Bo Schembechler dies

[Buttercup]

Bo Schembechler dies

By KORIE WILKINS, SUZETTE HACKNEY and TINA LAM
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS

November 17, 2006



Former University of Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler died today, according to Southfield authorities.

Mike Dowd, chief investigator with the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office, confirmed he died at 11:42 a.m.

He was was transported to Providence Hospital after a medical emergency Friday morning, a Southfield Police Department official has said.

Detective John Harris said Southfield officers escorted an ambulance carrying Schembechler to Providence Hospital at about 9:30 a.m. Medical personnel were called to WXYZ-TV in Southfield after Schembechler apparently suffered a medical problem.

Around noon, friends and family continued to arrive at Providence Hospital, including former U-M coach Gary Moeller and U-M football color commentator and former player Jim Brandstatter. Security guards led them inside.

At Schembechler's Ann Arbor home, where two American flags hung outside the garage, a family friend who would not give her name, said: “It wasn't time for him to go. He wasn't ready. He knew that he had a problem with his heart, but he wasn't ready to give up.”

She said Schembechler's wife, Cathy, was on her way back to Ann Arbor from Providence Hospital.

Today's incident was the second time that Schembechler collapsed while taping the Big Ten show at WXYZ-TV studios in Southfield. The first occurred in October when he experienced dizziness and other symptoms before taping his weekly show.

He was admitted to the cardiovascular unit of the University of Michigan Hospital where he had a procedure done in which a small device was installed in his chest to help regulate his heartbeat. The device is designed to help Schembechler's heart pump more efficiently and prevent possible heart-related crises. It combines a pacemaker, which regulates the heartbeat, with a defibrillator, which can shock the heart back into rhythm.

He remained at the hospital for a few days.

The seven-time Big Ten coach of the year compiled a 194-48-5 record at Michigan from 1969-89. Schembechler’s record in 26 years of coaching was 234-64-8.

[kay88]

That is sad Definitely thoughts and prayers for his family and friends are en route.

[Hannibal]

He was a legendary coach and he will be missed dearly. RIP

(In honor of Bo) GO BLUE !