As many of us prepare for a long weekend with family and food and football, I feel that we should take a look at the space that we have here on the Internet to express our hopes and fears regarding Michigan athletics and, yes, give thanks.

We have this little corner of the Internet, provided most graciously by Brian, to discuss the trials, tribulations and triumphs of the athletic programs of our favorite school. Some of us attended Michigan (or are currently doing so), others did not or might be in the future, but we are united in our unwavering support of the University Of Michigan.

When it comes to football, we’ve watched the ups and downs of the program in the recent past and we still remain just as passionate and active in our concern and praise as we have ever been. In basketball, we’ve watched the watch of John Beilein take the program to heights that some of us had not seen in a long time. We follow all of our varsity sports, we get news on them all and we cheer when they do well. Some may follow only a few sports, but we are united in our wish that they do well.

We have this space to express our hopes and fears, our thoughtful analysis and sometimes our raw emotion. It can get a little tumultuous and dramatic at times around here, but we all express these things because of a desire for Michigan athletics to do well and to represent our school as we would like her represented. We should take a moment to step back from the now, look at this space, and be thankful that we have a place like this where we can share all these thoughts with fellow Michigan fanatics.

In a few short days, we will face Ohio State in one of the greatest rivalries ever conceived and the mood on the board has not been the best of late. We might be tested as a fanbase, but be thankful that there is a veritable army of thousands of active MGoBloggers (i.e., they have accounts at least, regardless of relative posting frequency) that will be watching with you and can be called upon to support you. Some of us will actually be there, some will be on the site or in the liveblog. We will be united by our desire for Michigan to win this game, however unlikely we may assume it is.

Speaking personally, I am thankful that this site is here and I am thankful that I have been entrusted to help support its mission. In my time as a poster and now moderator, I feel as if I have come to know many people here. Indeed, I have even met a few of you at various functions. It has been a net positive influence on my life and I have learned much here, and I am indeed thankful for that experience.

As a Michigan fan and proud alumnus, I am thankful for my experience with this fine institution and thankful for what it gave to me. I do my best to give back when I can because I feel a sense of community with University Of Michigan that I feel in few other situations. I feel a sense of community with this blog that I experience among few other groups of the collective fanbase. I am thankful to have the opportunity to interact with one of the most knowledgeable, sports-savvy fanbases on the planet and to count myself as part of such a group.

As I sit down with my family tomorrow, I will give a shoutout to my virtual one here. Hopefully, you will do the same. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

- LSAClassOf2000