The Brandy Show...

With the upstart colonies of the new world flexing their muscles against their English oppressors, the United States of America was born. There were so many seminal moments during the formation of this new union, it's is hard to pick one or two events that stand at the top as the "one thing" that changed the course of history. There was so much written, battles were fought, rhetoric was hurled fro...

In May of 1962, General Douglas MacArthur, one of the most decorated soldiers of his generation was named the Sylvanus Thayer Award winner by the United States Military Academy. The award honors those whose accomplishments and service to the national  interests have exemplified the the academy's motto of "duty, honor, country." MacArthur was extremely honored by his beloved academy's honor and gav...

When Chad Henne, a former Michigan quarterback and multi year NFL star retired from the NFL. he took some heat in social media after his last seasons as a back up in Kansas City to Patrick Mahomes. Chad retired on top of the football world with a Super Bowl ring ending a wonderful career. I read some remarks after Chad announced the retirement that he was an average quaerterback who made a lot of...

It was over 100 years ago when an athletic director genius and visionary named Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan had an idea. It was about intercollegiate athletics for all. One part of that plan was a massive football stadium that was far beyond the scope of anything that had been already constructed or was planned to be constructed. “Ambitious” would have been an understatement for...

Bits and pieces of history that are surprising come from all aspects of historic events. For instance, Robert E Lee, the South's greatest General in the Civil War tendered a resignation letter to his president, Jefferson Davis when the war was still raging. Davis wrote Lee back and refused to accept his resignation. The rest, as they say, is history. But, to experience the anguish of  Lee's letter...

On September 2nd of 1945, the Emperor of Japan surrendered to the Supreme Allied commander, General Douglas MacArthur of the United States. The event took place in Tokyo Bay on the deck of the United States battleship Missouri. It marked the end of one of the bloodiest and deadliest conflicts in world history. For this occasion, MacArthur was compelled by the events that brought the war to an end...

Gambling has been looking for a foothold to invade the world of professional and college sports for a very long time. You can go back to the Black Sox scandal in major league baseball way back in 1919 as an example. But now, gambling enjoys seats in the front row. It used to be available only in Vegas or shady store fronts. Now they advertise for your bets on our TV's and radio's. Gambling is a ma...

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, aka Mark Twain is one of America's literary treasures. Not only a great writer of classics like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, Twain was an essayist, humorist and wonderful speaker. He would, and could converse on just about any topic. From politics, to the arts, to literature, to journalism, to history, Twain was never boring. With an acerbic yet playful style, he play...

A commentary on the fragile balance the NFL manages between its standing as the colossal giant in professional team sports, and the underbelly of its mega successful standing as a business beast. When the players that create the beast become expendable, despite their exemplary service, the business portion of the beast casts them away. Don't feel sorry for the players, they usually find their way...

Abraham Lincoln was one of two people asked to speak at the dedication of the cemetery in Gettysburg. The other speaker took more than 2 hours for his address, Lincoln's lasted a little more than two minutes. Despite the brevity of the remarks, they have lasted much longer than the other speakers by a mile. Hear the address, and the context surrounding this historical event in this episode. Be sur...

The analysis of the game doesn't do this Lions loss justice. It's more about the dashing of the dreams of a fan base. This was the year all the past was going to be forgotten...instead, more heartache and  hopes put on hold again greeted the proud franchise faithful in a playoff run that wasn't. Be sure to visit all past episodes of "The Brandy Show." There is a wealth of content covering a number...

My take on the Matthew Stafford trade from Detroit back 4 years ago. It's an open letter to Stafford. In many ways it's a thank you note to him for his great efforts in Detroit to make the Lions a winner. Even through it didn't happen, Stafford did everything in his power to make it work. jimbrandstatter.com,  The Brandy Show podcast, @jimbrandstatter (X).  facebook.com/jimbrandstatter76 Be sure t...

Grantland Rice takes sportswriting to another level. He brings a story about a football game to the literary world. A massive college game and four Notre Dame players achieve legendary statues in one day thanks to Rice and his beautiful description of the events that happened before him on a Saturday in October at the Polo Grounds in New York.  The stadium is gone now, so are the players, so is th...

    If  you have ever been to Michigan Stadium for a football game, it is an experience. And nothing adds to that experience more than the impressive baritone voice that greets you on the public address system every week. The booming words, "BAAAAAAND...TAKE THE FIELD!" sends shivers of excitement and anticipation up the backs of every Wolverine fan in the building. For over 50 years that voice th...

        As you enjoy the 2024 Michigan Football season, and revel in the memory of the 2023 National Championship team, don't forget that in 1997, Michigan  was also atop the college football world with a national title authored by Coach Lloyd Carr and a group of Wolverines who would settle for nothing less than perfection.  Newspaper reporter Mark Snyder was in the middle of that run as the beat...

      One of the most important lessons I learned in my athletic life came from being part of a team. The importance of working together, and focusing diverse personalities and talents to focus on a common goal has been one of the most vital lessons of my life. I learned that from team sports. My college football coach, Bo Schembechler, was a master professor and I can never repay him the lessons...

The city of Frankenmuth is a treasure in the State of Michigan. The village is a slice of Bavaria just outside Saginaw and north of Flint. Chicken dinners at Zehnders, the Bavarian Inn, and the and Bronners Christmas store dominate the quaint little spot amidst acres of farmland. But, tucked in with this German everyday Octoberfest is the Michigan Hero's Museum. It is probably the most unsung attr...

If you want to know the inside story on University of Michigan Athletics, you must listen and follow Sam Webb. The WTKA radio veteran broadcaster in Ann Arbor has built himself into an encyclopedia of Wolverine information. Whether it's football or basketball, or anything Wolverine related, Sam will give you the latest, the best, and the most accurate information. Things you want to know, and thin...

Growing up in Detroit and its challenges Jerome's decision to turn down Michigan and Michigan State and go to Notre Dame out of high school Those college days at ND and his record against Michigan Getting drafted by the Rams in the NFL Learning about the game in the NFL The move to St Louis and  the disappointment in management  that had him seriously considering retirement Getting a new start and...

We talk abut the current change of environment in collegiate athletics with NIL, Transfer portal, etc Bruce talks about his impact on the Chris Weber post game story after Webers "time out" in the NCAA title game Bruce was in the middle of the Gary Moeller to Lloyd Carr transition in football which was a dicey moment for Michigan football The idea of a crisis manager doubling as a sports informati...

Detroit Lions hopes in 2023 The kicking game and the NFL pressure cooker for kickers The failure in San Francisco in the playoff that had Monte Clark praying on the sidelines The current NFL and the improvement in the kicking game The difference when he went to Dallas from his time in Detroit The players he played with and their efforts to be great The coaches he played for and their styles..what...

Why even take the Michigan Athletic Directors job...Hackett was retired when he accepted the position. Comments on his predecessor, Dave Brandon The timing of leadership The importance of integrity Jim Harbaugh on his radar immediately The difficulties and requirement in hiring a Divison 1 head football coach The nature of loyalty   Be sure to visit all past episodes of "The Brandy Show." There is...

Topics explored include college athletics How playing football under Bo Schembechler aided in his progression to CEO positions The Ford Motor Company The automobile indistry The emergence and future of the electric vehicle revolution Steelcase and it's evolution when that business changed CEO strategies and planning The immense importance of computer chips and that industry and where it is primari...

A July 7th, 2023 event to raise awareness and funds for autism at Webers Inn in Ann Arbor. Jake Moody talks about his most pressure-packed kick in college. Jake Moody discusses the trust between a kicker and coach. Jake Moody talks about the practice and process a kicker must master to become one of the best in the country.  Moody talks about the draft and his conversation with the 49ers when draf...

The Jimmy Hoffa disappearance is still an open case Bo Schembechler was front and center in cleaning up steroid abuse, and crooked sports agents The messages Greg imparted on Michigan Football teams when asked to address the team by Coach Schembechler The GM executives family kidnapping Tracking down an armed killer near Escanaba The Ann Arbor Veterans hospital poisoning homicide cases The beginni...