Bitter Sparty Quote about the Big Chill
Didn't think I saw this posted before but I stumbled onto this article about the Big Chill on ESPN http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5910000 .
The gist: that the game was just a novelty act and does nothing for the sport.
and of course.....who else to add their two cents but Sparty A.D. Mark Hollis who is always quick to try to denigrate any accomplishment by Michigan:
"When we did it in 2001, it was like the Apollo mission," said Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis, who, as an assistant athletic director in 2001 spearheaded the Cold War that attracted 74,544 fans to Spartan Stadium.
Since then, we've seen games at Lambeau Field, Fenway Park and Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. College hockey takes the spotlight briefly. The crowd scatters, the rink is torn down, and the lasting impact on the college game and its growth is difficult to measure.
"Now, it's like the space shuttle," Hollis said. "They're taking off and landing and you don't even know it. It's becoming routine."
Hollis you whiny cry baby, if you didn't notice the Big Chill, you're blinded by your hatred or were the fireworks for those five goals not bright enough or loud enough for you to notice. Go back to your room.
December 14th, 2010 at 1:30 PM ^
At least this one looks smarter than the one's I've met.
December 13th, 2010 at 5:53 PM ^
They wish it was routine and no one took notice, considering that it was a blow out.
December 13th, 2010 at 5:54 PM ^
Just because Sparty did it first, no one else can EVER do it, or it's "been done." Idiot. We did it, and did it MUCH better and MUCH bigger than Sparty could ever hope to dream of pulling off.
It's not clear, but I assume his quotes are taken post-game? Most likely.
December 13th, 2010 at 5:59 PM ^
And we had fireworks, Guiness World Records and walking curly fries too! Bitch!
December 13th, 2010 at 6:06 PM ^
And props to Arby's for handing out free sandwiches at Pioneer before the game.
December 13th, 2010 at 7:29 PM ^
I remember playing hockey outdoors in like 1995. What now Hollis? copycat
December 13th, 2010 at 10:40 PM ^
Actually Sparty wasn't first. There was a Soviet game in the 50's. The NHL held a exhibition game in Las Vegas in 1991. I'm sure there were a few others before that.
December 13th, 2010 at 5:54 PM ^
Maybe we should create the first ice hockey game in outer space!
December 13th, 2010 at 5:58 PM ^
The Spartans all die at the end of "300."
December 13th, 2010 at 5:58 PM ^
That begs the question: At what point does the law of diminishing returns kick in and fans say, "Eh, it's been done?"
113,411 people shelled out good American money for the game, so I guess the answer is: not yet, retard.
December 13th, 2010 at 5:58 PM ^
After all, nobody does bitter like Sparty.
December 13th, 2010 at 5:59 PM ^
Poor Sparty. They get a George Foreman grill, we get a Weber. They get a new car and we buy an airport. They can't win even when they do. Just ask the BCS.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:43 PM ^
Eh, you've got it backwards. We have a Weber, they run out and get a Foreman just so they can have a grill too and act like they're the shit when we run out of propane.
December 13th, 2010 at 7:08 PM ^
Bingo, we have a winner.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:03 PM ^
This little guy doesn't like what Hollis has to say.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:05 PM ^
you're not wanted here
December 13th, 2010 at 6:06 PM ^
Poor form buddy. We'll have none of that here.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:13 PM ^
I was wondering what it would take to drop Hollis' comments into second place in the "most ignorant dumb-ass comment in the thread" competition.
Well done.
December 13th, 2010 at 7:57 PM ^
banhammer.
December 13th, 2010 at 8:45 PM ^
Would read again.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:04 PM ^
Haha Hollis.
This isn't the first time I've laughed at that man. What a joke.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:07 PM ^
ass clown!!! i hope that he enjoyed the game from the visiting AD's suite that michigan stadium has and he got sit in it for a 2nd time this year... i wonder if his tune would be different if his team didn't get smoked and they didn't have to give back 400 tickets because state fans could care less about hockey...
December 13th, 2010 at 6:12 PM ^
Apollo Mission? The Cold War was more like sending a chimp into space for the first time. Sure, it was new and a little groundbreaking, but better things were to come. The Big Chill was at least 1,000,000x cooler than the cold war and has set the standard for forthcoming outdoor games. I looked at RCMB and they were pretty much echoing Hollis' sentiments: "We were first, UM is just copying us!! wahwah wah." There is so much butthurt coming out of EL lately.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:11 PM ^
Yeah... scoreboard.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:17 PM ^
The Cold War wasn't even the first outdoor hockey game was it? Wasn't that Sweden and Soviet Union in like the 1950s?
Oh and please keep bitching about how our game wasn't better instead of doing anything to help your failing hockey program.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:17 PM ^
in East Lansing was FAR from a stupid apollo mission. People have been playing outdoor hockey games as long as can be remembered. The Russians had done in during the REALCold War, for one.
Hollis is an idiot.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:22 PM ^
God what an idiot.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:27 PM ^
We did it bigger.
We did it better.
And Sparty is whining about even being invitied.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:28 PM ^
Yes, the Cold War is just like the Apollo missions in that they were our first venture into space.
Wait, you mean people had been in space before Apollo? Well, obviously everyone lost interest in the bigger Apollo missions because they weren't our first trip to space.
Wait, the bigger Apollo missions are better remembered than the first space flights? Well then.
December 13th, 2010 at 6:40 PM ^
I was talking to my friend in the AD's office and he was telling me how mad that Hollis was because Michigan was having the outdoor hockey game. It wasn't as much as the idea, but because it broke the record of the largest attendance to watch a hockey game in the US (or Michigan for that matter). I just laughed, because it's so Sparty to get mad over anything like that.
December 13th, 2010 at 7:00 PM ^
if they go to space (which we own to begin with) then we sure as hell are gonna go the rest of the way and land on the moon!!
December 13th, 2010 at 7:09 PM ^
Did you even read the entire article you posted? How can you say that Hollis said it won't do anything for the sport when he's quoted as follows:
"What you saw today was 113,000 people in the Big House, many of whom were not college hockey fans or even hockey fans," Hollis said. "Most of them will walk away with an appreciation for college hockey."
Hollis whined, but the OP looks bad for failing to read the whole article.
December 13th, 2010 at 9:16 PM ^
MSU actually has a long history of complaining after losses to us. They just aren't as published. "Michigan didn't beat us the wind did," "the better team didn't win," "Puke University," a player who planted a flag at ND, ran his mouth before and during the game when MSU was ahead and then literally cried that UM can't win with class...and etc.
UM has had similar things I am sure, but I hear a lot of MSU fans overlooking these things.
December 13th, 2010 at 10:13 PM ^
Do not follow.
December 13th, 2010 at 10:59 PM ^
For the flyover, Michigan rated a rare B-2.
Michigan State on the other hand rated this... a Piper Cub. 
December 14th, 2010 at 10:01 PM ^
towing a Deja Vu banner.
December 14th, 2010 at 7:08 AM ^
Huh? Who knew Hollis was such a childish douche. He and DanTonyOh are a match made in heaven.
Perhaps we should stop trying to have big, showcase events and get down to what's really important: finding rides for players from jail to the practice field.
December 14th, 2010 at 11:02 AM ^
I've been trying to find otherwise, but I don't believe that there has been anyone in space that had a Michigan State degree.
December 14th, 2010 at 12:55 PM ^
Can someone fill me in on what else Mark Hollis has said to denigrate Michigan? I don't know of anything.
Also, what he said is not THAT bad.
December 14th, 2010 at 2:39 PM ^
If he had used chimps in rocket capsules in his analogy I would have agreed with him.
December 14th, 2010 at 9:59 PM ^
when MSU did the Cold War it was unique. He does not think that they should be done as a yearly event.
Of course, consider the source. His job is promote the Spartans...
(whatever)