John U. Bacon on Walmart Wolverines

Submitted by nmumike on

Interesting read on Michigan fandom. Being that I am a "walmart" Wolverine because I went to NMU, I found the article echoed many sentiments on this blog, most folks on this site do not care where you went to school, which I appreciate. I feel like the only people I ever hear walverine from are folks from MSU.

From the article: The argument goes that only those who attended Michigan can call themselves Michigan fans. The rest?  They’re mere “Walmart Wolverines”—fans who could have picked any school to cheer for, as well as any other, just like we pick the pro teams we want to follow, with no other connection than geography.

Link to article: http://johnubacon.com/2014/03/whos-a-real-michigan-fan-and-who-isnt/

Happy Friday and GO BLUE!

Jayvandy23

March 28th, 2014 at 9:48 AM ^

My mother worked in the Anthropology dept. at Michigan in the 60's, and I am a distant relative to a turn of the century (that's 1900's) era  football All American.  I also graduated from a small Catholic College in Grand Rapids.  The arrogance of those who think they can decide allegiance based on what school they attended has always irritated me.  Kind of like dropping the "we", when referring to what a team has done.  Did you play?  I guess you are as invested in the team as a fan who didn't attend the school.   And for Sparty fans, head to Dollar General or your local gas station.  I guarantee you will find MSU gear. 

xxxxNateDaGreat

March 28th, 2014 at 10:02 AM ^

That is an incredibly stupid statement.

My family has been fans of U of M for three generations. I grew up 20 minutes from Ann Arbor, which was the closest city. My uncle graduated from Michigan.

And yet, and now I am not a fan because I didn't go to U of M because I couldn't afford the massive tuition and the crippling loan debt that would surely follow. Fucking spare me, buddy.

bronxblue

March 28th, 2014 at 11:02 AM ^

Yeah, not feeling that definition.  Also, "Michigan Man" is the dumbest, most arrogant thing this fanbase holds onto.  I know this is a small subset of the alumni, but we have some rather infamous graduates as well.  It just feels pedantic to make a distinction as if being a "Michigan Man" is something special.  Yes, you can't say you are an alumni if you didn't graduate from the school, but this phrase coined by a head coach shouldn't be nearly as restrictve or selective.

GoBLUinTX

March 28th, 2014 at 12:03 PM ^

You, who I presume at least audited a few classes at UM, consider yourself part of "we".  Tell us, exactly how did you contribute to the "we" of Michigan sports?  What trials and tribulations did you share with Michigan athletes that are unique to attending UofM?

Two generations ago when I was in school Michigan football players would fan out across Michigan to various high schools and help the HS coaches for a practise or two.  Members of the MMB would do the same, some spending weeks at HS marching band camps.  Why are those kids, exposed at a very familiar level with UofM, merely fans but not "we" because they didn't attend Michigan? 

Back in the day Bo was such a star in the state of Michigan, youngsters could write him fan mail and merely write "BO" on the envelope and that mail would be delivered to Mr. Schembechler.  Why, in your eyes, were those kids not part of the "we"?

LalukGoBlue

March 28th, 2014 at 8:53 AM ^

But I consider myself a Michigan fan even though I didn't attend U of M and I live in Canada. I remember watching Wangler to AC against Indiana as a child and I was hooked. I love the winged helmet, the Big House, the Victors, and everything Michigan. If that makes me a Walmart Wolverine, I don't care. I know what I love and quite simply...Go Blue!

SWFLWolverine

March 28th, 2014 at 10:00 AM ^

I grew up in Columbus/Westerville, my mother is an OSU Alumna, 99.9% of the people that I encountered in my early childhood were OSU fans and I chose the be the contrarian. I was well invested in my fandom by the time I reached college age. I have taken much crap for this decision, I would venture to say more than most Michigan fans, and given my own fair share as well. To say someone that may not have even been a fan until the day they stepped foot on campus in Ann Arbor as a freshman in college has more of a right to identify with the team than a person who has invested an entire life in the enterprise up to that time is absurd. I personally try to avoid using "we" when referring to any team I root for because I am not the one putting in the work during practice and on the playing field, and If I was gone tomorrow, it would have no impact upon the team., though I do sometimes slip up. I don't deserve the credit for their hard work.

Dustinlo

March 28th, 2014 at 8:56 AM ^

I have degrees from three universities none of which is the University of Michigan. Thus, I guess I am also a walmart wolverine.I have heard other fanbases use the term (i.e., osu), and it does not bother me (I am quite certain they have burger king buckeyes themselves). However, it is bothersome when a fellow UM fan uses the term. I don't see any reason to differentiate between UM fans, but I do see that UM alumns are (and should be) proud of their degree from the university. However, this is annoying/bothersome when used as some sort of elite symbol.

UM is a great school, but there are other schools and degree fields that are great and just as difficult to obtain. Let's just be glad there are UM fans other than alumni or the athletic programs would not be so great and generate so much income. 

DLup06

March 28th, 2014 at 9:04 AM ^

My landlord happens to be a "BK Buckeye"...Toledo grad who loves OSU. We give each other shit about games, but he could care less whether I went to Michigan or not, just that I am a somewhat knowledgable fan who can talk smack and won't get offended when he does the same. While some buckeyes may use the term, I find that this really is a MSU based phenomenon

Blue Durham

March 28th, 2014 at 12:03 PM ^

While reading the article, I couldn't help but wonder what Ohio State's equivalent to Walmart Wolverine was (and I assume the term was derived from the fact that these fans get there Michigan gear at Walmart rather than from a University affiliated store).

I have never heard of "BK Buckeye" and can only assume that "BK" stands for Burger King? If so, although it sounds good, isn't quite the same, doesn't quite work.

All I've been able to come up with is "Flea Market Buckeye" or "Garage Sale Buckeye" but these don't quite roll of the tongue.

UMdad

March 28th, 2014 at 8:56 AM ^

The issue I take with the term is that is somehow implies that everyone who cheers for MSU is an alum which is ridiculous.  Having spent a few evenings passed out on some filthy couch in a cedar village apartment does not make you an alumni.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

March 28th, 2014 at 12:21 PM ^

I'm your huckleberry.

http://www.mlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/02/survey_states_college_sports_f.html

It sort of takes away the argument that the reason we have Wal-mart Wolverines is because nobody in their right minds would choose Staee when offered a choice.  But it replaces it with "Sparties are the ultimate glass-house-dwelling stone throwers, which is to say, arrogant hypocrites."

gwkrlghl

March 28th, 2014 at 8:59 AM ^

are the only reason there's even the phrase 'Walmart Wolverines'. Every college fanbase has thousands and thousands of fans that didn't go to the school.

In fact, if my 2006 student section shirt is right, we have 400,000+ living alumni. Michigan football's facebook page has over a million likes. Using math (bear with me Spartans) it looks like we have more non-alumni fans than we do alumni. I'd venture to guess it's the same way for every single college football and basketball fanbase (except maybe MSU because why would you like MSU unless you were forced to go to school there.)

Like every guy wearing a Draymond Green jersey went to MSU. Give me a break.

mGrowOld

March 28th, 2014 at 9:03 AM ^

Jesus I can only imagine how desolate the OSU fanbase would be if it were requried to actually attend the school to root for them.  Generally speaking the most vile, angry, anti-Michigan Buckeye fans (like my wife's brother for example) are the ones you just KNOW would have trouble finding Columbus on a map - much less ever attend a class there.

The more the merrier as far as I'm concerned.  

M Go Snacks

March 28th, 2014 at 9:03 AM ^

1. As a U of M Alum, I hate the term itself. It implies that U of M fans who didn't go to Michigan are poor rednecks who couldn't possibly become anything like they're U of M attending bretheren. I know plenty of U of M grads who flamed out, and plenty of people from smaller schools that are rocking their lives so hard.

2. WHY I WOULD DESPISE YOU FOR LOVING THIS THING THAT I LOVE. It's easy to love U of M if you went there, but if something draws you to U of M fandom without attending U of M, your fandom actually impresses me a little more. 

jdon

March 28th, 2014 at 9:06 AM ^

I used to be one of those assholes who thought I was better because I have a degree... and while there is something amazing about loving a school and being priveleged enough to graduate from UofM, fandom is fandom.  And anyone who loves my team is my teammate.

jdon

 

GoWings2008

March 28th, 2014 at 9:33 AM ^

on bahalf of non-alum Michigan fans.

Its funny though...the self-centered attitude that some view from Michigan students and alums is very mild compared to one who is not only a Service Academy graduate, but also a pilot.  That, my friends, is an ego none of you can compete with.  :-)

Its a damn good thing I wasn't a fighter pilot, otherwise you all would REALLY hate me.

Hail-Storm

March 28th, 2014 at 10:49 AM ^

opinion only (no facts to back this up)

I see the major difference between the almuni and non-almuni fans is just the difference in what they love about Michigan. My love for Michigan is the sports, but also the buildings I loved (and hated), the houses and dorms I lived in, the parties, interamurals, professors, fall days. My Love for Michigan is not tied solely to the sports. 

Does this make a me more of a Michigan football fan than others? I can assure you, I am not.  I love the game and the sport, but I do not spend thousands on season tickets every year (try to attend a couple games if I can) and have seen my fandom dwarfed by others on this blog.

I think fandom is organic, and I love that Michigan means something different to everyone.  My wife works at Mott (she has two degrees from Michigan as well) and though she loves Michigan sports, she loves Mott much more, and can hardly name the players who come visit her patients.  She also has MSU grads that hate Michigan with a passion, but still love Mott.

There was a thread a while ago about how people became fans, and it was a great parade of stories of childhood tailgates and time with families at the games.  I believe that the belief is that a "walmart Wolverine" chose Michigan over another school for an arbitrary reason. Sometimes it is, but I don't see anything wrong with this.

 

BigCat14

March 28th, 2014 at 1:59 PM ^

You too can be a part of a 'grass roots' movment to employ a new student/alumni message.  PLEASE STOP THE BATTERING OF THE ENDANGERED 'Walmart-Wolverine's' species!

Current students and alumns can join together to help their fellow Wolverine fans by answering phone calls for the 'walmart-wolverine' help hotline for those fans who have been battered.  

Call 1 481 0948 (this is the U of M zip code i googled so please do not really call it as this is a joke) if you have been emotionally or physically damaged by a current U of M student or alum.  Remeber calls are confidential!  There will be a small fee that will be donated to stocking Walmart's shelfs with U of M gear.  

Disclaimer: Intent to deliver a bit of levity may or may not be understood, accepted or otherwise appreciated.  If you are this person please go and help yourself to an Oberon, Two Hearted, Dirty Bastard or any other craft beer of your choice.  Remember to drink responsibly!  

Go Blue!

 

 

WhoopinStick

March 28th, 2014 at 9:09 AM ^

I work with a guy that is a huge MSU fan and uses the term Walmart Wolverine.  The fact that he didn't go to MSU doesn't seem to matter because his dad went there.  Unbelievable.

dahblue

March 28th, 2014 at 9:10 AM ^

I think John U missed the mark 100% on this one.  While there might indeed be Michigan alums who look down (a bit) on non-alum fans, I've never heard any Michigan alum (or fan) use the term "walmart wolverine".  It's used, exclusively, by State fans in a derogatory manner.

GoWings2008

March 28th, 2014 at 9:28 AM ^

that to some degree there is a decent amount of students and alums that look down on others, highlighted by a trip my wife took during college to Florida.  She went to Eastern, mainly because that's where she could get a sports scholarship playing softball.  She met up with a bunch of students from UM and trying to establish a geographic "howdy" to some of them, they were quite rude to her when learning she was an Eastern student. 

Despite sparty's insecurities, the feelings started somewhere and for some good reasons, even if they've taken it to extremes.  The Michigan difference should include a welcoming attitude towards all human beings, no matter where they go to school.  Except ohio.  :-)

dahblue

March 28th, 2014 at 9:30 AM ^

Those kids who were rude to your wife were likely dummies.  I had much fun at the occassional EMU party during my undergrad days.  The ladies at EMU were also very nice (though I'm sure your wife was much more a pillar of virtue than the girls I spent time with back in the day).

All Day

March 28th, 2014 at 9:15 AM ^

I've been a Michigan fan my entire life, but went to Grand Valley. I consider myself a knowledgable fan, but I am careful to never say "we", since I actually have no actual ties to the university, but I understand those of you who do and say "we".

 

The funny thing is, most of my friends from GVSU were sparty fans. Pots and kettles, though.

ClearEyesFullHart

March 28th, 2014 at 9:36 AM ^

It stands alone as a great piece of perspective, but it doesn't really touch on the spartan delusions that bring "Walmart Wolverines" to the lips of the RCMB any time Michigan is mentioned.

They want to believe that it is just Michigan fans who think the people MSU graduates are probably a little South of the norm in terms of intelligence and morality.  And they have a little point here--you don't want to make fun of MSU academics unless you've gone to a better school (LCC, WCC, etc.) or otherwise done something decent with your life.  But truth is there is a "Sparty Stereotype" and its not just held by Michigan fans.  

And if they really want to change it, they should probably look at changing their attitudes and actions.(Might help if they stopped reinforcing it on their message boards too)

M-Dog

March 28th, 2014 at 9:17 AM ^

I for one am flattered by the concept of "Walmart Wolverines".  It means that Michigan is so compelling that people that have no connection to it whatsoever still admire it and want to be a part of it.  To that I say: "Welcome".

Nobody cares about Michigan State unless they are winning big games.  When that's over, they go back to not caring. 

ESNY

March 28th, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^

I know those mouth breathers at RCMB mean it as a dig yet I fail to see it that way.  You have such a nationally known, well respected program that has led to generations of fans that have no direct ties to the University to become fans.  Why is that so bad? 

I have no idea what goes into their thought process that makes them think that MSU is such an isolated/regional institution that only alumni and students care about your team is a good thing.  Everyone else is trying to build nationwide recognition but they seem to revel in no one caring about your program unless you couldn't get into a better school (zing!)