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!

Michigan 24- Ohio State 12

This is almost the 45^th 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!

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!

Brandon Quits

Well, the news in Ann Arbor Is that Athletic Director Dave Brandon resigned. With all the negative publicity surrounding Michigan football, the only surprise is that it was today. Was Brandon the right person for this incredible position or was the Peter Principle in play? I have not studied or evaluated Brandon’s tenure as the athletic director at the University of Michigan(although he fired, Rich Rod and hired Brady Hoke).

However, some background is needed. In 1968 Don Canham succeeded, Fritz Crisler, as the athletic director at the University of Michigan. Canham was an impressive athlete being an All-American at Michigan in the high jump in 1940. After completing and helping the Michigan Wolverines track and field team win the Big Ten Conference in 1940 and 1941, Canham later served as Michigan’s head coach in track and field for 18 years from 1950-to 1968. During his tenure, the Wolverines won 12 Big Ten conference championships, seven indoor and five outdoor. It’s obvious that Canham was superb evaluator of talent and recruiting.

 Don Canham ran the athletic department as A.D. from 1968 through 1988. He first hired Bo Schembechler as its head coach in 1968; was a skilled, aggressive marketer; placed Notre Dame on its football schedule and set national attendance records at the Big House. Canham knew about business marketing and selected a brilliant football coach to say the least.

Don Canham was succeeded by Bo Schembechler as A.D. Schembechler coached until 1989 when he began became athletic director and served for two years. Schembechler’s health had something to do with his short tenure as the Wolverines athletic director. We all know that Schembechler was a brilliant and successful coach.

In my opinion, I don’t think anyone has successfully run the A.D. department as did Don Canham. Sure, William Martin made a profit during his 10 years or so. And the others since Canham, had relatively short stints as A.D.’s. That doesn’t say much for stability nor direction.

Hopefully this time, the highly intelligent new president Dr. Mark Schlissel will select the right A.D. for the University of Michigan. And that he’ll not be threatened by picking the best individual for this position. Some of the criteria he might consider include:  1. an outstanding athlete 2. Head-coaching experience 3. Business-marketing skills 4. Ability to evaluate, understand and surround oneself with brilliant, competent individuals

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Go Blue !

An Unusual Trip

AN UNUSUAL TRIP

For 12 days and evenings, Frank and I spent quality time with 7 unique football players, 2 coaches, a College -NFL referee and current Athletic Director from the University of Michigan. These players were the core of 1969 Michigan Football during the rivalry with Ohio State that influenced football to this day. The players became so bonded during those years they are, today, still best buddies. Being with these men was like being amidst a hilarious comedy show. They bounce their humor off each other like a fast football play. I just sat back and did what I like most -- laugh. Their era was the turning point of Michigan football. The team was developed by Coach Bo Schembechler, who had unusual training methods. He was a master in psychology and although the players, at the beginning didn’t like him, they learned to admire and love the man to this day.

How did this trip happen?

Frank wrote his second book “Bo’s Warriors” about this great time in Football, the development of Bo’s team, the evolution of each of these men, their backgrounds and their contributions today. He interviewed the men for 2 years by phone and in person, hours at a time, and became a good friend to all of them. They still phone him “just to talk”.  The trip was to promote his book, and what a great trip it was. This is just the beginning of our fun journey with them.

I felt like a celebrity’s wife at the Michigan Alumni Association where 200+ people gathered to hear Frank, Coach Hoke and some of the players talk about those successful days of Michigan Football. Three of my favorite fun venues were the radio interview with Frank and players, a function at an M Den gathering, and an interview by Jim Brandstadder’s and Coach Brady Hoke’s weekly Radio Show held at the Pizza House.The timing of the book is pertinent since Coach Hoke is having a poor season and the Fans would like to have Bo, the legend,  back for coaching.   

More Fun

Last season and this year we attended the Michigan homecoming game. This year the 1969 team was honored on the field. Both times the players invited us to attend the Tailgate party, before and after, the game. Last year Frank was taken through the Tunnel onto the field to meet the Coach.

My Take on the success.

This is not just about football but instead about boys during turbulent times who developed through the experience of becoming a winning team because of a tough coach. At times they wanted to quit but instead were driven by each other and their coach. The character of each of them was incubated during their childhood. It has been an honor to know all of them.

Linda Lieberman,

Can the Wolverines be Saved ?

I remember, when Michigan football was great. I remember, when Michigan won the national title. I remember that Coach Lloyd Carr had some awesome teams. I also remember that Lloyd Carr had some difficulty beating Ohio State, especially the time, when Bo Schembechler died just prior to the OSU game.

After Coach Carr retired, I remember, there was talk about bringing in a new head coach that was familiar, and had expertise with the spread offense. I remember, there was a lot of buzz in the college football world about the spread offense.

I remember that Michigan went out and hired a spread offense guru as its head coach. I remember they called him Rich Rod. I remember, he recruited a spread offensive quarterback from Florida named Denard Robinson. Was he ever exciting and special. The first time he got in the game he dropped the ball; picked it up and ran some 40 yards or more for a touchdown.

Denard Robinson was a quarterback, and he threw to young receiver named Devin Gardner, until Denard suffered a throwing arm injury. Well anyway, Robinson is playing, as a running back, for the Jacksonville Jaguars and has run for over 100 yards in his last two NFL games. By the way, Rich Rod was fired, but now coaches the University of Arizona Wildcats. In case you haven’t noticed, they’re having a terrific season and are ranked 14 in the AP top 25 poll.

Would Michigan had been better if they kept Rich Rod as head coach, even if he wasn’t a “traditional” Michigan coach? Michigan now has a traditional head coach in Brady Hoke. And, it is safe to say that Michigan is not better at this point that it was under head coach Rich Rod.

I’ll make one prediction: Devin Gardner is going to play in the NFL. However, he will not play as a quarterback. I leave you with two questions. 1. who’s the guru that is going to hire the next AD? 2. And, who will he bring in as the savior for Michigan football?

PS. Notre Dame is ranked 6; Michigan State is ranked 8; and Utah is ranked 18. Minnesota was dropped from the rankings (24) as result of its loss last week. Yes, so far, Michigan got beat by 4 ranked football teams.

The Wolverines Problems Include ?

The Wolverines Problems Include ?

  Yesterday’s loss, Michigan State 35, and Michigan 11 was to put it mildly a disappointment. Michigan State was ranked number eight in the country going into that game, and heavily favored. Further, Michigan State’s coach has a good winning percentage against Michigan. Not only that, Michigan had not scored a touchdown in the previous two games against the Spartans.

However, any team could be beaten on any given day, but Saturday was not the day for the Wolverines. At times they played well, during the game, and just before the half, they were behind 7 – 3. But the Spartans scored just before the half, making it 14 to 3. At that point a victory for the Wolverines seemed relatively slim in my mind. There was no miracle in the second half, and Michigan was simply whipped by the better team.

I’m not sure what the problem is for Michigan. But it is clear there is a problem. The “boo” birds are calling for A.D. Brandon’s, and coach Hoke’s head. Quarterback Gardner has also been criticized for his inconsistent play. Coach Moeller told me that the team has practiced very hard during the week. That would suggest that the team is still playing for coach Hoke.

A few weeks ago we attended a Michigan alumni function, and coach Hoke spoke to the group. My wife Linda thought that Hoke seemed unimpressive-not tough. That was her read. I’m not sure. I know that the team is young and there have been a couple of offensive coordinators, which might partly explain quarterback Gardner’s inconsistency.

What was puzzling, in this game, was the fact that Wolverines picked up some yardage rushing and perhaps they gave up on it too soon. Also, at times, their receivers were wide open and sometimes made the play and sometimes not.

On a positive note, they have lost to some good football teams, i.e., Utah, Notre Dame, Minnesota and MSU. It is still possible to salvage the season. In other words, Go Blue!