Meeting Harbaugh at SMSB: My cool story bro
I was geeked when I found out that SMSB was going to be at the HS that's literally on the street that I live on.
Basically Michigan's entire staff was there. I saw Durkin, Drevno, Wheatley Sr., Fisch and JayBaugh there coaching.
The schedule of events today had Harbaugh as the main event. He was the final thing on the camp schedule and closed the camp out in the auditorium.
To get into the auditorium, you either had to be a camper, a parent or a card-carrying media member. I am none of these, but I took a risk and tried to become a "go-getter" as Harbaugh put it in his intro presser.
I blended in with some people walking into the building and successfully got in past the initial security guards that were enforcing the wristband/pass rule sternly all day long.
I then stood in the doorway of the auditorium thinking I could hear Harbaugh's speech so it'd be good enough. Then the doorway started getting crowded so some of the security in the auditorium waved the crowd in and pointed it to open seats.
Again, I blended in behind another person and got past the security again, this time getting to sit in the auditorium and being able to see and hear all of Harbaugh's speech.
I recorded the entire thing. Coach requested that members of the media to not record the whole thing like they usually do and post it online, so I'm not gonna upload the whole thing. I uploaded a 45 second snippet of him talking about attacking things with an Enthusiasm Unknown To Mankind. (video embed below)
After he was done, he got a great ovation from the crowd. He stepped to the side and walked off the stage and out the door. I was able to slip out of the row I was in and headed over to the side he exited through. I then saw him being interviewed by members of the Michigan beat. Angelique, Baumgartner, Snyder. All of them. It was kind of surreal seeing them in person.
Nonetheless, I decided again to take a risk and head down the hall where I ran into JayBaugh who was headed my way down the hall to leave so I tipped my cap and shook his hand wishing him good luck this season.
Harbaugh was down the hall where he still being interviewed by the media. I started headed his way as I decided to take another chance. The closer I got, the more approachable he seemed. He's just a regular guy that has done some incredible things.
He was being rushed out the door after his media tour by a staffer so he could avoid the crowd of eBay whores at the front of the school, but I still managed to get a few photos of him as he was standing directly next to me in the hallway.
As he was walking out, I yelled "good luck, coach!" and he turned around and said "thank you!" with a smile.
Here's some photos from the camp.
Durkin chatting with some OSU staffers after the presser.
Jedd Fisch (white sweatshirt in the middle) leading a QB accuracy competition that was won by 2019 QB Sam Johnson from Southfield HS. An 8th grader won it!
Urban Meyer talking to a HS coach in the stands.
Mattison and Durkin talking with Meyer at the grass field during speed drills.
Wheatley Sr. talking with a prospect
Meeting Harbaugh!
Blue himself
Speaking of that, I saw Mike Weber today at the camp. Passed by him twice.
I also saw Brian Kelly by where Durkin was standing and Luke Fickell. Took everything in me not to say "I wish you were still the OSU head coach..." to Fickell.
I thought you were going to say it took everything in you not to sucker punch urbz.
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in other news: smsb security needs to improve with all these multi millionaires floating about
Seriously. You could make more money kidnapping a couple of them than you could with an oil sheikh.
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eBay whores are the neckbeards that aren't even fans and go to sporting events so they can bring bags of stuff for someone to sign just to make a quick dollar online when they overprice the items. Usually they're screwing over actual fans while doing so.
I only buy autographs in person from Kenny Magee's A2 Memorabilia and only get autographs in person at sanctioned signings. I NEVER bother someone in person for one. I saw about 10 current players today at the camp.
Kyle Orton was there?
The autograph business has gotten insane. It's insane that it's actually a business...
My personal thought on autographs is I don't bother with them at all. I used to think they were cool and have a couple on very specific things (John Salley on a Pistons Champtionship Yearbook, Vanessa Williams on her 1st CD,) but my thought on autographs changed when people actually wanted mine. I was an overnight DJ at a low rated station. People actually wanted my autograph. Why?
I worked with a guy who was a well known talk show host (he actually worked with Tom Harmon back in the day) who was forced to retire. On his last day, people who worked with him every day actually lined up for autographs. He looked at me at one point and asked "Do YOU want an autograph too?" My answer? "Yeah, if you brought your checkbook."
Are you Mike Valenti?
I have no beef with WD...
however, autographs are for ten year old boys. I don't even get my books signed anymore.
Now, if you want to wait in line, or pay to get an autograph face to face, I get it. Or rather I get why you might like that. But, dropping cash for a signature of a man you've never even met just seems ridiculous to me...
and I deinitely agree that the people who make a living out of hounding athletes for signature are the scum of the earh.
And I have know a couple people who were autograph worthy and I can think of a couple crazy ass moments where we have been pissing at pine knob or a tigers game and people have come up to them, dick in hand, and asked for autographs. What the fuck is that?
COMPROMISE: 20 minutes with Kate Upton dressed as Jim Harbaugh - Michigan hat, khakis, and no shirt.
it would take a team of therapists to get your head right after that encounter.
Should I wait the full 4 hours before I call them?
in that case, dial 9-1-1 immediately.
HOW is WD not hired at this point?
I enjoyed the OP. Great story good pics keep up the good work.
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Thanks for sharing - I love hearing about when people have exceptionally great days.
It was pretty surprising. If you didn't know about the rivalry, you'd think Durkin, Mattison, Meyer and Kerry Coombs are all buddies. They were chatting it up for a good 20 minutes during speed drills.
I did not see any Michigan coaches interact with any MSU coaches.
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*Snort* Growing pains. What was that, like 6 months for you guys?
Oh to have such growing pains. Or to at least grow.
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bu there was definately a SPLOOSH in WD's!
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Agree. He is pure in his fandom. And *gasp* shares it on a fan blog. He makes the blog a better place. If I ran the blog, I would want to make sure he stays around.
I never hear him talk bad about anybody else. So why all the hate? Methinks there is some underlying jealousy about the attention he (deservedly) gets on here.