Second occurance of former players calling fans "muggles"

Submitted by TheMadGrasser on
I saw the Desmond thread before, but I didn't want this to get lost. I just saw some Facebook comments from some former players on the following article which was posted on FB by Elliot Mealer: LINK

The short version of the comments from said former players were that people not involved with the program created a mob to oust Brandon in order to "feel better about themselves emotionally". The follow up comment clarified "people not involved" to mean "muggles". Then another former player followed up and said "muggles...smh".

I don't know if it's just me, but this is really disappointing stuff to see. I know as an Alum and fan, this alienates me to an extent. I could be wrong, but I get the impression that these sentiments are shared amongst a lot of players. We want the best for our current athletes and students, so for them to express what I take as disdain for fans baffles me.

I guess I'm just looking for other peoples' take on the situation.

EDIT: to clarify, this is not in reference to the original Mealer tweet. This is a separate occurrence in which the comments were made on FB by a different player, not Elliot.

Edit 2: Title updated. I can see how this would be seen as redundant without reading the entire OP

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MileHighWolverine

November 2nd, 2014 at 9:12 AM ^

I don't disagree with your hypothesis but I'd be curious to see how the timing would have lined up for the worst of the trend to hit during his 4 year tenure exactly....in otherwords, what you are talking about is a 20 year trend that seems to have peaked during DB's 4 year window as AD. Does that seem right or are demographic issues more recent and therefore haven't fully played out yet?

Very interesting question.

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chatster

November 2nd, 2014 at 9:23 AM ^

2013-14 (13) Stanford, Florida, Notre Dame, Virginia, Penn State, Texas, UCLA, USC, Duke, Texas A & M, Kentucky, Florida State, Michigan
 
2012-13 (4) Stanford, Florida, UCLA, Michigan
 
2011-12 (10) Stanford, Florida, UCLA, Ohio State, Florida State, Texas, USC, North Carolina, Texas A & M, Michigan
 
2010-11 (15) Stanford, Ohio State, California, Florida, Duke, North Carolina, Virginia, Texas A & M, Florida State, Oklahoma, UCLA, Texas, Penn State, USC, Michigan
 
2009-10 (25) Stanford, Florida, Virginia, UCLA, Florida State, Texas A & M, North Carolina, Ohio State, California, Duke, Penn State, Oklahoma, USC, Oregon, Texas, Tennessee, Nebraska, Minnesota, LSU, Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona State, Alabama, Washington, Michigan
 
2008-09 (5) Stanford, North Carolina, Florida, USC, Michigan
 
2007-08 (3) Stanford, UCLA, Michigan
 
2006-07 (4) Stanford, UCLA, UNC, Michigan
 
2005-06 (24) Stanford, UCLA, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Notre Dame, California, Duke, Georgia, USC, Arizona, Ohio State, Arizona State, Tennessee, Penn State, Minnesota, Florida State, Washington, Nebraska, LSU, Alabama, Wisconsin, Texas A & M, Michigan
 
2004-05 (4) Stanford, Texas, UCLA, Michigan
 
Michigan previously finished ninth in 1993-94, seventh in 1994-95, fifth in 1995-96, eleventh in 1996-97, fifth in 1997-98, sixth in 1998-99, third in 1999-2000, fourth in 2000-01, sixth in 2001-02, fourth in 2002-03, and second in 2003-04.
 
Since Dave Brandon became Michigan's Athletic Director on January 5, 2010, Michigan has finished out of the top ten in three of the five seasons. Between the 1994-95 and 2008-09 seasons, Michigan finished out of the top ten in the standings only twice in 16 seasons (eleventh in 1996-97 and 24th in 2005-06.)
 
They might as well just call it the Stanford Cup already, because everyone else is just trying to be the runners-up which Michigan was in 2003-04. LINK to Directors' Cup Standings.  The LINK also contains a box above the "current" standings that links to previous annual standings.

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FreddieMercuryHayes

November 2nd, 2014 at 8:37 AM ^

I think, as you say, the fact that athletes feel alienated from the fans, and vice versa, is at its core the biggest reason Brandon needed to go. Catering to, and providing nice things to, athletes is not the only job of an athletic director. Brandon created an entire culture within the AD where the fans are just ATMs, who are replaceable, and loyalty is expected and doesn't have to be earned or rewarded. And it's showing up in the opinions of recent former players and coaches. The whole business model of college sports relies on the concept of shared experiences between fans and athletes. It will take time to repair that feeling that UM's program had for decades.


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Niels

November 2nd, 2014 at 7:37 AM ^

I'm a former Lacrosse player (club, before they went varsity) who has had contact over the years with Coach Paul and the athletic department. I agree with a lot of the thoughts on the board about how fan engagement on the football side has been handled. I think their strategy of playing for high margins in "good" years was not smart and a proverbial killing of the golden goose. I also think DB's style in his emails was not flattering, and painted a picture of someone who had a relatively thin skin.

I'm ambivalent about his departure, however, for reasons that I think have to do with some of the muggle comments out there.

I believe that his efforts to build/support other athletic programs at UM with incredible facilities and resources to hire and retain top coaching talent will make UM compete for the directors cup for the next few decades. If I'm right, DB will leave an important legacy of real success. 

Many fans won't care; it's all about FOOTBALL and basketball (with everything else on the very outer reaches of their radar). Who am I to judge that? However, I believe Coach Paul when he talks about how DB has not only created a new legacy in lacrosse but has worked tirelessly to support all athletes at UM that has also helped many FB players

How does this relate to the "muggle" comments? I wouldn't be surprised if the athletes, including FB, find themselves on the whole really supported by DB. That, combined with the fact they aren't paid a salary (rather a modestly-paid internship with the hopes of playing on Sundays) commensurate for what they generate for the university and (finally) the fact that their interactions with fans are often skewed to the "jock-sniff" obsessed fans who I would imagine don't represent the whole fanbase, means their viewpoint is skewed. 

 

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Mattinboots

November 2nd, 2014 at 7:23 AM ^

I think the athletes at the university need to be educated on how the department generates revenue. In high school, it's property taxes and maybe an annual fee that players and family pays for everything. So the athletes go to class and play sports with and that happens whether or not favs show up.

I seriously wonder if they think the tuition of other students and state taxes pays for all if their scholarships, uniforms, new facilities, and travel. And not football, a little from basketball, those two sports ability to make BTN profitable, and crap tons of FAN donations primarily driven by people wanting to see football success.


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blueball97

November 2nd, 2014 at 7:25 AM ^

With all due respect to former and current athletes and coaches, you just don't understand. DB was visionary, he had a vision to implement billion dollar upgrades and increase non revenue sports. Then he alienated his funding source so much so that a season ticket wait list of 30 yrs disappeared, attendance was dismal and future contributors (students) stopped coming. Saying anyone should blindly follow a product that is unwatchable and listen to its leader bumble over words he repeats every week is laughable. If any coach or former athlete would continue to throw $400 away every week in support of a product that isn't worth $50, please let me know, i will give them my address and they can support me with their money. As a fan I love Michigan and everything it stands for, i support our 900+ student athletes and the programs they participate in. I also believe we should be "the Leaders and Best" and our current, now former AD, represented neither.


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mal

November 2nd, 2014 at 7:29 AM ^

Yeah muggle fans, just shut up and pay your money to see the all-time winningest program. You should be honored just to enter the big house, this is Michigan, and a beautiful day for a tailgate.

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Yeoman

November 2nd, 2014 at 9:00 AM ^

...is still called a football game.

You need the players FAR more than the players need you. Miami hardly even has fans. That may have a somewhat negative impact on the players' experience while there but their careers go on pretty much unimpaired.

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Quail2theVict0r

November 2nd, 2014 at 7:30 AM ^

That's why major decisions are not left up to players. If they could vote, Hoke would be our coach for the next 30 years. No matter their personal opinions of Brandon or Hoke we, the fans, are the ones paying $100 per game to watch them play football. This pays for them to get scholarships at the school and pays for the salaries of the staff. If the staff is failing to provide the product that those paying to watch it want, then pressure from the fans gets them fired. If the AD can't handle PR situations, he is fired. The end.

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Muttley

November 2nd, 2014 at 8:23 PM ^

approximately.

http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2014/03/wolverine_footbal…

The football program costs $23 million annually to operate, but generates $82 million in revenue.

That's $58 million, or about $87.50 of the total ticket price (price + PSD/game) going somewhere else.

It's not the football fans that put the football team in the position of having to support $125 tickets.

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cozy200

November 2nd, 2014 at 7:47 AM ^

You are a product that I purchase. Nothing more. So far, my value has decreased. You owe me the delta. After that, feel free to call me whatever you want.

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cozy200

November 2nd, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^

I love being entertained and the passion i feel for said entertainment is in direct relation to the joy it provides. Until this poisenous atmosphere passes, I have no choice but to look at it as such. This is not the Michigan I know. So until that returns, yea this is just a product.

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blueinbelfast

November 2nd, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^

Isn't this precisely the sort of attitude we wanted Brandon fired for.

In case you're unaware, these kids aren't paid for playing (if you think their scholarships are proper payment, you are delusional, as has been covered here many times over).

If you had sent this message to Dave Brandon, he might have replied 'Find a new team to support.' And for once it would have been the absolutely correct response.

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UAUM

November 2nd, 2014 at 8:06 AM ^

If I recall correctly, three or four weeks ago people on this blog were whining about how the student athletes feelings shouldn't be hurt because of fans actions. Now the fans are whining because the student action athletes hurt their feelings.

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RoxyMtnHiM

November 2nd, 2014 at 12:34 PM ^

It's not the least bit hypocritical. It's completely consistent. We didn't want the frustrations with the AD and coaching staff vented on the players. We don't want to be degraded and dismissed by the players. It's a desire for an atmosphere of mutual respect as we each play out our roles in the endeavor. 

 

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pearlw

November 2nd, 2014 at 8:17 AM ^

@ShaneMorris_7: Shout out to the few students who stayed till the end of the game.. And to those who didn't... We won.
@ShaneMorris_7: No shots fired.. Just saying that we appreciate those who stick with us till the end.


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Dr. Explosion

November 2nd, 2014 at 8:44 AM ^

Why thank the fans that stayed? Why not? Who are any of is to tell these players what they can and cannot post on their personal social media accounts. Seriously, this is getting out of control. There is certainly no rule that Michigan fans have to follow 18 year old athletes on Twitter.


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westwardwolverine

November 3rd, 2014 at 9:37 AM ^

The coaches have been booed all year because the coaches are terrible.

If the players think they are being booed, it boils down to the coaches feeding them some "Its us against the world!" bullshit or just the natural feeling of "We're a brotherhood! We're in this together" which blinds them from realizing the guys coaching them are doing an awful job.

The fans have been shit on by the AD pretty much since Brandon took over. We have the highest ticket prices in the Big Ten and probably the worst home schedule. And the team is awful like you noted. You simply aren't going to have strong fanbase support with this scenario. 

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Feat of Clay

November 2nd, 2014 at 8:21 AM ^

Playing DI football is probably a transformative experience; you and 90+ teammates go through intense training and teambuilding and public scrutiny.  I am certain it ends up being the kind of thing that you believe outsiders can't fully understand.  It is also probably frustrating at times.  So I'd cut the players some slack.

Surely we can be a little more thick-skinned than this.  You got what you wanted, didn't you?  Brandon resigned.  You can't also expect every player to feel gratitude.

I feel like that's the bottom line, at times:  We expect players to come here, always play their best, never complain, express nothing but gratitude for their free education, and feel nothing but loyalty and thankfulness for every fan.  We expect them to be undying loyal to the program after graduation, too, never speaking a critical word.  Oh, until the day when WE are critical of the program or the coach or the athletic department.  Then we DO want them to back us up and call out the things we want called out.

I think this is unreasonable. 

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VectorVictor05

November 2nd, 2014 at 10:51 AM ^

Finally, a reasonable comment amidst a bunch of adults expressing how hurt their feelings are over comments from college kids. Is the muggle thing in poor taste? I guess, but good lord, isn't this what young people do? Make ignorant comments or feign knowledge of larger issues based on limited experience. It's also their right no? They know what they know and feel what they feel based on their experiences. It's ok for them to have appreciated the things DB did for them. I would bet every poster here fainting and acting indignant held views or made comments that, in retrospect, were short sighted or self serving when they were in college.

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allintime23

November 2nd, 2014 at 8:22 AM ^

Oh well. I imagine these players if any ever deserve a break. That's great that they stand by the system they came up in. Even though it's broken and has failed.

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Soulfire21

November 2nd, 2014 at 8:42 AM ^

I guess I don't understand the disdain for fans. Sorry that you're not playing good football that gets people excited to come to games and watch. Fix that and the attendance will balloon back up.

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Wendyk5

November 2nd, 2014 at 8:59 AM ^

I would imagine that it's tough as a player to separate yourself from any part of the program, even if it's not working. You have to buy in wholesale. So the criticism of Dave Brandon may feel personal - they are all a unit. If that is how all the players do feel, then that's one thing Hoke has been successful at. 

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Fuzzy Dunlop

November 2nd, 2014 at 9:02 AM ^

I can't take the whining from some members of our fan base.

"Oh no, athletes use a Harry Potter term to describe non-athletes who have less of a sense of the inner-workings of the athletic department!  I feel alienated by these statements by 20 year olds!  I'm a 34 year old insurance adjuster commenting on the Interwebs, and it is all about me!  Wah!"

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