Schembechler dead at 77
Friday, November 17, 2006
By News Staff Reporters
Legendary Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler died this morning after collapsing in the studios of WXY7 Channel 7 in Southfield, at least two Detroit television stations reported. The 77-year-old Schembechler was at the television station for a taping of his weekly football show, "Big Ten Ticket,'' when he collapsed.
Schembechler was taken by ambulance to Providence Hospital in Southfield. One source at the University of Michigan told The News that Schembechler had suffered a heart attack, and another said, "It doesn't look good.''
Southfield police spokesman John Harris said he could not provide specific medical information but said: "I don't think it was good.''
Southfield Fire Department Battalion Chief Barry Savickas confirmed that the Southfield Fire Department transported Schembechler from the Channel 7 studios in Southfield to Providence Hospital at 9:17 a.m. today. Savickas said Schembechler was in critical condition.
Schembechler collapsed on Oct. 20, also while taping the program.
That morning he finished the show before being admitted to Beaumont Hospital's cardiac-care unit.
A few days later he underwent surgery to install a small device in his chest.
The device combines a pacemaker to regulate the heartbeat with a defibrillator, which can shock the heart back into rhythm.
Earlier this week, Schembechler said he didn't plan to attend Saturday's big game between U-M and Ohio State because it was too hard for him to walk through the crowds to get to the press box.
The former coach has suffered heart problems for years and had two heart attacks, most recently in 1987. Schembechler's heart problems first came to light when he suffered a heart attack on the eve of the 1970 Rose Bowl.
In 21 seasons as Michigan's coach, Schembechler won a school-record 194 games.
