OT - Sinking of the M-Hat

Submitted by mikoyan on

So I was photographing on the Detroit River the other night.  It was a little on the windy side and I was a little worried because it was similar to the conditions that I lost my M-hat last year.  And once again....my M-hat goes flying into the Detroit River near Belle Isle.  I thought I could get it with a stick and I almost found myself in the river as the rocks were mossy.  Oh well.  This time...pictures though.

http://michiganexposures.blogspot.com/2011/04/sinking-of-m-hatpart-ii.html 

So now the decision...do I get myself another "Bo" style hat or do I get with the times?

Kaminski16

May 2nd, 2011 at 6:38 PM ^

I like this one but the maize on this hat seems like it wont match up with the maize that's going to be on the student football teams for this year and it's going to piss me off. I wish there was just a "standard maize" that was always used.

amphibious1

April 29th, 2011 at 11:08 AM ^

Was the saddest thing I will see all day. Those pictures are a stark reminder that the life of a hat, although beautiful, is also very fragile and short-lived....

Maizeforlife

April 29th, 2011 at 11:17 AM ^

A real Michigan fan would have at least three other M hats ready to be worn.  jk, it's always a sad day when you lose a hat, especially one of such caliber. 

lexus larry

April 29th, 2011 at 1:12 PM ^

Rock!

Don't remember if it was Tim or FA, but there was a nice reminiscence about the older shirts, and one of his had to be retired.

FWIW, I have two of the newer "Bo" block M's, a blue on white/cream (blue bean and blue bill) with blue block M, and maize with blue blcok M.  Wifey has the VS Pink with blue block M.

As far as the shirts go, I miss the MBNA or BoA kiosks with the freebies.  Could always use 4 more free T-shirts.  (Of course, that one with "Bowl Tradition" on the back means a bit less at the present.)

I'm partial to the old blue student shirt.  A little of the "Ann Arbor Current/Gameday" art - Touch the Banner!  Classic to these old eyes... 

Sgt. Wolverine

April 29th, 2011 at 1:26 PM ^

I spend a couple hours working, and I miss the posting of one of my favorite photos!  That's the last time I spend time working...

Seriously though, thanks for posting that.  That's a GREAT memory for me -- that's when I got Bo's signature on the top of my helmet.  I think my favorite part of the encounter was that he said nothing about the helmet, but he did say something about my facial hair.

And to relate this to the OP...I can say with absolute confidence that if I ever encounter a wind that's strong enough to take that helmet off my head, I won't have to worry about the helmet because that wind will be strong enough to take me with it.

mikoyan

April 29th, 2011 at 11:37 AM ^

I have my older Bo hat, but it has the little R next to the M and I decided to retire it.  Then I have the 1997 Champions Hat but I don't wear that one because it seems jinxy.  I'm not too keen on the modern style hats with lots of writing....too unpure for my tastes.  So there you have it.

But at least my ship pictures were nice...:)

Hurricane

April 29th, 2011 at 11:35 AM ^

I had a Bo era hat for years until my cat slept in it and ruined it. It took me about 13 years to find an adequate replacement.  If you can find one get it and dont wear it on the water!

Wave83

April 29th, 2011 at 11:42 AM ^

Sorry about your hat.  I agree you should get another one.

As an aside, I recently visited Bo's grave (twice, actually) at Forest Hills Cemetary in Ann Arbor, inspired by Mikoyan and one of his expeditions.  I was interested and surprised in seeing (both times) a Bo hat sitting on the ground near the gravestone.  (There were also flowers the first time; a little maize and blue football the second time.)  It is a lovely and haunting tribute to have Bo's hat sitting nearby.

Snidely Doo Rash

April 29th, 2011 at 11:45 AM ^

My current M hat is from a gas station stop on a bus trip from Vegas to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon circa 2006.  It is a cheap adjustable made such that the brim is askew in the classic Bo style, fits good, and I cannot lose it.   Perhaps I should launder it soon.

When the time comes and we win something big, I will splurge and buy a replacement and a maize model so I can piss off my Bucknut mailman with some fresh dome protection.  

Beware Missouri imitations.  Thank jah those diques are not in the B1G.  

mikoyan

April 29th, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^

the sinking last year could have been but I was in a bit of shock and couldn't get my camera on the hat soon enough.  the hat was right side up and the M was just slipping beneath the waves...but it turtled as soon as I had my camera ready.

And I will be happy to report, after a trip to the Briarwood M-Den at lunch, M-Hat III is now in effect.  I went with the classic Bo style again, although I'm not terribly happy about the maize New Era logo.  Oh well.....

Hurricane

April 29th, 2011 at 2:19 PM ^

The New Era ones are the only Bo style hats that I have been able to find as well so I had to buy one.  I would prefer no logo and no block M on the back of the hat, just the classic M on the front is all it should have.  If anyone knows where to get one please post!!!!!!

The FannMan

April 29th, 2011 at 1:00 PM ^

Very, very sorry for the demise of your hat. 

I bought a "Bo" hat from Moe's when I was in college and they were actaully sold as "Bo Hats."  I wore that thing until it literally was falling apart - and then kept on wearing it.  One day, years and years later, the wife and I are walking into the Satdium waaay too early and the guy taking our tickets says, "Bo just walked in.  You can catch him if you try."  Well, we did.  The only thing I had that he could sign (other than the wife) was the underside of the bill of my hat.  So I walked up to him, with my hat in hand, introduced myself and my wife and asked him for an autograph.  He agreed.  He then told he, with a smile, that I had the oldest, most worn out hat he had ever seen.  I explained to him that I got it when I was in undergrad and it was called a "Bo Hat."  He said, "Well, get a new one." 

I wore that hat the rest of the season and then retired it.  (Bo told me too!)  Of course, I still have it in a place of honor.  It is only worn on very, very special occassions.

Mikoyan, I suggest that you head over to Moe's and buy the closest thing to a Bo Hat they still have.  (I got my current M hat there.  It is by New Era and is pretty close to the old school hats.) [{EDIT - just read your last post.  Congrars on the new hat.  Mine has a new era logo on he side too, but in white.  Not thrilled about it, but they don't make 'em like they used to.]

 

a2bluefan

April 29th, 2011 at 1:07 PM ^

I have worn the Bo-style hat exclusively at every M sporting event I have attended since my first one in 1986. I see no reason to change that now.

mtlcarcajou

April 29th, 2011 at 1:30 PM ^

Sorry for the loss.

I have a block M hat by Zephyr, took a blue fabric marker and blotted out the big maize  'Z' logo on the side as well as all the registered trademarks 'R's. No-one can tell. The M is much chunkier than the Bo hat, but the script Michigan on the back is nice. This is a good option if you want a 'cleaner' look. Also fits like the off-fitting hats of old.

Yes I am wank.