OT: What's your worst experience in enemy territory
What is everybody's worst experience in enemy territory, whether its an away game, a city visit, living somewhere etc etc. I personally grew up close to Columbus and am going to Ohio State so i get to put up with dumb fans and the lack of the ability to wear michigan on a daily basis. I just cant wait til i graduate and leave... but my luck it will be outside of big ten country and i'll be stuck trying to find a way to watch games every saturday.
I've never had any problems, though I've only been to South Bend, Madison & Evanston.
at Penn State. Fans were walking up to my son and I talking smack with their chests sticking out and their women to the side totally oblivious that we have kicked their ass for a decade.
Penn State this year, after the game, we returned to our parking area and found that all of our tables and stuff and had been turned over and garbage bags emptied everywhere.
A lot of older Penn State fans were kind enough to come help us, though.
Notre Dame and OSU didn't really do anything other than say stuff like "you suck."
I was visiting a friend in Columbus and my Michigan bumper sticker was spray painted over with red paint... on my white car
worst*
When I was in Columbus last year I walked by this family while tailgating. The mother just looked away, the father scowled, and the two little ones (I'm guessing about 7 and 9) said "Fuck you wolverine!" and "Shit-head!". The parents ushered them away but said nothing.
who went to a game in columbus when he was 5 or 6 and was wearing a michigan sweatshirt .... a grown man walked up to this little kid and told him very seriously that because hes a wolverine's fan that god hates him and that hes going to hell ... needless to say his parents werent pleased
That sounds like Will Ferrell's kids in Talladega Nights.
"If we wanted us a pair of sissies, we would've named 'em Doctor Quinn and Medicine Woman!"
in the shoe. I was bleeding. Happened in '98, and vowed never to go back. Then I did in 2006, my experience was not better. I vowed to not go back...and I mean it this time.
I've always wanted to go to a game in Columbus, but I always figured I would wind up getting into a fight or going to jail.
Same thing happened to me at the 'shoe, I wasn't bleeding because it hit my hat.
At the rain drenched, Mario can't catch, game 2 years back I witnessed an OSU fan talk an entire beer and pour it on some old grandpa's head .... THIS WAS AT MICHIGAN ... He then took off and ran.
I was in Columbus in 2006 as well, with the band, and besides it being a tough loss to swallow, they tore up the field and were just hurling it at us, as we were the largest and most visible group of maize and blue, and we stayed through a while after the game got out. I didn't have the chance to go again last year, but I do hope to return in the future as a fan, outside of the band, and see how it goes.
The first was in 1999, the year Charles Rogers torched the Michigan secondary and Sparty beat us 34-31. I went to the game with my girlfriend at the time (she went to State...) and I wore a Woodson jersey in the middle of the Spartan student section. I got everything from pom-poms to empty cups to half eaten pieces of pizza thrown at me. Add in the fact that we lost, and it made it all that much worse.
The second was in 2001 at the "clock game." Nothing bad happened, but it just sucked being at that game. I was down on the sidelines by that endzone for that last play. Still makes me mad.
and the MSU fans I know are respectful to U of M fans. U of M students are also respectful of MSU fans/students at Michigan Stadium, but I cannot say the same about the Walmart Wolverines (this should not be disrespectful to anyone on this board, since most here are not) that tailgate at the golf course. It is not that they are physical, but they do talk some major smack for never attending the University.
Same thing could be said for your silly Save-A-Lot Spartan fans.
there are a lot of hicks and rednecks in the outskirts of E.L. that are MSU fans.
Most Spartans know the best MSU swag is sold at S-mart.
Shop Smart
Shop...ESS Mart!
fans not alumni. I personally get my MSU gear from the MSU Bookstore (online), but yeah, some of the hillbillies outside of E.L. probably do.
...if so, then you fooled me.
What movie?
Someone should teach you a lesson with his BOOMSTICK.
The third installment of the Evil Dead trilogy, the brainchild of MSU alum Sam Raimi, starring the inimitable Bruce (If Chins Could Kill) Campbell.
Hilariously awful and a must-have for any decent DVD collection.
Contrary to the inane protestations of MSU fans, one does not have to attend a school to cheer for its athletic teams. Since the first time I heard "walmart wolverine," I have felt that MSU fans are jealous that so many who didn't attend UM cheer for them, while the only people who cheer for MSU are those who attended the school and feel obligated to, that they had to come up with a lame attempt at an abusive epithet.
Thankfully, the epithet is a lot more lame than it is abusive.
As for this ex-townie who cheers for UM, I grew up in Ann Arbor in the 50's and 60's. When the first song the music teacher teaches your class in kindergarten is "The Victors," it's sorta hard not to be a UM fan. When you attend your first game at eight years old, it's even harder not to be a UM fan.
Anyway, it's always great to hear from people who think they have the right to tell strangers what teams they are "allowed" to follow. I'm always quite impressed with their intellect and tolerance.
to be abusive or disrespectful. I have friends and family from the downriver Detroit and eastside areas, who cheer for Michigan harder than alumni. They are not smart enough to get into community college, but they make comments towards me bashing MSU. Contrary to remarks by some on this board, a MSU education is very good, and far from a Juco. That is why the "Walmart Wolverine" stigma exists in my mind.
A. If you're from Ann Arbor, you should be a Michigan fan.
B. If you're from the state of Michigan, you can be a fan of Michigan or Michigan State, and you need not apologize if you did not actually attend the institution.
C. If a family member is a Michigan alum/student/fan, and you were either raised a Michigan fan or became one transitively through their association with the school, then you can be a Michigan fan.
D. If you have some kind of connection to the state of Michigan, then you're allowed to be a Michigan fan. Or a State fan for that matter.
E. Just as long as you're not fair-weather about it, if at some point you decide for whatever reason you love Michigan football, then welcome aboard. Just don't be half-assed in your fandom, be full-assed. Through thick and thin.
It'd be pretty lame if cheering for Michigan (or any other school) was exclusive to students and alumni, no?
empty on game day if only students and alumni were allowed to cheer.
August 2nd, 2009 at 11:28 PM ^
It being fairly empty. It wouldn't be full, but we both know alums do a damn good job of coming back to games.
the wrong way. I do not like when someone talks shit about my school or any other school for that matter, just because they are a fan of a rival school. I have no problem with people that did not attend tUniversity of Michigan being fans.
It's a commonly debated issue so I thought I'd try to give my opinion and maybe bring some clarity. I have no problem with people cheering for whichever sports team they wish. I grew up a huge Michigan fan because my dad is a huge Michigan fan-- but not an alum. He fell in love with it in the early 70s when he attended a game and sat in the aisles, and also, because he lived in Detroit, it was the home team. As for myself, it was 50/50 as to if I'd actually get in to U of M. Fortunately I did, but I know that even if I had attended a different college, my Michigan fandom was secure.
I am just trying to clarify my position too. +1
Just because someone didn't attend the University of Michigan does NOT mean they are a wal-mart wolverine. I did not go to UofM I go to a small college in southeast Ohio, which beat #1 ranked MSU in basketball in the late 90's, and I am in no way a wal-mart wolverine. I bought season tickets last year and drove 4 hours there and 4 hours back every single saturday ... including the Northwestern game in frozen rain when we were 3-7. I have been a Michigan fan since I can remember, don't think for a second I am a wal-mart wolverine because I did not go to school there.
but I'm about as big a Michigan fan as there is. When you start watching at 8, 9, 10 years old, you can't just stop when you go to a different school. I'm somewhat ashamed to say this, but I've actually memorized the entire depth chart by position and class standing. I've put lots of time into attempting to figure out this new defense and where players will line up too. So I get pissed when people bring up the Wal-Mart thing. Especially when other UM fans look down on non-students. We're ALL Michigan fans here. (Well, almost all haha)
of another school's program. You and Hammer are educated, so my comments do not apply to you. I don't appreciate being ridiculed about being a Sparty by Juco drop-outs that are superfans of tUniversity of Michigan.
I know you were not taking shots. I was responding to nobody in particular, just the fans who find it neccessary to take shots at people like me.
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:11 AM ^
I agree, I hate it when I hear people go "MSU is such a shitty school!" or "You go to UofM! That school sucks!" because they are fans of the schools respective rival. Yet when asked what school they go to they end up going to CMU or a cummunity college or something. I understand being a fan of a sports team regardless of what college you go to. But saying someones school sucks when it is obviously far superior to your own is pretty dumb.
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:14 AM ^
shot at CMU in there.
a real memrable college expierence yet thou I did get ass holed for wearing michigan sweats in the state student section during a state game i went to last yr (iowa i think?) and seeing as ill be at the michigan one this yr i bet that will be it ...
On the other hand in high school I do have to very memerable northern michigan moments wear the next town over hates ur guts ...
The first was as a fan, my sr yr i was at a GIRLS basketball game the day before my guys game against the same team, a few teammates and i sat alone and fairly quietly at the game, our team won, but as we were in the parking lot a group of like 8 GIRLS came over and tried to fight us (we didnt seeing as we r guys and didnt want to spend the night in jail)
The most memrable as a player was in an away basketball game in a lil piece of shit ole gym (the current one was under construction).. it was straight out of hosiers, small, loud, hot, and packed with fans close enough that they were touching us ... the game was intense including multiple Ts on both sides, i got punched in the balls, our solo black player got to deal witht he racial slurs, and we were peleted with coins, popcorn, etc. the whole 4th qt and after we escaped with a victory
I've never had a bad experience. Of course, I've never been to Columbus, so I've been spared that -- though my sister, who has the balls in our family, has been twice and has told me not to do it.
But if you recall the Wisconsin game in '01 was the one where it was tied 17-17 in the 4th, they missed a field goal, stoned our offense and forced a punt which ended up bouncing backwards and touching their guy. We recover, Epstein hits the chip shot, we win. The entire Wiscy crowd went from "WE WIN" to total deflation in about 5 minutes. Many were understandably pissed.
As we were leaving there was a guy bedecked in Michigan gear, holding his tow-headed boy on his shoulders. The kid was chanting, "go blue, go blue" over and over. I'm biased, but it was kinda cute. No lie, some Wisconsin fan points and screams: "look, they're brainwashing the boy, just like the goddamn Taliban!" Of course, this was only two months after 9/11, so that surely hit the spot.
Nothing terrible happened, mind. But, man, the quick change in fortune plus the afternoon start had that crowd a bit ugly.
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:57 AM ^
...sitting in the student section with a group of friends that went to Wisconsin. I had a maize t-shirt on in a sea of red. My dad could pick me out from 4 sections over and 50 rows below me.
My sweatshirt was stolen in the first half of the game. I was standing on the bench and had the sweatshirt on the ground. Some guy came running through and grabbed it. I watched helplessly as it got passed through the crowd and tossed over the top of the stadium. After we lucked into getting the ball back on the punt in the 4th quarter, I spent the last minutes of the game getting pelted with ice, cups, etc. All in all, a pretty standard student section experience.
The first was in Ann Arbor, 1995. I was eleven years old, walking down State Street towards the soccer fields with my dad, where the OSU band was getting ready before the game. Being a cheeky eleven year old, as we came upon couple Buckeye band members, I gave a harmless "Go Blue" as we passed by. The reply? "Fuck you." Dad wasn't pleased, though I'm proud to say he did not respond in kind. We let Tim Biakabutuka do the talking for us that day, he cornily reminds me.
2004, Columbus. Second trip to the Snake Pit, this time as a U-M student. Walking to the game with my girlfriend, I noticed a gob of spit dribbling down the back of her Michigan jacket. Animals.
One more-- 2005 at State. This was funny, not bad. I went to say hello to some of my State friends before the game. It was real early, some hours before kickoff, and the State students were lined up at the game in the Southeast corner of their hideous stadium. As I round the corner in my Woodson jersey, I am the lone Michigan fan in sight, and am roundly greeted with a chorus of boos by some several thousand U-M rejects and their minions. Bottles were thrown but predictably fell well short of their intended target. To be the sole receptor of the virile hatred of a mob of thousands, well, it was a unique experience, certainly not one I anticipated ever incurring in my life.
Well my only away game thusfar was last season in South Bend, I have never been rained on so hard in my entire life. Surprisingly the ND fans were very nice and I actually didnt hear a single bad thing from them.
Notre Dame has been by far my best road experience, outside of the docile crowds in Evanston, Illinois, but that doesn't count because they are not as football obsessive as the rest of us. But yeah, South Bend, nice campus, pretty tame students (as far as obnoxious rowdiness), and a welcoming atmosphere. A great place to watch a game.
going into South Bend has been a pleasant experience, especially with the current dominance of ND at home.
I'm never going to Columbus unless:
1.) I want to spend the night in jail
2.) Michigan is for sure going to win
every michigan fan should go at least once.
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 PM ^
Which brings me back to point two. I'll go when Tate, Denard, Devin whomever OWN SHIT!
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:12 PM ^
I plan on going to Columbus until I see Michigan win there. At which point I will say good riddance and never return. Right now I'm 0-2, and probably going to be there in 2010.
This was their year, until Tai Streets ran past Springs. The crowd was particularly angry that day. I got flipped off by a seventy five year old woman (that was actually funny) and later I was shoved into a wall from behind. We got back to the car, it was keyed with a nice "fuck Michigan". I got a speeding ticket on the way home - 57 in a 55 zone.
A small price to pay for victory, but I haven't been back since.
1. Most recently, I went to this year's Final Four, which as you all know took place in Detroit and featured Michigan State as one of the four teams. I and all three of my companions wore U of M gear and we sat directly behind the State student section. Most State fans were jovial ("Hey, I think you're lost!" Standard, harmless, old white guy jokes). One MSU brah in the bathroom berated me for about ten seconds but when I came out of the stall he was waiting for me and said, "Hey, brah, sorry. That wasn't cool." Only one guy was really upset by us, but he wasn't belligerent or drunk; he was really sad. He saw our stuff and he muttered something like, "Why can't you support us, just this once?" He made us feel kind of bad.
2. Michigan State football, 2007. As was the case in Detroit, the vast majority of Spartans acknowledged our Michigan gear, but did so in a friendly way. I've always found that if you make an effort to put on a non-combative air people will respond in kind. We weren't stomping around East Lansing scowling and trying to intimidate people; we were just there to watch the football game and have fun. Also like Detroit, there was one isolated case of pure rage. My friend and I passed a frat house, and one of the brahs started screaming about how it might be OK to be one of The Fags in Ann Arbor, but GAYNESS is NOT FUCKING COOL in EL. He wanted to fight us. But he was just one guy.
Also, this was a home game, but I went to my MSU graduate uncle's tailgate for the 06 State game, and it was totally pleasant. Too much Natty, but pleasant.