John U. Bacon
Essay / Analysis, Sports CommentatorJohn U. Bacon has worked nearly three decades as a writer, a public speaker, and a college instructor, winning awards for all three.
Bacon earned an honors degree in history (“pre-unemployment”) from the University of Michigan in 1986, and a Master’s in Education in 1994. In 2005-06, the Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship named him the first recipient of the Benny Friedman Fellowship for Sports Journalism.
He has authored ten books on sports, business, health, and history, the last six of which are national bestsellers, including Bo's Lasting Lessons, Endzone, and The Great Halifax Explosion.
Bacon has also pursued his passions for radio, television, coaching and teaching. In 2007 he was invited to give weekly sports commentary on Michigan Public every Friday morning and appears weekly on Michigan Public's Stateside, and occasionally on National Public Radio, which awarded him the PRNDI prize for nation's best commentary in 2014. He appears often on TV, including HBO, ESPN, Fox Business, MSNBC, and the Big Ten Network, where he is a frequent contributor to both “Icons” series.
Bacon has taught at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, and teaches at the University of Michigan, where the students selected him for the 2009 Golden Apple award, given annually to the University’s top teacher.
Bacon delivers speeches on the themes taken from his books, and coaching and teaching experiences — including leadership, diversity, motivating millennials, and creativity — to corporations, universities, and other groups around the country and the world.
Bacon is an average hockey player, a mediocre Spanish speaker, and a poor piano player — but this has not stopped him from enjoying all three. He lives in Ann Arbor with his wife and son.
-
John U. Bacon says Harbaugh's replacement at Michigan is already known, and predicts a Lions win Sunday. -
Michigan Public's John U. Bacon previews the Detroit Lions' playoff against Tampa Bay and looks at the possibility of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh leaving for the NFL. -
Michigan beat Washington 34-13 in college football's national title game Monday. Michigan Radio's John U. Bacon discusses the game and coach Jim Harbaugh's future. -
The Michigan Wolverines will face the Washington Huskies Monday night in Houston in college football's national title game. Michigan Radio's John U. Bacon has a preview. -
The College Football Playoff selections created some controversies. Michigan Radio's John U. Bacon looks at the choices and previews No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Alabama. -
John U. Bacon on Michigan State's hiring of football coach Jonathan Smith, Michigan's win over Ohio State, and the upcoming Big Ten championship game against Iowa. -
Michigan and Ohio State will play for the 119th time on Saturday. The Wolverines' sign-stealing scandal and the game's postseason implications have amped up the tension. -
Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh will serve a second three-game suspension this season under an agreement with the Big Ten. Michigan Radio's John U. Bacon weighs in.
-
Jim Harbaugh missed Michigan's football game Saturday. A court hearing could determine if he'll miss more games. Michigan Radio's John U. Bacon weighs in. -
The Big Ten Conference has indicated it intends to punish Michigan football over sign-stealing allegations, but hasn't said how. Michigan Radio John U. Bacon weighs in.
