The Victors' Rally is a chance to show appreciation for the Wolverines, AND the fans.
It is about what truly matters. It's about the kids who love to play the game, work hard and try their best to win...for themselves, and for all of the fans.
Like our great country ... the greatest country in the world, the greatest college football program, too, is going through some uncharacteristically tough times. Both will come back ... and come back strong as ever!
Besides the obvious attributes, mentioned above, the Victors' Rally is just plain fun. If you are truly a Michigan football fan you'll thoroughly enjoy reliving the excitement it has provided us with, for more than a century.
As time draws nearer to the 2011 event, you will find helpful and interesting information on this site. Film clips, slide-shows and details about participant/speakers at the next Rally as they are confirmed. Go BLUE!
See you at the next Victors' Rally!
Pete Nichols, President
National HR Solutions
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez at Victors' Rally: 'I'm a Michigan man'
Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez answered one of the biggest knocks against him during a pep rally Sunday at the Michigan Theater, telling more than 700 supporters, "I'm a Michigan man."
Rodriguez spoke at the end of the Victors' Rally, an assembly designed to support him and the program after two consecutive losing seasons.
"I asked earlier … what is a Michigan man?" Rodriguez said. "I've heard that a lot, 'I'm not from Michigan.' How do I become a Michigan man? And nobody's really given me the definition other than if you work hard and you're passionate, you give everything you got to the cause, which is having the best football program in America, to developing young men so they represent you the right way on and off the field and you're a good guy and you have good guys around you and you believe in the university and it's ideals, then you can be a Michigan man.
"Well, I think I'm a Michigan man."
Former Michigan coaches Gary Moeller and Jerry Hanlon, radio announcers Jim Brandstatter and Frank Beckman, and ex-Wolverines Larry Foote and Brandon Graham also gave speeches Sunday. Former Michigan quarterback Rick Leach hosted the event, which was put on by National HR Solutions and not sponsored by the university.
Incoming athletic director Dave Brandon attended the rally, as did most of Michigan's football staff, including assistant coaches Calvin Magee, Fred Jackson, Greg Frey, Tony Gibson and Adam Braithwaite.
Rodriguez said he's been humbled by Michigan's 8-16 record over the last two years, but insisted the adversity won't fracture the program or fan base.
"Some people, because we've had so much success over the years they maybe see an opportunity to kind of jump on us a little bit and say now's our chance to make fun of Michigan, now's our chance to pile on a little bit, and so maybe they have a little bit the last 2 years," Rodriguez said. "But revenge is sweet. And I'm not going to make any predictions but I can tell you this, I can forgive but I'll never forget, I can promise you that."
As you will read in the associated article, Adopt A Family and The Magic of Christmas Charities, the charitable activities of Debbie Williams-Hoak are very important to many, many families in our area. Consequently The Victors' Rally is very proud that it is able to serve as a platform for these fine endeavors.
Thank you for your support.
Pete Nichols, President National HR Solutions
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