Gentlemen (and ladies), the 2009 Michigan football season is less than a MONTH away.  You have very little time to prepare the gameday menu, to put a new coat of lacquer on the beer pong table, or to spend quality time with your wife before she loses you every Saturday for the next three odd months.  You’re also going to need something to wear… and that’s where I come in. 

It’s time for the...
That’s right folks—Because all of you demanded it, Brian is now rolling out the MGoBlog apparel in a brand new store.  And… wait for it… That’s not all— we’re even going to ask YOU to decide on a shirt or two that will be featured in this 2009 line!

Over the next three weeks I’ll be unveiling a new shirt design every day from Monday to Friday.  Each will rejoice in the glory of Michigan football, and by necessity, none will actually say Michigan football.  For each shirt design we’ll be asking readers to ‘score’ each shirt on a scale of ***** (5 stars, Chad Henne) to * (1 star, Cobrani Mixon), based on the following criteria:

1.     Visual Quality:  Regardless of the message or joke, does the shirt look good?  Certainly I’ll be doing my part to create aesthetically pleasing and professional designs, but the best design should be something that everyone is happy with.

2.    Character/Humor:  Assuming the shirt is funny… how funny is it?  Does the joke work, or does it miss its mark?  If the shirt is NOT meant to be humorous, then what IS it attempting to be?  And is it successful in that regard?

3.    Michigan Pride:  How well does the shirt represent the glory and honor of Michigan football?  Our various enemies are always looking for new ways to ridicule the block M and tear us down, and we’re certainly not going to give them any extra ammunition.

4.    Mass Appeal:  There is an inevitable culture here at MgoBlog, and for many reasons it is why you visit this site and not another random Michigan blog.  So that’s great—Tacopants and Muppets are the order of business around here.  But what happens when your Uncle Joe, also a loyal M fan, sees the shirt?  Or perhaps the blue hair three rows behind you?  Will the general UM fan base get the shirt’s message, and does it matter anyway?

5.    Marketability:  Most importantly, is this shirt something you would wear, or even more appropriately, something you would BUY??  A design can be hilarious or interesting to look at, but if it’s not going to sell it’s really not what we’re looking for.  We’re looking for something that all of you will be willing to spend your hard-earned money on and wear with pride on gameday.

Each day for the next three weeks, starting Monday, will see the release of a new t-shirt design by yours truly.  We’ll allow the judging of each to last for a limited time and then tabulate the results to see which designs the MgoBlog community has chosen as their favorites.  The top selection will then be made available for future purchase during the 2009 season.

2009 MgoShirt Alert is all about celebrating the culture of Michigan Football, and everyone is encouraged to take part.  When all is said and done I hope to see everyone wearing the gear we’ve created at MGoBlog.  Look for the first design tomorrow.  GO BLUE!!