Email Response from Bruce Madej Regarding Michigan-OSU Rivalry
First, my original email (short and to the point):
And now the response:
Dear Me,
Thank you for your note on the importance of Michigan-Ohio State football game. President Coleman and other university leaders have asked me to respond on their behalf.
I want to assure you that no one understands the tradition of this Big Ten football rivalry more than Athletic Director David Brandon. He has experienced this legendary rivalry first hand as a player, as a fan and supporter of the athletic program and as a U-M regent.
Expansion of the Big Ten is certain to bring some changes. We know there will be a conference championship game in 2011 and we expect to soon learn the details of the divisional alignment. Clearly we would like to have Michigan and Ohio State play the last game of the season for the Conference Championship (as has happened so many times in the past). However, based on a 12 Team - two division conference with a championship game format, in order for this to happen in the future both teams will have to play their way into the championship game. Which, we hope happens many times!
Certainly one of the priorities of the Big Ten commissioner and the Big Ten athletic directors is preserving the traditional rivalries, like Michigan-Ohio State and Michigan-Michigan State. This will continue to be a driving principle...as will creating competitive balance between the two divisions.
Just like the renovations to the Big House, we believe the Big Ten can move forward and make improvements while maintaining the traditions that are so important to fans.
Go Blue,
BRUCE MADEJ
This does not sound good IMHO. I told him we wanted to have Michigan-OSU be the last game of the regular season. And he responded by saying they are hoping Michigan-OSU can play in the title game every year, but change is inevitable. Maybe I didn't explain myself well enough, or maybe this is just not going to end well. Anyways, I suggest you guys keep flooding the AD with emails, and when you do make it clear that Michigan-OSU need to be on the same side and play the last weekend of the regular season. No excuses!
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:25 PM ^
August 23rd, 2010 at 5:40 PM ^
Only thing left to do is let the top 2 in each division into the Big Ten Tourney, put M and OSU in the same division and play the last game of the year. M and OSU can still possibly meet for the Big Ten Title a couple weeks down the road.
August 23rd, 2010 at 9:20 PM ^
My email:
"Mr. Smith,
Imagine how improbable it would have been for a Michigan Alumnus like myself to email you asking for your help one week ago.
Moving The Game earlier than the last regular season game would be a travesty and would destroy the excitement, tradition, and national significance the Ohio State - Michigan Rivalry generates.
http://michigan.rivals.com/
Sincerely,
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The reply:
"Dear me,
Thank you for your comments. I appreciate your concerns.
Sincerely,
Gene Smith"
LOL, Good thing I wasn't expecting much out of this!
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:23 PM ^
im opposed to this bs now and will be for the rest of my life. whats happening to the game is just wrong.
August 28th, 2010 at 3:43 AM ^