopedic surgeon from Truckee, California story was told. After losing one of his two military sons, this surgeon at age 60, wanted to enlist. Initially, he was turned down because of his age, but an intervention by President Bush facilitated his serving. The word valor fits for him and all his fellow comrade veterans.

Valor is defined as exhibiting bravery, especially in battle. The word also suggest heroic courage, being strong and boldness in braving danger. While I was interviewing Mike Keller for my book “Bo’s Warriors” he commented on how he felt connected to his Wolverine teammates and referred to them as “Band of Brothers” Keller made it clear that while playing for Michigan, it felt like being in the military as far as the bonding and love for his teammates was concerned. He was not associating practices and games with actual battle conditions like in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler had no difficulty in providing examples of military generals and historic battles in motivating their players. A key component in forming a band of brothers is the cohesiveness of the group and working for a common goal. Their love, they’re not wanting to let their comrades or teammates down, and submerging their individual egos for the will of the group is unprecedented. Coach Bo Schembechler was a genius at bringing the group and narrowing its focus on the team. For him it was the team, team, and team.

Related to being part of the group is the following: “when you find your trail, keep on it, because that will allow you to know your destination.” This simply means that it may take a while to find your path, your trail or your way before you know where you’re going. Commercials like Joe Montana for the correct shoe; Brett Favre for the correct sock; Peyton Manning for the correct pizza; or some correct drink; or some correct compression device; or some correct exercise equipment may work as a placebo to assist while on your journey. Placebos are fine and good motivators. However, remember that motivation, drive, goal, or valor is found from within. When you have found “your trail,” it’ll be perfectly clear, and I mean perfectly clear. Although the journey may have bumps and turns, the path will become clearer and clearer. You’ll know that you found your own pathway.


 For me, some of those early side trails, intersections, etc. included being part of the football team, becoming a PhD psychologist, finding Ride and Tie, ultra running and connecting. It took a while for me to find my way and I’m sure you will too. Remember the trail is not always clear because our goals change. And it may take a while to know or realize that you’re on the right path. In the meantime, keep moving, laughing, smiling, bonding and appreciating.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Looking for Bill Gates



Just recently I read an article in the October 26, 2014 edition of The New York Times. The statistics quoted in the article was alarming and brought reality home. It seemed to me that the “American Public” was not getting any smarter and that people just seem more opinionated. In the article, the writer talked about his father, a World War II refugee who did not speak English when he arrived in the United States In 1951. His father, purchased a copy of the New York Times and began to teach himself to read and speak English. Not only that, he graduated from college and eventually earned a PhD and became a university professor. This man bought into the American dream that was possible back then. However, today’s statistics suggest that economic and educational mobility are now greater in Europe than in America. Well, that’s sobering and here are some statistics cited as to why America has fallen behind.

America, at one time, led the world in mass education. By the mid-1800s most American states provided a free elementary education to the great majority of white children. While in Great Britain, in 1870, only 2% of British 14-year-olds were in school. And by the 1930’s, the US was the first major country in which the majority of children attended a high school. And in 1957, only 9% of 17-year-olds in Great Britain were in school. Until the 1970s, we were preeminent in mass education and some believe that was the secret to America’s economic rise. Since 1970s, things have changed dramatically.

For example: 1. currently, more young men in America have less education than their parents (20 versus 29% 2. If your parents didn’t graduate from high school, only 5% of you made it through college. While if you lived in another industrialized country, about 23% of you made it through college. 3. Russia, leads the way and has the largest percentage of adults with a University education. At one time we were first. 4. In 2000, the US ranked a respectable second to the share of the population with a college degree. Currently, we have dropped to fifth place. And, among 25 to 34-year-olds, we are in 12th place behind South Korea in first place. 5. Among industrialized countries, 70% of their three-year-olds are enrolled in educational programs. However, in the United States, the figure is 38%. 6. Although American teachers work longer hours, they earned 68% as much is the average American college educated worker. In industrialized countries, their teachers average, a respectable 88% .7. Our educational system is dependent on local property taxes. That’s great for rich kids in the suburbs and disastrous for inner-city kids who need more assistance.

We have heard for years about economic inequality and maybe something to do with that is related to this negative educational trend. While we have a number of private colleges, we know they are creative in attempting to entice students to enroll. However, that doesn’t seem to solve the diminishing educational enrollment problem in our country.

The priorities in our culture seem to center around the military, homeland security, or in economic terms-guns versus butter as was pointed out by Pres. Eisenhower when he talked about the great military-industrial complex. The government and especially social media, radio and TV have done a great job in promoting fear. Too bad other than Bill Gates were not putting more effort into fixing educational inequality in our country.


Have we lost our way?  And you think the Wolverines have problems?

Sunday, November 9, 2014

U of M Expectations

A previous post covered the power of positive thinking as related to Michigan’s historic 1969 win over the Buckeyes. For me, positive thinking, has to do with one’s level of aspiration based upon previous experiences. It’s not just a wish or a fantasy that’s going to make it happen, it relates to goals, achievements and failures over a period of time.

To contrast, there was a recent article in the New York Times, October 26, 2014 that dealt with positive thinking. This University professor challenged the notion that the key to success is to cultivate and maintain an optimistic outlook. And she went on to suggest that affirmations or eliminating self-talk might not be enough.

Professor Oettingen conducted a study that was related to weight reduction. Briefly, the women in the study were involved in several short open-ended scenarios about future events. Simply put, the researchers asked these women to imagine how they would fare in each scenario. Some of the women were asked to imagine that they successfully completed a weight loss program; others asked to imagine situations in which they were tempted to cheat on their diets. Afterwards, these women were asked to rate how positive or negative their thinking, thoughts and images were. The results were that the more positively women had imagined themselves in their scenario, the fewer pounds that they lost.

Additional research by the professor centered around various kinds of wishes, such as wanting a date, hip replacement for patients hoping to get back on their feet, graduate students looking for a job, etc. Once again, fantasizing about happy outcomes, dreaming about them or just wishing didn’t affect the outcome. And, this positive thinking seemed to hinder people from realizing their dreams. This professor believes that positive thinking and/or fantasizing just fools our minds into perceiving that we’ve already attained the goal, and that slackens or reduces our energy to pursue it.

So, the Wolverines in 1969 just didn’t have positive fantasies about that game. The nine games proceeding this big one, which included mental and physical conditioning, practice, practice, practice, along with real game experience resulted in a series of self-appraisals related to aspirations based on real life events-behavior. So I agree, just fantasizing about an event doesn’t make it happen. The event has to be an important goal, which means that there’s plenty of hard, difficult work involved to attain it. Each success or failure, generally can raise or lower ones expectancy.  Simply put, these Wolverines had a series of positive practice and game day experiences. And as a consequence, their level of aspiration or expectancy was raised, so they believed they were invincible. This team had numerous positive reinforcements coupled with coach Schembechler putting them in a favorable position to win that game. Just ask these players about “the game.” And that victory helped to bond the players for life. http://ithasnothingtodowithage.blogspot.com/


Check your thoughts and wishes and see if they are in any way related to your goals. Thoughts and behavior need to be in concert. Are yours?

Go Blue!

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Michigan 24- Ohio State 12

This is almost the 45th anniversary of the University of Michigan’s terrific victory over the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes In 1969. Back then, I remember some of the game as I was with a number of grad students studying psychology for the upcoming preliminary exams.

There are number of explanations and reasons of how and why the young Wolverines were victors on that cold November day. These are some of things that players told me in the writing of Bo’s Warriors: 1. Frank Gusich mentioned about the extreme conditioning tactics of coach Schembechler and that he thought he would be in superb physical condition in the fourth quarter. And because of this conditioning, his team would be victorious. 2. Reggie McKenzie claimed about being with the Mellow Men watching the 1968, Michigan and Ohio State game. In that game, Michigan got slaughtered and lost 50-14. He said his teammates vowed never to let that happen again. 3. A number of the players stated about the coaches shoveling off the snow prior to Monday’s practice and that impressed these players. 4. Coach Schembechler, Coach Moeller, and other coaches and players Frank Gusich, Tom Curtis, Jim Betts, and Thom Darden were all from Ohio. In the communities in which they grew up, it was simply Buckeye territory. Not only did these men not go to the most prestigious school in Ohio, they left and went to its archrival. So for bragging rights it was important for a win. 5. Reggie McKenzie remembered Mad Dog Jim Mandich in the tunnel with fists clenched, tears running down his face spitting out unintelligible words-he will never forget Captain Mandich’s passion. 6. Thom Darden remembered Bo slamming the blackboard and the seniors throwing and breaking chairs as they left before going to the tunnel. Darden will never forget that either.  7. During the season’s practices, Coach Schembechler ran Ohio State’s basic plays so that the defense would know what would be coming on that Saturday. They were prepared.  8. Also, prior to that Ohio State game, the practice squad had a number 50 on their helmets signifying the year before humiliation. 9. On the black board, the Michigan State and Ohio State games were circled. Everyone knew, without a word being spoken, the importance of those rivalry games. 10. The importance of number 10 cannot be overstated:

The week before the Ohio State game, the Wolverines were in Iowa City and they demolished Iowa convincingly. After the game on the way back to Ann Arbor, the players wanted to play Ohio State, right then and there. In other words, they were ready in their own minds. The group ego expected to win that game, and it didn’t matter when or where that game was played. The power of positive thinking /expectation was immense and nothing would diminish it.

In that classic game, Ohio State went down the field and scored, but not the extra point. Michigan received the ball and scored kicking the extra point. Ohio State got the ball and went down the field and scored. They didn’t get the extra point, nor did they shake, Michigan’s confidence. The Wolverines scored three more times to win the game 24 to 12. A large part of that victory was related to the players thinking they were invincible. And, Coach Bo had a lot to do with that tremendous upset.

The moral of the story is about expectations. For more about the power of expectations, visit my other blog. http://ithasnothingtodowithage.blogspot.com/


Go Blue!

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Chris Christie would say"shut up" Wolverine Complainers

  As Chris Christie would say,” shut up,” Wolverine complainers
There was terrific news in Ann Arbor on Saturday. The University President Mark Schlissel, interim A.D. Jimmy Hackett, Coach Brady Hoke and the University of Michigan Wolverines all won. Maybe more importantly, it was a win for the current students as well as the alumni. In a perfect world, some of the controversy surrounding Michigan football would die down. However, in today’s world, the” boo “birds are perched just waiting to pounce on any opportunity to criticize.

Corrective criticism is one thing and can be appropriate. However, for many, criticism (whether it be politics, sports, entertainment, etc.), has more to do with displeasure of self. At times criticism seems more like hate, anger and /or irrational prejudice and that suggests to me that the expression is likely based on unconscious dynamics. In other words, an individual’s unhappiness of self gets projected and displaced on some person, thing, or object.

It’s so easy to find fault in someone else, especially because being perfect, or perfection hardly exists in reality. And, in sports, we see so much imperfection, mistakes -dropping the ball, overthrowing the receiver, jumping off sides, etc. Even though the players practice and practice that doesn’t result in the elimination of mistakes. Practice might not make it perfect, but hopefully it can reduce the number of errors. When that special moment or perfection happens, it is beautiful to watch as in a touchdown run or the quarterback throwing a touchdown pass. But in a 60 minute football game, how often do we see perfection?

In essence, we live in a world of criticism as there are so many unhappy people. And, the social media technology makes it too easy for these individuals. Perfection does happen but maybe not often enough, since we are all human and make mistakes. I know I have made mistakes (Mike Keller, Thom Darden, and Jim Betts told me about their chapters In Bo’s Warriors) and likely you have as well. So when you put together 11 men on offense and 11 men on defense, they’re going to be mistakes. And the team that makes fewer mistakes often wins.

Hopefully, the imperfect President Schlissel, Jimmy Hackett and his advisers will minimize mistakes and find one terrific athletic director. Time will tell.


 Go Blue!