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 that delivers those words has belonged to Carl Grapentine. 

    Carl is as much a tradition at Michigan Stadium as the winged helmet. Look, we all love the games, the coach's, players, and plays that stay in our memories forever. But, lets also be honest that the experience of Michigan Stadium is the sights and sounds of the place. The team running under the banner. The Flag being raised in the south end zone and the anthem being sung. And of course, the Marching Band charging out on the field out of the eastern tunnel and performing the M fanfare and the Victors as they march toward the north end zone. None of that is as memorable without Carl Grapentines voice taking us step by step through the performance. Imagine the stories he has after 50 plus years in the pilot's seat for Michigan Stadium's historic existence...well, let's hear some of those stories in my Conversation  with...Carl Grapentine.

        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 reporter for Michigan at one of the Detroit newspapers.  Some 20 years after the title, Mark teamed up with fellow writer Nick Baumgardner to tell the definitive story of this great football team. The interesting part of this book is that the story started well before the 1997 season. Mark and Nick take your from the beginning to the end of a season to remember. This book dovetails perfectly with the 2023 National title orchestrated by Jim Harbaugh and his Michigan team. In many way, the tradition  of Michigan football is evident and so very understandable when you read "Mountaintop: The Inside Story of Michigan 1997 National Title." 

    But, instead of me writing about the twists and turns of that Michigan Team. Instead of me telling you about the stories that didn't make the headlines, I'll let the author tell you the real "INSIDE" story in my conversation with...Mark Snyder

      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 he taught all of us who played for him. One of those who played for Bo, and learned those lessons better than most of us was Fritz Seyferth. 

      Fritz was a great team mate of mine, and is still a great friend. He went on to play professional football, then moved on to athletic administration at the collegiate level, then moved on to the executive level in business at a Fortune 500 company. He has distinguished himself as a corporate consultant, and author. Fritz's latest effort as an author is a fabulous blue print for the business executive who wants to take his organization and employees and fly. It's called, "The Shift from Me to Team."  But, it's not just about business. The lessons Fritz teaches work in all walks of life. I urge everyone to seek out this book, but before you do, take a few minutes and listen to Fritz talk about his team building concepts in my Conversation with...Fritz Seyferth

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 attraction in town, but it maybe the most impressive. Within it's walls reside exhibits that honor Michigan natives who served their country in the most patriotic way. Medal of Honor winners, to soldiers who served in some of our most instrumental victories like D Day,  the Battle of the Bulge, Pearl Harbor,  Fallujah, and Baghdad are honored. Michigan-born astronauts who have escaped the atmosphere and traveled to outer space are also part of the rich and incredible exhibits in the museum. It's an amazing place. Artifacts and history explode at you with every turn you take in the facility. The Executive Director of this hidden gem is John Ryder. If you want to get excited about this States hero's and  the rich history of courage, bravery, and sacrifice of or native sons and daughters, have a conversation with...John Ryder

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 things you never knew are Sam's specialty. Over the years he has become the "GO-TO" source for all things Michigan. Not only is he Southeast Michigan's authority on the Wolverines, national radio and television shows seek him out when they want the inside story as it relates to Michigan athletics. Who better to hang out with, and have a conversation with than Sam Webb....Enjoy!

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 new career in Pittsburgh

He was talked out of retiring the year the Super Bowl was in Detroit by his team mates

The magical run to the Super Bowl, and his fumble that nearly derailed it

The impact of team mates like Ben Roethlisberger and Hynes Ward on his career and final year

Going back to Notre Dame after football to complete his degree for his Mom

How he continues to help others with his own foundation that grew from his experience as a youngster in Detroit

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 information director is appropriate in Bruce's situation

The politics of an athletic department and it's beaurocracy

Managing the always volatile Bo Schembechler in the early years with the media

His well thought out advice and counsel to players, coach's and athletes over the years have helped many

The innovations Bruce helped develop to pave the way for the technological explosion in covering cololege sport

The incredible growth of the media and it's mutation since the internet explosion and it's influence over college athletics

Radio and television impact over the years

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 worked and what didn't

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

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 primarily located

Gazing into the future as a CEO guiding a company into a changing and uncertain business climate