Row The Boat?

Submitted by Yung Geezer on

So according to this Rovell tweet, P.J. Fleck has shelled out 50K for "Row The Boat".  I'm curious what the WMU Broncos think about this...all of that gear is pretty much useless now, right?  I suggest a LeBron/Cleveland type apparel burning in the streets.  Fire up Broncos

BREAKING: P.J. Fleck & Western Michigan have reached a deal to transfer the "Row The Boat" trademark rights to Fleck. Will cost $50,000.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 15, 2017

Blueblood2991

February 15th, 2017 at 8:33 PM ^

I wouldn't call it bullshit. Fleck convinced the AD to paint RTB over every possible inch of Waldo Stadium, practice facilities, and all over campus. The 50k is to repaint. WMU isn't profitting off of it. Adidas will provide them new uniforms (without oars), but all the hoodies and shit in the bookstore with the mantra will probably have to be sold at a discount.

So Fleck gets his saying, and WMU isn't out a ton of money. It was kind of strange for Fleck to let them trademark it in the first place if it meant so much to him personally.

1464

February 15th, 2017 at 11:08 AM ^

I forget the background but it had something to do with losing one of his children at a young age.  It's his 'Enthusiasm unknown to mankind.'  He may not have actually lost the child, but there was some sort of huge hardship he suffered that predicated that phrase.  It's his, not WMU's.

1464

February 15th, 2017 at 11:28 AM ^

Are gophers less inclined to ride on boats?  I mean, are broncos typically a seafaring species?  Why will it have less cache at Minnesota?  I realize that Michigan has 30 or so more lakes than Minnesota, but they're both known to have water features and consequently, boats.  Should Harbaugh not have brought EUTM to Michigan?  I fail to see this argument.

Blue and Joe

February 15th, 2017 at 12:01 PM ^

It's not that the slogan can't technically work with Gophers. I think RTB is more associated with WMU than it is with Fleck. They had oars on their uniform, for example.

I don't think of EUTM as a rallying cry like RTB. A better comparison would be trying to take "The Team, The Team, The Team" to a different school.

jace owen

February 15th, 2017 at 12:12 PM ^

For those of you really interested here is an article explaining the background. I teach near Kalamazoo and my wife went to WMU. RTB was infectious and something we may never see again in Kalamazoo.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-pj-fleck-western-michigan-20161124-…

He lost a son to a heart defect as an infant. With that being said, let him have RTB.

JC06Z33

February 15th, 2017 at 1:04 PM ^

is what I read on the ABC/ESPN article.  If that's the case, then I'm glad that WMU did the right thing and let him keep it.  As silly a phrase as it is and how little it has to do with Gophers, it likely means a great deal to him and by extention will mean a lot to his players.