John U. Bacon

Issues & Ale: NCAA's New World Order (Sept. 25, 2025) Join Morning Edition host Doug Tribou, author & sports commentator John U. Bacon, and special guests at The Ark in Ann Arbor, as they discuss the seismic changes college sports are facing today.

It's a time of dramatic change in college sports. Tomorrow night (9/25), @johnubacon.bsky.social and I will talk with a panel of experts for @michiganpublic.bsky.social's next Issues & Ale event at The Ark. A few tickets left! You can also stream it. Both free! www.michiganpublic.org/station-news...

Looking back on Robert Redford's vast body of work, my favorite is still "Butch Cassidy." But what impresses me more are "Ordinary People" and "A River Runs Through It," two great books Redford brought to life with subtle and sophisticated directing. Rest in Peace.

Issues & Ale: NCAA's New World Order (Sept. 25, 2025) Join Morning Edition host Doug Tribou, author & sports commentator John U. Bacon, and special guests at The Ark in Ann Arbor, as they discuss the seismic changes college sports are facing today.

College sports are changing fast. On Sept. 25,
@johnubacon.bsky.social
and I will lead a
@michiganpublic.bsky.social
discussion. Guests include UM's Executive G.M. of N.I.L. Terése Whitehead and
@goldengrizzlies.bsky.social
Athletic Dir. Steve Waterfield. www.michiganpublic.org/station-news...

We'll be posting the book tour on johnubacon.com very soon. Meantime, you can also order books from Schuler Books in Ann Arbor, leave your order, I sign, they ship.

Great thanks, and high praise, as McCullough is naturally one of my heroes. Here's hoping.

Grateful for ringing endorsements from the best in the business.

John U. Bacon breaks down NCAA penalties for Michigan football sign-stealing scheme Michigan Public sports commentator John U. Bacon breaks down the NCAA's penalties against the University of Michigan football program for its sign-stealing scheme.

This week on @michiganpublic.bsky.social, @johnubacon.bsky.social and I looked at the penalties for Michigan football after the NCAA's investigation into the sign-stealing scandal exposed in 2023.

You can read or listen...

www.michiganpublic.org/sports/2025-...

The NCAA's investigation into Michigan's "signgate," with penalties, goes public Friday.
My guess, throughout, remains:
-Fines.
-Moore suspended 2-4 games.
-Harbaugh and Stallions "show cause"
-No wins vacated.
But the NCAA can do whatever it likes, and often does.

In two months pre-orders of The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald will be sent or picked up in stores, B&N, amazon, etc. The book launches October 7 at UM's Rackham Auditorium (tickets available next week), followed by a 15-state, 30-stop book tour. Hope to sign your copy!

Great thanks, @bgriebs.bsky.social, and the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library!

THE GALES OF NOVEMBER | Kirkus Reviews Remembering the Mighty Fitz, half a century later.

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...

"...The author makes the Fitzgerald the centerpiece of a broad account of Great Lakes shipping, the careers and daily lives of the crews—and the industries, cities, and bars that feed them—and tales of other sinkings. A gripping account of a maritime disaster.”--Kirkus Reviews (3/4)

“Bacon writes in arresting prose....[Bacon delivers] biographies of crewmen, their duties, descriptions of the storm, increasingly fraught messages from the Fitzgerald before they ceased, interviews with victims’ families, and a discussion of the lessons learned. (2/4)

My upcoming book, "The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald," just received a starred review (top 10%, they're only designation) from Kirkus Reviews, an 88-year old institution that's traditionally hard to impress. Comes out October 7. Can pre-order anywhere. (1/4)

Always great to talk with @radiodoug.bsky.social

Another fast-moving five minutes of all the sports that's fit to speak, with @radiodoug.bsky.social on @michiganpublic.bsky.social

A fun conversation with my old AA News colleague and housemate from the starving writer days, @douglasthill.bsky.social

This week @DougTribou and I break down the big settlement that will change college sports -- in a fast and surprisingly fun six minutes!

Thanks! I'm working on it.

Another fun, snappy four minutes of sports talk with
@DougTribou on @michiganradio

John U. Bacon: Canada needs Stanley Cup back; College Football Playoff expansion "inevitable" Michigan Public's John U. Bacon discusses a Stanley Cup Final rematch, the NBA Finals, changes coming to the College Football Playoff, and the Detroit Tigers' hot start.

🥓 on 🏒🏀🏈⚾️ —> In the fastest 5️⃣ minutes in public radio sports on @michiganpublic.bsky.social, @johnubacon.bsky.social tells me Canada needs the Stanley Cup back, more CFP expansion is "inevitable,” and we discuss the Tigers’ hot start. Read or listen… www.michiganpublic.org/sports/2025-...

Always fun to join
@DougTribou
for the fastest five minutes of Public Radio sports -and also the only five minutes. 😉

Let Them Lead: Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America's Worst High School Hockey Team Amazon.com: Let Them Lead: Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America's Worst High School Hockey Team: 9780358533269: John U. Bacon.: Books

Pleased to report "LET THEM LEAD: Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America's Worst High School Hockey Team" is now in its fourth printing.
Great thanks HarperCollins, and you readers!
You keep buying them, we'll keep printing them.
THANK YOU!
www.amazon.com/Let-Them-Lea...

John U. Bacon: Fearless Pistons have "real chance" to knock off Knicks in NBA playoffs The Detroit Pistons are in the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2019. Commentator John U. Bacon likes their chances. He discussed that and more on Michigan Public.

🥓 on 🏀🏒 —> Read or listen to @johnubacon.bsky.social’s thoughts on the Pistons’ playoff chances, the Red Wings’ next steps, and Western Michigan University’s hockey glory. It’s the fastest 5️⃣ minutes in public radio sports… on @michiganpublic.bsky.social! www.michiganpublic.org/sports/2025-...

Let Them Lead: Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America's Worst High School Hockey Team Amazon.com: Let Them Lead: Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America's Worst High School Hockey Team: 9780358533269: John U. Bacon.: Books

Pleased to report "LET THEM LEAD: Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America's Worst High School Hockey Team" is now in its fourth printing!
Great thanks @HarperCollinsCa and you readers!
You keep buying them, we'll keep printing them.
THANK YOU!
www.amazon.com/Let-Them-Lea...

You probably saw me jogging with him! That was our route: State, Granger, Burns Park, then back to the track and tennis building.

John U. Bacon on the Pistons' return to the playoffs and Western Michigan's Frozen Four fireworks Playoffs! The Pistons are in! The Red Wings are nearly out. And Western Michigan is making program history in the Frozen Four. John U. Bacon shares his thoughts.

🥓 on 🏀🏒⚾️ —> It’s the fastest 4️⃣ minutes in public radio sports on @michiganpublic.bsky.social. Playoffs?! Yes, @johnubacon.bsky.social and I are talking playoffs! You can read or listen… www.michiganpublic.org/sports/2025-...

Sitting quietly,
Doing nothing,
Spring comes,
And the snow -- wait, what the hell?!?
-Basho, revised by Bacon

You heard correctly. Comes out October 7, 2025.

And check out this great cover!