Editing University of Michigan (section)

==Athletics==
{{Main|Michigan Wolverines}}

[[File:Burgee of University of Michigan.SVG|thumb|Burgee of University of Michigan]]

The university's athletics history dates back to the late 19th century, with the [[Michigan Wolverines baseball|baseball team]] founded in 1866, the [[Michigan Wolverines football|football team]] established in 1879, and the [[Michigan Wolverines men's tennis|men's tennis team]] originating in 1893. The university currently boasts 29 varsity intercollegiate sports, including 14 men's teams and 15 women's teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title = University of Michigan Athletics Varsity Sports |url = http://www.mgoblue.com/school-bio/mich-varsity-sports.html |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130301041006/http://www.mgoblue.com/school-bio/mich-varsity-sports.html |archive-date = March 1, 2013 |access-date = February 9, 2013 |website = MGoBlue |publisher = University of Michigan Athletic Department }}</ref> Since January 2016, [[Warde Manuel]] has served as the 12th athletics director.

The university's intercollegiate sports teams, known as the "[[Michigan Wolverines|Wolverines]]," participate in the [[Big Ten Conference]] in most sports, with the exception of the [[Michigan Wolverines women's water polo|women's water polo team]], which competes in the [[Collegiate Water Polo Association]]. The teams compete at the [[NCAA Division I]] level in all sports, including Division I [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|FBS]] in football. The teams share the nickname "Wolverines" with several other collegiate athletic teams in the country, such as the [[Utah Valley Wolverines]], the [[Grove City College|Grove City Wolverines]], and the [[Morris Brown College|Morris Brown Wolverines]].

In 1896, the university became a founding member of the [[Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives]], which later evolved into the Western Conference (1896–1899) and eventually became known as the Big Ten Conference (since 1950). However, by April 1907, just a decade later, the university was voted out of the conference for refusing to adhere to league rules. Following a nine-year absence, the university rejoined the conference in 1917.

In 1926, [[Harvard Crimson football|Harvard]] made an agreement to play football against Michigan, dropping [[Princeton Tigers football|Princeton]] from its schedule due to past rough matches. Princeton perceived this move as a threat to the '[[Big Three (colleges)|Big Three]]' relationship, fearing it would lose its status as a rival to Harvard and be relegated to a secondary class. By the 1930s, the 'Big Three' was restored and expanded into the [[Ivy League]] in 1939.<ref>Marcia G. Synott, "The 'Big Three' and the Harvard-Princeton Football Break, 1926-1934," ''Journal of Sport History'' 1976 3(2): 188-202.</ref>

In 2023, during the NCAA's investigation into [[University of Michigan football sign-stealing scandal|sign-stealing allegations]] against the football team's staff members, the university's board of regents considered the possibility of leaving the Big Ten conference due to dissatisfaction with the conference's handling of the investigation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chavkin |first1=Daniel |title=Michigan Discussed Leaving Big Ten Over Handling of Sign-Stealing Probe, per Source |url=https://www.si.com/college/2023/11/11/michigan-discussed-leaving-big-ten-sign-stealing-probe-source |date=Nov 11, 2023 |access-date=March 7, 2025 |publisher=SPORTS ILLUSTRATED |website=si.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Eifert |first1=Matt |title=Friday Discussion: If Michigan were to leave the Big Ten, what's next? |url=https://www.maizenbrew.com/2023/11/17/23962546/friday-discussion-michigan-wolverines-college-football-leave-the-big-ten-2023-season-whats-next |date=Nov 17, 2023 |access-date=March 7, 2025 |publisher=Maize n Brew |website=maizenbrew.com }}</ref>

===Venues===

The [[Ray Fisher Stadium]], constructed in 1923, serves as the home venue for the [[Michigan Wolverines baseball|baseball team]]. The [[Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium]], formerly known as the Varsity Diamond, is the home field for the university's [[Michigan Wolverines softball|softball team]]. The [[Yost Ice Arena]], opened in 1923, is the home arena for the [[Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey|men's ice hockey team]]. The [[Crisler Center]], opened in 1967 and previously known as the University Events Building and Crisler Arena, serves as the home venue for the men's and women's basketball teams as well as the women's gymnastics team. The [[Phyllis Ocker Field]], constructed in 1995 and built partially on the site of Regents Field, is the home venue for the university's field hockey teams.

[[Michigan Stadium]], opened in 1927, serves as the home venue for the football team. With an official capacity of 107,601, the stadium is the [[list of stadiums by capacity|third-largest sports stadium in the world]].<ref>{{Cite web |date = August 7, 2015 |title = U-M Announces New Seating Capacity for Michigan Stadium |url = http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080715aaa.html |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170625150652/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080715aaa.html |archive-date = June 25, 2017 |access-date = August 7, 2015 |publisher = University of Michigan Department of Athletics }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title = ''The Michigan Stadium Story'' – Once Again the Biggest House, 1998 |url = https://bentley.umich.edu/stadium/stadtext/stad1998.htm |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070313183556/http://bentley.umich.edu/stadium/stadtext/stad1998.htm |archive-date = March 13, 2007 |access-date = March 23, 2007 |publisher = Bentley Historical Library }}</ref> The extra seat in the stadium's capacity is said to be "reserved" for former head coach [[Fritz Crisler]].<ref>{{Cite web |title = Michigan Stadium |url = http://www.mgoblue.com/facilities/michigan-stadium.html |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140419162602/http://www.mgoblue.com/facilities/michigan-stadium.html |archive-date = April 19, 2014 |access-date = April 8, 2013 |website = MGoBlue |publisher = University of Michigan Athletic Department }}</ref> Prior to the construction of Michigan Stadium in 1927, the football team played their home games at [[Regents Field]]. In 1902, [[Dexter M. Ferry]] donated land adjacent to Regents Field, and the entire complex was renamed [[Ferry Field]]. Ferry Field served as the home stadium for the football team until the opening of Michigan Stadium. Today, Ferry Field serves as a tailgating space for Michigan Stadium during football games.

===Fight songs and chants===

[[File:Singing_The_Yellow_and_the_Blue_between_halves_of_the_Penn_Game,_1916.png|thumb|Singing ''[[The Yellow and Blue|The Yellow and the Blue]]'' between halves of the [[University of Pennsylvania|Penn]] Game, November 1916]]

The Michigan fight song, "[[The Victors]]", was written by student Louis Elbel in 1898. The song was declared by [[John Philip Sousa]] to be "the greatest college fight song ever written."<ref>{{Cite book |last = Michael Hondorp, Fabrikant Alexis |title = University of Michigan College Prowler Off the Record |date = January 1, 2005 |publisher = College Prowler, Inc |isbn = 1-59658-163-8 |page = 118 }}</ref> The song refers to the teams as being "the Champions of the West". At the time, the Big Ten Conference was known as the Western Conference.

Although mainly used at sporting events, the Michigan fight song is often heard at other events as well. U.S. President [[Gerald Ford]] had it played by the [[United States Marine Band]] as his entrance anthem during his term as president from 1974 to 1977, in preference over the more traditional "[[Hail to the Chief]]",<ref>{{Cite book |last = Rozell |first = Mark J. |title = The Press and the Ford Presidency |date = October 15, 1992 |publisher = University of Michigan Press |isbn = 0-472-10350-4 |page = 38 }}</ref> and the Michigan Marching Band performed a slow-tempo variation of the fight song at [[Death and state funeral of Gerald Ford|his funeral]].<ref>{{Cite news |last = Singer |first = Michelle |date = January 3, 2007 |title = Gerald Ford Returns Home For The Last Time |url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gerald-ford-returns-home-for-the-last-time/ |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090221044716/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/02/politics/main2320308.shtml |archive-date = February 21, 2009 |access-date = February 18, 2010 |work = CBS News }}</ref> The fight song is also sung during graduation commencement ceremonies. The university's alma mater song is "[[The Yellow and Blue]]". A common rally cry is "[[Let's Go Blue]]!" which has a complementary short musical arrangement written by former students Joseph Carl, a sousaphonist, and Albert Ahronheim, a [[Drum major (marching band)|drum major]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last = Stieg |first = Bill |date = May 21, 1984 |title = A Catchy Intro To A Cheer Became Music To The Ears Of Myriad Fans |url = https://vault.si.com/vault/1984/05/21/a-catchy-intro-to-a-cheer-became-music-to-the-ears-of-myriad-fans/ |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081202160254/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1122081/index.htm |archive-date = December 2, 2008 |access-date = December 25, 2008 |magazine = Sports Illustrated }}</ref>

Before "The Victors" was officially the university's fight song, the song "[[There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight]]" was considered to be the school song.<ref>{{Cite web |year = 1999 |title = The Michiganesian Yearbook |url = http://www.e-yearbook.com/yearbooks/University_Michigan_Michiganensian_Yearbook/1999/Page_186.html |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120217110348/http://www.e-yearbook.com/yearbooks/University_Michigan_Michiganensian_Yearbook/1999/Page_186.html |archive-date = February 17, 2012 |access-date = April 9, 2012 |page = 186 }}</ref> After Michigan temporarily withdrew from the Western Conference in 1907, a new Michigan fight song, "[[Varsity (fight song)|Varsity]]", was written in 1911 because the line "champions of the West" was no longer appropriate.<ref>{{Cite web |title = The Eugene Fischer Years: 1906–1914 |url = http://mmb.music.umich.edu/node/43351 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120331162125/http://mmb.music.umich.edu/node/43351 |archive-date = March 31, 2012 |access-date = April 9, 2012 |website = Michigan Marching Band website |publisher = Regents of the University of Michigan }}</ref>

===Accomplishments===

The [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan football]] program ranks first in NCAA history in total wins (1,004 through the end of the 2023 season) and tied for 1st among FBS schools in winning percentage (.734).<ref>{{Cite web |last = Crawford |first = Brad |date = December 26, 2021 |title = College football's all-time winningest programs, ranked |url = https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/College-footballs-all-time-winningest-programs-ranked-179115056/#179115056_7 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211226203735/https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/College-footballs-all-time-winningest-programs-ranked-179115056/#179115056_7 |archive-date = December 26, 2021 |access-date = January 16, 2022 |website = 247Sports }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title = Football Bowl Subdivision Records: All-Time Won-Loss Records |url = http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2015/FBS.pdf |url-status = live |archive-url = http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160521052546/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2015/fbs.pdf |archive-date = May 21, 2016 |access-date = March 3, 2016 |publisher = National Collegiate Athletics Association |page = 98 }}</ref> The team won the first [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose Bowl game]] in [[1902 Rose Bowl|1902]]. the university had 40 consecutive winning seasons from 1968 to 2007, including consecutive [[bowl game]] appearances from 1975 to 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |date = May 31, 2008 |title = University of Michigan Athletics History: All-Time University of Michigan Football Record 1879–2007 |url = https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/misc/fbrecord.htm |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081231230137/http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/misc/fbrecord.htm |archive-date = December 31, 2008 |access-date = December 25, 2008 |publisher = Bentley Historical Library }}</ref> The Wolverines have won a record 45 Big Ten championships. The program claims 12 [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|national championships]],<ref name="MichiganScoreboardSign2001">{{Cite sign |title = Michigan Stadium scoreboard National Champions 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997 |date = November 24, 2001 |type = Stadium Sign |publisher = University of Michigan |location = [[Michigan Stadium]] |url = https://www.flickr.com/photos/nguzzo/2163229263/ |access-date = January 11, 2023 }}</ref><ref name="MichiganTunnelSign">{{Cite sign |title = Michigan Football National Champions 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997, 2023 |date = April 11, 2024 |type = Tunnel Sign |publisher = University of Michigan |location = [[Michigan Stadium]] |url = https://twitter.com/ByAZuniga/status/1778561493333656043 |access-date = May 9, 2024 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240510205350/https://imgur.com/a/xE1S3L0 |archive-date = May 10, 2024 |url-status = live }}</ref> most recently winning the [[2024 College Football Playoff National Championship|2024 National Championship Game]],<ref>{{Cite web |title = University of Michigan Football – National Championships |url = https://mgoblue.com/feature/2023-football-national-champions }}</ref> and has produced three [[Heisman Trophy]] winners: [[Tom Harmon]], [[Desmond Howard]], and [[Charles Woodson]].<ref name="Heisman">{{Cite web |year = 2010 |title = Heisman Winners |url = http://www.heisman.com/index.php/heismanWinners |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140801004040/http://www.heisman.com/index.php/heismanWinners |archive-date = August 1, 2014 |access-date = August 29, 2010 |publisher = Heisman Trophy at Heisman.com }}</ref>

The [[Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey|men's ice hockey team]], which plays at Yost Ice Arena, has won nine [[NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship|national championships.]]<ref>{{Cite web |title = Men's Ice Hockey (Division I): Championship History |url = https://www.ncaa.com/history/icehockey-men/d1 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130309014858/http://www.ncaa.com/history/icehockey-men/d1 |archive-date = March 9, 2013 |access-date = March 5, 2013 |publisher = NCAA }}</ref>

The [[Michigan Wolverines men's basketball|men's basketball]] team, which plays at the Crisler Center, has appeared in five [[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|Final Fours]] and won the [[1989 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|national championship]] in 1989. The program also voluntarily vacated victories from its 1992–1993 and 1995–1999 seasons in which [[University of Michigan basketball scandal|illicit payments to players]] took place, as well as its 1992 and 1993 Final Four appearances.<ref>{{Cite news |last = Cnockaert |first = Jim |date = March 22, 2002 |title = Accident's effects still felt six years later: Roberson: It changed the athletic department |work = Ann Arbor News }}</ref> The men's basketball team has most recently won back-to-back Big Ten Tournament Championships.

More than 250 Michigan athletes or coaches have participated in [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] events,<ref>{{Cite web |last = Kinney |first = Greg |date = February 4, 2020 |title = Michigan in the Olympics – Michigan Olympians by Sport |url = https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/olymp2/olsports.htm |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191024185005/https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/olymp2/olsports.htm |archive-date = October 24, 2019 |access-date = March 13, 2020 |website = University of Michigan Athletics History |publisher = [[Bentley Historical Library]] }}</ref> and as of 2021 its students and alumni have won [[List of American universities with Olympic medals|155 Olympic medals]].<ref>{{Cite web |last = Kinney |first = Greg |date = August 21, 2016 |title = Michigan in the Olympics – University of Michigan Medalists |url = https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/olymp2/ummedals.htm |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180615200930/http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/olymp2/ummedals.htm |archive-date = June 15, 2018 |access-date = March 13, 2020 |website = University of Michigan Athletics History |publisher = [[Bentley Historical Library]] }}</ref> Through the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], 275 Michigan students and coaches had participated in the Olympics, winning medals in each [[Summer Olympic Games]] except 1896, and winning gold medals in all but four Olympiads. the university's students/student-coaches (e.g., notably, Michael Phelps) have won a total of [[Michigan Wolverines#Olympians|185 Olympic medals]]: 85 golds, 48 silvers, and 52 bronzes.<ref>{{Cite web |date = February 5, 2016 |title = Michigan in the Olympics |url = https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/olymp2/oltitle.htm |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100901031205/http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/olymp2/oltitle.htm |archive-date = September 1, 2010 |access-date = August 28, 2010 |publisher = Bentley Historical Library }}</ref>

In 10 of the past 14 years concluding in 2009, the university has finished in the top five of the [[NACDA Director's Cup]], a ranking compiled by the [[National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics]] to tabulate the success of universities in competitive sports. The university has finished in the top 10 of the Directors' Cup standings in 21 of the award's 29 seasons between [[Michigan Wolverines#NCAA Division I Directors' Cup|1993–2021]] and has placed in the top six in nine of the last 10 seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Previous Scoring |url = http://www.nacda.com/directorscup/nacda-directorscup-previous-scoring.html |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110102202358/http://www.nacda.com/directorscup/nacda-directorscup-previous-scoring.html |archive-date = January 2, 2011 |access-date = August 29, 2010 |publisher = National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics }}</ref>