The Univ. of Michigan unveiled a "larger than life-sized" statue of late football coach Bo Schembechler at "a private event Friday night to officially dedicated the newly renovated Schembechler Hall," according to Nick Baumgardner of MLIVE.com. The bronze statue, sculpted by J Brett Grill, "depicts a classic image of the late Schembechler, decked out in full coaching gear and walking the sidelines during a game." The statue "serves as the 'centerpiece' to Michigan's newly-renovated football facility, which wrapped up construction recently." Michigan expanded the building "from roughly 7,000 square feet to 14,000 square feet." Additions include "a new player lounge, new recruiting areas, new 'exhibit spaces' and new office spaces for the football coaching staff" (MLIVE.com, 4/5). Michigan AD Dave Brandon said that the Schembechler monument is the "first outdoor statue on campus of an individual." In Detroit, Angelique Chengelis noted the statue is the "crowning piece of the renovated building that not only houses the football offices but also includes Towsley Museum with interactive displays, retired jerseys, a 'Win Wall' featuring a football for each of the program’s 910 victories and a variety of artifacts gathered through the years" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/5). Also in Detroit, Mark Snyder noted the museum is "set up in a circle with each display focusing on a different tradition." There are displays highlighting "the All-Americas, the rivalries, the Big House history, the evolution of the famous winged helmet and jerseys from each era." Another section features "the coaches, their records and trophies and interactive displays with history elements." The renovation cost $9M (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/5).
