Honoring Sparty Tomorrow Night
Mates,
Our hearts are broken over the senseless tragedy in EL earlier this week. Sports are great and we love to pick on Sparty, but not tomorrow. Tomorrow night our school and team will be showing support for Sparty at the game. Some of this has been talked about but the confirmed observances include:
Moment of Silence: Crisler will observe a moment of silence prior to the National Anthem followed by the band's performance of the MSU Alma Mater.
During the silence, the Maize Rage will display a 12' x 8' "Spartan Strong" flag.
The programmable LED Wristbands being distributed on seats to all fans will be turned Green and White during the moment of silence.
Warm-up Shirts: The Michigan team will wear special warm-up shirts in support of MSU, and 2.000 of these will be distributed. Ribbons will also be given out.
Nearly all of us have Sparty friends and family and of course we all love to beat Sparty. But we all also have a heart that grieves about what happened earlier this week and hopefully our various observances will be a comfort to those most closely affected by it. Let's show that 'Michigan Difference' we are all so proud of, and be the ultimate gracious hosts in the process.
Go Blue, beat Sparty, but God bless Sparty, too.
XM
February 17th, 2023 at 8:48 PM ^
Amen to all that — this is an issue that has only one side, and thanks for you who hit Crisler tomorrow to show Sparty our community is on that side.
February 17th, 2023 at 8:53 PM ^
I would like to hear a Go Green Go White chant
And please no little brother chant
February 17th, 2023 at 9:21 PM ^
Respectfully, I think a Go Green Go White chant is going too far.
But I agree we should shelve the Little Brother chant for this game.
February 17th, 2023 at 9:37 PM ^
Agree...that's a little much, but we ABSOLUTELY need to shelve anything little brother.
I'll tell you what, these officials are going to be absolutely HATED tomorrow. You can't get on the opponent, good luck to the stripes...that ire is going right to you.
Glad we're honoring MSU, let's keep it first class all game long. Including for Izzo...don't have to cheer the guy, but let's just ignore him for the day.
February 17th, 2023 at 9:38 PM ^
brother
February 18th, 2023 at 9:26 AM ^
Perhaps a good sequence would be.. and, for all I know, this may be the plan…
Wristbands turn on.
Spartan banner unrolled.
Moment of Silence.
Michigan Band plays MSU’s alma mater.
At the alma mater conclusion, the crowd chants “Go Green. Go White.”
And, the game starts…
February 18th, 2023 at 11:17 AM ^
I’m all for commemorating their loss and agree that fans should keep it civil, but we don’t need to chant for their team to beat us.
February 18th, 2023 at 11:40 AM ^
This.
I cannot image if the situation was reversed that Breslin would be saying go blue. And RCMB would be saying Ann Arbor deserved what they got (shooting) because of arrogance.
February 18th, 2023 at 5:16 PM ^
Snarling,
With all due respect. I’m not suggesting Michigan fans cheer during the game for the Spartans. My approach is a “one time only” cheer.
Once the game tips-off, it’s cheer for your team - and I’m Maize & Blue all the way.
February 17th, 2023 at 8:58 PM ^
I’m sure my cheeks will have some wet streaks before the Star Spangled Banner. Go Blue and Spartan Strong! I hope both teams play hard as always AND help your adversary off the floor at least this once.
February 17th, 2023 at 9:00 PM ^
not those cheeks, the other cheeks, right?
and yeah, that is one thing i've never understood about hoops - helping somebody up from time to time if you knocked them down. i get that there can be bad blood between teams from time to time, but in general when you legitimately whack someone and they go tumbling (not flopping), extend a hand.
February 17th, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
Jace does this consistently and I like it.
February 18th, 2023 at 12:03 AM ^
I have noticed that as well. He does it even when he goes down as well. He pops up and helps the other kid up. Jace seems like a really, really good kid and teammate.
February 18th, 2023 at 7:13 AM ^
one. hundred. percent.
February 17th, 2023 at 9:00 PM ^
Anything we can do to show support is the right thing to do and hearts go out to the victim's families and everyone affected by this.
One can hope that acts of kindness and support can also heal some of the hatred between the fanbases and lead us to a healthier rivalry.
February 18th, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
I support a healthier rivalry with MSU. Both on the field or court and amongst the fan bases. The Michigan fans always treat their rivals with respect. It is why tens of thousands of OSU & MSU descend to Ann Arbor for their teams away games.
Hopefully the MSU fans will not forget the kindness and love that will be extended to them in tonight's game.
February 18th, 2023 at 11:45 AM ^
Hopefully the MSU fans will not forget the kindness and love that will be extended to them in tonight's game.
Yeah, you're asking that from a team and fanbase that advocates for taking out Corum's (and other players') knees -- not just for them to win but humanly damage their opponents in the process.
Not to mention what happened in the tunnel (sparty saying "they shouldn't have been there").
The match-up with MSU moved beyond rivalry with and into legalized assault a long time ago... e.g., Gholston trying to break Denard's neck or the Tropp/Conboy attack on Kampfer as just a couple of examples.
February 17th, 2023 at 9:00 PM ^
great post - make it sticky mods
February 17th, 2023 at 9:12 PM ^
That is outstanding if correct. Credit to everyone who helped plan it.
February 17th, 2023 at 9:32 PM ^
Well said brother, well said!
February 17th, 2023 at 9:37 PM ^
This is a great post, most people should know how to approach this, with a heavy heart and a true appreciation to still be on this earth and get to enjoy something like sport. The rivalry has been too heated in my opinion and this is an unfortunate opportunity to come together as Michiganders, brothers, siblings, sisters, parents, friends. Go blue, Go Green
February 17th, 2023 at 10:05 PM ^
It’s not fair, man. I feel so deeply for those families. I simply cannot imagine. My brain is unable to even simulate the depth of that devastation.
February 17th, 2023 at 10:21 PM ^
Great job on your OP, XM.
As with all of us here, my heart aches for those who were/are directly affected, and especially those who mourn their loved ones lost to this awful tragedy.
Our hearts ache also for those in the hospital and those emotionally in shock who were there, and for those who have loved ones physically and/or emotionally damaged by that ugly act of hatred.
Maybe, just maybe, the level of unity we now display can somehow spur our leaders to lead, to rise above the petty and divisive politics that so far have paralyzed and left our nation stuck in these needlessly violent times.
February 17th, 2023 at 10:34 PM ^
Well said XM.
It doesn't matter where we're from or what school we attended, it's the content or our character win or lose a game.
Spartan Strong tomorrow and God bless those families that have to forever live with this tragedy.
February 18th, 2023 at 12:33 AM ^
Amen.
Wish I had more to say but I grieve for the victims and their families. And I hope that the survivors' trauma abates in their lifetimes.
February 18th, 2023 at 1:08 AM ^
I often don’t align with your posts XM because I’m not the most religious person (especially not in any of the Abrahamic religions’ sense). But I’ll agree with you this time, god bless sparty but go blue & beat sparty.
Having multiple nuclear & intermediate family members who were on MSU’s campus on Monday night taking shelter in closets & basements, I’m going to be a mess attending tomorrow’s game’s ceremonies at Crisler. But I’ll be glad that we’re all here in the middle of an athletic exhibition viewing 10 guys on a wooden court who are just trying to throw a rubber ball into a hoop. It’s all quite small in the grand scheme of things. But as always, Go Blue.
February 18th, 2023 at 1:16 AM ^
Do plenty pregame. Shake hands before the game. Walk out together. But then honor the rivalry at game time by both sides playing hard to win. It doesn't need to go on forever. Show the support and play ball
February 18th, 2023 at 5:27 AM ^
Go Blue. Beat Sparty. Spartan Strong.
February 18th, 2023 at 8:07 AM ^
Love this post. Love to see humanity uplifted like this. And most of all, love that our fanbase can set an example for putting aside a sports rivalry to honor our Spartan friends that are dealing with this senseless tragedy.
February 18th, 2023 at 8:08 AM ^
It's going to be such a weird game against MSU given everything that's happened recently that I sort of just want it to be played and we can all move on. I am happy that UM is doing all they are to be welcoming and understanding about this tragedy.
Hope UM wins, and my heart goes out to the MSU family.
February 18th, 2023 at 9:22 AM ^
It's great that the University is stepping up to do this, and by the way, well done with this post.
I agree with others - the petty stuff like "little brother" needs to be right out tonight. What happened this past Monday is evidence that, at the end of the day, rivalries among schools matter so little when compared to lives.
I have a couple acquaintances who were among those frantically trying to ascertain the condition of loved ones on Monday night, and I cannot even begin to imagine the horrors that one begins to entertain in those minutes (sometimes, hours) of uncertainty.
February 18th, 2023 at 9:22 AM ^
My son will be in the pep band tonight. They are going to play MSU alma mater. I talked with him about the emotions and the memories that will come from being part of this. I think all these kids get it.
February 18th, 2023 at 9:29 AM ^
Thanks, XM, for this attempt at bringing us back to some semblance of reality-to the world of sports fandom. The "Winning is the only thing that matters" mantra that drives too many sports fans surely needs some tempering. Winning or losing an athletic contest does not define personhood or character. And nowhere is a "rebirth" more acutely needed than in these Michigan vs Michigan State competitions.
February 18th, 2023 at 10:51 AM ^
How about a Still Our Brother chant?
February 18th, 2023 at 11:19 AM ^
that seems like a winner if taken the right way.
February 18th, 2023 at 10:58 AM ^
One other comment on this... The rivalry could really use a reset button in football. But by the time football comes around... This won't be even on the radar
February 18th, 2023 at 12:01 PM ^
The rivalry could really use a reset button in football.
The game needs to stop being played until that school and fanbase can learn to behave properly.
February 26th, 2023 at 12:40 AM ^
This.
What MSU football players have done to Michigan football players at the rivalry games should be proof to anyone with a brain that continuing to put them on the field together presents a danger to Michigan players' well-being.
If U of M's administration keeps putting the two of them together and the inevitable happens I hope they get all the flack they'll deserve. It may not fall under negligence but it's absolutely disgusting.
February 18th, 2023 at 11:31 AM ^
I will support all Sparties during this horrible time. Except for Izzo. Fuck him. He lost me when he chimed in about the tunnel.
February 18th, 2023 at 12:05 PM ^
100%.
I think all of us are appalled by what happened.
But being a decent human being (supporting the EL community during this time) and not forgetting about the hate folks like Izzo and Dantonio have sowed doesn't have to be mutually exclusive.
What's the worst thing Michigan has done to MSU in any sport in the last 25 years? Mike Hart called them little brother in a press conference.
Michigan is not a perfect institution by a long shot but I've yet to see someone in maize and blue try to maim or affect the livelihood of a MSU player.
February 18th, 2023 at 12:29 PM ^
I want Little Brother to lose tonight.
February 18th, 2023 at 11:34 AM ^
Nice post XM.
Spartan Strong and Go Blue!
February 18th, 2023 at 12:30 PM ^
I will be attending a hockey game in Fort Worth Saturday night and won't be able to watch or cheer our guys on.
Hoping for a successful pregame ceremony and a win for Meeeechigan.
Go Blue and beat staee 🏀
February 18th, 2023 at 3:16 PM ^
I hope you're at least able to watch Michigan Hockey 🏒 vs osu (the outdoor game in Cleveland) at 4 pm on BTN prior to heading out tonight.
February 19th, 2023 at 10:43 PM ^
No BTN in this house.......
February 18th, 2023 at 1:12 PM ^
IMHO they should have cancelled the Maize Out. I am wearing my only green & white sweat shirt and buying an MSU hat for this game.
February 18th, 2023 at 1:55 PM ^
Great message XM. Today we are all united ❤️. Somethings are bigger than sports.
February 18th, 2023 at 6:09 PM ^
Both universities and their fanbases need to demand real reforms to gun laws...otherwise all else is performative and just one more pause before the next tragedy thats likely to occur in the coming days. Much of the country has to be dealing w varying degrees of trauma living w this constantly.
America can do better but won't until the people demand better and move past empty gestures...and thoughts and prayers.
I grew up in Michigan but now live in London...I see firsthand how much difference real gun control makes
February 19th, 2023 at 10:55 PM ^
i draft you right now to write the law you think that criminals would actually observe that would've prevented that tragedy. i don't mean this in a confrontational way, i'm serious.
i, LDN fan do hereby declare:
February 20th, 2023 at 8:54 AM ^
i always look forward to your thoughts, XM, particularly non-sports thoughts.
but if the bar to make laws is "criminals will actually observe them," well...isn't that essentially impossible? like, for ANY law we write, gun- or non-gun? laws are made, and criminals break them. i'm oversimplifying, obviously. a better thought might be "write a law that is enforceable." i think we can come up with something there that might not have prevented the MSU shootings but would reduce the possibility that the same thing could happen again, today, at any public place in this country.
i get that this country has a fetishistic relationship to guns, and that a gun ban is essentially impossible to imagine. but can we at least make guns harder to get?