HAIL! Those Who Stayed: An inspiring sports drama about grit, loyalty, and the 1969 Michigan Wolverines

November, 1968. Michigan has just been humiliated by Woody Hayes' Ohio State Buckeyes, 50-14, and, with only one championship in the previous eighteen years, the historic football program is teetering on the edge of relevance. Michigan Stadium is half-full at best, there is a sizable athletic department deficit, and the Dean of the History Department is exploring a bid to disband the football program entirely. New Athletic Director, Don Canham, needs to do something and do it fast. Resurrect the football program, internally and externally. Create some excitement. Win games. Put butts in seats on Saturdays in the Fall. It all starts with making a change at head coach, something that proves far more difficult than Canham imagined. One thing is certain, whoever Canham hires will have his work cut out for him. Michigan's roster is extremely talented. As well as untested and very independent. They want to win. They certainly want revenge on Ohio State. But do they understand what that will require? "HAIL! Those Who Stayed" is a historical fiction novel -- a captivating, inspiring account of the roller-coaster first season of a young, maverick Bo Schembechler and his talented but independent Wolverine team -- all amid the turbulence of 1969 -- culminating in one of the greatest upsets in the history of college football and sparking a legacy that guides Michigan Football to this day. “As a member of the ‘69 team, this walk down memory lane, bring tears to my eyes. I don’t believe that I nor my teammates have ever reached such an emotional high as we did that week. That year, that victory over Ohio State will always be one of the greatest achievements in Michigan Football history. It certainly was one of the greatest achievements in my life. Thank you, Brian.” - Richard Caldarazzo, offensive guard, 1969 team. “Brian Letscher powerfully captures what it felt like to be a part of that team. The bonding, the growing up that we all did — under incredibly challenging circumstances — to become a team, to become champions.” - Dr. Billy Taylor, All-American RB, 1969 team. FOR AGES 10 and UP View Less