The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/246097
FROM OUR READERS SO LONG, FRANK BECKMANN Dear The Wolverine: It is now a sad occasion to have to bid farewell to Frank Beckmann and try to properly thank him for all of his years calling the play-by-play for Michigan football radio broadcasts. It has been a pleasure listening to him advance his craft to an art form. Frank and his partner, color commentator Jim Brandstatter, made a wonderful team. Beckmann's efforts at being objectively unbiased beautifully complemented Brando's decidedly partisan and high-spirited passion. Beckmann was remarkably fair in describing the successes and shortcomings of both the Wolverines and their opponents. It is hard for me to imagine, but I would guess that a fan of Michigan's opposition would not feel uncomfortable listening to Frank's evenhanded account of the action. One could not say the same for Wolverine radio legend Bob Ufer's broadcasts. On the other hand, the excitement generated by Beckmann's voice when exulting over a great play made by the Wolverines was exceeded only by Ufer's. For many years, I had a job where I had to work on Saturday afternoons, and I was extremely grateful to be able to listen to Beckmann, Brandstatter and sideline reporter Doug "Crash" Karsch to keep me from missing a minute of the action. For the few times that commercial messages went too long, Frank got us caught up in a hurry. I learned Michigan fans will miss longtime radio playby-play man Frank Beckmann, who retired from the broadcast booth at the end of the 2013 football season. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL to tune in an hour before kickoff to hear Doug's tremendously informative pregame show. Beckmann's interviews with the coaches and players and Crash's dialogue with John "J.B." Borton were up-to-the-minute insight that one can't get anywhere else. I will never forget Frank and Brando roaming the floor of Michigan Stadium, with microphones in hand, in all kinds of weather, to inter-