In re the wave at the Miami game

Submitted by Rodriguez Fami… on

This is in response to Hoover Street Rag's September 9, 2008 post
(http://hooverstreetrag.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-to-do-wave-at-michigan-…)
about the Wave and their insinuation that the wave started at the Miami
game was incorrect and inappropriate.  Brian criticized the
wave as well earlier this week.

I have attended Michigan football games for a long
time, and I understand the tradition of the wave at Michigan Stadium.  I also understand that HSR represents former marching band
members and that the band prides themselves on keeping traditions alive
(as do most alums), and thus they felt it was necessary to remind
everyone on how to properly perform this Michigan staple.

That
said, can you really knock the students for starting one this past
weekend?  I know Brian specifically commented on the inappropriateness
of the wave at the Miami game due to the close score, however, if you
strictly adhere to the 2 touchdown lead rule, these kids might not get
to participate in a wave ALL YEAR!  That would be a travesty not only
because the wave is a joyous, memorable activity, but also because then
the tradition and knowledge of how to perform the wave correctly is not
taught to the freshman and other newbies.  That lapse could be
extremely detrimental to the continuation of the tradition in future
years.

As we've heard repeatedly, this season is full changes and question marks.  In the same spirit, perhaps the two touchdown rule
should be modified for the next few seasons in light of said changes. 
I appreciate HSR's guide to the wave, and I understand Brian's negative
reaction, but lets get real people.  We need to embrace the small
things this season because that's all we've got.  I do not think the
student's were wrong in starting the wave at the Miami game, as it did
more to enliven the crowd than both the second and third quarter
performances by the Michigan offense.  Careful, or you 90s alums may
find yourselves to be the new wave of crotchety old Michigan men and on
a slippery slope to yelling "DOWN IN FRONT!"

Comments

Flood

September 9th, 2008 at 7:32 PM ^


Some guys around me were paying such attention to the wave that they missed Miami's three-and-out, and then asked me who had the ball after the punt. That's why I don't like the wave.
 
On on a possession where Miami (of Ohio!) could have taken a lead late in the third quarter, the student section was raising their arms oblivious to the game instead of yelling as loud as they could. Personally, I'd rather have a student section enlivened with noise than one with some nifty versions of the wave.
 
I'm also pretty sure that us Freshman won't forget how to do the wave. It's not like it's learning triple integrals, you know?

jblaze

September 9th, 2008 at 10:24 PM ^

If you can't pay attention to the wave and the game you are;
1) an idiot who should not have been admitted to the U of M or;
2) too drunk to care about the outcome (at the time).

In any case, the wave is fun and our students are smart enough to understand this. To criticize them is arrogant.

GO BLUE!!!

kgh10

September 9th, 2008 at 11:18 PM ^

I'd just like to say the crowd was much more lively after the wave and we all had a lot of fun doing it at the time we did it. These complaints are really, really silly coming from where I stood on Saturday. What the heck do you expect us to get excited for? A former walk-on QB and a bunch of people we've never heard of unless you follow recruiting? Truth: most students don't really follow recruiting. The wave caused the 3-out, isn't that part of the point of it...to bring us good luck or karma or something? That's how I felt about it. The people who were paying attention before the wave knew what was going on after...those who didn't know what was going on ever continued to not know.

Ladies and Gents...We are the students of The Horror, 0-4 OSU, 1-3 Bowl era...not the students of the two Heisman trophy winning, 8 OSU and MNC winning era (ok I know that's a whole decade but you get the point)...give us a break.

chitownblue (not verified)

September 9th, 2008 at 11:24 PM ^

I have a reeeeeaaaaaalllllll hard time giving a shit about the circumstance under which the wave occurs.

99bobcats

September 10th, 2008 at 10:07 AM ^

But don't expect me (or many others) to participate when it is a critical third down play in a one possession game. I am too interested and concerned with the game to play silly crowd games.

jcgary

September 10th, 2008 at 10:27 AM ^

To me if it is going to happen during a close game it should go on during a TV timeout. The minute that red hat guy steps on the field then you should start it. But I tend to agree it is kind of stupid to do it during play in a tight game. That is it.

Chuck Harbaugh

September 10th, 2008 at 10:34 AM ^

as one of the crotchety old guys who was doing the wave after we stole it from U-Dub (and BEFORE the '84 Tigers put it all over TV), I gotta tell you: get over yourselves.

Until the University makes timing or participation in organized fan activities a condition of entrance, watch the game or do not. Do the Wave or do not. No whining.

qbwaggle

September 12th, 2008 at 10:44 AM ^

...but I think the wave is stupid. I don't care if it goes forwards, backwards, fast, slow, upside-down, inverted, whatever...

People can do it all they want, but I just can't get into it. Sorry.