By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Bo Schembechler is as recognizable a name as Miami University ever has produced. So Miami decided it was again time it recognized him formally.

In a more laid-back setting than its 1972 induction of Schembechler into the Miami Hall of Fame, the school staged the Bo Schembechler Reunion Roast this weekend in Oxford, which began with a golf outing Friday and culminated Saturday night with a dinner and roast. The roasters included Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr, Miami coach Terry Hoeppner, former Miami quarterback Ernie Kellerman and Miami athletic director Brad Bates, who played for Schembechler at Michigan.

Schembechler, who lettered in football and baseball at Miami, was 40-17-3 in six years as its coach. He went 194-48-5 in 21 years at Michigan and upon his retirement ranked as the winningest coach in Division I history. He took time this week to answer questions from Enquirer reporter Dustin Dow.

Q: Hi, Bo.

A: What do you want? You know how I treat sportswriters.

Q: So I've noticed (having waited five hours for the phone to ring). You were on the front end of Miami being known as the Cradle of Coaches. What does that mean to you, and what do you think of coach Terry Hoeppner?

A: I think he's a wonderful coach. In my judgment, that team we had last year was the best we ever had. He's done a marvelous job, and he was blessed with an exceptional athlete at quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger).

I came into Miami with a lot of guys that were into coaching. Back when I played, we never had anybody going to the pros. We all wanted to coach. That's how so many of us went into coaching.

Q: Speaking of Roethlisberger, how fortunate is Michigan not having to face him this season (the teams will play Sept. 4 at Ann Arbor)?

A: It would have been much more difficult for Michigan if he came back. There isn't any question with him at quarterback their offense would move. The question would be if the Miami defense could stop the Michigan offense.

Q: Which team will you root for?

A: I've got to live in Michigan, you know. ... . I want Miami to play well, but I want Michigan to win.

Q: What do you do up in Schembechler Hall?

A: I don't do much there really. I stay in Ann Arbor through the football season. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the football season. I still do radio and TV and make speeches, but I'm really slowing down at 75.

Q: Ohio State fans got to see what Chris Perry could do. What should Bengals fans expect from their first-round draft choice?

A: He'll give you everything he's got. ... He's the kind of a guy constantly improves. From the time he came to Michigan, he learned to dodge and cut. He'll pick up the blitz. This is the guy you want in there on third down.

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E-mail ddow@enquirer.com