STUDENTS: BRANDON IS NOT MICHIGAN, WE ARE. BOYCOTT PENN STATE KICKOFF.
MICHIGAN STUDENTS:
BOYCOTT PENN STATE KICKOFF.
DO NOT GO TO YOUR SEATS UNTIL AFTER KICKOFF.
WAIT OUTSIDE SECTION GATES, AND TOGETHER WE CAN:
DESTROY BRANDON'S UTL BABY WHILE STILL SUPPORTING THE TEAM.
DEMONSTRATE OUR 'OUTSTANDING' RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AD
DISPATCH BRANDON BEFORE HE DESTROYS THE PRIDE OF OUR UNIVERSITY
IMAGINE:
AN EMPTY STUDENT SECTION FROM THE BLIMP CAM ON NATIONAL TV
AN EMBARASSED BRANDON ON THE SIDELINE
A SCHOOL UNITED IN ITS RESOLVE
SUPPORT THE TEAM &
END BRANDON SATURDAY
HE IS NOT MICHIGAN. WE ARE.
#kickOUTbrandon (instead of kickoff. heh. get it?)
GET THE WORD OUT.
details / logistical discussion below.
October 5th, 2014 at 4:35 PM ^
because I sure heard a lot of booing since the loss to Notre Dame.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:11 PM ^
Your all caps approach is such a turnoff. It renders your entire message reactionary and irrational.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:14 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 5:11 PM ^
How is showing support to dave Brandon supporting our student athletes? I argue you we show more suport to the athletes by boycotting Dave Bradon's athletic department until he is shit canned.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:17 PM ^
it sounds like people are concerned that no one will notice if we are not in our seats just before kickoff. if we are succesful and the student section is empty, it will be MUCH more noticable than some of the poor student showings earlier this year.
But more important than that, is the publicity. If the campus and media, etc. are AWARE of this protest prior to the game, the story will write itself. That's why to make this work we have publicize this as best we can and get as many students on board. If it gets as much attention as say the rally did, media outlets will be talking about it well before the game, and - if the broadcasters are aware - may even mention it beforehand.
I'm up for extending this to regular ticket holders, but that's probably going to be difficult to organize effectively. The student section is small(ish) and manageable in that regard. But if you want to protest with the rest of us then by all means join us!
And finally, I understand that this can be construed as disrespectful to the players. But if we are serious about change in the AD we need to make a statement and I believe this is the best possible option. Everyone is going to filter back to their seats after kickoff (there will likely be a TV timeout anyway, giving more time for the student section to fill back up). We can also help mitigate this perception if we publicize this and get our message and intentions across before the demonstration itself, and emphasize that this is not a slight to the players, but is aimed squarely at the AD.
If this is managed right, it will work.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:21 PM ^
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October 5th, 2014 at 3:34 PM ^
fair point, but i really don't think the football team can be embarassed any further. we keep talking about how disgruntled the students are about ticket prices, lackluster home schedules, etc., but all i hear are complaints and no action. A rally will get quick notice from fans and the media, but we need something more than 500 students milling around the diag. brandon has to go, and he's been clever to craft these protests as abberations and deflect public outrage at the handling of concussion gate by countering that it not an indicative baromoter by which to gauge support for him and his policies. and even if you think this may 'embarass the team', we should not embarass ourselves by reinforcing brandon's own discordant beliefs about his relationship with students, and his piss poor treatment of a very VERY serious health issue. instead of taking the lead (promoting research at the university, testing concussion sensors, etc.) on this concussion issue, brandon has decided that giving the trainers walkie talkies (why didn't they have them before?!) is going to prevent further miscommunications. something needs to be done to effect change around here, and signs and rallys aren't going to cut it. i strongly believe that if the message of this protest is molded correctly and publicized pervasively, it will NOT be construed by anyone - fans, players, announcers, etc - as a slight against the players and the team itself. this is about brandon's mismanagement and stupefying rationalizations for his despicable behavior.
October 5th, 2014 at 4:46 PM ^
the boos, the losing, the incompetence shown on the field (the concussion issue, 10 players on the field, delay of game after a timeout, etc.), the mishandled and condescending crisis PR management, and the alienation of the student body are all embarrassments to the University.
A well planned, targeted, and articulated student protest highlights that they are holding the people in charge are accountable in a visible public way.
I'd rather they do this, than boo an interception.
October 5th, 2014 at 5:23 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 11:08 PM ^
thank you for doing this.
All of us in Wolverine Nation are counting on you students to keep the pressure up.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:19 PM ^
You, sir, are dumb.
Just don't show up at all. That's how you really make it hurt.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:19 PM ^
Zing!
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October 5th, 2014 at 5:54 PM ^
the student sections were quite full at kickoff for these games,
October 5th, 2014 at 3:19 PM ^
An empty section is just insulting to the players and recruits. Carry signs. Form a sign. But don't just leave the section empty.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:23 PM ^
they are big boys. They can handle it.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:25 PM ^
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October 5th, 2014 at 3:22 PM ^
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October 5th, 2014 at 3:25 PM ^
It's amazing to me that people think an 18 year old adult, much less a 22 year old adult, should be coddled under the assumption they have the emotional stability of a 12 year old.
Brian's right, the "Support the Troops" argument is no longer valid.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:28 PM ^
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October 5th, 2014 at 4:50 PM ^
they won't get that this was a protest against the leadership - versus if #BOYCOTTMARYLAND is effective, it will look like people are just not coming because of the product on the field on Senior Day (which may very well be the eventual reality anyway).
October 5th, 2014 at 4:55 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 5:29 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 8:21 PM ^
Why?
Because he'd want to support the players. That's why.
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October 5th, 2014 at 3:25 PM ^
I was a student athlete during my undergrad. I couldn't care less how many people were there. I only cared about my team and the competition.
Frankly, we have major issues if people not showing is going to cause the athletes compete with less effort.
October 5th, 2014 at 5:15 PM ^
Exactly. I make this exact point with my HIGH SCHOOL athletes - we'll compete to the best of our ability regardless of how many people are in the stands. Same goes for college athletes.
October 5th, 2014 at 10:08 PM ^
I need help getting up in the morning tomorrow. Someone needs to hold my hand as I grind through the work day. Some emotional support in the late stages of my run would be nice.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:25 PM ^
But the message needs to be as clear as possible. If the students are chanting "Fire Brandon" in the concourse while they're boycotting kickoff, chanting "Fire Brandon" while they file in to their seats, and chanting "Fire Brandon" during every TV timeout, then I think this will be a great and effective protest. I also agree with the calls above for signs and other visual symbols of displeasure. The message needs to be clear enough and loud enough to reach Schlissel and the regents in no uncertain terms.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:28 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 8:13 PM ^
Just make sure that if they're bringing their torches, they DON'T also put bags over their heads.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:38 PM ^
Please scrap this idea. As a former MMB member, performing for a empty Big House is one of the most deflating experiences a Michigan student can have. Show up, support you band, cheerleaders, dance team, and the rest of the students and staff who put in countless hours of work in order to cheer on this team.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:40 PM ^
Think about it. You're an M player who's heard nothing but criticism and noise all year. And you come out, in need of support, and see your student section empty. Yeah, very helpful idea.
October 5th, 2014 at 5:14 PM ^
I find it insulting that you believe the student athletes have an emotional stability of a five year old.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:47 PM ^
If you stage your delayed entrance, the risk is that you won't be able to control the message the media reports. An empty student section at kick off could very well (and will most likely) be spun into a variation on students have turned against the team, students are apathetic, students are fair weather fans. And more than likely, the images of the empty student section will hit social media without the message you want leaving everyone free to comment on how much Michigan sucks.
If I were a student I would go early and cheer on the band and the team as loudly as possible. Show Penn State, OSU, MSU, the media and all the rest that we love our school and our teams no matter what. No one is going to mistake that for an endorsement of either Brandon or Hoke.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:48 PM ^
I support this effort in principle.
However, examine this document below from 2011-2012 concerning the revenues generated by events at Michigan Stadium.
http://www.regents.umich.edu/meetings/06-11/2011-06-X-13.pdf
Unless you are making a dent in the admissions number (~38% of revenue) then I am not sure how a delayed admission into the stadium affects DB other than being an embarrasing blip on his radar.
I was erroneously under the impression that a concession boycott could have some effect for those that are already committed to going to the stadium--but they are only about 2.5% of the revenue.
Anyway, I do like the idea proposed by the students, I just think it is important to think in terms of broader effects on the bottom line as detailed in the document attached as the only real way to get the administration's attention.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:49 PM ^
What exactly do alumni have to do to be labeled as "not Michigan"? I mean I get that you are upset with a few of his policies, but how to current students to get to decide which Michigan Graduates get to represent the university?
October 5th, 2014 at 3:52 PM ^
To be honest it sounds like most of the people dissenting are old farts/Wal-Mart types who are still hiding behind the much maligned "Support the Troops" defense.
As a youngish alum, I can pretty safely say this protest will be welcomed by ~95% of the student section, if not more.
October 5th, 2014 at 4:02 PM ^
I don't have a problem with protesting. I just don't like all of the "This Alumnus is no longer Michigan, becuase I don't like them".
October 5th, 2014 at 4:12 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 4:34 PM ^
^^^spent most friday nights on campus at UMix.
October 5th, 2014 at 5:39 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 5:15 PM ^
Completely agree as a young alum as well.
October 5th, 2014 at 11:10 PM ^
It's fucking time.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:54 PM ^
So...you're suggesting that we, as students, pretend not to be apathetic about the team by acting apathetic to send a message?
They've already lost the majority of the student body. Even die hards that have watched the team their entire lives are beginning to give up.
Besides, do you honestly think the student section will be full anyway? The idiots scheduled this game for fall break. Most students are going home. Between the shitty performance of the team, the general apathy regarding the schedule, and the direct hatred of the AD and coach, less than 67% of the student section will even attempt to attend. Guaranteed.
Save the protest for Maryland, which people will actually probably show up to, given that it's senior day and is the last game of the season, aka the last chance for students to have a football saturday.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:54 PM ^
Have like 500 students hold up one poster so it looks like one sign that says fire Brandon. Just get alot of students to hold up one part of the sign.
October 5th, 2014 at 4:03 PM ^
October 5th, 2014 at 5:07 PM ^
that assigns a designated shirt color to each seat such that when the seats are taken, it spells "Fire Brandon" from a distance. Blue for the letters and maize for the background.
Oh, and point at Brandon's box during the "You Suck" chant.
October 5th, 2014 at 3:57 PM ^
I see a lot of messages about how the proposed boycott will not support the players.
Hey, How about the whole plan of AD did not support the students -- You know the other students who actually pay out of their pocket to watch the game? Who is speaking for those students? Football players? I don't see them having a sign that says, "Do not raise the ticket price for students DB. We need them." (I actually believe that if there is a choice for those football players, they will probably have a board...)
I know some of the people on this board are not students and some are. The idea was for the students to protest. So, let the students do what they want. If you don't want to protest, don't. There is no need to tell others not to.
DB has a lot of power. The only power students have is the right to protest.
October 5th, 2014 at 4:16 PM ^
While you are campaigning to lower ticket prices for the students who barely have enough money to buy the alcohol they need to get blitzed on game day. why not reduce ticket prices for the rest of us also?
October 5th, 2014 at 4:40 PM ^
Why do you think we need reduced ticket price? We don't have enough alcohol. I think we should increase your ticket price and give us free tickets, so we can buy more alcohol.
October 5th, 2014 at 4:02 PM ^