Road to the Victors: The Story of the 1997 Michigan Wolverines

Hosted by Free Press sports writers Tony Garcia and Rainer Sabin, “Hail, Yes!” can be found a couple of times a week, including every Thursday, wherever you listen to podcasts. Tune in for engaging conversations and unique perspectives on your Michigan Wolverines. Tony, the U-M sports beat writer, and Rainer, the Big Ten insider, get a chance to talk to the main characters in Ann Arbor weekly and provide their insights and analysis for all the big games, news and events. “Hail, Yes!” is your go-to Wolverines podcast for all the best news, analysis, insights and opinions on the team.
First episode debuts 8/24/23

In this final episode, Andrew Hammond breaks down how competing bowl organizations led to a split championship. Later, we revisit Charles Woodson's unprecedented Heisman Trophy win. Lastly, former Free Press sports writer Keith Gave joins us one more time to help explain how Michigan's Rose Bowl performance encapsulated their entire 1997 season.

Mitch Albom, who was one of the 100,000-plus in attendance for the 1997 Michigan-Ohio State game at the Big House, joins Andrew Hammond this week. Albom remembers the Wolverines' dominate defense and Charles Woodson's signature moment that sent U-M to the Rose Bowl.

This week, Andrew Hammond is joined by former Free Press sports writer Keith Gave, who covered the 1997 Michigan football team in their game at Wisconsin. The setting and spot on the schedule may have been the biggest hurdle for the Wolverines, especially once Charles Woodson and Brian Griese got on the field.

Andrew Hammond and former Free Press sports editor Gene Myers look back at the Michigan-Penn State game from 1997, a highly anticipated matchup at Happy Valley. We look at how the Wolverines were able to roll over Joe Pa's Nittany Lions and become a clear-cut national title favorite.