Its Time for a Night Game Already!

Submitted by bklein09 on

I know this has been said a million times but I just wanted to say it again to make it a million and one. Illinois, osu, psu, Iowa, indiana, Wisconsin, and probably the rest of the big ten teams have all had mutliple night games already. It is not that rare anymore. Is it a logistical thing with the lights? Or just some stupid attempt to hold on to some "tradition" I don't know about? Is there some other issue? I think psu this year would be a perfect first night game, especially if we are 7-0 or 6-1. Man the big house would be rocking! If not this year, do you guys think it will happen once the renovations are done?

Sorry for those of you who are tired of reading posts like this. It's just that it's only wednesday and the next two days are going to go very slowly.

EDIT:

Wow, I didn't realize that most people really were not in favor of this at all. Below is a list of the major arguments against night games I have seen in the comments so far, along with my thoughts:

1) Logistical issues with parking>>> No real answer here, especially in terms of the golf course. My one question would be, have they always had the golf course for parking as long as Michigan stadium has held over 100,000? Also, the golf course could still be used for parking at a night game, just not tailgating. I've parked on the course for a 330pm game that ended when it was dark. It didn't cause too much of a problem.

2) Traffic issues and conflicts with the city of Ann Arbor>>> My only thought here is that if places bigger than Ann Arbor (ie Columbus, Madison?, etc) and smaller than Ann Arbor (Iowa City, Champaign, etc) can pull of a night game, it should not be that big of deal for Ann Arbor to do the same. The town would not be there if not for the University, so I am sure something can be worked out.

3) Cost of renting lights and other logistical things being too high for the athletic department>>> Again, I do not buy this based on the millions upon millions of dollars the AD pulls in every year. Money is spent on things much less logical than lights for a night game (ie hotel rooms for Michigan players the night before HOME games).

4) Night games are overrated and unnecessary for a good atmosphere>>> Nowhere in my post did I insinuate that a night game is required to have a good game day experience or rowdy crowd. I agree that day games in the fall are an incredible experience in A2. Perfect weather, beautiful scenery, etc. But I am not saying that every game should be at night. Maybe, MAYBE one game a year. Is that too much to ask? If you like the day game atmosphere, just don't buy tickets to the one night game. And if you have season tickets and don't want to go, I will be happy to buy your seats. You cannot honestly tell me that seeing the White Out crowd at PSU when they are hosting the ABC game of the week at 8pm is not amazing. What about the huge SEC night games between two top-10 teams? Incredible scenes IMO. I understand the issues with weather and such, but again if PSU/OSU/etc can pull it off so can we.

Overall, I was just really surprised by the negative response to my post, which is why I wanted to respond to the comments I was seeing. Hope my points pushed some of you over to the pro-night game crowd. Anyways...Go Blue (at noon, 330, or whatever time the end up playing)!

bklein09

October 1st, 2009 at 5:00 AM ^

I don't really put playing a game 3-4 hours later than normal on the same level as maize jerseys and stadium music, but for those of you who are opposed to a night game for tradition reasons, I won't argue. We all have different views of the traditions at michigan that are most important, and if playing at 12 or 330 is one of those for you that's fine.I just think it would be a great atmosphere and would be great for the fans, players, recruiting, etc. Personally, I would love to see one night game in the big house each year, and it is something that I hope richrod continues to push for.

Brother Mouzone

October 1st, 2009 at 5:05 AM ^

Let's hope it comes true one day. If it does two things:

I don't think it will happen until the program is back to our "elite status" in the public eye. (Look what a tournament win was able to do for Basketball)

I wouldn't waste it on PSU!!! The opponent HAS to be Ohio State or... If the NCAA ever went to a real college football playoff, and we get a home playoff game.

formerlyanonymous

October 1st, 2009 at 8:16 AM ^

We sell out every game against top opponents anyway. We wouldn't gain much compared over a national 3:30pm audience anyway. It would also cost quite a bit to rent the lights and have them run so it wouldn't be too dark to play. There were rumors that the 2004 MSU game and 2005 PSU games were almost cut short due to lighting not being sufficient enough to end a 3:30pm game that lasted too long after sun down.

As far as I'm concerned, it's not the night that makes it awesome, it's the crowd. If people show up excited to every game, there shouldn't be a problem with "atmosphere."

James Burrill Angell

October 2nd, 2009 at 11:31 AM ^

When I lived in Miami I went to a bunch of games at the Orange Bowl and there was something special about a night game. I just don't see it happening because both the stadium and about half the surrounding parking lots that the University uses (primarily the golf course, the empty fields at Pioneer high school and Red Lot) don't have lighting and I just don't see the school fronting money for an expense like for no reason. Lets face one thing, the A.D. has been fairly frugal. I just don't see them laying out the money to light the stadium (in and out) and parking to make this work unless some network were to lay out a ton of money on top of usual revenues to make it happen.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

October 1st, 2009 at 8:11 AM ^

Maybe it's because I never went to U-M, but I feel like no night games is a tradition I wouldn't miss. If it's really important to students/alums, hey, fine. In the end I don't care either way. But I do think you're missing out. I bet you'll find that once a night game is held at Michigan Stadium, the student body won't want it to be the last one.

Yostal

October 1st, 2009 at 8:11 AM ^

You want a night game, find a way to park all of the people who park on the golf course at night. If you remove that massive obstacle, you will then, I am sure, meet with other obstacles that we have not yet considered. But for now, it's golf course parking.

Blueisgood

October 1st, 2009 at 8:57 AM ^

A night game would be awesome and at some point in the next few years I could see them having one. Does anyone know if they are putting lights in during the renovation? I know they have some portable lights that they've used but do they rent those or are they owned by Michigan?

saveferris

October 1st, 2009 at 10:10 AM ^

The new suites have been designed and wired to accommodate permanent lighting, but I don't think lights are going to be installed immediately. They aren't shown in the final artists rendering if you look at them. I think Martin is still having a battle with the Regents on that one because as it's already been pointed out, Ann Arbor is opposed to the night game concept.

casmooth

October 1st, 2009 at 9:16 AM ^

City of Ann Arbor is very opposed to having a night game. Reason being that it is already very difficult to manage traffic after games as it is. Add in an entire days worth of drinking and people driving in the dark, and the end result is probably not going to be positive. As willywill stated previously, you want a night game atmosphere, look at the 3:30 games in late October. In the game willywill is referring to against PSU, it was dark by mid 3rd quarter. The lights we had rolled in for the game, IMO, were not adequate. We also had another 'night' game when Braylon went off against sparty and we ended up winning in OT.

I feel like this topic has been beaten to death, however, I don't think the issue is as much with tradition as it is with the city's ability to handle 100,000+ fans exiting the big house in unison at 11pm. I agree a night game would be a blast, as the psu and msu games were insane, I just don't see them happening anytime in the near future without UofM giving the city of Ann Arbor some type of incentive (read bribe) to beef up the on duty police force to handle the crowds.

Blueisgood

October 1st, 2009 at 11:09 AM ^

I've been to a few games in mid-late october where its been dark for the end.( M vs. PSU overtime game, M vs PSU TOUCHDOWN MARIO MANNINGHAM). I've also been to Central vs. Western on 2 different occasions, once during the day, once at night, and thats a totally different feel. If you watch the night games on t.v the atmosphere is totally different then a 3:30 start. Even the announcers say it is.
However, I didn't know that Ann Arbor was against a night game. I don't really seeing traffic being any different than any other gameday. Traffic is traffic. People start drinking at 7 for 3:30 games. If people are drinking that hard they'll pass out before kickoff, or they'll have 3+ hours to sober up. I went to the Wisky game last year and got hammered, by the time I left I was sober, but I had a ginormous headache.

blacknblue

October 1st, 2009 at 9:24 AM ^

I wouldn't mind going to a night game at The Big House but it would have to be before it's -32 degrees when the sun goes down. I've been to football games in blizzard and it's not fun, not fun at all. I couldn't imagine being in the middle of Michigan Stadium at night, leaving the stadium at 7 is pushing it. It may be great for TV but a night game in late October or November would probably suck horribly.

TomW09

October 1st, 2009 at 9:27 AM ^

A couple people said it already, but why is a night game "awesome". Why, why, why, why?

You know what was awesome? That 3:30 Notre Dame game this year. That was awesome. That was great atmosphere and it wouldn't have been any better if it were dark out. In fact, I argue it would be worse:

Night games are a logistical nightmare that, given Ann Arbor's lack of a huge real parking lot by the stadium that could be easily lit, will probably never happen.

Night games will cost the athletic department money that they don't need to spend.

Night games = 8pm start time = what the hell are you going to do for 8 hours before the game. I would go insane waiting. Frat brahs and sorority chicks (admitted generalization, talking about the percentage that fits the bill) that already show up to games trashed, wearing blue "Go Frat" shirts instead of Maize, demanding their specific tickets despite getting there in the second quarter, would be 100 times worse.

Seriously, what am I going to do for 8 hours? Sleep? Do homework? Grocery shop? No, no, no. I'm going to drink and watch football which is great, except now tailgates cannot run before the game, because it is too dark. Those that drive in to tailgate will literally be sitting around the entire day. Sure you can walk around town and get some food, but hell isn't the point of tailgating to make your own food!

Part of the beauty of the Big House is the walk up to it on a crisp, sunny autumn afternoon, when it is just cool enough to wear a sweatshirt. Enjoying the beautiful, scenic Ann Arbor with trees of all colors and not a cloud in the sky. I love that the Stadium is seemingly thrown into the middle of a small neighborhood and that you can stop and visit friends on their porch for a beer as you walk to the game. Night games will take away this. People will be watching football and, more importantly, people will be far more protective of their house/area because of the inherent risk of robbery at night.

As someone mentioned, atmosphere comes with a good football game. It doesn't matter what time it's played.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

October 1st, 2009 at 9:58 AM ^

I basically agree with almost none of this.

- Lack of a well-lit parking lot, and the awesomeness that is a fall afternoon: Stipulated. Fall afternoons are tremendous, and the lack of a well-lit lot could be an issue. However, if temporary lights can be rigged for the stadium, they shouldn't be a major obstacle for parking lots.

Perhaps from the perspective of a fan who drives to Ann Arbor for the game, there could be a detriment. But if walking up to the stadium in the crisp fall weather is a joy, surely tailgating at that time and watching the sun go down as you grill your food and quaff your beverages would be equally enjoyable. There's no law that says you have to start tailgating for an 8:00 game at the same time you'd start for a 12:00 game. Why would this necessarily cause everyone to sit around all day? And what's so bad about sitting around all day in anticipation of a football game?

I promise you that many of your concerns are overblown. As a student, night games were among the absolute most memorable we ever had. Night games absolutely do not take away from the atmosphere of being able to walk around and share beers on front porches, nor the enjoyment of a cool fall day, nor do they make fratty fratty fratbags more obnoxious at the games, nor do they make everyone suddenly fearful of being robbed.

Au contraire: Night games may be a little different from day games, but most certainly not by taking away from the atmosphere. There's nothing to heighten the anticipation of the event like the sun going down and the air getting cooler to make you aware of the game's approach. Nothing like a dusk walk to the stadium. And nothing like an extended pregame. Believe me, folks do not get bored.

I get that Michigan = Tradition as much as anyone. But there are tremendous benefits to a night game that you just aren't seeing that go far beyond ESPN HYYYYYYYPPE.

Wolv2004

October 1st, 2009 at 10:00 AM ^

While I see why you could think this, have you ever actually been to a night game preceded by a full day of tailgating? I was at the LSU vs. Miss St. game last year, and let me tell you, there is not a better way to spend a day than an all day tailgate. Part of what made it awesome was that LSU fans really know how to put it together. We didn't just have the tent, food, and beer of a normal tailgate -- there was a generator to run the ESPN gameplan on the 42" flat screen.

You say that people would walk around town and get food because they have more time? Why? We walked around and visited other tailgates, met up with friends, drank their beer, at food, watched football (I managed to control the TV for our epic comeback over Wisconsin!), and generally had an awesome time. This could absolutely happen at Michigan.

That said, I love Ann Arbor tailgating and 3:30 afternoon games. But this is one of those situations where we could have our cake and eat it too. There are a few logistical problems the city and university would need to figure out, but I think this would be a great addition to what is already a fantastic football experience in Ann Arbor.

TomW09

October 1st, 2009 at 11:08 AM ^

Those are all good points. Most of mine are personal opinions, which I acknowledge. Also I despise any student that shows up late and then demands their seats and makes people who got there on time move. I think night games would only make that more of a problem. Though that's another story for another thread (my vote goes to general seating, FTR)

I think the costs associated with lights are larger than people assume though. AA public schools aren't going want to foot the bill to rent lights for the Pioneer lot. Same with the golf course and other lots. This would likely result in higher fees for parking.

As for the AD, I just think there's better things to spend money on. Lighting for games is assuredly very, very expensive. Financially, it is an unneeded expense. It's gonna take long enough to pay off the cnstruction.

TTUwolverine

October 1st, 2009 at 1:11 PM ^

I apologizing for taking this further off topic, but I wanted to touch on the general seating idea. I disagree with this idea whole-heartedly. For smaller stadium it works out for the most part, but I don't think it would be safe at Michigan, especially for big games. Here at TTU it works for the most part, but for big games (see, vs. UT 2008), there are major crowd concerns. Plus, I like the system of rewarding upper-classman. Who knows though, maybe you can convince me otherwise.

TomW09

October 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 AM ^

Why should the upperclassmen be rewarded?

I'm saying this as a senior, also. There's no reason that people should be able to show up to a game half way through the second quarter and then kick other people who had been there since the start of the game?

I say reward the people that actually want to be there.

Now, if there were some policy that said if you fail to arrive by kickoff, you forfeit your right to your assigned seats, I'd be cool with that.

I don't get your comment about the small stadium thing...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but most B10 schools have general seating for students. At least, I'm pretty sure MSU does.

UMxWolverines

October 1st, 2009 at 11:00 PM ^

are you serious? you can't find something to do for 8 hours before a game? i have a problem fitting everything in! i eat, play some cornhole, play some catch, play hillbilly horseshoes, go watch the victors walk, eat some more, play more cornhole, go to the corner and check out whats for sale, and if it was a night game we'd probably take a tv. and i'll bet if there was a night game college gameday would be there so you could go to that.

GoBlueScott

October 1st, 2009 at 10:53 AM ^

one night game a year would really kill the tradition. We're obviously not going to devolve into Arizona State where pretty much every game is played at night (but with good reason.)

I just think about all the electricity built up throughout the day: a full day of tailgating and eating like kings and queens only to see the banner run under the lights ... That is something I would definitely be excited about.

WeaponX

October 1st, 2009 at 10:54 AM ^

We get to every tailgate regardless of game start time at approximately 7am. That's over 12 hours from when the tailgate starts to when the game starts. I can't drink for that long and not die (Irish blood).

Night games are cool, but I prefer them on tv after returning from a Michigan tailgate. It's way easier (and more kosher) to nap in front of the tv than in the Big House.

Wolv2004

October 1st, 2009 at 11:06 AM ^

You wouldn't need to start tailgating at 7AM. You could start at 11, or 10:30, to coincide with the start of ESPN College Gameday.

You like waking up early to drink? Really? I mean, I had my fair share of this back in the undergrad days (who am I kidding, I still do this for 11AM CST games), but that doesn't make it Option A. I'd much prefer to sleep in and start the boozin at a more reasonable hour for a Saturday morning.

Ron Swanson

October 1st, 2009 at 11:14 AM ^

I agree at least make the games later so we can get more west coast recruits. They have to watch us at 9 a.m. sometimes and nobody in high school wakes up that early on the weekends.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

October 1st, 2009 at 11:22 AM ^

The ideal night game, by the way, would be an early-season gig against a nonconference opponent. Not EMU. Not Notre Dame, either. Preferably that mythical marquee-ish matchup that we always want and can't seem to get and have convinced ourselves that UConn qualifies as.

a2bluefan

October 1st, 2009 at 12:22 PM ^

If a night game ever happens at the Big House, it will happen for one reason: because there's money to be made. Not because someone decides it would be cool.

I've been around for awhile, and in general I'm not a huge fan of the idea. I just happen to like the daytime game atmosphere, preferably 3:30. Simply a personal preference.

However, I'm not vehemently opposed to a night game like some are. I'm guessing it will eventually happen.... and in fact, if it's a sign that Michigan Football is back to the point where the ESPNs of the world want us to be their marquee matchup in prime time, then I guess that'd be a good thing from an exposure and recruiting standpoint.

I sit high up in the north end zone. Those early September games are sweltering hot up there. I'd be perfectly fine with one of those first 2 or 3 games being at night. Still stays light well into the evening. Could actually be really nice.

a2bluefan

October 1st, 2009 at 5:40 PM ^

Have I missed an entire rationale, that people who want night games only want them if they're BIG games?? Man, talk about people who wanna have their cake and eat it, too.

UM/ND is ALWAYS a big game, if for no other reason than the combined fan bases are ginormous.

TomW09

October 2nd, 2009 at 12:47 AM ^

I think there's a general consensus that a night game should be a big game.

I'm of the opinion that the ND is a huge game - some people aren't, hence the whole "Bill Martin needs to schedule some big time school" meme.

Also, I legitly ask about ND because if the night game needed to come in September, as many have said b/c of weather, then they would be the biggest opponent in that time frame.

Personally, if it were to happen, I'd want a B10 game to be at night.

a2bluefan

October 2nd, 2009 at 11:44 AM ^

I wouldn't mind a B10 night game at all. Unfortunately, these days anyway, the only B10 game that also qualifies as a BIG game doesn't happen until late November! We UM fans think MSU and PSU are big games... but most outside the B10 footprint don't give a rip. Case in point... ABC/ESPN passed on UM/MSU this year.

Still... I agree. Would be kinda fun to play, say, Wisconsin at night in the Big House. It'll happen one day.... but we're still probably a couple years away from it.