What it is to be a fan
Some people said some things after the NCAA basketball tournament that I wanted to address, that can also be extrapolated to the NC game today. A great number of people, especially from that Rural College Up North, began calling Michigan fans “Fair-weather fans,” because the basketball games have not been very high in attendance in recent memory. While some might agree, I have serious issue with this.
I will be honest, I have never enjoyed basketball as a sport. I was raised in an area where football reigned supreme, and everything else was secondary. Coming to Michigan back in 2005, especially with how basketball was back then during the Amaker era, reaffirmed those conceptions. Football was King. I’m not ripping on basketball; this is just a statement of fact.
During the most recent basketball season, I kept up with the team, but did not watch many of the games. My work schedule did not grant me many evenings or weekends to enjoy them. But when they were selected for the tournament, I was ecstatic. I ducked out of work to watch the Tennesse game, and was absolutely devastated by the Duke loss. Now the lay may call me a “fair-weather fan”, but I have a dissenting opinion.
While I do not go out of my way to watch basketball, I live for all things Michigan. Since I was a kid it was my dream to attend UM, and when I was accepted I could not have been more excited. I have a block “M” tattoo on my back, and I wear it with pride and honor. I am a fan of the University. I am a fan of every Wolverine out there, and will root for them to succeed in everything they do (barring the obvious, like This Guy). Rooting for the basketball team was not “becoming a fair-weather fan” but rather rooting for my alma mater, my peers, and friends. .
Even if you have never watched a hockey game in your life, I want everyone to root with all their might for this team. Root for the University of Michigan, its glory, tradition, history and future. Wear your colors proudly, and scream until you can’t scream anymore. Then scream some more. If you’re going to the game, scream louder.
These boys will be giving it their all in under 15 hours and every Michigan fan needs to do the same. Cheer, scream, celebrate, and if necessary, though I hope it won’t be, cry. Even if you don’t like hockey, remember you are cheering for something bigger than the sport, bigger than the University—you are cheering for history. Student athletes give so much effort and time and heart to the University of Michigan, and we owe them the same.
Go Blue, and let’s celebrate a National Championship tonight!
I want to see that tattoo tbh
Not done yet, want to get it added to, and not the best picture since I only have 2 hands, but here is.
on my left arm. It is nowhere near done but I still wear it proudly.
Lets_Go_Blue, I'm looking to get something similar done. Was that around Ann Arbor/would you recommend?
Yea, I got it around Ann Arbor. Forgive me but I can't tell you where I got it because I don't want to get them in trouble for copyright issues (you understand). But I got my other tattoo done at Spiral Tattoo, and they're good in my experience. Nice staff, honest pricing.
you are a fan every minute of everyday. You feel a tingle when you see a maize and blue t-shirt or jacket- even if the colors are used by a high school or another college team. You teach your children to support M teams at all times- even when our team is not consistently favored to win.
You root like hell and have fun. When our heroes pass on after a good long life (like Ron Kramer) or far to early (like Vada Murray) you feel loss and mourn just as you would as if death had occurred in your immediate family.
You love every visit that you make to Ann Arbor because you know it is a city like no other, and you respect all who have studied or sacrificied to make the University we love and root for great. This institution and it's teams may not be perfect...but they are great and worthy of our support whenever we can give it.
Tonight we will give our time, energy and spirit to our hockey team and will cheer for Red and his crew to bring home another national championship. There are probably roles and responsibilities in life that need to have a greater priority than being a Michigan fan; but few are more enjoyable.
Go Blue!
Very eloquently put. Thank you for that.
you provided the framework...I just added to it. We really need to sleep in later on Saturdays!
real nice
And... when your team is playing in the national championship, tied at 2 and going into sudden death overtime, your nerves are frayed with feelings of anticipation and dread simultaneously. Go Blue.
I'm in the same situation that you were in with basketball, but in reverse.
Watching anyways, but was excited to atleast follow Kim's progress. Being a Michigan Fan means that I am a fan of Michigan and don't need to defend that to anyone.
Also, thanks for reminding me about putting on my jersey. So excited, almost forgot.
Frankly, it sounds like you are kind of fair-weather/casual/whatever you want to call it regarding basketball. Hey, it's no big deal. I'm the same way in hockey. No one has the time/interest to follow every sport passionately.
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