More online
• Bill Martin’s Michigan memories: www.mgoblue.com/genrel/090210aab.html
• More on Martin’s legacy: michigantoday.umich.edu/2009/11/story.php?id=7562
The upper concourse on the east side of the renovated Michigan Stadium has been named in honor of former Athletic Director Bill Martin.
David Brandon, who succeeded Martin as athletic director, said the structure, created and built to give all Michigan football fans in the upper bowl improved access to their seats and other services and amenities, “will forever be known as the Bill Martin Concourse.”
Brandon made the announcement Sept. 3, on the eve of the rededication game for the bigger and better Big House.
“As Michigan fans descend upon this place every fall for decades to come, the signs marking the ‘Bill Martin Concourse’ on both ends of this concourse will remind them of the leadership and talent Bill brought to the amazing renovation and expansion of our beloved Big House,” Brandon said.
Above, donors to the Michigan Stadium renovation walk onto the field during a special reception held in their honor. Left, former Athletic Director Bill Martin expresses his surprise at the announcement by Athletic Director David Brandon, left, that the upper concourse on the east side of the renovated Michigan Stadium will be named in Martin’s honor. Also shown are President Mary Sue Coleman and Martin’s wife, Sally, right. Photos by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services.
The Michigan Stadium project was the centerpiece of Martin’s decade-long tenure as athletic director. Martin officially retired from the university Sept. 4.
“The renovated Michigan Stadium is a magnificent facility and we have Bill Martin to thank for that,” said President Mary Sue Coleman. “He showed extraordinary leadership throughout the stadium project, which has been completed on time and within budget.”
Martin insisted on improvements that would be appreciated by every fan: Wider seats, wider aisles, more concession stands and a second concourse to make it easier to move about the stadium. It also was Martin’s idea to add the engraved plaques with the names of every Michigan county, as a way to thank residents from all parts of the state for their support.
