Game Day Traditions
With 7 days to go until game one, I was wondering what kind of gameday traditions folks out there have. Specific jerseys worn, meals eaten, superstitions observed. I live in Oregon so going to the game early to tailgate is not a real option for me. So backyard grilling, wearing an 1989 Rose Bowl champs shirt, and enjoying some afternoon (occasional morning) beers are my traditions. What are people up to on gameday?
August 29th, 2009 at 5:29 PM ^
I usually start out the season wearing my jersey (#97, which stands more for the last time we won the NC than a player).
I also really like to cook while I'm watching a game. Chopping vegetables is particularly therapeutic during tense moments. Or when we're playing badly.
And of course, I have a few beers ... I haven't picked out a beer yet. I used to drink Rolling Rock before they were bought out by Anheuser-Busch. This year I'm thinking of Imperial or maybe Hoegaarden. Or maybe the old cheap standby, Miller Lite.
August 29th, 2009 at 5:39 PM ^
You actually have a large, sharp knife in your hand during the game and chop towards your other hand?
You sir, are a very brave (very calm?) man. I would be missing several fingers by now.
August 29th, 2009 at 5:52 PM ^
Well, I do put down the knife and pace sometimes.
Also, I am a brave (decidedly not always calm) lady.
August 29th, 2009 at 5:59 PM ^
I do apologize for my dumb gender assumption.
August 29th, 2009 at 9:09 PM ^
Not dumb at all. Largely true around here, I think.
August 29th, 2009 at 5:29 PM ^
I just deck myself out in an M jersey and try not to throw the remote at anything breakable should anything go wrong.
If I'm going to the game, the plan is pretty much to drink eleventy beers and never sit down.
August 29th, 2009 at 5:39 PM ^
Sincerely, BlueHair
August 29th, 2009 at 5:55 PM ^
I sure hope he is talking about standing the entire game (presumably ON the seats) in the student section. That is totally great!
Otherwise, standing for the entire game in other sections means:
1) The 10-14 year old kids attending their first M game can't see anything.
2) The 70-80 year old alumns who have been attending games for decades also can't see anything or risk an early death trying to stand on the seats.
BTW, I guess I understand why the Students stand ON the seats. But, since they lowered the field, the sight lines are perfect just standing up without standing ON the seats. Why the need to stand ON the seats if you are not in the student section?
(Inquiring minds want to know?)
August 29th, 2009 at 6:10 PM ^
I can't speak for everyone, but when I was in the student section, I preferred everyone on the seats as it confined them to about 12 inches of movement back and forth, making it easier to move through the aisles.
It's not much of a pro, but it's something.
August 29th, 2009 at 5:31 PM ^
my beat up Nike white fitted block M hat. I wake up pretty early and go to the store and usually get chips, soda and beer and some sort of meat product. I then tell my girlfriend to leave me alone until after the game that day. LOL I don't have a lot of friends that are Michigan fans down here in Florida so I usually watch the games solo. If we are playing ND PSU or OSU I have my friends over or go to their place for games.
When I was a school at UM I would usually get pretty wasted and tail gate starting at 5am for the games but now since I'm so far away it's tv only.
August 29th, 2009 at 5:33 PM ^
For every game during the season, I go to Mason's in Livonia and get a rare burger on an onion roll with cheddar cheese, bacon, and banana peppers. Condiments are limited to ketchup and mustard. If I'm feeling like being healthy, I might throw on a piece of lettuce.
Unfortunately, I can't go for the Western game, since they're closed every labor day weekend.
August 29th, 2009 at 7:29 PM ^
I should also mention that this meal doubles as a superstition -- it has to be done right. Last time I ordered it, they forgot the bacon, and Juice Williams put up 40-something points on us.
I will never let them forget the bacon again.
August 30th, 2009 at 12:54 AM ^
I am the same way with beer. I was drinking Widmer Heffeweizen on the day of the horror; now, it is never in my fridge.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:33 AM ^
If it's a superstition then you probably won't change your burger, but you should try it with bleu cheese. Bleu cheese + banana peppers = mmmmm
August 29th, 2009 at 5:45 PM ^
to the game i'm up at 7am no matter what the start time is. i'm always sporting my #2 jersey from 96 and my michigan hat. my dad and i leave 3 hours before kick off to get to his parking spot that he has had for 20+ years. we mingle and have a couple of beers and then in the big house a hour before kick off.
if i'm not going to the game i'm still up at 7am (damn dogs) and then i start counting down the time until whife leaves for her weekend job so that i can watch the big screen without being bothered. i'll still be wearing my #2 jersey. i try not to drink during the game, but if they start playing bad its straight to the miller lite.
August 29th, 2009 at 5:50 PM ^
smoke a doobie, crack a beer, kick back in the recliner
August 29th, 2009 at 5:56 PM ^
perfect!!!
August 29th, 2009 at 6:24 PM ^
Michigan games are the only days that I start drinking before noon. So a spicy bloody mary is the order of the day. It should be garnished with a sliced pickle, celery stalk, jumbo olives, and a dash of pepper. Once that is prepared I am ready to find a comfy spot in front of the TV.
Tailgate traditions involve reading the newspaper while sipping a Tanquaray and Tonic, grilling brats w/sauerkraut, watching the kids throw the football around and listening to a Bob Ufer CD.
August 29th, 2009 at 7:18 PM ^
Dude, you are making me both hungry and thirsty. And ready for a fucking football game.
August 29th, 2009 at 7:41 PM ^
I have a few, mostly if I'm watching at home:
1) Wear one of my blue jerseys (#7, #37 or the one I just purchased & will wear this year, #5)
2) Set up my boombox & my U-M Marching Band CD to the Victors Valiant tune, which I play after EVERY Michigan score (TD or FG) & do the fist in the air for Hail, Hail
If I'm watching at a bar:
1) Wear the blue jersey (#7, #37 or #5)
2) Use my musical keychain for the "Victors Vailant" tune...though, it's mostly impossible to hear it in a loud bar, LOL!!
3) Join in with the U-M alumni, in the usual chants..."Go, Blue" with the cowbell & "Let's Go Blue"!!
That's pretty much it, outside of the usual ranting & raving of good plays or bad plays!
August 29th, 2009 at 7:41 PM ^
It it's a noon start time I usually read the Detroit newspapers online while deciding on the menu for during the game. I put put on my home #15 or away #7 depending on the location. I then remove anything that may cause damage when thrown away from the tv. I hunker down in the leather recliner, one of my twins usually get up in my lap and we enjoy the best football team in America!
August 29th, 2009 at 7:46 PM ^
Head over to my buddy's house around 11 am. Promptly start drinking. Call for DD if we have not yet appointed one unlucky sole. Head to Winghouse (local Hooters knockoff). Persuade manager to put M game on big screen with promise of purchasing several pitchers. Drink said pitchers and eat large amounts of wings.
After that is up in the air depending on how the game went.
August 29th, 2009 at 8:47 PM ^
is their food comparable to hooters? - because their ads make it seem just like hooters.
August 29th, 2009 at 8:45 PM ^
I wear home/away jersey depending on the game
Rowdy the Wolverine hand puppet for every game
Wolverine coozies for brews
August 29th, 2009 at 11:11 PM ^
High stepping
Cursing at the offensive coordinator
Making excuses for the defense
Jumping up and down like a happy kid
Jumping up and down like Yosemite Sam
Telling my father-in-law to quit reading the newspaper to me while I am trying to watch football
August 29th, 2009 at 11:23 PM ^
I read crappy articles in the freep that claim my team does wrong, not because I like it, but it's because it's all they write. No sugarcoat.
August 29th, 2009 at 11:59 PM ^
My first Michigan game in New York. Time to start some new traditions (yes I know, oxymoron and whatnot). Thinking of going to a Michigan bar here in the city, any suggestions?
August 30th, 2009 at 1:05 AM ^
Someone posted a suggestion on the other thread (Where will you be at 2 PM ...).
August 30th, 2009 at 1:47 AM ^
1. wearing either my Braylon jersey or Hart jersey
2. wearing block M bo hat
3. yelling like im a 5 year old at every big play
4. if it was last year, just hoping for next year (this year)
August 30th, 2009 at 2:00 AM ^
I never shave on game day. I'm also going to begin wearing a number one away jersey.
August 30th, 2009 at 2:20 AM ^
If I'm going to a game:
Get up at 5:30
Put on my maize shirt
Eat BK breakfast
Realize it's 5:30 and drink caffeine
Once I reach Ann Arbor I listen to mp3's from the Michigan Band.
Games I don't attend (or away games)
Put on my blue shirt
Order a Cassano's pizza
During halftime I change into my blue sweatshirt and finish the game in that.
Also have a thing where I have to walk around, no matter where I'm watching the game at, during commercial breaks.
August 30th, 2009 at 6:07 AM ^
I have to walk around during commercials too. lol
August 30th, 2009 at 6:04 AM ^
but then "The Horror" happened, and it hasen't seen a gameday since.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:58 AM ^
I see a couple of you listen to a cd of the Michigan Marching Band. I have considered getting one from MDen but haven't been willing to spend the 20 bucks. Anywhere to get it cheaper?