OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — For the first time since 1966 a Big Ten team has made it to the College World Series finals.
“I was not born the last time they made it this far and my dad is down there and to be there with him is really awesome,” says John Hartzmark, Michigan fan.
“This team has been everything, just has been joy. Joy, joy, joy,” says Michael Hartzmark, a Michigan fan .
Michigan took down Texas Tech Friday afternoon with a large group of fans in the stands at TD Ameritrade Park to see it for themselves.
The Wolverines last made it to the finals when they won it, in 1962 and the last time they made the CWS was in 1984. Coincidentally one of the Wolverine’s dad was on the ’84 team and his grandpa, was on that championship team.
“For me it’s like living a dream, watching my grandson play,” says John Kerr, grandfather of Jimmy Kerr.
Jimmy Kerr had two home-runs in the game with both his dad and grandpa on hand to witness it.
“Actually there’s a lot of parallels between this team and the team that I was on because we finished, they finished second in the Big 10. They’ve came on strong at the end of the year, we had a lineup that didn’t have any superstars and basically they’re the same,” says John.
Jimmy has just recently began hearing about his grandpa’s squad.
“Not a lot, until I got to college. And then once I got here and started hearing more about some stories, it’s funny because my uncle and dad haven’t heard a ton of stories but they’re coming out now and it’s really cool they made the championship,” says Jimmy Kerr.
The team has brought the former players together so they can root for the first championship in 57 years.
“The ’83 and ’84 teams are coming out, coming to the games, there’s a lot support for this team, they haven’t been there in 35 years,” says Derek Kerr, father of Jimmy.
The hope is Michigan’s rise can propel all northern schools, including Nebraska, to similar heights.
“The breakthrough of Michigan to get to where they are is really tremendous for northern baseball,” says Derek.
And the final question remains, can Michigan take it one step further and win it all?
“They certainly have a shot I mean anything can happen obviously in a two out of three series.” says John.
