Jim Brandstatter was a passable offensive tackle when I was a student, two classes ahead of me, watching Bo’s early teams grind it out on the ground and win a lot. As part of that fearsome line, Jim’s partly responsible for that success. Jim, who’s been “Brandy” for as long as I can remember, pursued a very successful career as Michigan’s football announcer, play by play guy since Frank Beckman was fired for the fried chicken thing. Open and eternally upbeat, he handled Bo and Lloyd with aplomb, and never stops exuding his infectious enthusiasm. He’s retiring at the end of this season. When I wrote a letter to the editor of the Michigan Daily about Dr. Anderson, I showed it to my new friend Ken Magee, a retired federal agent who devotes his time to Michigan sports and looking after the veteran of the week at each Michigan home game. He said what I wrote resonated with some things Brandy had said – in public, unfortunately – and I should send him a copy. I looked him up and did just that. I’ve not heard back, but here’s what I wrote him:
Dear Jim
I write you on a serious matter. About Bo. But first, let me tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your coverage of Michigan Football over the decades. Your boundless enthusiasm was always infectious. You could even get a smile out of Lloyd on those old Michigan Replays. I doubt Bo was hard to coach on those shows, and you always had the right words for him.
I’ve watched you perform even longer than that. I was one of those hippies in the end zone swilling Boone’s Farm and booing Bo for playing such boring football, as all the while you, Deardorf and the rest were working your butts off to get the future Dr. Taylor his yards, winning all the way.
So count me among the furious at how Bo’s memory has been treated these past couple years, and it’s getting worse. I wrote a letter to the Daily editor Wednesday and put it up on my blog (since I doubt I’ll ever see it in the Daily). As a physician for over 41 years, including 36 at the U, I think something is missing from the Anderson story. Call it medical perspective or just plain common sense. I sent the text of my letter to my friend Ken Magee, who so ably runs the great Veteran of the week program (now officially “Community Hero of the Week”). He recommended I send it to you, so here it is https://theviewfromharbal.com/2021/10/21/lte/. In case the link doesn’t work, I’ve also attached the word file I used to make the post (I couldn’t do this on your web page).
I’m not looking to get this read on the air or anything like that, but thought if you appreciated it you might want it to share with some other like-minded individuals. I’m sure you know many.
Best wishes in your retirement, and Go Blue!
Bob Ike
Per Ken, Brandy had mentioned on the Lucianne Lance’s (local radio personality) show that perhaps Dr. Anderson’s doings were just standard practice for the time. Whether this brought about his nudge toward the door may never be known. I’ve never met Jim in person, but he seems healthy and vigorous and I’ve never caught a missed beat in his broadcasting. I’d love to know what he thinks of my letter. At least he knows there’s others thinking like him out there. Probably plenty. Time we speak up.
Bob Ike's blog 