The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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inside michigan athletics Frank Beckmann Calling His Last Season In 2013 Michigan football fans that have grown up in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s have known only one play-byplay voice, and that man, Frank Beckmann, has announced 2013 will be his last season. Brandstatter since. "We appreciate all that Frank has done for Michigan football for the past 33 years," U-M athletics director Dave Brandon said in a release. "Frank has dedicated his Saturday af- Beckmann (shown with Charles Woodson at the 2011 Spring Game) has been Michigan's radio play-by-play announcer since 1981. Photo by Per Kjeldsen First breaking into radio in 1969 when he took a job in Alpena, Mich., Beckmann began his play-by-play career calling the Midwest Football League's Pontiac Arrows games out of Pontiac. He would join the WJR news team in 1972 and switched to sports three years later, becoming sports director of the station and then lead announcer for Detroit Lions broadcasts. In 1981, he succeeded legendary broadcaster Bob Ufer in the radio booth, and has worked with former Wolverine offensive lineman Jim ternoons to telling the story of Michigan football through the radio to our fans. His voice has become synonymous with some of the great calls in the history of our football program. "We look forward to enjoying one more season of Frank being the voice of Michigan football before he begins his well-deserved retirement. We thank Frank for all the years of talent, travel and support of Michigan athletics. We look forward to celebrating his contribution to our football program as the 2013 season unfolds."