February 25th, 2014 at 8:26 PM ^
I would say go for it. They're cheap, so if he has enough, you shouldn't feel too badly about bailing.
Aren't there a bunch of things happening at once? My impression of gymnastic meets is sensory overload, but I suppose if you camped out near an event he likes, you could really make a day of it.
February 25th, 2014 at 8:31 PM ^
If you really want a spectacle, wait until April 10-12.
The NCAA Championships are at Crisler Center this year. And Michigan could very well win their second consecutive NCAA Championship, and their third title in 5 years.
I've been to a couple of W Gymnastics dual meets at Crisler and they're pretty entertaining.
February 25th, 2014 at 8:56 PM ^
Thanks for responses. Sounds great.
February 25th, 2014 at 8:57 PM ^
Saw a men's meet last year with my son who is in gymnastics. It's pretty entertaining and the arena is small enough so that every seat is a good seat
February 25th, 2014 at 9:03 PM ^
February 25th, 2014 at 9:19 PM ^
The March 22 meet is at Crisler. That might be a good one to take a seven-year-old to because you could take a break from the gymnastics and check out the various displays and activities in the concourse. And if you can make it to the end, the full team will be signing autographs afterward. (Plus, they're giving away T-shirts to the first 400 to arrive, per the promo page.)
February 25th, 2014 at 9:45 PM ^
One of the most exciting experiences as a sports audience-member. Of course, Michigan upset host team Penn State and Sam Mikulak scored his highest ever on his breathtaking high-bar routine (gush, gush, yes, I've reported this before).
One of the great things about events like these is you want everyone to do well, and just hope your guys do just a little better. Makes it even better for bringing kids, because it's not the kind of rivalry sport that leads to bad fan behavior.
Seeing it live is so much more exciting than on TV, and seeing all the competitors makes it clearer how hard it is. Especially when the top people can still have a flub, a fraction of an inch landing you on the floor, and getting right up and finishing the routine (if you haven't broken or torn something in the process).
If your son likes gymnastics, absolutely. You can judge his attention span, but the men have six different events, so there's variety, and the tix are so cheap you get your money's worth no matter how his span holds up. [Hmm. I see Bando said this above.]
[The regular meets are in the smaller venue, so you're close up and personal. The championships will be in Crisler, and it'll be like a six-ring circus because all the events are going on at the same time with so many teams, which can either be terribly exciting or, as Bando says, sensory overload if you think you have to catch everything.]
February 25th, 2014 at 10:02 PM ^
I took my 6 year old grandson and 4 year old grandaughter the the Michigan vs. Ohio men's gymnastics meet and they loved it.
The pace is pretty good and there is a lot of energy in the building. It is a great family event.
Very much looking forward to seeing the Wolverines defend their title at Crisler in April!
Go Blue!
February 25th, 2014 at 11:36 PM ^
They seemed to enjoy it. That's the full extent of my knowledge.
February 26th, 2014 at 7:12 AM ^
February 26th, 2014 at 9:36 AM ^
I would go to a meet at Cliff Keen. As others have said, it is an initmate venue and not a bad seat. I think the Championships might be too overwhelming and the seating would be less ideal. My older son competed up there a few times before he decided to switch to swimming. It really is a nice place to see a meet.