But when he grew up and was a senior in high school, he made a decision that changed the rest of his life.
He chose to go to school in Ann Arbor.
And ever since that day, Brandstatter has worn the maize and blue proudly on his chest and has loved Michigan football dearly.
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Despite his family's preference of schools, it would be an understatement to say Jim Brandstatter is a Michigan man.
The Daily's Jordan Field sat down with Brandstatter in the booth before the Michigan-Ohio State game to talk about his career, Michigan football and the greatest players he's ever seen play football at Michigan.
Daily: Do you still get as excited about the game and Michigan football from up here in the booth compared to when you were on the playing field?
Brandstatter: Once you are a Wolverine and you've played in a game like this that has the implications that it has, you never lose the butterflies, you never lose the excitement, you never lose the anticipation.
This game is just so special and such a great event, that I think my playing days help me relax and in a lot of ways help me for my job up here.
In many ways, the team's preparation throughout the week is similar to mine - the way I learn about a team - and it's still very exciting.
D: You are originally from East Lansing. Was it a hard decision way back, to choose Michigan for college?
B: No, not at all. I had some green and white in me. My brother played football there, my father was on the faculty, but when I was a senior in high school, I really wanted to go somewhere else.
Part of the reason was that when my brother was at MSU he did not have a great football experience there.
So as a 10- year-old watching my hero - my brother - not love it there, it kind of sours you to go there.
The coach who was there for my brother was still there when I was coming out, so I decided between Dayton, Wyoming and the University of Michigan.
Dayton was being a big fish in a little pond, Wyoming was way away from home and Michigan was playing with the big boys.
And I've always been a Big Ten man, and I always asked myself if I could play with the big boys. If I hadn't taken the opportunity to play here, I would have always questioned myself.
I figured even if I came here and didn't play, it was still a win-win situation.
D: What kind of rivalry do you have with your brother and father?
B: My mom and dad both believe I made the absolute best decision.
As a matter of fact, my mother wrote me a note this week because she was in town and on the note it said, "Thanks for the visit - Go Blue!"
She may be a Spartan mom, but after I graduated from here and she and my dad saw the people I met and the friends I made, they would be the first to tell you coming here was the best decision I ever made.
My bro-ther Art would tell you the same thing, but he is still a very staunch MSU supporter and a good Spartan all the way.
We definitely have a good healthy rivalry in my family.
D: How would you compare the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry to the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry?
B: Well, Jordan, you and I both being in-staters realize the importance of the Michigan-MSU game, but that's exactly the thing.
Michigan-MSU is more of a regional thing of backyard brawl, and you always want to beat your neighbor. But this game with Ohio State takes on national implications, everybody grows up watching this game on television, and a lot of times when I grew up the Michigan - State game wasn't on television, but every year, this game is.
Seemingly enough, this game is on TV, and is always important. It's who goes to the Rose Bowl.
I think a lot of fans from all over, whether it's Idaho, Montana or anywhere, want to watch the Michigan-Ohio State game because it gets more hype and it's just bigger.
D: Is it tough for you on the air not to sound biased? I know no matter what you say on the air, you want Michigan to win.
B: You just learn how to do it. Today's broadcast has to be somewhat objective.
But let me make this clear. We broadcast Michigan football to Michigan fans, so we certainly slant the broadcast slightly, but for Frank Beckmann and I, we've been in the business a long time, and this is a career for me, so we need to be professional about it.
We handle the job for Michigan people, but if OSU does something good, then we are going to say it.
There are other good football teams, and there are other great football players, but when you do 11 games in a season, the Michigan faithful are probably listening and we want them to know how their team is doing.
D: What is your relationship with Bo Schembechler, or the other coaches that have been through here?
B: I'm really lucky to have the relationship with Bo that I do.
The fact that I played here, all the coaches realize that when I come in to do things, as a reporter or with Michigan Replay, they all respect and trust me.
They know they can tell me things as a friend that I won't exploit as a journalist.
And I feel there is a solemn trust between myself and the coaches and players.
I have tremendous respect for football coaches.
I see them in the wee hours recruiting, making phone calls or taking care of the guys.
Now with coach Carr and this crew of people I really think we have the best group of people in here possible.
I'm lucky to have the relationship with these guys as I do.
D: Either as a player or from the booth, what have been the best Michigan games that you can remember?
B: I have not seen a performance of a good team get dominated by Michigan like it was at Penn State this year.
That's as good a game as I've seen. There have been some great plays, with Anthony Carter, in our game against OSU when I was a senior we beat them, 10-7.
All the Notre Dame battles that came down to a field goal, there have been so many, that they all run together.
The Hail Mary against Colorado - there have just been so many great moments, especially in this stadium.
I feel like this is just a great ride that I'm on, seeing all these games, and I can't wait for the next thrill.
D: For you, who was the most exciting player you've seen in the maize and blue?
B: Hard to beat Desmond (Howard) or Anthony Carter. On defense, Andy Cannavino was one outstanding player, so is Woodson. The '85 team defense lead by Mike Hammerstien and that group was truly amazing.
But if we are just looking at one year, where things happen and the guy just seemed destined for greatness, it was Desmond the year he won the Heisman.
D: I know you said it's important to be professional and that this is your job, but do you still manage to be a fan and love Michigan football. It seems like you sure do.
B: Oh yeah.
I couldn't do this job if I wasn't a fan and if I didn't love what I was doing.
I love the kids, I love the staff, I love what this all stands for and I love the tradition.
I would hate to think that one day I won't be at Michigan Stadium on fall Saturdays.
It's a way of life and I am very, very lucky.
- For questions or suggestions about past or future Q&As, get in touch with The Michigan Daily's Jordan Field via e-mail at jmfield@umich.edu
01-20-98
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