100 (Or More) Reasons We Love the Big House
If all you want to do is "watch" the game, probably the best spot would be sitting in front of your big screen HD TV with the DVR.
I always prefer to actually be at the Big House. I'm sure I could come up with my own list of 100 reasons but it is always more interesting to see what the MGoBlog Community thinks.
To make it a little more interesting, let's do this in kind of chronological order: pre-game first, followed by the game, half-time, and then post-game (but, of course, feel free to post ideas as they come to you).
I'll start:
#1: Tailgating with family and friends before the game. (Michigan football has definitely brought my family closer together and means I see family and friends more often than I would otherwise.)
#2: Arriving in the stadium early enough to see Michigan warmups.
#3: Watching the circle of Death Unity.
October 20th, 2009 at 1:11 PM ^
The guy playing the bongos and singing about people walking past the IM building.
October 20th, 2009 at 1:13 PM ^
This is what he said to my mom last week as we walked in (me, mom, and dad)
"Hey lady, don't be so sad,
Your husband don't seem too bad,
and here's something to make you glad,
at least I ain't your babies dad"
October 20th, 2009 at 1:23 PM ^
Here's another overheard jingle:
Hey Lady walking by my way
Why not give me a break today?
I'll be happy with a little pay
And fix my Chevrolet
But if you put in 2
I'll say thank you
And buy me a B-M-W!
October 20th, 2009 at 1:52 PM ^
I lived in the apartment building across from the IM entrance 03-04. I remember hearing that guy every football Saturday. He'd repeat his routine every 3 minutes or so and do a stupid little laugh after each song.
October 20th, 2009 at 1:12 PM ^
#39 Temptation
October 20th, 2009 at 1:22 PM ^
You can't have one without the other.
October 20th, 2009 at 1:25 PM ^
Seeing the look on his face walking into the stadium for the first time with 106,000 fans packed into the place. It's the same look people have seeing the Niagra Falls the first time. I will remember it forever!
October 20th, 2009 at 1:28 PM ^
+1, the extra seat.
October 20th, 2009 at 1:31 PM ^
Coke, not Pepsi!
October 20th, 2009 at 1:38 PM ^
But I think that, especially after going to the MSU game (this first down sponsored by Belle Tire!), I will NEVER under-appreciate the lack of advertising in Michigan Stadium. It's not something you really notice until you watch a game somewhere else, but it's SUCH a blessing. Thank Yost for Yost!
A few real ones:
#44 That we get to call it "Michigan Stadium" it just makes you feel like you represent the state as a whole.
#45 It was built/conceived/designed by Mr. Fielding H. Yost Himself.
October 20th, 2009 at 1:40 PM ^
#43 Being greeted on your way in by Marshall Fredericks'* "American Eagle"
How many stadiums** have a nationally recognized piece of art from one of their state's greatest sculptors at the entrance?
* He of "Spirit of Detroit," etc.
** Not counting those built during the Roman Empire
How many stadiums** have a nationally recognized piece of art from one of their state's greatest sculptors at the entrance?
* He of "Spirit of Detroit," etc.
** Not counting those built during the Roman EmpireOctober 20th, 2009 at 1:39 PM ^
GOOOOOOOOOOO!
BLUUUUUUEEEE!
October 20th, 2009 at 1:52 PM ^
If you live close enough, the crowd roaring will rattle your windows.
The loudest I ever heard it my house (1 block away) was right after THE Woodson punt return in '97.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:02 PM ^
#46 Parking for free in a neighborhood
#47 The Increasing # of people as you get closer to State St. #48 Seeing the practice facility and the stadium in the distance.
#49 Smelling tailgating while walking through the parking lot. #50 Walking into the stadium while mostly empty.
#51 Watching the players warm up and the stadium fill.
#52 Michigan Plays
#53 Michigan Wins
#54 Repeat next week.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:11 PM ^
I agree. I got there early and took pictures every 15 minutes about from practically empty to 107,000 full. Very cool timeline of pictures.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:01 PM ^
Sword guy during halftime of homecoming
October 20th, 2009 at 2:05 PM ^
the streak will be ended on 11/21 in it when DiC armpunts M to victory.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:07 PM ^
Especially after a victory!
October 20th, 2009 at 2:37 PM ^
-Driving rental car north on State St. and seeing the electricity on campus Friday night (makes the long cross-country flight back to AA a distant memory almost immediately)
-Immediately reconnecting with old friends I haven't seen in ages and tailgating all morning
-Testing the limits of my bladder throughout the game, for fear of missing a single play
-Feeling like a dirty old man at Scorekeepers after the game, but not letting that stop me from ordering another personal pitcher of Long Islands or RedBull & Vodka
Hopefully I can soon add "watching The Blue kick the buckeyes' ass" to the list, but apparently me flying back for The Game has been a bad-luck charm the last few years.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:40 PM ^
To facilitate traffic flow Ann Arbor-Saline rd to I-94 will be southbound only.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:46 PM ^
know what it is. I just had a hottie ask me if I've ever been to the Big House when she found out I was a fan of M. She doesn't even follow football
October 20th, 2009 at 3:13 PM ^
"IT'S GREAT, TO BE, A MICHIGAN WOLVERINE!" after a big victory.
Whats not to love about the Big House?
Anyone know why it isn't a national landmark and the horseshoe is???????? It must become one!
October 20th, 2009 at 3:19 PM ^
That it's oriented North-South, which cuts way back on the wind effect, and also gives you a spectacular view of the sunset behind downtown from the East end.
October 20th, 2009 at 3:22 PM ^
#58 Marshmallow throwing (if still possible)
#59 Key-jingling on key third downs
#60 Halo being torn off building
October 21st, 2009 at 12:48 AM ^
Key jingling is easily my most hated thing about Michigan Football (well, second to piped in music).
I'm glad the AD and Student Section is slowly discouraging it. No more "key play" signs, band does its new "Intimidation" and the place gets LOUD!
October 20th, 2009 at 3:27 PM ^
#61 The hole that Yost dug. When Yost planned the new stadium, he went from East-West orientation, was Ferry Field, to North-South orientation, to help keep the sun out of the players' eyes. Even Yost's first name has field in it!
#62 Crisler paid for. Another Michigan man who saw the importance of Michigan Stadium. The brainchild of the "extra seat."
#63 Canham Carpeted. Don Canham was the re-inventor of Michigan Football. He took a program that was down on it's luck and reshaped it into a marketing and winning machine.
#64 Schembechler filled every Saturday afternoon. THE Michigan Man. Bo was the icing on the marketing genious of Don Canham. Winingest coach in America's winingest college football program.
#65 Bob Ufer. THE Voice of Meeeechigan Football. America's greatest Athletic Director, greatest coach, playing in the greatest stadium ever built, it is only right to have the greatest play-by-play man putting us on the 50 yard line from our homes. God bless your cottin' pickin' maize and blue heart!
#66 The new era of Michigan Football. Coming from the same country as Fielding H. Yost, RICH ROD will once again place Michigan on the top of the college football world.
#67 The moment I first stepped into Michigan Stadium in the mid-1970's, I wanted to get as close to the program as I possibly could. Now I photograph games on the field. My dream come true. Thanks Don, Bo and Bob for shaping this man's heart into a block M. Go Blue!
October 20th, 2009 at 3:51 PM ^
running the length of the field, pushing a ball with his nose?
October 20th, 2009 at 11:13 PM ^
I ENVY you- I've always wanted to get on the field to take photos but have to rely on sitting in row A,B or 1 to get my shots. is there a site/paper I can see your shots?
October 21st, 2009 at 12:50 PM ^
Facebook me at Rodney Wakeman. Reference MGoBlog when you send your friend request.
October 20th, 2009 at 3:27 PM ^
#68
Part of the band comes around in the 3rd all away
around the stadium and plays "Let's go Blue". and
cheerleaders doing somersaults in the South endzone.
October 20th, 2009 at 3:33 PM ^
#69 Bullwinkle
October 20th, 2009 at 3:49 PM ^
where Woody went nuts and tore up a down marker after Thom Darden's interception.
October 20th, 2009 at 3:52 PM ^
I love the Big House as much now as ever, but I'll throw in that the reason I love cigars as an adult is from going to the Big House in the early 80's as a young kid and smelling the waft of cigar smoke.
October 20th, 2009 at 4:01 PM ^
The extra seat for Fritz Crisler.
October 20th, 2009 at 4:28 PM ^
I love the Big House because I went to the KState v. Texas A&M game last weekend and it felt like I was back in high school bleachers. Honestly, it sucked.
October 20th, 2009 at 5:05 PM ^
#73 - The guy that stands on the wall on the way to the stadiumn (from the North side) that throws the football back and forth with the crowd.
#74 - Old Michigan Spelling Guy that leads the crowd in section 20 spelling MICHIGAN with his arms after every Touchdown.
#75 - "Free Programs!"
October 20th, 2009 at 5:25 PM ^
Used to be able to bring a keg into the stadium... as long as you had a ticket for it.
October 20th, 2009 at 5:36 PM ^
The fact that I first visited Michigan Stadium in 1975; and now, even with the massive additions it is still the same magical place.
This stadium had evolved and grown since it's very first construction over 70 years ago.
It hasn't been reinvented, rebuilt, repurposed or replaced.
That shows the skill and genius behind it's initial design; and the love of tradition and importance it has earned from the school and it's teams football fans.
It was never thrown together to capitalize on a quick buck, only to be tossed away before it's time like so much Wal-mart trash. It was crafted to last, and it's been well cared for and enhanced as the program's needs have grown.
We Michigan fans already have an embarrassment of riches in the tradition and big game memories department, as everyone above has already listed; but the thing I love best about the Big House right now is that it's best days might still be in front of us.
October 20th, 2009 at 5:59 PM ^
I laugh every time Grapentine says it
October 20th, 2009 at 6:15 PM ^
#78 The student section booing every time they mention that the legal drinking age is 21! I laugh every time
October 20th, 2009 at 7:13 PM ^
"Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting the two hundred and fifty member Michigan Marching Band. Baaaaand, take the field!"
October 20th, 2009 at 7:33 PM ^
#80 It's our house and nobody else's
#81 new reason, piped-in music
#82 Space Emperor plays there
#83 It's really freakin' awesome
October 20th, 2009 at 7:34 PM ^
Notre Dame stadium is a copy. Not only did M teach them to play football we had to give them blueprints to the stadium
October 20th, 2009 at 7:38 PM ^
#85ish-The Big House in the Gloaming. Two of my favorite Michigan Stadium memories (MSU 2004, PSU 2005) both revolve around games that started in the daylight and ended in the darkness, lit only by the portable lights brought in by ABC.
#86-The Polish Kitchen. This specifically is for my father in law who is severely disappointed that it is no longer there.
#87-The Big Ten flags. I really really miss these. My wife points out that her section was always the Michigan flag and that she wants it back.
#88-Keith Jackson calling games from Michigan Stadium and dubbing it "The Big House" and having it become a meme simply because well, damn it, it feels right.
#89-David Moosman falling down when he slapped the banner against Purdue in 2007, coupled with Lloyd Carr's look of abject disgust.
#90-The Cake!
October 20th, 2009 at 7:56 PM ^
Definitely agree with the Big 10 flags sentiment. They finally brought them back for 2007, my senior year, and it brought a tear to my eye when I turned the corner and saw the Stadium once again ringed with the Big 10 flags. I'd been emailing Bill Martin for years to bring them back.
Definitely one of the things I identified with every week in our Stadium, and it's a shame they're seemingly gone forever now that the new structures are in.
October 20th, 2009 at 8:04 PM ^
I'm not so sure. I hope! I think they will find a place for them, somewhere. Bill Martin is allegedly a huge fan of them, especially as it was the one hat tip in Michigan Stadium.
(Think about the fields in the Big Ten. Think about the fields in Big Ten Stadiums. Think about how many of them have the Big Ten logo on them. Now think of the only two that don't. Us and you know.)
October 20th, 2009 at 8:36 PM ^
Now, if we really want to get technical (and demanding)... I'd love the MMB to bring back the conference flags. One of the many little (and very cool) MMB traditions done away with during the Cavender years.
But I ask too much. It's already a little excessive that the MMB flags have DCI-esque convertible uniforms that don't match the rest of the band... And don't get me started about the weird-colored halftime flags.
October 21st, 2009 at 9:46 PM ^
Check the top of the new boxes...it looks like there are flag poles up there, with one pole on each side of each scoreboard. Gotta wait until they are all done for the majestic product.
October 20th, 2009 at 10:05 PM ^
91 The Brick at the NE entrance off of Greene Street, near Section 38, the brick closest to the entrance in the NW corner, which has my last name, my first name, my sisters name, my parents names and my brothers name.
October 20th, 2009 at 10:37 PM ^
92: The columns outside of Section 1
93: The winged helmet-painted fire hydrants all around the Stadium, as well as the winged helmet painted over the little round concrete thing at the mouth of the tunnel blocking cars from going inside.
94: The M on the tunnel side bleachers