NSCSB - Former Season Ticket Holder "Keeps it real"

Submitted by boliver46 on

Not quite sure how to tackle this topic, so here goes...

Amidst the flurry of optimism since Harbaugh has been hired, there are still those that are skeptical, have "given up", or simply don't believe in Michigan anymore.

Before we get too harsh with them and saying "don't want", or "#NeedLessBlueHairs", and "they must not have been a REAL Michigan fan", etc. etc. - I share the story of someone I met today.

I live in Toledo, Ohio on the Michigan border - already a hotbed of mouth-breathing, Bucknuts fans.  I work in Findlay, Ohio - even closer to the cesspool that is Columbus and my interactions with Unsavory Unwashed "Urbanites" increases exponentially.  

My Michigan screensaver (thanks Jonvalk!) is often commented on, and my Michigan lanyard is often the focus of ridicule and disparaging comments.  Therefore, when a woman walked by my desk and said: "Oh a Michigan fan!", I thought for sure I would be in for it...

However, she proclaimed herself of being a Michigan fan - but one who has given up.  She was a 30-year season ticket holder, who gave her season tickets up after last season.

To me, she seemed to be the product of the last 10 years...poor product on the field (minus the Sugar bowl year), DB missteps, significant cost increases and seat licenses, and even the human element....treatment of the players (a la Shane Morris).

I guess I bring this to this forum as I was taken aback at what a toll the last decade had taken on someone who'd been faithful to the program for decades.

When asked "is there anything that will bring you back to Michigan football?", she replied: "I don't know.  Michigan just isn't the same to me anymore."

I guess if you yourself have been beaten and downtrodden...and skeptical of the program...but are again optimistic - I want to ask: 

What brought YOU back?

#HARBAUGHNOTWITHSTANDING

TL;DR Version - why are YOU optimistic about UM football?

814 East U

April 24th, 2015 at 9:54 AM ^

Will always love M, but before Harbaugh the same hype wasn't there for Big Ten games and other "big" games...probably because there was a good chance we were going to lose.

MLaw06

April 24th, 2015 at 9:55 AM ^

... and she also destroyed a lot of priority points... it counts "consecutive" years of season tix... she should have assigned them to someone who wanted her seats, etc.

boliver46

April 24th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^

I don't know how all this works to be perfectly honest.  I have family with season tickets, so I just buy games from them...

Not sure what she actually did with the tickets by saying she "gave them up".  She possibly could have done what you said - I don't know...she just was pretty disillusioned.  

PM

April 24th, 2015 at 1:24 PM ^

of that experience is my son. He will be a freshman in the fall. What a great time to attend UM (ironically, I was there when Harbaugh was the QB).  Needless to say, he's stoked... and his cousins who recently graduated are jealous. 

Mich1993

April 24th, 2015 at 10:02 AM ^

I don't understand the premise.  Why would one stop rooting for Michigan.  I know of no other way.  

I root for Michigan because I love Michigan.  

If you need a reason.  How about the fact that Michigan is one of the few programs that trys to win the right way.  Oh and the stadium, the fight song, the uniforms, Tyrone Wheatley, Charles Woodson, Desmond Howard, Anthony Carter, Denard Robinson, Jake Ryan . .    

JZ

April 24th, 2015 at 12:05 PM ^

It seems like the lady gave up her tickets because the game day experience wasn't the same anymore. I highly doubt a 30-year ticket holder declared the university, and all that it stands for, "not the same" because of the last decade of poor on-field performance/DB. 

I would be very curious to hear from anyone who didn't develop the slightest bit of apathy towards our struggles during RichRod/Hoke. I never stopped loving Michigan -- its history, tradition. But I can admit that the losses that once felt like the end of the world became less impactful, and that "championship mentality" going into every regular season game definitely waned. 

Jon06

April 24th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^

So I don't get called a fake fan, some credentials up front: my parents went to and met at Michigan; I went to at least one football game every year from at least the time I was 6 until now with the exception of 3 years (1997 [FUCK], 2008, 2009) when I was out of the country; I've had season tickets for Michigan football on my own or through my parents since at least 2002; I had season tickets to Michigan hockey for 2 years during undergrad; my family has had basketball season tickets for the past few years; I have 3 Michigan degrees; my first son, who is now 2, was born at the U hospital and has attended 4 or 5 football and basketball games already (it would be more but we don't live in A2 anymore); and there is an athletic scholarship with my parents' names on it.

I am not currently convinced that Michigan Athletics will regain what made it special in the past. DB did an incredible amount of damage, and it's unclear whether Hackett will reverse all of it. I think the treatment of RR and Bacon, for example, was unbecoming of a great institution. (Bacon's forthcoming book will be super interesting with respect to what DB did to the AD.)

Time will tell, though.

MGoBlue24

April 24th, 2015 at 12:08 PM ^

Two things came together for me in recent years to make me back away from the game:  

- College football's expanding ills, including obscene coaching pay, meaningless bowl proliferation, and indifference to severe injuries and scholarship; and  

- Michigan's on-field troubles.

I welcome the advent of the Harbaugh era because its a last chance to return to college football, and Michigan football, as I first embraced it a long, long time ago (1980 UM grad).

 

CRISPed in the DIAG

April 24th, 2015 at 10:08 AM ^

As people get older their priorities change.  The look an feel of something changes beyond your original association with it over time. AA might not look or feel the same to her anymore for reasons that extend beyond football.  

maizenbluenc

April 24th, 2015 at 10:10 AM ^

It has been a long, long ten years. And college sports in general seem to be getting ever more overtly slimy having shifted from football for the masses to mo money, mo money, mo money - see my golden throne - but no more for the players. Add to that the negative press around concussions, etc.

The quaint collegial feel of what was the (mostly winning) Michigan football gameday experience has ebbed away.

Here's to hoping the tide is coming back in!

 

Blue N Bama

April 24th, 2015 at 10:27 AM ^

I grew up in MIchigan and started really watching Michigan football in the late 70s as a young lad, but became really focused in the Harbaugh QB years. He was my Michigan player back then, had the jersey and emulated him in the yard. I went to many games back then, but parents were never season ticket holders. Yes, the recent years could really test your dedication, but for me it could never be broken. The Harbaugh hire with his no BS style and his dedication to build a winner has stoked the fire again. In fact, I have no doubt Michigan will be competing for a National TItle in the next few years. That is how much I believe in Michigan with Harbaugh behind the wheel. 

Living in Alabama the last 20 years I have seen Bama and bama fans go through a 10 year cycle of mediocrity until Saban arrived. We know what he has done for Bama and I believe Harbaugh will do the same for Michigan. 

Go Blue

DetroitBlue

April 24th, 2015 at 10:29 AM ^

I had season tickets for 5 years but dropped them before last season. For me it was a culmination of being treated like an ATM by DB, incompetent coaching that I didn't want to support anymore, and having 2 kids under 2. I'll always love Michigan, but I'll be watching from the couch for the foreseeable future




Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

EGD

April 24th, 2015 at 10:30 AM ^

I graduated in 1997 and still keep in close touch with lots of my good friends from UM. Sports, and football games especially, are a big part of that; even though I live in Seattle, I get to see old friends every so often when I show up at the tailgate for a UM home game or we get together in Chicago to help take over Northwestern's stadium. Obviously this is all more fun when the team is doing well, but that's---whatever. I can see, however, that someone who is less connected to the school and who just follows the sports teams might grow disenchanted after years of frustration. But let's keep this in perspective: as bad as the last eight or nine years have been, we have had a Sugar Bowl victory, an appearance in the basketball title game, multiple B1G hoops championships, and some very good hockey teams. And now we have Harbaugh.

Bocheezu

April 24th, 2015 at 10:49 AM ^

No doubt the biggest problem is that the team isn't as good, but the Big Ten in general isn't as good, either.  Back in the 90s, the Big Ten often had 5-7 teams in the final top 25 and just about every other week was a big game against a ranked opponent.  OSU was basically the same, Wisconsin was the same, MSU was worse, but Northwestern, PSU, Purdue, Illinois were all better.  Now the Big Ten has more teams total, but less in the final top 25; only four last year (with Minny at #25) and only three in 2013.  The overall schedule quality is just not there.

Gulogulo37

April 24th, 2015 at 11:06 AM ^

I live in Korea and one of the worst things is what a pain it is watching college football here. I'm 13 to 14 hours of ahead of EST depending on daylight savings. I was mentioning this to a friend who was here before and he said he used to be a huge college basketball fan. Then one year he decided to completely ignore the entire season and tournament one year and now he doesn't watch it anymore. With what a pain it is to pay attention to sports back home and all, I had given that serious thought. If Hoke had been retained, I really might be doing it this year. And to be honest, I almost wish he was so that I could try it.

Having said all that, sports don't control my emotions like they used to thankfully. No more going to my room and sitting on my bed with my head in my hands for half an hour after the Spartan Bob game. Yeah, if I was going to stop watching sports and reading about it and spending all that time studying or meditating or something instead, sure that'd be a better use of my time. But I'm pretty sure I'd just find other things to screw around with. Sports aren't what prevents me from being more productive. And basketball and bowl season haven't stopped me from traveling during my long winter vacations.

I definitely used to be harsher on "fair-weather fans", but it really doesn't bother me, as long as they don't start acting like one of those "superfans" when their team is good again.

StephenRKass

April 24th, 2015 at 11:12 AM ^

I can identify somewhat with her. I'm in my 50's, and have fond memories of my years in Ann Arbor. Like anyone else, I love the winning. But it is more than winning. It is about a culture, it is about a community, it is about becoming more professional, more corporate, more plastic.

Partly, this is a personal preference thing. I like things that are real, that have history, that have a feel of authenticity. The more plastic things are, the more manfuactured an experience is, the less I like it. For instance, I rented a house on the beach in Grand Haven. It is an old beach cottage, friend of a friend's family, but it has tons of character and history. I'd rather be there than in a perfect Marriott or Hilton or brand new place on the beach. Now, there's a place for both, but just not my preference.

It seems like things are more and more and more controlled at Michigan. What you can bring in to the stadium, what you can buy outside of the stadium, what the game day experience is like.

The other thing, which a lot of people have commented on, is the cost. I miss the days when anyone could buy a ticket from anyone on a game day. Now, everything is bar-coded, and is overpriced. The cost of water, the cost of a hot dog, the cost of a program, the cost of parking, etc., etc., etc. I don't know what a "fair price" is, but when everything is adjusted by the accountants, and there are no deals to be had, and everything costs an arm or a leg, somehow, it takes something out of me. I loved the mental picutre of a young John Bacon getting into a game for a pittance. Now, parents would be charged with child neglect if they didn't accompany their son, and the cost of a ticket would be what? $40? $80? More?

For some who have slogged through my thoughts, I'm just another crabby old fart. You know what? I'm not really crabby. I'm a bit tired, and it isn't worth fighting to hold on to something that doesn't seem to exist. Life is too short. I'll go to games, but on my terms. If it costs a fortune, and if it is just an empty experience, well, I'll pass. I'd rather follow from a distance than be taken for a sucker. Of course I can afford it, but why would I want to pay for something that isn't enjoyable?

sadeto

April 24th, 2015 at 11:19 AM ^

I think you should follow up with her, because "Michigan just isn't the same to me anymore" does not sound like frustration with losing on the field. The university is a very different place from what it was when she became a fan 30 years ago, in many ways. College football is incredibly different, so of course UM's team is and the experience of rooting for them is. You either accept that and your fandom evolves, or you give up. I don't look down on those who give up on college sports at all, as long as they still love and support the university. It is difficult to accept what D1 sports has become and reconcile it with what you may love about the university. I don't fault anyone for that. 

But if she also feels a lack of love for the university overall, that's tough, and I'd like to know why. I can see some reasons - at the undergraduate level, it is much more a playground for the (relatively) wealthy than it was 30 years ago. It is less diverse, ethnically and socioeconomically, than it was when I was a doctoral student 25 years ago. But it is still an amazing institution and a leader in many if not most fields. I will continue to love and support the UM, no matter what happens on the playing field, for what it represents and what it did for my life. 

Jon06

April 24th, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^

Insight into the academic side of the U has actually made me feel more distant from it. When I was going on the job market, I was told I couldn't use Michigan letterhead, because that was only for faculty who had earned the right to use it. The person who told me this was a professor who had been at Michigan for 5 or so years, and to whom the U was first and foremost an employer who was paying him a relatively large amount of money in exchange for teaching 1-2 classes per semester, whereas I was in the midst of my 10th year as a Michigan student of one form or another.

switch26

April 24th, 2015 at 12:45 PM ^

I have an opposite story of what brought back a fan.. My fiance is in real estate and a couple was looking at a house wearing an msu shirt. She asked if he was a fan of msu and he kind of answered. She thought it was weird then he said he was a Michigan fan until they hired harbaugh.. I just loled.. Guess he thought hoke was a good coach

mgoblue0970

April 24th, 2015 at 1:38 PM ^

1993 grad.  Live in Colorado but A2 is still my "home".  Flew back once or twice a year for games, always gave a pair to my mom, and then would try to sell the rest simply to break even -- I do okay but JD or MD doesn't follow my name. 

I gave up my season tix 2 years ago.  Not because of coaching... I really didn't have a problem with RR except for trying to fit a square peg through a round hole -- he said during his introductory presser that he would tailor his system to the players he had on hand.  That clearly did not happen.  Hoke is a nice guy; not a HC.  But that's not protest worthy.

I didn't renew my tix because of the AD.  Bill Martin is a complete ass and did more to destroy the relationship with students and alumni than any other Michigan AD.  Including Brandon.  DB was bad for letting his ego get in the way and being tone deaf.  But if I saw Bill Martin on the street today, I'd punch him right in the fucking teeth.  I was grumpy under Martin... but after the luster of the Sugar Bowl season wore off, Brandon was the final straw.

The product both of them put on the field was horrendous.  I don't want to see DII or the MAC in Michigan Stadium even if it's at the expense of an undefeated season.  Fortunately, the CFP will change the culture of scheduling cupcakes.

I'm back on the list now.  Not because I'm a bandwagoneer, but my faith in leadership is restored and they deserve our business again.

mtlcarcajou

April 24th, 2015 at 1:19 PM ^

as does what surrounds the game.

From Montreal, I grew up watching the Canadiens at The Forum. I still love hockey and follow the Habs, but going to the Bell Centre is exactly the 'controlled experience' StephenRKass describes above. I hate it - but there is no way to bring the Forum or that feeling back.

As a beginning UM fan I loved Bo, AC, then Harbaugh, Woodson, etc etc. But the money involved, be it profit or cost, has radically changed the experience. The Big House now is certainly not The Big House of then, and can't be ever again. 

Still love the team, still watch all the games. There is no sense living in nostalgia though, and I don't like everything of what the game has become. 

Now get off...

PeterKlima

April 24th, 2015 at 4:14 PM ^

every year people come and go for different reasons. some are self evident. others are hidden. it sounds like she left for a bunch of reasons aside from the product.

my brother gave up his season tickets because he said he was afraid of a terrorist attack (post 911). actually he had financial problems that not many knew about. likewise others have left because of the media over reaction regarding concussions.

it happens.