Non-Alumni Fans
So a Sparty made a video about the fans of Michigan (and other schools) that have no connection to the school outside of fandom.
Having difficulty embedding it so... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46MsGQFrzPE
His thesis is that only students have earned the right to say "we", which is disagree with because only players truly have that right. Also only alumni are able to build that close of a bond because of the shared struggle financially and emotionally.
If there is no connection to the school you should be a professional sports team fan instead.
I am a huge supporter of sidewalk alumni myself but I was curious what other people felt about the issue.
October 31st, 2013 at 7:25 PM ^
Alum or not, did anybody here want to sit down last fall after the football team started 0-2 and have a chat with some 3rd grade dropout from Alabama or some doofus who watched "Rudy" too many times as a kid? No matter how sincere their devotion to the school (or at least its football program), on some level we just don't give a shit.
MSU students/alums love their school. Listening to people talk up another school (and one that just happens to conveniently have won more football games than any other) is probably annoying. Especially when (as I can attest from my student days), there can be a big difference between attendance at the Big House and Crisler Arena. Just like it would be annoying to see some dude who pulled a North Carolina t-shirt out of the bargain bin giving you the timeout sign as you go about your day.
October 31st, 2013 at 7:25 PM ^
I've followed my entire life. I am not entitled to root for it because I didn't attend the school. Does that mean my entire life is, you know, a big lie?
The funny thing is, I married an MSU grad whose best friend married an MSU grad but never attended the school, yet lived near campus and now roots for Sparty relentlessly. I don't hold this against her. And I love my wife even if she is a Sparty, but I choose not to watch the rivalry with other Sparties, because, you know, this is what they are. And so, even though I lived in Ann Arbor for more than a decade, and I followed the program my entire life, I am supposed to subscribe to the belief that unless you went to UM you don't have a clue what it's like to go to college or THERE.
What a douchebag. Lots of folks love their country and support it without having served in the military. That doesn't mean they are exempt from saluting the flag and celebrating holidays.
October 31st, 2013 at 7:32 PM ^
As a Michigan alum, I welcome all fans of my alma mater, regardless of the nature of their connection to the school, as long as they represent the program with class. That goes for students, alumni, and unaffiliated fans.
I do think there is a distinction between alumni fans and non-alumni fans, since as alumni we have a deep connection to the university as a whole by virtue of our student experiences. But that doesn't mean that a non-alum has any less standing as a Michigan sports fan as do those of us who went to school there. And I would much rather associate with classy, well-informed Michigan fans who went to school elsewhere (or not at all) than a fellow alum who does not carry himself/herself in the same fashion.
I'm all for a big tent for good Michigan fans, no matter where they went to school.
October 31st, 2013 at 7:39 PM ^
The only reason this is an issue is because Sparty doesn't have any non-alumni fans - thus the jealous term of "WalMart Wolverine" was born.
October 31st, 2013 at 7:44 PM ^
This is particularly pertinent this week, and ESPECIALLY to people (like some who I know) who are just "fans of either school" or "support the State of Michigan," but then bust out the "w" word when one team or the other is succeeding. Those people need to stick with the Lions.
October 31st, 2013 at 8:09 PM ^
As a non-alumni fan this is my position:
When I watched the 1997 team win that national championship I remember running out of the house with my brother and neighbor and going absolute nuts! I was 9 years old. Thats before me or anybody my age were even thinking about college. I went year in and year out through those battles against Ohio and feeling as if I was part of it all. I was a fan before any of my MSU grad friends/associates had even considered going to MSU. Michigan has been my team since which bookbag or trapper keeper to get was our biggest decision let alone which college to attend. So why would I now let them tell me who I can and cannot root for? Kiss my ass if you dont like my enthusiasm about Michigan sports.
Every kid from Michigan who grew up loving them CAN'T and/or won't go there. Period.
P.s. People are stupid.
October 31st, 2013 at 9:23 PM ^
That's nearly identical to my experience. I remember seeing bits and pieces of Biakabutuka's 313 and the 1996 upset in the Shoe but the first game I sat down and watched all the way through was the 97 opener when I was 10. I've watched close to every single game since then so I don't really give two shits about someone who tells me I can't be a fan because I didn't go to school in AA.
October 31st, 2013 at 7:56 PM ^
I was raised the Maize and Blue way and in turn I'll raise my kids the same. Embrace the Wal-Mart and screw anyone who looks down upon you and your fandom.
October 31st, 2013 at 8:47 PM ^
November 1st, 2013 at 2:31 AM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 7:56 PM ^
November 1st, 2013 at 12:05 AM ^
...I'm a taxpaying citizen of the great state of Ohio and there's no way in hell any Bucknut usage of the word "we" includes me. There's nothing hilarious about that thought at all, galactically or otherwise.
October 31st, 2013 at 7:57 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 8:14 PM ^
They need to attack a group of nerdy kids and before they can be real Staee fans. Until then, they're just little poseurs.
Also, they must have an older, smarter, more successful brother.
October 31st, 2013 at 8:57 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 8:18 PM ^
Wow. What did I just watch?
I am a Michigan alum, but the more fans the merrier, I say. We have great teams with great traditions and many people grew up watching and learning about them who ultimately went to school elsewhere. Why should they not have the similar passion about it? As others said, this is jealousy over the depth and size of Michigan's fanbase as well as the reach of its brand. It also seems to be an admission that, in the end, they have no real argument, only a stilted concept of the "non-alum fan" that they invented and then railed against.
October 31st, 2013 at 8:22 PM ^
It's a good thing when the ignorant state fans (99% of them) pull the "did you go there?" card.
That's usually their defense mechanism they use when Michigan beats them and they have nothing left. Like last year. When Michigan beat them in pretty much every single varsity sport. It was domination.
It was never a dream of mine to attend school at Michigan. Yeah, it would be kind of neat. But I rather not drown myself in financial debt right off the bat to start my life.
My dream has been to move to Ann Arbor or a border city, have season tickets to football and hockey, get married and have a kid and push them so they could maybe go to Michigan.
Was literally raised a fan and there's an old VHS tape of me running around cheering as a 5 year old in my little #32 jersey when Michigan won the 2000 Orange Bowl in OT.
I don't even understand why this is a topic on this board. Who gives a flying fuck where someone went to school? That isn't any of your business to begin with. According to their logic, I can't be a Red Wings fan because I have no formal affiliation with the organization.
Solid logic sparty. Don't blame others because no one gives two shits about you that is not an alum or doesn't live in the State of Michigan.
October 31st, 2013 at 10:47 PM ^
t's a good thing when the ignorant state fans (99% of them) pull the "did you go there?" card. That's usually their defense mechanism they use when Michigan beats them and they have nothing left
I find it quite hypocritical that if you're a non-UofM alum, and Michigan beats MSU, they'll pull out that card all the time and act like you don't have any bragging rights. And then if Micigan loses to MSU, suddenly you are a true Michigan fan that will get crap and it doesn't matter if you want to Michigan or not?
October 31st, 2013 at 8:20 PM ^
Conversely, attending a school doesn't make a person a fan. My wife and I are both UM alums. I'm fanatic, but my wife doesn't care at all about UM sports, only to the extent it affects my moods on Saturdays.
October 31st, 2013 at 8:21 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 8:22 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 8:32 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 8:31 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 8:41 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 8:51 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 8:58 PM ^
Actually MSU has strict guidelines if you want to cheer for Sparty and are not an alum.
When I signed up for season tickets a couple years back, they said they were sending someone out the next day to verify that I actually graduated from State.
I thought I was screwed since I didn't actually go to school there.
So....I put this out in front of my house....and guess what?
He approved me on the spot! No questions asked!
October 31st, 2013 at 10:55 PM ^
I needed a good laugh.
October 31st, 2013 at 8:57 PM ^
UM grads have no reason to be annoyed that their brand is popular, and MSU grads just have to live with the fact that theirs is not...
October 31st, 2013 at 8:59 PM ^
It was taxes that built the Big House so that the whole state couod enjoy. Everyone needs to be proud of their accomplishments and their status, but no need to try to dissect your in rival's fan base. Stop being a dbag and go change the world with your degree and leave the hd sports and beer to me and my ne'r do well brethern. I am kidding. My advice: Just let people decide who they like to root for and stop being so butt hurt.
October 31st, 2013 at 8:59 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 8:59 PM ^
I'm sure an educational connection would be great but I can't imagine that making me more of a fanatic.
Go Blue!
October 31st, 2013 at 9:00 PM ^
November 1st, 2013 at 1:02 AM ^
Well said.
October 31st, 2013 at 9:04 PM ^
No fanbase other than State's cares about this... can you imagine a Texas or Alabama alum making that video? It's just the proof that State is a second rate team.
November 1st, 2013 at 7:58 AM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 9:04 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 9:05 PM ^
Is he a homosexual?
October 31st, 2013 at 9:12 PM ^
I hope you have a son who becomes a big muscular football player with a deep voice who turns out to be gay so you can realise how wrong you are.
If you're reply to this is "omg political correctness is ruining america even though I just stereotyped and offended gay people" than GTFO.
October 31st, 2013 at 9:19 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 9:05 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 9:05 PM ^
As long as we're throwing out insults let me thank you for dispelling the rumor that every time a Sparty gets too excited they burn a couch. Good thing too becasue that pleather sofa would have gone up like napalm.
Now that that's out of the way... I didn't go to Michigan, I went to Indiana. And while I do agree with the video statement that the College you attend does remain a part of you. I LOVE Bloomington, and I always will. What he is missing is that most of us have 18+ years of fandom before we get to our chosen school. During those 18+years for me are games with my Dad and Grandfather, games and moments that I relive in my head countless times during each season. Those are the things that have cemented my love for Michigan, not a diploma.
I'm embarrassed to say that after 32 years, a Michigan football win still improves the quality of my weekend. While a loss usually means a sports cool off period unitl at least monday afternoon. If I had waited until getting to college to fully develop into a fan as "The Social Media Pessimist" suggests, there is no way that that my rational mind would have let me fall this deep. My hatred for Notre Dame, disgust for Sparty and blind rage for OSU and everything associated with that program is INSANE! I totally understand that, and I can't wait to pass that on to my one year old son. And if I do my job correctly he'll have a fire that burns in him for Michigan regardless of where he chooses to attend college, as long as it isn't MSU, Purdue, Notre Dame or Ohio State.
October 31st, 2013 at 9:06 PM ^
So can people whose mailing addresses aren't Detroit be fans of the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons? You can be a fan of whatever team you want to be. Lamest argument in all of sports!
October 31st, 2013 at 9:07 PM ^
STOP LIKING THINGS I DON'T LIKE
October 31st, 2013 at 9:08 PM ^
represents more than a degree. I consider some of my non-alumni friends to be more "real" fans of M than some of my fellow alumni.
October 31st, 2013 at 9:19 PM ^
I look at it this way: I went to Michigan. I have a Michigan degree. (And, yes, RCMB trolls, from the Ann Arbor campus.)
My connection to Michigan is different than the non-alum who only identifies with the Block M and sports and probably couldn't pick the Union out of a lineup of gothic collegiate buildings if they tried. And it pisses me off when non-alums try to pass it off like "I'm out of state!" or "not everyone could get in!" or "my parents went there!" The bottom line is, sorry, you didn't.
My Michigan degree takes me places. It has direct ramifications on my life. It's more than your sports fandom. Michigan Athletics are great, but the University is greater. Michigan isn't for everyone, I understand that. But if Michigan means that much to you, you probably could have tried to do it. Until then, don't try to act like alums shouldn't be proud that we did, try to pass it off like we didn't sacrifice something to do it, or that there's some degree of "real fan" credibility that can make up for it.
If that makes me elitist, fine. But the fact remains that people who actually attended the university are not the same as those who didn't. That's just how it is. Don't get me wrong, having a degree doesn't automatically make you a better fan. But it's not just about sports.
October 31st, 2013 at 9:39 PM ^
You're certainly entitled to be an elitist, that's your perogative, but this just seems disingenuous considering everything else you just wrote. You do probably think you're a better fan, which is fine if you think that way I suppose.
Don't get me wrong, having a degree doesn't automatically make you a better fan.
October 31st, 2013 at 9:47 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 9:42 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 10:21 PM ^
October 31st, 2013 at 10:28 PM ^
connectiont to UM football without having attended the university. I, for one, grew up watching Michigan football with my father. For me, Michigan football will always be associated with him. So you are a fool when you say that non-alums cannot have deep connections with Michigan football. They can and do.
Family comes before all--at least for well-adjusted people it does--and UM football has been a passion my family has shared for decades. My grandfather, who grew up a ND fan(as an Italian Catholic) was buried in a Michigan sweater.
As it is, I, my uncle, and step-mother work at UM. My aunt graduated from UM as my dad went to UM for a year before I was born. I was born in UM hospital and have lived around Ann Arbor my entire life. Michigan has had a presence in my life for as long as I can remember.
You could stand to get out more, Bando. You seem to live in a bubble completely ignorant of others experiences.