Big House Traditions - Help an Old Man Out

Submitted by LSA91 on

So my LSA91 wife and I went to our first Big House game in a few years, and saw many things that impressed our creaky minds.   Some were pretty self-explanatory and fun, like walking in behind the band, seeing a full student section (through the third quarter anyway), or watching the team demolish an opponent.

I'd love some more background on a few of the others - where they came from, etc.   I tried googling, but I'm old.   Can someone point me to a good page discussing or explain:

 

1) The third down chop/wiggle/"you suck" call.   (Yes, self explanatory, but where did it come from and when.)

2) The student dance.  (Same thing).

3) About 10% of the girls walking to the game were just about half-way to a halloween costume - typically knee socks and a night shirt or short shorts, but there were some cheer costumes, shiny skirts, etc.   Is that a thing every game, and is it in college sports generally or just AA?

Thanks!  LSA91

OxfordBlue24

September 26th, 2016 at 3:52 PM ^

Actually, the beer policy is just a Michigan thing (as well as a lot of other schools), but not a policy as a whole on the college level. Miami (NTM) just started serving alcohol at games, and University of Cincinnati has been serving for a few years now I know, just off the top of my head.




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Bando Calrissian

September 26th, 2016 at 3:06 PM ^

The Blues Brothers dance thing evolved from a hockey game at Yost on St. Patrick's Day weekend in 2008. The game was out of hand, the hockey band was implored to play the song no less than about eight times, and the previous thing of a few people dancing turned into everyone. And then it spread to Crisler and to the stadium.

rob f

September 26th, 2016 at 10:18 PM ^

it pales in comparison to the experience at Yost when they play it.  Audience participation at Yost is much greater, and as they play it over-and-over-and-over again, the build-up in volume and enthusiasm just blows you away.  

I've never timed it, but I'd estimate the Michigan Pep Band at Yost extends the song out at least 6 to 8 minutes, far greater and more impressive than the shortened version the MMB plays at The Big House.  

umich1

September 26th, 2016 at 5:05 PM ^

I'll proudly take responsibility for it reaching Michigan Stadium in 2009. As a senior, I brought a sign to the game asking Professor Boerma to play Blues Brothers. Before that point, it was mostly saved for the "cake" formation on the field on the last non-OSU home game of the year. He finally saw my sign at the end of the third quarter, and fired up Blues Brothers. It has played at every third intermission since.

DrMantisToboggan

September 26th, 2016 at 3:08 PM ^

Drunk college sorority girls do weird shit and tend to act collectively. So there's probably a couple hundred knee socks, too-toos, tank tops or over-sized shirts, spandex, and fanny packs in the student section every Saturday. It's how they let everyone know they really did some digging to find where they fit in at UM as an individual.




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Wolverine Devotee

September 26th, 2016 at 3:08 PM ^

They added "bitch" to the end of the "you suck" chant recently.

An already dumb chant became dumber. Learn the words to Varsity instead.

mgobaran

September 26th, 2016 at 4:36 PM ^

I'm with ya man! The pre-fourth down tradition is playing "Temptation" which is cool, unique, and very Michigan. Singing along "You Suck" is lazy. Adding "Bitch" at the end is frat boyish. 

 

That being sad, as a drunk GVSU student standing in the UofM student section, uneducated in Michigan traditions, I totally screamed You Suck at the top of my lungs. It was harmless fun. 

bluebyyou

September 26th, 2016 at 4:56 PM ^

During parts of the RichRod and Hoke era, other endings might have been more appropriate.

I agree with WD that "you suck" is a bit classless for such a high class university, sorority girl football game attire notwithstanding.