CMDA Attorneys Attend Historic Designation of Clients’ Former Home as a Landmark

CMDA partner Jim Acho and Kevin Campbell were asked by some clients to attend a designation by the City of Ann Arbor yesterday. They were honored to attend. Scroll down for the story (relayed by Jim Acho) in photos.

This house located at 1345 Geddes Road in Ann Arbor is nice but a non-descript 1500 sq. ft. home, like any other home there. It is now a historic landmark.

UM legend Jim Brandstetter emceed the private event. More on him in a second.

The Mayor of Ann Arbor forever designated this house a historic landmark. Why?…

In 1968, new UM head coach Bo Schembechler had his 1^st recruiting class. He took over for Bump Elliott who had recruited some players before resigning, but his class was only half-full. Schembechler would sign seven Black players and one White player -Jim Brandstetter- to round out the class.) Now, UM had a handful of Black players over the previous 50 years but scattered and sporadic. So this was an unprecedented class. In 2025 it’s hard to relate to this, but in 1968 it was a historic recruiting class in the Big 10. Of further significance, all seven players would become either All American or All Big Ten and all 7 went on to the NFL. All seven graduated in four years. Three of them graduated with honors.

The seven players quickly bonded and all decided to live off-campus instead of the dorms (a move that enraged AD Don Canham, but when pressed, they allowed it for the first time) in a house together. The house above. The first player Schembechler signed was the top player out of Ohio, Sandusky’s Thom Darden. Thom, who would become an All American, has one of the most famous interceptions in UM history. He would become one of the NFL’s top corners of the 1970s with Cleveland. Led the NFL in interceptions in 1979, a many time All Pro in that decade. Thom Darden shown below yesterday in what was an emotional day for him and all the men who are still living.

Billy Taylor. “The BT Express.” Owned Michigan’s career rushing record for years. Was expected to have a great NFL career, but it was short-lived. Billy Taylor turned to drugs to escape and ease his depression after the NFL cut him loose, and he was living on the street for two full years in the late 1970s. He later got clean, went back to school, earned a doctorate in education. Dr. Billy Taylor’s life story is a documentary film om BTN and you can find it out there. It’s worth the watch. In 1971, when 12-0 UM beat Ohio State on this Billy Taylor run https://tinyurl.com/yab295ye students took the goalpost out of the Big House and walked it to this house and put it in the front yard. Unprecedented in CFB history. (That area got a marker too.)

Reggie McKenzie, the superstar guard who blocked for OJ in Buffalo is the pride of Highland Park. He is on the short-list for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (Long overdue.) His body has broken down, but the mind is still sharp. Reggie said “Brandstetter was the white guy recruited by Bo with us. He was the only white guy consistently over our house and eating our food. He quickly became one of our brothers. He may not have lived in this house but he is ONE OF US.” Brandstetter teared up and candidly, I might have gotten a little misty, too. I think everyone did. People of different races and cultures connecting like that is a beautiful thing.

The remaining living five players will be honored (with the sons of the two departed) at halftime of Michigan’s game Saturday vs. Wisco and a clip of this will be shown.

Our Firm has represented several of these men over the last 20+ years on myriad issues. Mr. Taylor thanked our Firm in front of everyone for all CMDA has done in their representations of many of these ex-players over the years. The whole event was touching, and Jim and Kevin were honored to be part of it.

Photo courtesy WTKA