The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Five Years Ago, 2011: The Michigan basketball dream of vastly updated facilities finally began coming down the home stretch. The still-to-be-named William Davidson Player Development Center rose from the ground next to Crisler Arena, the centerpiece of a $23.2-million project. John Beilein and his men's basketball coaches were working out of trailers used as portable offices. He jokingly referred to them as "Crisler Estates" and longed for the completion of the project. The 57,000-square -foot upgrade in- cluded two practice courts, offices for the coaching staffs, spacious locker rooms, meeting areas, a team video room, train- ing and workout facilities, and a Michigan basketball Hall of Fame. 10 Years Ago, 2006: A buzz surrounded talk about The Big House in the summer of 2006, after Michigan's Board of Regents gave approval for a massive redo of the football stadium. Built in 1927, the sta- dium found itself headed for a $226 mil- lion overhaul. U-M Director of Athletics Bill Martin talked about his vision for the future in an exclusive interview with The Wolverine. "As with any icon, as Michigan Stadium clearly is to the Michigan family, when you modify it, there will be some negative reaction, and I know that," Martin said. "I want to see what folks think about it two or three years after it's been built — not the immediate reaction. "I know all of us in athletics and in the plant development and many of the people at the university who are part of our team are all very, very committed to this project, and are highly sensitive to every aspect of it. The historical sig- nificance of each and every piece is important. How do we retain what is here, and the feeling, and at the same time, update it?" 25 Years Ago, 1991: Detroit prep coaching icon Perry Watson joined head basketball coach Steve Fisher's staff. Watson compiled a 302-34 record at De- troit Southwestern High School prior to coming to Michigan, leading his team to consecutive state titles. Watson replaced Mike Boyd, who left to become the head coach at Cleveland State. Watson at the time dismissed suggestions that he influenced Southwest- THIS MONTH IN MICHIGAN ATHLETICS HISTORY Michigan Stadium was approved for a $226-million facelift in 2006. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN