With Michigan’s basketball team trying to win the school’s second national title, Monday night in Atlanta, the origin of the term "Michigan Man" has made the rounds again.
Many already know that Michigan Man was first spoken by athletic director Bo Schembechler when he replaced coach Bill Frieder with assistant coach Steve Fisher on the eve of the 1989 NCAA tournament. This stunning move came after Frieder had accepted the coaching job at Arizona State.
“A Michigan team will be coached by a Michigan man,” growled Schembechler when he announced the change.
And Michigan Man has been part of the Wolverines’ lexicon since.
What was supposed to be a parting shot at Frieder -- Bo was well aware that Frieder had earned two degrees from Michigan -- has become his signature statement, which is really sad.
Michigan Man is all about exclusivity and reeks of self-centered arrogance for a university that prides itself on being inclusive and innovative. The term should be discarded by Michigan. It’s embarrassing.
Anybody who knew Bo knows that it was always about “the team, the team, the team.” It’s not about pretentious athletes, students and alumni who can’t get over themselves.
If you really take a look at what Michigan’s basketball team has accomplished thus far, it’s based on the team concept. Each player feels like he's part of something larger than his own ego and individual goals.
These Wolverines might not win the national title, but hopefully, they'll realize their ride has restored the belief of “the team, the team, the team.”
Being a Michigan Man is never having to say you’re a Michigan Man.
That’s what Michigan is all about.
(Art Regner worked for the Michigan Daily and graduated from the University of Michigan a long, long time ago.)
