Fan Day open thread
August 14th, 2011 at 4:54 PM ^
I wasn't there, but if you guys are that upset about it, I suggest either emailing or tweeting DB.
August 14th, 2011 at 4:58 PM ^
I know that the AD office put in the press release that only 1 item per person was to be signed. It looks as if they didn't enforce this very effectively.
August 14th, 2011 at 5:17 PM ^
For what that is worth. The problem was that they let all those people come ip and snap pictures of him (and I'm sure he felt like he should accommodate them.)
August 14th, 2011 at 6:28 PM ^
No they didn't because that was the line I was in. I saw a lot people not in line sneak in and hand stuff to denard.
August 14th, 2011 at 5:29 PM ^
The problem was the lack of enforcement from stadium officials. I literally watched hundreds of a holes cut in line right behind the stadium official or stand at the beginning of the line and hand off memorabilia for denard to sign while the stadium official did jack and just chit chat with his buddy. Possibly the lack of a defined que made enforcing lines next to impossible.
I think m-wolverine hit the nail on the head when he suggested the event needs to go back to oosterbaan or glick. This will make line enforcement more manageable. They can also station a few stadium officials at Michigan stadium for fans to go in to take pics or perhaps just open up the tunnel and let fans walk through (this is what the athletic department did for an entire week before the big chill).
August 14th, 2011 at 5:15 PM ^
I can't say that it was the best Michigan experience I've ever had, but I'm a patient person and had nothing else to do on a Sunday so I'm not too upset by the whole thing.
Started waiting in line at about 11:45 to see the offense. At 1:00 they open the gates and people RUN to the sections the players are going to be at. Complete chaos. You could either (A), ATTEMPT to get a good spot in line or (B), get a poster. Having gotten the poster I decided to get in line for the O-Linemen and QB (who happened to be Devin Gardner).
Waited the whole 1.5 hours and just as it was almost my turn to be next, the put up a gate and said nobody else is let in. Some people threw a fit but what good was it, I just stood there with an innocent look on my face hoping to get some autographs. Eventually Taylor Lewan (awesome guy), Patrick Omameh and I think Chris Bryant (not sure) signed my new football.
Overall, the whole process was a complete clusterduck *quack*. At one point I even shouted out "Raise your hand if you can even name one Offensive Lineman." People stared but nobody raised their hand except for one kid in front of me. The worst part was people getting their pictures taken with the players, players getting up out of their seats to do pictures, etc. Please, no more of this. It's cute, but people are waiting. A quick picture and if you're (please god no) one of those people who stares through their camera zoom for 20 seconds to line up a crappy shot, move aside.
Highlighting moment : A lady in line started screaming at people to stop taking pictures because it was taking too long. As obnoxious as it was, she had a good point. Taylor Lewan gets up from his seat, walks over and yells "You! Lady! Whatever it is you need to get signed, let me sign it so you can be on your way. This is what you get for speaking your mind." Really funny moment at the time. I also asked him about his mustache tattoo. I also asked if he reads the blog. He said no but that his dad does. I referenced "Taylor Lewan rides donkeys" and he said he's heard it. Probably one of my favorite players.
August 14th, 2011 at 6:02 PM ^
My wife emailed DB and stated our concerns with fan day, mostly relating to the lack of organization and ability to handle the large crowds this afternoon. DB quickly replied and stated that he was aware of the crowd control issues today. He is going to look at the possiblity of holding it at oosterbaan/Glick.
We appreciate the quick and honest reply from Dave Brandon.
August 14th, 2011 at 6:47 PM ^
After a great day at the stadium! I'm sorry to hear so many had a bad time... My son and I parked very close, walked in at 1, went to the wide receiver line, and were through the line by 2:30... They were sooooo nice! (Except for calling me ma'am. But the explained they were Southerners. So I guess that's OK.)
"Event staff" was nice, too. Several guys asked if we had any questions or needed guidance. Then we went on the field and watched the field goal kickers. They backed them up to 50 yards. (Gibbons and Wile made theirs, for the record) We had a great time....
On another note, anyone else see the creepy vampire lady with the crazy black dress? That was weird...
August 14th, 2011 at 7:02 PM ^
Has that black dress/vampire lady been around campus lately or something? I passed what sounds like the same woman on the Diag last week, and couldn't believe it. She looked straight out of the Slytherin common room.
August 14th, 2011 at 7:48 PM ^
I saw her too. WTF.
August 14th, 2011 at 10:37 PM ^
Wait…. is the term frowned upon? I’m from the South, but I’m moving up to UM this upcoming term for school.
August 15th, 2011 at 9:16 AM ^
term is just fine. Just makes us feel old and not as prevalent in the North. I think Wendyk5 and I will start a support group for "women who think we are young but are clearly old to 18 year olds...."
On another note, Have a great year! You will love it!
August 14th, 2011 at 10:43 PM ^
A few players called me ma'am, too. Just reminds me how long it's been since I was a student and I guess it now shows. But to the guy below, no, there's nothing wrong with it. I would just prefer, "Hey, lady!"
August 14th, 2011 at 7:26 PM ^
August 14th, 2011 at 8:37 PM ^
Surprise surprise. Searching "denard robinson" on ebay nets more then 10 signed helmets and photos uploaded just today. Including one with a picture of Denard signing the helmet today at Fan Day.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Denard-ROBINSON-SIGNED-Michigan-Wolverines-F-S-Helm…
August 14th, 2011 at 8:47 PM ^
HAHA $399 buy now. Get the fuck out of here scumbag.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:56 PM ^
Are just scum.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:48 PM ^
I waited in the Denard line but only got 10 steps in the 1 1/2 hr. Does anyone know if the players sign autographs if you get to the games early in the stadium or after the games by a certain gate? Any help would be appreciated.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:49 PM ^
There were about 14k last year. I say about 25k this year. I got tons of Autos last year. This year just the WR. Just to many people. I just got a SLR camera so I focused on getting pictures. I will have my Fan day post up in a few days. And yes I couldnt get a poster because people were hawking 5+ like animals.
August 15th, 2011 at 10:15 AM ^
Your estimate was spot on.
And yes, people are complaining over there too.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:58 PM ^
Anyone else really mad about how section 31 was handled? On the map they said the line would be at secition 31, but the sign was at section 32. Of course there were two lines at both sections, and they had the entire line at section 32 cut in front of all of us in 31. People who showed up before the gates even opened walked away empty handed because someone messed up the placement. (It's kind of confusing, but if you were there, you know what I'm talking about). What was even worse was people started cutting in the line in section 32 to get autographs ahead of all of us waiting. I was lucky to get through the line, but it was cut off about 15 people behind me. Lots of angry people, and I can't blame them.
I did get to meet Marcus Ray by section 29 and that made my day. He signed the Sports Illustrated of him flipping David Boston. I'm so glad I saw he was going to be there last night on twitter.
August 14th, 2011 at 9:25 PM ^
I love Junior Hemingway. I got his autograph and asked if I could get a picture with him. Kelvin Grady volunteered to take the picture--he took my iPhone, advised us to "SAY MACARONI ON THREE Y'ALL!" and took it!
Marcus Ray was hanging out next to the wide receivers. I follow him on Twitter and he mentioned he'd be at fan day so I brought my "TAKE THAT!" SI cover poster. He got a picture with me, personalized my poster ("2 Jenny, Go Blue and Take That! 97 Champs!") and was super excited to just be around fans. He also had his championship ring on!
August 14th, 2011 at 9:58 PM ^
What is Ray doing these days? Is he still a high school coach?
August 14th, 2011 at 10:17 PM ^
I'm not sure. He hasn't mentioned so if he is. I know he has a book out and is working on another one! Magnus caught up with him a couple months ago: http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2011/06/marcus-ray-talks-about-footb…
August 15th, 2011 at 8:52 AM ^
Marcus was at Frasers after the fan day, sat down next to me. Great guy, really high on Hoke, and his books are "Rays of Light" an inspirational quote book and he is working on a book on the 97 team.
August 14th, 2011 at 9:48 PM ^
Agree that this arrangement is terrible. I went to Fan Day two years ago when it was at the practice field and it was much better. The lines were still really long, but at least I could get up close to other players at other tables to take pictures. Some players were walking around, too, so you could approach them. I was at the offensive line table today and Taylor Lewan and Patrick Omameh are my favorites. I sat with those guys at the Women's Football Academy lunch last year when it was still with RR, and they were great company. I got my helmet signed today, and I will not be selling it.
August 14th, 2011 at 11:49 PM ^
meet Hoke. Also got to talk to Dave Brandon for a min. He signed my Maple Street Press for me. Also had fun walking around on the field. I got some really sweet pictures at midfield, and of me doing the Heisman pose in the endzone.
Also should mention..scoreboards=amazing
August 15th, 2011 at 1:12 AM ^
Way too many people and not enough lines. U-M should seriously consider limiting the number of people they allow in the stadium for these Fan Days. I'm not suggesting that they sell tickets, but maybe they should have a ticket lottery.