The Legacy

From its famous winged football helmet and maize-and-blue uniforms—one of the most recognizable icons in American sports—to its domination on the world stage in the 2008 Olympics, the University of Michigan intercollegiate athletics program has a long tradition of winning and a legacy of championship teams. 28 NCAA Division I intercollegiate teams—15 men’s/13 women’s—are consistently ranked among the best teams in the nation and, over the years, have produced a roll call of some of the most recognizable names in sports history, from Branch Rickey to Michael Phelps. This has been a place of dynasties in football, men’s swimming, diving, and ice hockey—no other NCAA Division I program has earned more national titles in hockey, or men's swimming and diving, than the Wolverines. Our field hockey team was the first U-M women’s team to win a national championship, and the Wolverine softball team was the first team north of the Mason-Dixon line and east of the Mississippi to win a NCAA title.

There’s no spirit like U-M spirit. Whenever you see the maize-and blue- take the field in The Big House, you’ll soar along with 100,000 other cheering Wolverines. And because most athletics events are free for students (with a few exceptions), you’ll find it easy to become a highly active fan. You’ll take in the action at other impressive sports facilities—an informal poll by American Hockey magazine of scouts, coaches, and others in the hockey world named Yost Ice Arena, home of the University of Michigan hockey team, the toughest for an opponent to visit. At the same time, this is a place where you can be more than just a spectator. With more than 45 club and 25 intramural sports, you can strive for victory on numerous teams.

By the Numbers

• Percentage of U-M students who participate in a recreational sport: 75%
• Number of conference championships: 347
• Number of Big Ten football championships: 42 (the record)
• Number of team national championship titles: 52
• Number of athletes and coaches who are either   U-M alumni, current students, or coaches who participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics: 26

For more information:
http://www.mgoblue.com/