Jim Betts was one of the finest athletes to ever come out of Cleveland, Ohio in the mid 1960's. The times were tough. It was even tougher for a young African American man trying to escape the mean streets of his youth and find a path that would fit him, and get him to a better life. That path turned out to be the University of Michigan where Betts began a wonderfully complicated and rewarding relationship with the legendary Bo Schembechler. Socially conscious beyond his years, Jim Betts was a kind of accidental activist during a very turbulent time in race relations across campuses in the country. A great athlete, and serious contributor to Michigan's football success, Betts also became an active leader. How he navigated his athletic career, his social activism, and his engaging and wonderful personality has made him one of my favorite people. He is an interesting and fabulous guest that you will enjoy hearing from in my Conversation with...Jim Betts
Betts frankly talks about a young black man's options out of high school in the mid 1960's
The University of Michigan's unique draw that appealed to Betts, and ultimately got him to Ann Arbor
Trying to keep the dream alive of playing quarterback as a young black athlete in the mid 60's
Relating to his head coach Bo Schembechler who challenged Betts, and who Betts challenged right back
Finding compromise between protesters and the administration during contentious times
After graduation, finding a job at Michigan football as an academic counselor
Bets take on todays world of NIL and Transfer portals