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

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jmblue

September 27th, 2016 at 9:05 AM ^

No - slow to fast is what it's traditionally been.  

We had a good routine down for years, and then sometime around the RR years (when there were precious few blowouts) it got scrambled and people can't figure it out anymore.  

It's worse for the reverse and double waves - they seem to get forgotten altogether a lot of times.

 

 

 

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102895

BlueWolverine02

September 26th, 2016 at 3:32 PM ^

I'm pretty sure the chop thing has been going on for awhile, 15 years at least. as for what college girls are wearing, I think you are just showing your age. im sure when you were in college, the older generation was saying the same thing.

Joined: 09/20/2014

MGoPoints: 18507

readyourguard

September 26th, 2016 at 3:49 PM ^

As your elder, I feel qualified to respond.

The "you suck" chant sucks. It was especially face-palmy when we kept repeating it while Colorado led by 14 points.

Just asinine and I wish it would go away.

The cheerleader get ups are becoming increasingly popular, and only means more girls will ask themselves "WTF was I thinking" in 10-20 years.

Things I'd like to see return:
Passing girls up the stands.
Raining toilet paper down after a score.
Winning conference titles.

Joined: 08/21/2008

MGoPoints: 40986

Icehole Woody

September 26th, 2016 at 4:01 PM ^

Lots of black spandex and over-sized colorful shirts on East coast co-eds so I think its pretty standard attire. And its a good thing. Never liked the juvie sounding "you suck." It used to be "Lets Go Blue!"

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 4448

Sinsemillaplease

September 26th, 2016 at 4:06 PM ^

My manager at Knight's informed me recently that the chop during Temptation started during the 1991 matchup at the Big House between #1 FSU and #3 Michigan. We did it to mock FSU.... didn't turn out so well.

Can anyone else confirm?

Joined: 01/01/2011

MGoPoints: 965

Esterhaus

September 26th, 2016 at 4:10 PM ^

 

Back in my day, we spiked a beautiful, vibrant young woman with everything to live for over the stadium edge. She fell shrieking and she died horribly. We intended to continue this tradition but some in the student section insisted on spiking virginal females only and Martha Cook used to lock its doors.

That tradition could be renewed. Do they still lock the doors at Martha Cook, does anybody know?

Joined: 03/16/2015

MGoPoints: 7733

Autostocks

September 26th, 2016 at 4:36 PM ^

I notice the band has become less reliable in terms of playing Temptation after every 3rd down stop.  I wonder if it has to do with the unfortunate "you suck" chant.  Personally, I like the ominous tone of the song and the hand motion (just because it looks cool when thousands of people are doing the choppy thing in the same rhythm), but I follow it with a "Go Blue".  I hear a smattering of others like me in my section.

Joined: 11/02/2010

MGoPoints: 1965

Hail-Storm

September 26th, 2016 at 4:42 PM ^

at 35.  Most of the time I think I still just recently graduated from college.  There are little things that remind me I'm getting older. 

- When I realize I'm getting older than a lot of the professional sports players

- When the styles I've been wearing (I hate buying new clothes and still have many old shirts, pants and shorts) are considered "dad" clothes and super unhip

- When my third son was born and I was looking down at Markley and realized I lived there almost 20 years ago

- That 70s Show could be That 90s Show for teenagers now days

- Don't like most new music

Otherwise, I'm good.  My parents don't seem old to me, so that helps. Once you start feeling old, you are going to be old, so I am going to work hard to never let that happen. 

Joined: 06/07/2010

MGoPoints: 9864

letsgoblue

September 26th, 2016 at 5:55 PM ^

How can anybody not know this?  The wave is meant to be a visual / audible distraction to the players on the field. It shold ONLY be done when Michigan is on Defense. 

These must be the same people who yell loudly when Michigan's offense has a a critical play and the M players are waving their hands in a QUIET PLEASE motion.  We should be able to bitch slap one nearby fan a week as a public service. 

 

Joined: 04/02/2009

MGoPoints: 37

Rocking Chair

September 26th, 2016 at 6:27 PM ^

Speaking for myself, LSA '68, season ticket holder since my freshman year in 1964.  I'm the guy that stands at the last home game of the season when Carl asks if there are any 50+ year ticket holders in the House.  And yes, I stand for a good portion of the rest of the games as well.

Still miss Whiskey and Brandy at halftime.  Google it, kids. 

Joined: 09/08/2009

MGoPoints: 325

JHendo

September 26th, 2016 at 7:11 PM ^

The cheerleader skirts are sorority driven. I tailgate with an alum who is still active with her former sorority and of course the conversation came up when one of the girls in said outfit came up to say hi to her. Apparently a lot of the sororities made the individual decision to make it their outfit of choice for tailgating and going to the game. I thought it quite odd at first, but I honestly can't complain.

Joined: 10/25/2008

MGoPoints: 13993

MaizeInDC

September 26th, 2016 at 7:27 PM ^

What about fans dancing and making "moose-antlers" with their hands to the breakout group of UM Band members moving throughout the stadium playing the "Rocky and Bullwinkle" theme? feel like that's become rarer.

Joined: 12/14/2009

MGoPoints: 200

MaizeInDC

September 26th, 2016 at 7:27 PM ^

What about fans dancing and making "moose-antlers" with their hands to the breakout group of UM Band members moving throughout the stadium playing the "Rocky and Bullwinkle" theme? feel like that's become rarer.

Joined: 12/14/2009

MGoPoints: 200