Wolverines to Honor Ford, Schembechler at Rose Bowl
12/31/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
CENTURY CITY, Calif. -- The University of Michigan football program will honor the memory of two of the program's most distinguished members -- Gerald Ford and Bo Schembechler -- when it takes the field for the 93rd Rose Bowl Game against Southern California on New Year's Day in Pasadena. The Wolverines will wear a sticker with the number 48 and "Bo" on the back of their helmets to recognize the icons.
The "48" represents the retired jersey number of three-time letterman and center Gerald R. Ford. The 38th President of the United States, Ford was a member of back-to-back Big Ten and national championship teams in 1932 and 1933. He started all eight games at center and was voted the team's most valuable player in 1934. Ford passed away Dec. 26.
The all-time winningest coach in U-M football history, Schembechler died Nov. 17 on the eve of the Ohio State game. Schembechler led the Wolverines to 10 Rose Bowl berths and 17 overall postseason bowl appearances during his 21-year tenure. He compiled a 194-48-5 all-time record and guided the program to an impressive 13 Big Ten championships. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1993.
Media Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
