Michigan fans going to EL

Submitted by 2Blue4You on

With all this talk about us being scared and Sparty rolling us, lets hear from those of you who will be making the trek to EL this weekend.  Going to the game or not, who is going to be there in their Maize and Blue representing Michigan in a classy, slightly arrogant way? 

Personally, I thought about watching it at home but tickets fell into my lap so i am busting out the Maize sweatshirt, Michigan poncho and car flag to trek up to EL to sit in the middle of what I assume will be a whiteout and cheer for a big Michigan win.  I expect to take my lumps and dish it back accordingly, with the understanding my whereabouts.  I am going to emotionally prepare myself in the event of a heartbreaking loss to walk out with a smile on my face and my head held high.

Having been to most of the games this year home and away and given the weather report, I am not in a huge hurry to get to EL and get my drink on and be verbally harassed.  I have done the whole Sparty tailgate at the tennis courts with the brahs.  It really sucks b/c if you don't want a urinating in public ticket you spend most of the time in the port a-potty line (grab a beer when you get out of the john and get back in line).  Never been into the Stadium for a game but I saw a concert there, so i am looking forward to critiquing the stadium with great bias. 

Let's show them that we are not scared and make our presence known in EL and in Spartan Stadium tomorrow!  Go Blue, Wear Maize!

ijohnb

November 1st, 2013 at 10:49 AM ^

be careful this year.  Michigan State fans are really worked up about this game.  They can be quite unreasonable given the right set of cricumstances.  I expect quite a frenzy and that some events will transpire Saturday night win or lose. 

2Blue4You

November 1st, 2013 at 11:06 AM ^

Wearing urine?  I've been around a few of the B1G stadiums and never shied away from wearing my gear, drinking beer, and being a bit more rowdy than I might otherwise be and never had that problem. 

I was at PSU a few weeks back and found the atmosphere before the game very accomodating.  Sat in the Michigan section and had no problems and walked out to minimal comments and shouts.  I can imagine it being a bit worse/intense if I were in the middle of the white madness, but I didn't think it was too bad. 

1464

November 1st, 2013 at 11:35 AM ^

I almost had to get in between a Michigan fan sitting by me and a PSU fan, but I was in the sea of white.  Things escalated quickly, but nothing ever materialized.  Leaving wasn't bad, but I'm sure it would have been different had we won.  Just speculating that the crowd will be a little less cordial at this contest...

ijohnb

November 1st, 2013 at 12:13 PM ^

necessarily think there will be much aimed directly at Michigan fans, but State fans have been relatively well behaved lately so it feels like they may be a powder keg.  This game will be ending at around 7:00 PM.  With all this "street fight" talk and yadayada, I think that if the game is won or lost on a big play late or something controversial happens that there is a chance that things could get out of hand. 

MH20

November 1st, 2013 at 10:56 AM ^

Wasn't planning on going since I've been three times ('07, '09, '11) and paid out the ass each time ($200+).  Then two weeks ago my brother got a last-minute offer from the AD to purchase tix so we jumped on that, cause for $80 we'd be stupid not to do so.

Guess I'm going to be tailgating at this area near the new art museum, not exactly sure where that is yet; my buddy is setting everything up.  Either way I'll be sporting maize and expecting to receive lots of shit; the Sparties can say whatever they want but they won't be getting my goat.

Looking forward to the game and hopefully walking out with a shiteating grin on my face.  That godforsaken walk down the dumbest ramp system in the history of mankind will either feel like the longest ever or not nearly long enough.  Let's do the latter.

JeremyB

November 1st, 2013 at 10:53 AM ^

I'll be there for the 6th straight time (first 2 were with the MMB). We tailgate in the Farm Lane lot and take the busses up to the stadium, and we've never had an issue. Maybe because the lot is far enough away that the tailgaters are a little less intense. Waiting right outside the stadium in line for the bus sucks, but it's been fine. If you get to the stadium about an hour early, go to the north entrance to watch the MMB parade in.

winterblue75

November 1st, 2013 at 10:54 AM ^

I will never go back. My wife and I went for the RR OT game in 2009. 2 guys decided to verbally harass my wife after we were cheering at the game tying score. And not good old back and forth barbs, but outright yelling and swearing at a woman. Un freaking believable.

ReggieNoble04

November 1st, 2013 at 10:54 AM ^

This should be a game for the ages. Making the annual RV Hilfinger roadtrip with plenty of jagerbombs and hositility to throw around! It will be a streetfight both on and off the field if we cannot come out on top.

In reply to by ReggieNoble04

schreibee

November 1st, 2013 at 11:55 AM ^

Wow! Thanks for reminding me (and I'm guessing several others) why we AIN'T goin to EL!
I'd be super stoked to be caught in between your group & a buncha Sparty brahs- who undoubtedly saw ur Jagerbombs & raised with some AMFs!!!
Ummm... pass! Go Blue! Stay safe!

Soulfire21

November 1st, 2013 at 11:07 AM ^

I will be there.  A group of M fans from work are going, there will be 10 of us.  We're tailgating at one of our co-workers' (Sparty grad) son's house, so, I'm not exactly sure what to expect.  We're about a mile from the stadium.

My only other trip to Spartan Stadium was in 2011 and I've recounted the story once or twice, but I'll re-hash it.  I sat in the student section, fully expecting the verbal harrassment.  I actually didn't get too much from the people immediately around me, and was sitting by some very reasonable Spartan students who were willing to talk about Sparty's strengths and weaknesses, etc.

However, there were two incidents that pissed me off:

  • About midway through the game I was pushed down the stairs.  I went to the security guard because fuck that.  The ladycop replied "Well, you're wearing the wrong color".  I sort of freaked out, I said it was inexcusable to expect and be content with assault just because I am wearing maize in Spartan Stadium.  I was walking back to my seat and the usher that saw the incident was escorting the perpetrator out, so in the end it worked just fine.  There were many "faggot" and "asshole" chants directed at me through the rest of the game.
  • After the game on the walk back to my car, a woman who appeared to be in her 50s spat on me.  I was quite shocked.  I got a parking ticket, even though I was parked correctly (as far as I could tell).  I decided not to protest it because it was for $10, not a huge deal (cheaper than parking in a garage or lot for sure) -- I wonder if my Michigan decals were the reason?

AriGold

November 1st, 2013 at 11:28 AM ^

that is ridiculous...next time call the State Police if the local EL cops refuse to do nothing...I don't care where you or or who you are rooting for, getting spit on and assaulted is completely un-called for....I've been to EL a few times over the years and my good friends (MSU grads) would not have put up with any of that garbage had some Sparty fans done that to me or my other UM fans

2Blue4You

November 1st, 2013 at 11:58 AM ^

That is absurd.  Both are actually and it is disgusting that anyone would do that, especially over a football game.

My biggest thing is the cop not willing to do anything b/c of the colors you are wearing.  Isn't that like her saying, "Sorry I can't help you b/c of the color of your skin"?  I would have gotten her name and tried to make some sort of report.  I know I am asking for some verbal charges to be thrown my way by wearing Maize but to be physically harassed and refused police protection due to the color of my shirt is crazy!  My guess is given the right circumstances, the lady could and should lose her job if she is discriminating in services to serve and protect.  

Soulfire21

November 1st, 2013 at 12:17 PM ^

I do have to say there were plenty of students surrounding me apologizing, calling the behavior of the person who pushed me "unacceptable" and that most people aren't like that, etc.

But you could say it left a bad taste in my mouth, for sure.  I suppose I was so shocked and appalled at the police officer all I could really do was turn and walk away in bewilderment.  The thought didn't occur to me until the drive back to Ann Arbor that I should have gotten that officer's name and filed, at the least, a complaint with ... someone.

scottva1

November 1st, 2013 at 11:00 AM ^

So i could bitch slap as many spartys as i could. We are going to put the smack down on those bastards. Im not really worried about the play. Just hope the play calling helps us put msu on their heels

Smidgens

November 1st, 2013 at 11:00 AM ^

I'm going! My girlfriend's whole family went to State (making her the blue sheep), her parents are tailgating and going to the game, we'll probably watch it in a bar. Are there usually a few Michigan fans in the EL bars watching the game?

Nothsa

November 1st, 2013 at 4:12 PM ^

I saw fans decked out in Maize and Blue at BW3 in East Lansing for the Michigan-IU game last spring, and they had no problem. The many State fans in there were ambivalent, since a Michigan win would give MSU a share of the title.

But for this game? Alcohol and rivalry? I'd try a bar in a non-student-heavy area. Maybe Champps at Eastwood Town Center, or for a less corporate scene, the Nuthouse on Michigan across from Lugnuts Stadium in downtown Lansing.

mvp

November 2nd, 2013 at 1:02 AM ^

Section 120, row 24; I'll have on a 15 away jersey.  About two-thirds of the way up in the upper deck.  Should be a good perspective on the field ;)

I'll be there with two of my three children and my brother-in-law.  Hopefully my son's energy doesn't get us in trouble...

ADSellers

November 1st, 2013 at 11:04 AM ^

In my experience, sparty has one of the least intimidating fanbases in the conference. But they're also one of the trashiest. They won't hesitate to make complete asses of themselves if it gets the attention of everyone around them, which can become a hurdle to watching the game.

Section 1

November 1st, 2013 at 1:55 PM ^

I'll be in EL tomorrow.  And I am going to be very uncharacreristically subdued.  I am going to try to enjoy the game as a good test of football, and not get too worked up about the outcome.

I cannot remember a game in my lifetime, apart from 1965-66, when my expectations were lower.  Sometimes, you know, it is fun to be the underdog.  1969 versus OSU.  1973 versus OSU.  Anytime, in fact, versus OSU.

I do not like Michigan's being an underdog to MSU.  There is nothing to like about it.  

Now I have been to more than a dozen games in EL.  I was at Clockgate.  I was there for OT in '09.  I haven't had any particular trouble there, but just because I have been lucky.  I have seen a lot of mayhem in that town, and know how easily it can pop up there.  It is a tense place, East Lansing, on Michigan-game day.  I'd much rather be in Columbus on a game day.  I don't know; maybe it is just me.  I like and respect our opponents in Columbus.  MSU makes me feel like I am walking in the wrong part of town.

WolverineLoyal

November 1st, 2013 at 11:06 AM ^

Godspeed to all of you faithful Wolverines who are making the trip to East Landfill. You will be targeted by their scummy lot. This behavior has been encouraged by their athletic department and coaches. Stay the course. Dress well and carry yourself with class. Don't back down. Admit nothing. Go Blue!

Wolverine Devotee

November 1st, 2013 at 11:07 AM ^

They need to burn that dump ass stadium down and start over. What a disaster.

And that ugly HD scrolling ad ribbon and circus-like three scoreboards is like putting makeup on a pig. 

jtmc33

November 1st, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^

I'll be there.   Going with a friend who is a big UM fan (WMU alum) and 6 Sparty-friends.  So, I should be "vouched for" and not have to worry about a gang of Sparty meat-heads picking a fight with me.

I went with this group in 2011 and it was still miserable.  My Sparty friends are good people who (although total Sparties) are not the type to rub it in or pick fights with other UM people. Through the years we've watched @10 UM v. MSU games together, usually bitching about our own team's struggles more than taunting each other.

Even so, their protection could only do so much in 2011 as there were numerous 20-year olds that picked me out of the crowd to taunt.  Wearing a UM hat was like a magnet.  I even had a 60-year old MSU alum pointing in my face and yelling "go back to Ann Arbor" the second Denard threw the clinching pick.  

In 2011 the Sparties were nervous and sitting on their hands, afraid of a loss.  It wasn't until the late 4th quarter before things got out of hand.  That pick opened a can of chaos in the stands and the scream-of-relief of 70,000 Sparties was horrible to be in the middle of.

This year they expect to win, every expert has Sparty to beat the spread, Detroit News has all 4 of their columnists picking Sparty.   The momentum is contageous and it's going to be unbearable at the tail-gate, let alone during the game.

We need UM to come out strong early and make the crowd nervous, making them sit on their hands with doubt in their minds.  Big Al needs to let Gardner throw the seems early and often.   I need Big Al to let Gardner throw early and often, or I'm going to die in EL on 11/2/13.

 

Ty Butterfield

November 1st, 2013 at 11:23 AM ^

You are very brave. I was at the 1997 game in East Lansing. Go Blue chants were taking over the stadium in the fourth quarter. No way I would go now.