Forgotten Fans
In the wake of throwback-apocolypse, I'm reminded of how little impact I have as a fan.
Before Adidas got the contract, students (myself) were able to vote on three student-designed t-shirts. Now, the shirt is unveiled with no say from fans whatsoever.
When the Big10 divisions were announced as "Leaders" and "Legends," fans took to polls and showed the Big10 that more than 90% of the fanbase disagreed with the road the conference was taking. Jim Delaney first said how much they care about the fans and they will overlook the marketing campaign to make appropriate changes, then I heard that because of the contract, the Big10 will have to wait until 2012 to make further changes. I know how the game is played though, being in the television business. The logos have been made into graphics, painted onto hardwood floords, and sprayed onto football fields this fall. There is no way the Big10 changes the division names for a very, very long time.
This Friday, it is looking like Dave Brandon, the Athletic Department, and Addidas will be unveiling jerseys with giddy looks on all of their faces. Meanwhile, the Michigan fanbase (from all that I have read) holds the majority of "yughhh." Even worse, a very similar jersey leaked to the free press and Dave Brandon witnessed a backlash from the fanbase because, you know, the jersey is ugly... The only changes that were made seem to be to make the jersey NCAA regulated.
Now get off my lawn.
Just to have my opinion out there, I think the jersey that was shown yesterday on this here blog looks really ugly. I put up with the Winter Classic jerseys because they were legit throwbacks, but these things look awful and aren't even actual throwbacks.
I guess there's always somebody worse off than you though...
are you talking Big Chill or Winter Classic? Anyway, the Wings wore "throwbacks" that were modified and the world didn't end either even though the Red Wings jerseys haven't change in forever just like our football jerseys haven't. I thought the Winter Classic jersey's were awesome btw and it didn't ruin any Red Wing tradition for me.
I think there's a false sense of history and tradition people buy into around here. we had helmet stickers not that long ago and our away jerseys have changed a lot over the years. also, we didn't start wearing winged helmets and the like on game 1 of Michigan football- they came along some 40 years after we started playing ball. we used to be innovators of the sport way back when which is why we've been so influential and successful in our history--but at some point we started trapping ourselves in our own traditions. most of the people criticizing these idea haven't even been alive for a third of the time Michigan football has so.... i just don't see what the big deal is.
Whoops, I definitely meant the Big Chill!
I actually don't mind the things that are created to look like throwbacks, as long as I like the look of the jersey. In many cases I really like the throwback styles. If I don't like the throwback, I'm willing to overlook that since it's actually a throwback to something special... say, a national championship year.
In this case though I think (and I'm aware it's just my opinion) they fit neither category.. they are neither nice-looking nor are they actual throwbacks. Give me a wing helmet and blue jersey with the usual yellow/maize numbers and pants and I'm happy.
I agree completely. While I think it is important that we have some of the greatest tradition in not just college football but in all of sports I think sometimes blind adherence to said tradition can be crippling.
I am 24 years old and consider myself to be quite in touch with what the younger generation likes, and night games are a 100% plus. I mean are we really upset to be playing in a primetime game that is going to bring tons of national exposure? It's not like twenty years ago where only a handful of games were shown on tv...these days you have to do something to stand out from the crowd.
As much as some people resist any change, in order for Michigan to stay not only relevant but to get back to being at the top we need BOTH tradition and evolution. Night games are straight nasty. Watching the boys playing under the lights? What 17 year old kid wouldn't want to play in that atmosphere?
As for the jerseys? Eh, I don't really like the design but to say any TEMPORARY (as in one game) changes to try and create buzz I am ok with. I actually kind of liked the thought of wearing Maize with Blue pants. I know...blasphemy.
i wonder if they'll wear the matching cleats??
^ i actually like those but I usually like my shoes flashy
B**ch about clothing. Real men shut up and watch the game.
but I'll take RAWK music anyday of the week over our band playing Lady fucking Gaga. Now that's embarrassing and pathetic.
Even Lady Gaga was better than that Night at the Opera shit they tried to pull. Whoever thought that was a good idea should have been shot at the 50 yard line.
Let's just say he isn't the greatest conductor on the face of the planet. Typically ensembles I had to play in under his baton involved pedantic attention to rhythm and crappy musicality coaching.
I swear if these are going to be the jerseys we wear playing nd... I am going to be royally pissed.
This will not look good on your fandom performance review.