Arrogance and Scheming in the Big Ten: Michigan State's Quest for Membership and Michigan's Powerful Opposition

by David J. Young

While investigating how the current Big Ten Conference came to include Michigan State and not other suitors including Pittsburgh and Nebraska, this work traces the sometimes shadowy history of college football. It's a story of intrigue, lying, timing, friendships made and broken along with costly arousing outbursts, all based on extensive and detailed research.David Young is a practicing physician in Holland, Michigan. He grew up in East Lansing. While attending Notre Dame in the mid 1970s, his next door neighbor, Jack Breslin, shared a story with him about the special relationship between Michigan State and the University of Notre Dame. The 1946 Spartan graduate and executive vice president of MSU noted that the Irish administration had played a prominent role in Michigan State College's evolution into a major land-grant research institution. It all had to do with aiding a Spartan application for membership in the "Western Conference" during the late 1940s. Mr. Breslin also offered comment on the University of Michigan's role in that transition. Unfortunately, while walking back to the Yardboy to finish mowing his lawn, those words were muffled by the idling engine. "And if Michigan had its way...."Three decades later, Dr. Young decided to investigate what his alma mater did to assist Michigan State's grand vision as crafted by a far-sighted president. He also wanted to find out what Breslin intended to say about the Wolverine's involvement in the application process. What he discovered, hidden within the stacks of 13 university archives, has now dispelled a popular myth. In its place, the amateur historian reveals the true story--an extensively cited account of John Hannah's quest for membership in the Big Nine and Michigan Law Professor Ralph Aigler's obsession with impeding that relentless pursuit. Intertwined in the complex tale are the fascinating roles played by two commissioners as well as various leaders at Minnesota, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Northwestern, Purdue, Pittsburgh and the University of Chicago.Though this account focuses on a unique intrastate rivalry, the book remains a must read for anyone interested in the evolution of the modern game of college football. And for alumni/fans of the many schools involved with either aiding or hindering Hannah's quest, the story will explore what now appears to be a very controversial decision in May of 1949 to accept Michigan State College into the Western Conference.

Genres: Sports

374 pages, Paperback

First published April 5, 2012

Reviews

[Logan Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tale of two schools, through the worst of times, by a doctor who didn’t go to either one.

Lately, things have been rather rough for the twelve teams in the Big 10 conference. From pederasty at Penn State to tattoos-for-play at The Ohio State University (not to mention an overall dearth of national championships), the whole court – both on and off the field – seems out of order. Too Big to fail? Hardly. So, if ever there were a time for some good PR, here and now would be nice. Alas, said time is not nigh; David J. Young, M.D.’s meticulously researched tome is simply too damning and too damn incendiary. And just as The Patriot-News’ Sara Ganim became the second-youngest Pulitzer winner for her takedown of the towers at State College, first-time author Dr. Young should be commended for exposing similarly awful truths in Michigan’s Ann Arbor and East Lansing, respectively. Sure, that college athletics isn’t perfect is not exactly news. But first and foremost, as Young so dutifully notes here, the NCAA is in the business of making money. (Just this week, University of Kentucky head ball coach John Calipari bought five true freshmen – his entire starting lineup – mega-million tickets to the NBA.) For the most part, though, Young’s book looks back to a time when deals were sealed by handshake only. Starting in 1817, he painstakingly reconstructs entire meetings, entire seasons even, where the shadowy figure is often the president of the university, himself. In fact, in one chapter forever known as “The Spaghetti and Meatball Contract,” the antagonists are none other than Governor Harry Kelly and Notre Dame’s Father John Cavanaugh. Of course, Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science was finally allowed to join the Big 10...in 1953. And that following New Year’s Day, MSC beat UCLA 28-20 in the Rose Bowl.

Be ye Wolverine or Spartan, after reading how the waters settled in the Great Lakes State – just like Dr. Young – you’ll end up rooting for neither team.

[Ian Loree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated getting to know John Hannah’s stalwart, decade-long politicking for MSC’s admittance in the Western Conference, especially Minnesota’s significant role, Iowa’s surprising opposition, and Lynn St. John of OSU’s secret support of Pitt as an alternative member — however, this book definitely could have been 50 to 80 pages shorter. Information is repeated over and over in separate challenges, and the lack of a chronological narrative after 1945 especially makes events difficult to follow.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal book. I think the low ratings are due to it's being densely writing - almost like a dissertation. But, if you can plow through the writing, you'll come away with so much fantastic MSU historical knowledge that it is worth it. Also, the story of how UM consistently tried to block MSU's progress as a sports and academic competitor through the years makes for a riveting story. You'll learn how the arrogance and perceived superiority are as historically ingrained at UM as agriculture is at MSU. An absolute must read for Spartans everywhere.

[Clifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting behind-the-scenes info on MSU's attempts to join the Big 10.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can be difficult to read at times with all the details. However, it was very well researched and a must read for Big 10 football fans.