OT: Need Moral Support from My MGoBlog Family

Submitted by FauxMo on

I won't go into too many details - as I certainly don't want any of "you people" finding out who I am in real life - but here is my dilemma. Diehard, lifetime UM fan. Lived in Ann Arbor for the last 15 years, and in the area for most of my life. Did not do undergrad at UM, but did some grad work here, and also worked at UM for almost a decade. Do not follow any other sports teams, amateur or pro. I am full-blood UM. Short of poisoning trees or painting my face, I am as rabid a UM fan as you can get.

 

Well, to make a long story short, I am now going to be working a little at....Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. Won't be my full time job (which still connects to UM), but I will be working right on the campus. Is it normal to feel as disloyal as I do? Should I have passed up a great career opportunity because of football and basketball? Are these dry-heaves normal??

 

Signed,

 

Confused in Ann Arbor 

JeepinBen

December 1st, 2015 at 12:34 PM ^

I woked in lansing for 2 years after graduating from M. M License plates (and plate covers, etc), office swag and everything else. In 2009-2011, so not exactly an M hey-day.

Just like MSU is jealous of Michigan in lots of ways, Lansing is jealous of Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is a MUCH better city, with a lot more positives. You may have to deal with some Sparties who suck, but that's life. It'll be just fine, the dry heaves will go away with "Harbaugh".

James Burrill Angell

December 1st, 2015 at 12:35 PM ^

Look, just because you work there doesn't mean you can't root for Michigan. Perhaps wearing maize and blue on campus isn't a great idea while you're working but I'm sure you're not the only one. 

My favorite professor during undergrad at Michigan who turned out to be my mentor through law school and early in my career was a die-hard Notre Dame grad and wasn't afraid to show it on his office walls. 

Like I said, save it for Saturdays.

StephenRKass

December 1st, 2015 at 12:36 PM ^

I'm in doubt, so I'm assuming you are being sarcastic. Because you couldn't possibly really be asking this question.

For your answer, look to a number of coaches. Let's just stick with Michigan coaches, shall we? Was Bo disloyal to Woody and OSU for coming to Michigan? Was Mattison a weasel for going from Michigan to ND to the pros and back to Michigan? The obvious answer is no. I love Michigan football. But I'm a fan. You can continue to root for Michigan and still have a great career at MSU.

FTR, I can think of fellow Michigan alumni and personal friends who are on the faculty at MSU. Stuff like that happens, you know.

UESWolverine

December 1st, 2015 at 12:37 PM ^

Half my friends and family are State fans or went there. I'm happy when they are happy. And look at it this way, Dantonio isn't going to be there forever. Who even knew we were going to be this competitive against them in Harbaugh's first year?

This isn't even a real problem if you ask me. You must be doing alright in life if this is a major concern for you. 

BiSB

December 1st, 2015 at 12:39 PM ^

Fandom is fun and awesome, but at the end of the day you have to do what is best for your real life.

Signed, the guy with the Notre Dame diploma hanging next to the Michigan diploma.

FanNamedOzzy

December 1st, 2015 at 12:42 PM ^

You'll be fine, man. Nothing wrong with working in enemy territory. Both siblings went to UofM for undergrad, one now lives in Columbus and the other goes to grad school at MSU. I give em shit for it, sure, but it's playful. You do you, your heart will still be in Ann Arbor, which is all that really matters.

NolaBleu

December 1st, 2015 at 12:45 PM ^

Getting paid by the enemy while supporting your own team seems like a windfall to me. Unless they force you to wear Sparty, I don't see the problem.

michigandune

December 1st, 2015 at 12:46 PM ^

much more important than worring about working in East Lansing.  Go for it.  You are still BLUE!!

But, if it was in Columbus at Ohio State, then we would have to talk more. 

Bluefishdoc

December 1st, 2015 at 12:51 PM ^

As a lifelong Michigan fan and a proud owner of two U of M degrees, my first real job out of fellowship was at OSU medical school. I lasted 3 long years and worked with some great people. I even had season football tickets and rooted loudly for whoever OSU was playing ( thank god it was during the Cooper era and we owned them). Most of the OSU grads I met and worked with were very respectful. Thankfully I returned to the mothership where I have been for the past 23 years, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.



StephenRKass

December 1st, 2015 at 12:53 PM ^

Mgobloggers have kids at enemy schools. There is all kind of consorting with the enemy. Blogger UMgradMSUdad even has it in his user name. And there's another user name I forget, a personal friend whose username is something on the line of "Burtontower," who has a daughter going to OSU. Back in the day, I dated a girl at Michigan who was from a suburb of Columbus, and whose father went to OSU. Schools and jobs take precedence over fandom, every day of the week and then some.