Excellent Ufer piece from the Michigan Daily...

An incredible read.

Highly suggest you take the 7-10 minutes and read this:

http://www.michigandaily.com/sports/bob-ufer?page=0,0

That was a fun read. It's hard to believe Ufer was only 61 when he passed away. He should have gone on broadcasting for many more years.

I've actually seen home movie footage of Bob's farewell speech to the crowd from that 1981 Iowa game. As soon as he starts talking, the entire press box side of the stadium turns around to look up at him. It's one of the most touching moments I've ever seen.

Ufer broadcasts are still gold. I love how every time Michigan has a bye week, WTKA will play a full Ufer game to fill the time slot. It's always a game from the 70's and they are always a blast to listen to.

WolverineHistorian wrote:

Ufer broadcasts are still gold. I love how every time Michigan has a bye week, WTKA will play a full Ufer game to fill the time slot. It's always a game from the 70's and they are always a blast to listen to.

Ah yes, the Seventies! Old Uf and I might as well have been contemporaries, even though he was 32 years my senior. The one game I'm sorry to say I've never heard his comment of was the 1971 OSU game (you remember---the Woody-Hayes-Olympic-Javelin-Throw game?) It must have been priceless.

I do remember, when visiting the parents for Thanksgiving 1978, and watching that Saturday as we easily beat OSU in C'Bus (and the only thing even close in that game was the 14-3 score), saying afterward to Mom, "Let's see if we can pick up WJR-760 and catch Bob Ufer." Sure enough, we did...and my Mom cracked up at hearing from Uf:

"There were some reports of subterranean tremors or noises last night here in Columbus. (Probably Doctor Strange Hayes walking around in the city sewer system.)" (!)

Earlier this week, they played Ufer's call of the Thom Darden interception and Woody's sideline marker throwing incident from that '71 game.

But I don't think I've ever heard his call from the '77 game when Woody punched the TV camera after his team fumbled the ball away. I'd love to hear what Ufer had to say about that. Although me might not have known it happened at the time.

In his celebration of the 22-0 win over OSU in '76, Ufer brought up that funny comment about having 7 kids and then saying, "Yes, I have seven kids and no, I'm not Catholic. Just careless." Ha! I don't think you could say that on the radio today.

Did Ufer really have 7 children? I met one of his sons personally: my sophomore year at U-M, while supervising the ice rink on weeknights as my work-study job. Young Master Ufer was on a H.S. (Pioneer I think) team and stopped in the office to leave off his skates for sharpening. I noticed the name and asked if any relation. Sure enough, he told me...DAD.

Anyway, WH, gotta take/report the BAD with the GOOD. I distinctly remember picking up (from my Rochester NY area home) WJR for the 1974 10-12 OSU game (<upchucking in cubicle waste basket>). As Lantry's
last-second FG allegedly sailed wide, I recall Ufer as if yesterday:

"32-yeard attempt. For the win. The snap. the spot. Lantry's kick...it's up...it's goooooo---WHAT? Aren't [the refs] going to raise their arms? No Good! It's No Good! That kick was right there....!"


--Afterthought: my father-in-law, who "knew" me like I know you, called about 2 minutes later. His first sentence says all one need know:

"Mike. This Ed. Are you alright?"

I have tailgated with a couple of his sons.

Actually, stjotoo was a close personal friend of The Ufe. I am guessing stjotoo is already over near AA and not on the forum today.

I believe Ufe has stayed at his home in the past.

WolverineHistorian wrote:

I've actually seen home movie footage of Bob's farewell speech to the crowd from that 1981 Iowa game. As soon as he starts talking, the entire press box side of the stadium turns around to look up at him. It's one of the most touching moments I've ever seen.

Ufer broadcasts are still gold. I love how every time Michigan has a bye week, WTKA will play a full Ufer game to fill the time slot. It's always a game from the 70's and they are always a blast to listen to.

You don't have a copy of that footage, do you? I was never aware of this. I've seen the picture with the band spelling 'UFER' a thousand times, but never knew the story behind it. Would love to see that, if possible of course.

Also, I'm not sure why your flash videos haven't been showing on the site. Didn't even know you tried to post it until I chose to quote you and saw the html for it.

THEstjoemfan wrote:

Actually, stjotoo was a close personal friend of The Ufe. I believe Ufe has stayed at his home in the past.

Wow, that's awesome. We need more 'too in here. He must have some great stories (the ones he can share, anyway lol).

Admin wrote:

WolverineHistorian wrote:

I've actually seen home movie footage of Bob's farewell speech to the crowd from that 1981 Iowa game. As soon as he starts talking, the entire press box side of the stadium turns around to look up at him. It's one of the most touching moments I've ever seen.

Ufer broadcasts are still gold. I love how every time Michigan has a bye week, WTKA will play a full Ufer game to fill the time slot. It's always a game from the 70's and they are always a blast to listen to.

You don't have a copy of that footage, do you? I was never aware of this. I've seen the picture with the band spelling 'UFER' a thousand times, but never knew the story behind it. Would love to see that, if possible of course.

Also, I'm not sure why your flash videos haven't been showing on the site. Didn't even know you tried to post it until I chose to quote you and saw the html for it.

You can't see my video embeds? They're showing up fine for me.

As for the Ufer tribute, that was shot by Art Vuolo, who has been video taping games (home movie versions) on top of the press box for 30 something years now. I got to meet him a couple years ago. I went to his home and his basement is this huge library of videos. It makes my collection look like a magazine rack.

He showed me the Ufer tribute for the Iowa game, which I really do want to get a copy of but the game was a loss. And since I'm a big baby and don't like to revisit losses, I never got the urge to get a copy from him. But maybe I'll have to suck it up and just get it anyway. Just to clarify, you can't see Bob in the video because he's in the press box and Art is video taping on top of the press box. But the footage of the crowd turning around and looking up in unison to hear what Bob has to say is amazing.

Art also showed me the home movie he shot of Ufer's speech to the players and fans at the pep rally before the 1981 Rose Bowl. Unbelievable video footage and so clear.

I think I'll send him an email and see what I can get. But naturally, even if I do get my hands on the video footage, I'm going to need his permission to post it to YouTube.

Admin, stay off of the porn sites (don't even try to deny it). I'm guessing that you picked-up the Adobe Flash virus somehow. Let me guess, it keeps telling you to download and install Adobe. You do but it still doesn't work.

Switch browsers! don't use IE anymore if that is the case.