Sportscaster, right-wing commentator, and noted anthropological historian of American food culture Frank Beckmann is retiring as the University of Michigan football team's play-by-play radio voice.
Detroit Free Press: “It’s a long time doing games and spending a lot of time on it and going to Ann Arbor three days a week and the column,” Beckmann said this afternoon. “Over time, it builds up. You’ve got your family … and your buddies going out and playing golf, so you’re just missing things and, all fall, you’re spending your time working all week and all weekend. We’ve been talking about it for a couple of years. (Jim Brandstatter) and I and Dave Brandon have a dinner every spring since he’s been athletic director and we talk about it, and he says, ‘What are you thinking?’ It’s something I’ve thought about for awhile. I just decided now’s a good time, while I’m still young and have interest in other things.
Beckmann, 63, succeeded Bob Ufer in 1981, continuing one of the great play-by-play stretches in college football. Two men have held the post in the past 65 years.
Beckmann said his retirement isn't connected to the recent controversy following his defense of mediocre pro golfer Sergio Garcia's racist "fried chicken" comments about Tiger Woods.
“It was a controversy for some people, but it never really got to me,” Beckmann said today. “I’m on the air every day and I’ve taken phone calls from people and I’m on the air every week, and it was never raised. I got twice as many emails complaining that I apologized rather than for the column. I never talked to anybody at Michigan.”
Proving, once again, what sort of person is most likely to know Frank Beckmann's email address.
