The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Thornbladh first worked as a U-M graduate assistant, then as Michigan's wide receivers coach, tutoring the likes of Anthony Carter. In 1986, he opted for private business, becoming vice president of sales with fledgling licensed apparel company Nutmeg Mills. In addition, he supplied color commentary on Michigan football broadcasts, completing the trifecta of Pasadena appearances — player, coach, broadcaster. He later worked in Cincinnati with former Notre Dame great Bob Crable, becoming president of Crable Sports- wear. Thornbladh went on the work for Recellular, which bought, refur- bished and sold cellular phones, and has worked on his own the past 11 years, buying and selling electronic equipment, doing business in Hong Kong, Dubai, Latin America and be- yond. He's been all over the world, he noted. But he'd love to get back to Pasadena. "What a great spectacle," Thorn- blade mused. "When you go to that parade, and the Michigan band turns down Colorado Boulevard and plays 'The Victors,' for a Michigan person, if your spine doesn't tingle and your hair doesn't stand up … that's an extraordi- nary experience." ❏ Michigan Accomplishments: Rushed 163 times for 677 yards and 11 touch- downs in his three-year career … Caught seven passes for 55 yards … Played on Bo Schembechler teams that compiled a record of 31-2-1, and never wound up ranked lower than No. 6. Michigan Memory: "We all have a great love for our school, and love for each other. We have maintained that. It's never wavered. We come together. Bo al- ways said, 'You won't see these guys for 20 years. But within two minutes, you're right back. The bond is so great.' "That's exactly what happens. He's not here, and we miss him deeply. Not too long ago, we had a reunion of the '73 team, and we remembered him with great fondness, and toasted him. As a group, we've remained very close. It was a great, great experience." Professional Accomplishments: Played one season for the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL … Coached at Michigan from 1976-86, first as a graduate assistant then as a full-time assistant … Worked as a color commentator for Michigan football games in the mid-to-late 1980s … Served as vice president of sales for Nutmeg Mills, a licensed apparel company … Became president of Crable Sportswear in Cincinnati … Worked for Recellular, a Michigan-based cell phone-refurbishing firm … Has worked on his own the past 11 years, purchas- ing and moving electronic equipment around the world. Education: Bachelor's degree from Michigan in political science, 1974. Family: Wife, Tina, and four children: Justin, Molly, Abby and Robbie. The Bob Thornbladh File