Not that my single, lonely voice will make a difference, but I just
got off the phone with a department secretary - I called 734.764.9416, and the woman on the other end said "David Brandon's office". I was stunned. At any rate, I calmly told her that I am a season ticket holder and an alumnus (class of '93), and that I cannot in good conscience, return this year to Michigan Stadium so long as Brandon and Hoke are employed in their current positions. I told her that the manner in which Shane Morris was left on the field after clearly being injured was disgusting, as was the statement released last night. I told her that for the first time in my life, I am ashamed of the University of Michigan, and that for an institution that purports itself to be "The Leaders and Best", their actions and statement are anything but.
I didn't swear, as the person on the other end doesn't deserve that, and I actually said to her that I'm sorry that you have to bear the brunt of this call, but I need to voice my displeasure in some way and that firing off an email which will end up in the trash bin, and if in the off chance that I receive a reply, it will be some limp, boiler plate response which will do nothing to address this issue.
Anyway, I'm just beyond pissed off right now. The sad thing is, the players deserve so much better.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:03 AM ^
September 29th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
could take my name and number down and that a return call would be made.
I thanked her - I doubt I'll hear back, but it felt better to speak to another living, breathing human being on the other end.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^
If Brandon answered his own phone you wouldn't have reached a "living, breathing human being"
September 29th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^
Because everyone smiles when they can get a free coke and a Domino's pizza.
Btw, it is too bad there is no picture of Brandon eating a Domino's pizza to mirror that pic of Urban after losing the bowl game.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
September 29th, 2014 at 12:09 PM ^
My daughter was an intern at a Congressional office on the Hill last year. Wow, is all you can say about some of the calls she and the other interns fielded---not that the OP was out of line. And that's the funny thing. The people answering the phone have to be professional at all times and stick to the script, when in actuality, it's not that reasonable to expect it.
September 29th, 2014 at 12:35 PM ^
I worked as a congressional intern too and some of the calls were beyond amazing. I was personally blamed for natural disasters. I had no idea that was possible.
September 29th, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^
September 29th, 2014 at 1:16 PM ^
Are you from Wooster or did you live there?
September 29th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ^
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September 29th, 2014 at 11:18 AM ^
More than likely, the assistant probably had a few of those calls before this and has had more since, but in my own estimation, this sort of statement of displeasure hit a mark that posting the Regents' names and numbers may not have. This is probably one of the more constructive ways to voice discontent about the state of the department and football.
Very little would be accomplished by badgering the Regents at work (that list had work addresses and numbers for most of them) and tying up actual business there, but here you are calling the office of the man whose job it is to avert these sorts of PR disasters. This was a personal protest, and while Brandon may never reply, it was lodged directly at him, or as near as you can get organizationally.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^
I'm glad you shared this.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^
That's very cool.
Also I am glad you did not yell at her or show too much emotion AT her. It is not her fault and I am sure she is dealing with a lot of hell today. Usually it is the "underlings" who take the brunt of these things when its someone much higher in the food chain who is responsible.
September 29th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^
it's not her fault? She could be the one behind the scenes pulling on the strings, and this is all part of her convoluted strategy to seize the Athletic Director position. Or have I watched too much Game of Thrones?
September 29th, 2014 at 3:42 PM ^
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September 29th, 2014 at 11:12 AM ^
That's fantastic. Great job - let us know if you get a call back.
I'll be shocked it you do but you never know.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:13 AM ^
I sent an email Saturday night (sober) to the presidents office, Dave Brandon, and the regents and have yet to hear a reply back.
I have to believe that the swept under the rug response and overall quietness coming from Ann Arbor has to imply a swift change is coming. Why come out and start doing damage control if you can do it in one big swoop with firings and a public statement against the handling of the situation on Saturday.
I'm sure I am wrong but I cant seem to get out of this 7 year rut of getting my hopes up.
September 29th, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^
I emailed Paul Schmidt. I was very polite. I haven't received a response.
September 29th, 2014 at 3:01 PM ^
Every Saturday I turn on my TV expecting to see someone who inspires confidence running out of the tunnel. Still waiting...
September 29th, 2014 at 11:14 AM ^
We can mgofundraise and send her flowers.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:16 AM ^
call with "Yeah, thanks for having me on, like I was just telling your screener....."
September 29th, 2014 at 11:47 AM ^
September 29th, 2014 at 3:58 PM ^
long time fan (listener).
September 29th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
Answering the phones for DB is probabaly a thankless job.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
thanks for putting the phone number out there. i wouldn't have known where to find it. i hope people follow your lead.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:24 AM ^
September 29th, 2014 at 11:25 AM ^
Wished DB cared about any of us (Class of '91 myself) but you have no voice unless you give big bucks to the program.
And let's face it, unless you can convince a LARGE number of people not to attend the games (which is not going to happen as most fans are just sheep), DB isn't doing anything.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^
That woman deserves hazard pay for picking up the phone on days like this.
Thanks for sharing. Nice to hear that you were able to have a reasonable, fair conversation and have your feelings heard in a constructive manner. Sure, probably nothing will come of it directly to you, but enough reasonable voices making their displeasure known will only help things along.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
if we had a giant tailgate for UTL3 and we didn't go into the stadium to watch the game.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:35 AM ^
if we had a giant tailgate for UTL3 and we didn't go into the stadium to watch the game. Though I would feel sorry for the players something needs to be done.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:49 AM ^
I sent an email to President Schlissel ([email protected]) telling him that I would not give another nickel to the university unless Brandon and Hoke were fired. I'm not in Stephen Ross's league, but if enough people chime in it may make a difference.
September 29th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
We should take odds on the likelihood of a return phone call. Keep in mind that one of the most unprofessional things to do in business is to not return a reasonable phone call.
But my guess is that DB does not have the balls or courtesy to return the call.
September 29th, 2014 at 12:04 PM ^
Thank you for sharing this. I also wrote an email to the president and board of regents this morning with similar sentiments. No cussing or anger, I simply shared my horrors in witnessing what happenned to Shane on saturday, especially as a new Father. I can not imagine what Mr and Mrs Morris were thinking if they saw that in the stands. I know my email will not make a difference in the grand scheme, but I needed to share my thoughts.
September 29th, 2014 at 12:15 PM ^
Would someone be willing to post a link to an email we can send our grievances too. I know it will amount in very little but I have to get this stuff off my chest as a season ticket holder I can't keep quiet anymore.
Edit: Thanks didn't see it up there, nothing to see here nothing to see.
September 29th, 2014 at 1:06 PM ^
September 29th, 2014 at 1:34 PM ^
Are you interested in calling the Michigan regents?
I think it might be a good idea to share your opinion with them. I have their phone numbers and emails if that's appropriate to post here.
September 29th, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^
Someone posted all of that on Sautrday night but they were quickly deleted by a moderator. You're obviously welcome to post them again, but you may want to get a reply from a mod for this first.
September 29th, 2014 at 2:31 PM ^
okay, thanks! yeah, I wasn't on here on Saturday night and didn't catch that
September 29th, 2014 at 2:50 PM ^
And it could have just been deleted because it was a new thread and the mod deemed it not as being "new thread worthy" so maybe they'd be fine with posting it in a reply to a thread like this.
September 29th, 2014 at 3:11 PM ^
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September 29th, 2014 at 3:27 PM ^
The first was to Bill Martin in which I complained about the poor updating of the scoreboard data. He replied pretty soon saying they were on top of the problem and it was fixed. The second was to David Brandon who never replied. I can't even remember what that one was about but it may have been the water bottle policy.
Anyway kudos to the OP for taking action.