A League Of His Own !

"My parents drove all the way down from Michigan to see me play the game. And did I cry?... " said Jimmy Dugan. Huh? Jimmy Dugan? Who is Jimmy Dugan? Come on don't be embarrassed, you know who he is!

After reading a recent blog of mine, my longtime friend Liz told me that only I could mix Alanis Morrisette and Michigan football. Now, after hearing of the recent allegations thrust at head coach Rich Rodriguez, I feel the need to come up with another crazy reference for what is hopefully not becoming a circus. Millions nationwide are fans of Michigan football, which stands for excellence, class, tradition, scholastic achievement and winning. Anyone that even pays a little attention to NCAA football knows that the three wins the U of M football team posted last year do not rank highly in any of those categories; as a matter of fact, the 2008 Wolverines season probably ranks last in all. Wait! Not so fast. RR's squad last year did achieve the highest team grade point average in 20 years and according to Athletic Director Bill Martin, is close to being the highest ever at Michigan. As the pages of the 2009 chapter of RichRod's UM adventure turn, it seems as though things were starting to make an about face and begin to show all sorts of positive signs before his second season begins. That of course was until recently when the Detroit Free Press published a story stating that some current and former players have come forward to say that Coach Rod and his staff are not in compliance with NCAA rules that govern off-season workouts, in-season practice time and summer scrimmages. Oh say it ain't so, another controversy during the RichRod era! The opponents of his hiring and Michigan haters begin to buzz again about the tumultuous time Rodriguez has had since beginning the hiring process at UM and leaving West Virginia. The player bail outs, the awful 2008 win-loss record, the court battles and now this are starting to take their toll on RR. In a press conference he showed signs that maybe the pressure of being the " Main Man " at Michigan is getting to him.

Rich Rod showed emotions not seen before by the Ann Arbor faithful, or possibly anyone except maybe his wife and kids. Does this mean he's human and finally breaking down or does he know what they have done is wrong and reality is setting in that the Michigan gig will soon be up? Will the investigation of the football program show " dirt in the skirt " ( Dottie Hinson ) or will we just remember the tears welling up in RR's eyes as just a sign of frustration because he and his staff and the kids he coachs have put their heart and soles into bringing back the excellence and tradition of winning to the "Big House" ( Michigan Stadium )..." Are you crying? Are you crying? ARE YOU CRYING? There's no crying! THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL! " ( Jimmy Dugan ) Many believe Rich Rodriguez is the guru of the spread offense and maybe in the long run ( if he makes it ) he will be the saviour of the Michigan Wolverine football program. One thing for sure no matter how the legacy of RichRod turns out at Michigan, he will certainly be classified in a " League of his Own " and left me wondering if maybe there is crying in football.

I am pleased to give credit for quotes and the picture to the 1992 movie A League of Their Own. And yes I have watched it.