OT: Football in person
Yesterday I got to be part of the Color Guard (those people in military uniform that do stuff with the Us flag before the game). It was at Cal, but I didn't mind it because it was a special opportunity, and I go to school very near there (Sorry, I'm a lifer who didn't even go to the school...Brainwashed? Maybe, but don't you DARE say it!) So, I was able to stand 40 feet from the tunnel when the players came out, hang out pre-game and see those HUGE linemen walk past me, and stand next to the warming up cheerleaders. (It's really hard to stand at attention and not look at the people in front of you when they are cheerleaders stretching.) Then, I ended up going back to my brother's frat for the end of the game because it started raining and I was still in uniform (Oh, and Cal was up by 33-3 if my memory doesn't suck)
The point of this was to observe some things:
1.) Those players at Cal at pretty big
2.) I can actually see why this happened. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5710536 When I walked in no one EVER questioned me. I was just in uniform and after I was on the field I was then able to move to the student section. I will admit, I don't think I should have been allowed there, but I could have gone almost anywhere, and I wanted to meet my brother, who was in the student section. This is more bothersome.
3.) My new dream for life is to get this equivalent of a free field pass at UM. I swear to you all that if I do end up getting to do colors (flag ceremony stuff) at UM then I will.....I will....maybe cry while holding the colors? Just a tear of joy. Oh, yeah, and I will try to BODY SURF! (just kidding, would still be in uniform)
October 24th, 2010 at 2:11 PM ^
When I was in "A" school in Great Lakes, IL, I got to do this at a Bear's game. It was amazing. Then my fiance won a text contest at Ford Field and we got to go out on the field.
October 24th, 2010 at 2:26 PM ^
I had Mike Martin and Will Campbell in my psych lecture last year and good lord, those are two of the largest people I have ever seen.
October 24th, 2010 at 11:15 PM ^
I taught a bunch of guys on the team last year and I thought it was weird how some guys were much, much bigger than I'd expected and others were smaller. It reminded me how there isn't really so much a particular "football player build." There were DLs who were way bigger than me and OL's who were way, way bigger than me but there were also DBs who were considerably smaller than me (I'm an average sized guy).
October 24th, 2010 at 2:30 PM ^
is it the michigan-msu rifle fiasco?
October 24th, 2010 at 2:37 PM ^
Yes, it was. Here's a different link because the original link isn't working for me either. http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b6zMv
October 24th, 2010 at 3:33 PM ^
Getting on the field for free was pretty awesome - even if it did mean missing all the tailgating and missing the band show afterwards. Best moment was when Mario Manningham caught the TD against Penn State in '05 about 5 yards in front of me.
Two things though - one thing that surprised me about the rifle fiasco is that at Michigan, the Color Guard for football never has rifles, and it's always UM ROTC students. Also, I think that may prevent you from being able to be on the detail at Michigan (assuming you aren't affiliated with UM ROTC, or doing a flyover or something). I'm not sure how it works at Berkeley, but when I was in school the Color Guard was pretty selective in who they let participate and let on the field.
October 24th, 2010 at 3:33 PM ^
1.)No M-1s? That sounds a little bit wierd to me? Why?
2.)They may be selective. HOWEVA: never underestimate the determination of a UM fan. There are ways (a. through contact with them once I'm in charge of our colors. b.) some rather stupid idea of saying "my parents were both UM NROTC grads." c.) Tying them all up and saying "you need someone!")
3.) Most people confuse NROTC, AFROTC, and ROTC. Did you mean that only ROTC (as in army) gets to do Colors or that all ROTC units (Navy and Air Force as well) get to do Colors?
October 24th, 2010 at 3:46 PM ^
1) Yea, no M-1s. It was a pretty unique detail - we'd walk out in a 12 man formation, unfold a HUGE flag, and raise it up. For basketball there were M-1s. No detail for hockey - although there was talk of doing something.
2) One way you could try to get on is as "detail security," which is kind of cool in that you basically stand there in uniform, look menacing, and keep anyone from walking through the detail - which is only a problem when an away team wins and wants to go celebrate with their fans while the detail takes the flag down. Otherwise though, it isn't easy. When I was there, an AF TSgt who was supervising got chewed out by a Marine Captain for bringing his son onto the field too.
3) It's tri-service - in fact the detail commander goes out of their way to make sure everyone is represented (which usually isn't a problem except when there's a Marine Corps Ball or training or something of that nature).
If you do get on, be sure to let us know how. It's run by the NROTC at University of Michigan, and they're over in North Hall right near the CCRB and the big CC Little Bus Stop. Good luck!
October 24th, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^
1.) thanks for the tips. You=awesome in my book right now.
2.) "detail sec" is the best thing ever. I want that detail for life, screw Color guard. Also, I am sorry for all those with a Marine CO in NROTC; mine last year was a USN pilot. I now love pilots solely b.c of him. However, I shall work on this. (read: I SHALL GET IT DONE!)
October 24th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^
haha awesome man, good luck - and keep the board posted on how you do it
October 24th, 2010 at 3:58 PM ^
3.) My new dream for life is to get this equivalent of a free field pass at UM.
After spending 4 years of college on the field for every UM home game, 2 aways and every bowl game I can say with personal experience that being on the sideline at The Big House is a great experience. One that I'll remember forever. I hope you get the chance someday. :-)