The Dead Schembechlers not so funny now that Bo Schembechler is actually dead

By Steven Hyden  |  November 17, 2006 | 6:01pm
Aux Features Newswire

In the crazy hype leading up to Saturday's Michigan-Ohio State football game, Ohio punk band The Dead Schembechlers achieved a measure of notoriety for its Wolverine-baiting moniker. Tragically, the name just got a lot more tasteless: Bo Schembechler died Friday morning just after taping a game promo for a local ABC affiliate. The legendary 77-year-old former football coach had collapsed at the same studio Oct. 20 and had a pacemaker installed. Schembechler was aware of and amused by The Dead Schembechlers but the band put aside its hatred of Michigan to post a message on its Web site:

The band is crushed to learn of the death of Bo Schembechler. We named this band after Coach Schembechler to honor him as the face of Wolverine football. We have never wished ill will upon him in any way and have always wished him the best. When we learned that Bo had seen our web site and was amused by it we were delighted. We were simply delighted. He said to those with him as he read it, "See, I still matter in Columbus!" That may have been the greatest understatement in football history. We believe that he took the band's name as the compliment that it was meant as and that he was flattered by it. We wish to extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to his family. We are truly sorry for their loss.

 
Join the discussion...