The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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4 THE WOLVERINE ❱ APRIL 2024 RICK LEACH FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME It is a shame that Rick Leach (1975-78) is not a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. This is an injustice to the man who helped lead Michi- gan football through one of the most successful periods in its storied history. • Leach certainly qualifies, as his extraordi- nary achievements make him Hall-worthy. Consider these career credentials: • 4 Bowl Game appearances — 3 Rose, 1 Orange • Led the team to four AP Top 10 Poll finishes — No. 8, No. 3, No. 9 and No. 5 • 3-1 record vs. Ohio State • 38-8-1 record as starting quarterback (which set a record for most career wins at the time) • Three-time Big Ten champion • Three time All-Big Ten first-team quarter- back • Two top-10 Heisman Trophy finishes in his career And, he was highly decorated in his senior sea- son of 1978: • Won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football Trophy as the Big Ten MVP • Finished third in the Heisman Trophy bal- loting • First-team All-America quarterback (Ameri- can Football Coaches Association) • 1979 Rose Bowl Co-MVP Also of note, Leach was the first true freshman to ever start a football game at the University of Michigan (at any position). We know that Bo Schembechler emphasized "The Team" above individuals, which explains why Rob Lytle is currently the lone member of the Leach era enshrined in the Hall. There are currently 39 Michigan men listed as College Football Hall of Fame members. I make a justified argument that Rick Leach belongs among them. The criteria for Hall induction is first-team All- America recognition and nomination within 50 years of the end of his college career. That means Leach has until 2028 to be considered among the all-time elite. I feel that it is about time to right this glaring omission. Leach set the standard for all who fol- lowed and emphatically checks all the boxes. Ed McArdle Saginaw, Michigan Editor's Response: Mr. McArdle, we couldn't agree more with you, as does the Michigan foot- ball program. Dave Ablauf, U-M's associate athletic director for football communications, tells us that Rick Leach has indeed been on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot in the past few years and is among the players that the regional committee votes on regularly (for the ballot). So, he's been nominated, and it's in the hands of the voters. Pure speculation on our part, but perhaps some of the recent glow from Michigan's national cham- pionship will cause voters to stop and reconsider Leach's historical legacy in a new light. PRAISE FOR OUR COMMEMORATIVE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION This ["National Champs!" commemorative] book is beautiful. It came out way better than I imagined it would. Everyone at The Wolverine did an amaz- ing job putting it together. CDres275 It's absolutely gorgeous, and I'm completely blown away by the pictures and all of the content. I've never really got something like this before. Super glad I upgraded to the hard cover. Amazing work!! ScoobySnacks I just got mine! Started tearing up, just an amaz- ing ride that was. Thank you to all involved in such an incredible keepsake. RyRyBlue This will sit nicely on my coffee table when my sister and brother-in-law visit from Columbus. Mark_in_MI Got my magazine last week and the book today. I also have the Detroit News and Free Press books. The Wolverine left the competition in the dust. Amazing job JB, CB, AB and CS. Wharfrat1 April 2024 • Vol. 35, No. 10 ISSN 1048-9940 TheWolverine.com Senior Editor Chris Balas Senior Writer John Borton Staff Writers Clayton Sayfie Anthony Broome EJ Holland Zach Libby Drew Hallett Contributing Editors Stu Coman Matt Herb Cathy Jones Chris Riffer Steve Downey Layout And Design Jeanette Blankenship Chris Miller Contributing Photographers Lon Horwedel, Per Kjeldsen, Michael Miller, Dominick Sokotoff, Gabriella Ceritano Cover Photo Lon Horwedel Editor & Publisher Mark Panus Business Manager Linda Autry Circulation Manager Crystal Clayton Advertising Sales Maria Taustine (502) 552-4390 Customer Service Cathy Jones (800) 421-7751 The Wolverine is published monthly. A one-year (12 issues) subscription is $69.99. The Wolverine is printed at The Papers in Milford, Ind. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wolverine, P.O. Box 2331, Durham, NC 27702. 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