Semi-OT: Buying Into the Tradition - Literally
Bear with me here...I am a life-long Michigan Fan who grew up in a family full of Ohio fans - and endured multiple attempts at Buckeye Brainwashing. Not sure how I did it, but I LIKED being different.
My son (8), has been a Michigan fan for as long as I can remember - despite my now ex-wife and all of HER family, as well as MY family being Bucknuts fans. Here recently, though, he is starting to waver a little bit for a couple different reasons:
(1) Product on Field - he's only 8, but gets depressed/upset when he sees a UM loss and doesn't understand why. He is worried about this weekend's game against Ohio and has been getting plenty of flak about it.
(2) Continued family pressure - his older sister is now an Ohio fan (/shudders) adding to the peer pressure
(3) Indoctrination at the schools - I live in Toledo, Ohio - a location that is predominantly Ohio friendly. Spirit drives, etc. at the schools are heavily Ohio influenced, with teachers even "rewarding" students who display loyalty to Ohio (seriously).
They recently had a food drive where you would collect non-perishable good and place them on the team of your choice. The Ohio side was OVERWHELMINGLY covered in foodstuffs, despite my son cleaning out my pantry (literally took in 40+ cans of stuff). He got upset and concerned and said something to the effect of: "Ohio wins in everything. And all my friends like Ohio."
I have tried to encourage him to be himself, but also love the fact he is a Michigan fan - but I feel he is on the fence seeing more and more Ohio dominance. I am looking for a unique way to bring the tradition of Michigan home to him - and help make him a life-long UM fan too. We were supposed to go to UTL-II this year, but an unfortunate death in the family prevented that. Outside of taking him to a game and buying him all the gear he could want - I am struggling to "keep him in the fold".
I know, I know...TL;DR - but for those who did - any ideas on how to help encourage his faith and love of UM? Maybe a unique experience or gift idea for the holidays?
Thanks in advance.
November 25th, 2013 at 1:20 PM ^
jus tell him honesty: michigan will be good next year (or after that one more). we dont have experience at positions, so wins are tough. we dont haave big time recruitin like MSU or iowa hawks so cant hang just yet, but when recruits become senior, then we win. not fair that iowa and spartany always have all senior, but we always have ALL FRESHMANS! probably kirt and dantornado are cheatin. and steroids.
November 25th, 2013 at 1:21 PM ^
Even after all of the cheating 58-44-6
They would have to win every single year until 2026 to tie.
And yes I've already given them this year...
November 26th, 2013 at 12:41 PM ^
So count in the next 10 years of Urban and they are almost there.
November 25th, 2013 at 1:34 PM ^
Have you taken him to the campus? I think seeing where all of the traditions began adds a dimension to fandom that you can't necessarily get from television and/or gear per se. Perhaps a walk around the stadium or even the other campuses in Ann Arbor might drive home why Michigan is a special place. Check out the times on the Sports Museum and perhaps visit that for good measure and see the evolution and history of Michigan football up close. We love the football, but there is so much more to treasure about the institution.
November 25th, 2013 at 1:44 PM ^
November 25th, 2013 at 1:47 PM ^
were on campus for a UM Little Victors camp thing a few years ago (he was 5 I believe). Might be time to take him back! Thanks for the idea!
November 25th, 2013 at 1:55 PM ^
Go to a cupcake game or two. The pomp and circumstance of a game plus a Michigan win should be helpful for impressionable young minds. Sort of hate to say it this way but he probably won't know the difference between a biggish Penn State kind of game and a Purdue type. Perhaps you can find a meet-the-players event of some kind, any kind, and let him meet some of his favorites.
Also, perhaps some history DVDs. When I was younger two of my favorite things in the whole house were our "Schembechler Years" tape and our Michigan-OSU history tape. Damn near wore them out.
November 25th, 2013 at 1:35 PM ^
Show him highlights from '97. Show him Tom Brady highlights at Michigan then in the 3 superbowls he won. For me just watching Tom Brady play football is a connection to my youth. He is the first football player that I grew an attachment too beyond just cheering for at UM. And for God's sake get that boy to a game. Tickets next year might be easy to come by.
November 25th, 2013 at 1:42 PM ^
And youtube classic Michigan sports moments. Buy him books / video's about the overall history of the team. And ultimately, watch the games with him and try to explain to him how special Michigan is. That goes a long way for young kids.
November 25th, 2013 at 1:46 PM ^
Dad went to Michigan...so had that going for me...but grew up in Toledo surrounded by Buckeye friends and know exactly what its like fighting that battle. As a young kid, a Michigan jersey and a trip to The Big House can go an awful long way. As you get older, there's something nice about making your own decisions and not just going with the same team everyone else did. Plus, that winged helmet and the Maize and Blue of Michigan are just night and day better than the colors of that school down south. And mascots...you can be a Wolverine or root for Brutus the giant nut.
The good thing about Toledo is that it has the best mix of Wolverine fans in the state of ohio...if you go to the mall you'll see a good number of Michigan fans...and a young kid in a jersey will get his fair share of Go Blue exclamations...might cheer him up. But nothing will do it like the first time he watches a Michigan win in The Game...hopefully someday soon!
November 25th, 2013 at 1:54 PM ^
I was really disappointed about UTL-II. I, myself, had never been to a UM night game but knew the electricity and excitement would just pour over him...maybe next year we can get to a game.
He wants a new jersey so that's probably on the list this Xmas - but not sure what number to get him. He has two Denard jerseys - one from when he was 5 and one from last year since he's grown. I was an OL in College so want a Lewan one - but he will be gone...so torn on who is next. Devin is probably the best bet - but again he'll be gone after a year...but I suppose my son will be growing out of it anyways. LOL
November 25th, 2013 at 2:01 PM ^
Could always get one from Mden with his last name and favorite number on it. That would be pretty cool for a young kid to have. Otherwise you are stuck with generic #12, #98, #21, etc.
November 25th, 2013 at 2:13 PM ^
a great idea. I know he likes to identify with specific players (he's always Denard in NCAA14) - but having one that is made for him might be more special!
November 25th, 2013 at 2:06 PM ^
Tell him to man up (as much as an 8 year old can) and be a real fan. It's easy for anyone to follow the crowd, be fairweather, and go with the team that's winning. True fans stick with their teams through the good and the bad.
November 25th, 2013 at 2:08 PM ^
Despite last night's loss, this should still be an exciting basketball season. I'm sure he'd enjoy seeing a game at Crisler.
November 25th, 2013 at 2:12 PM ^
as much as I would like. He's like I was growing up - all I cared about was football. Baseball, Basketball, Hockey...all just on the wayside until playoffs/tournaments. I'll work on that though...good point!
November 25th, 2013 at 2:20 PM ^
Seeing a game live could definitely help get him hooked!
November 25th, 2013 at 2:20 PM ^
...are fairweather. In the late '80s and early '90s, when we pwned them (including a 31-3 whooping in '91--"Helloooooo Heisman!"--that wasn't even that close), Toledo had a decidely maize and blue stamp on it, and Cleveland was about 30% Michigan fans.
Tell him that he has integrity for staying true, and that's what really makes a Michigan Man.
Show him some edited posts of Ohio fans' reactions when Kalis flipped a couple years ago. Compare those to the reactions about Hand. Then ask him, "Who you want to be associated with?"
November 25th, 2013 at 2:42 PM ^
I'd say a quick Google Image search for 'OSU fans' should solve your problem.
November 25th, 2013 at 3:27 PM ^
show him Kate Upton
November 25th, 2013 at 3:42 PM ^
may well be the magic elixir you seek.
November 25th, 2013 at 3:59 PM ^
Go to hockey. The atmosphere is great, the students are wound up and Michigan is doing pretty well this year. The tix aren't as expensive this year (I think only $20 for Friday's game against Ohio in the Big Ten opener). Any book reports or biographies that he has to do, make them Michigan centric. We just finished a bio on Tom Brady, including a Lego mosaic of TB playing in Michigan Stadium.
November 25th, 2013 at 4:14 PM ^
very cool! Would love to see the Lego mosaic...my son is WAAAAY into Legos. Maybe we could work on it as a project!
November 25th, 2013 at 7:56 PM ^
it's called PicToBrick. You can take any picture, you set the size and it converts your pic to legos. Now, you may not have all the variations of blue or yellow or red that it says you need, so you can just wing it and use the same blue all over for the jersey, but it will look better if you have more variety of colors. The app even tells you how many of each color and size you need, so you could go buy all the specific bricks. I will have to get a pic of our (4th grade level) mosiac to post. My son had a lot of fun doing it.
November 26th, 2013 at 1:12 PM ^
It's an iPhone app. Trying to find an equivalent for my Droid and his Nexus (also on Jellybean OS).
Thanks though!
November 25th, 2013 at 4:21 PM ^
I grew up a Michigan fan in Ohio too. Granted, those were the Cooper years so we had the upper hand. My fandom came from my dad taking me to at least one Michgian home game every year. It was THE event of the fall for me as a kid. We would arrive in Ann Arbor early Saturday to get good parking near the stadium, walk downtown go to Steve and Barry's, go to my uncle's tailgate, watch the Marching Band march to the stadium, go to the game early for the band pre-game show, get a pop during the game so we could have the plastic take-home cup with the schedule on it, and drive back home listening to the post-game radio. Kids don't need lots of swag, I was perfectly content to have my cup and a t-shirt.
There is nothing like a football game-day experience to build fandom, but since you are in Toledo, you could easily come up for a hockey game, baseball game, soccer game..etc. Show him there is more to Michigan than just football (I know, crazy, right?). If your child is athletic, you could also see if there are any summer sports camps he could attend as he gets older. I came to the summer swim camp and stayed in West Quad for a week in middle school and high school. That was a great way to see Ann Arbor in the summer and get to know the town and school better. You could also come up and see some of the student plays and shows if that's your thing as well. There is also the exhibits at the Natural History Museum. Good luck!
November 25th, 2013 at 4:45 PM ^
I am all for getting him to a game - this year just didn't work out...and last year I felt 7 was probably a little young to keep him entranced throughout...
We are already on the mailing list for the Football Camp which starts with kids going into 3rd grade. That is definitely on the To Do list!
November 25th, 2013 at 5:45 PM ^
...would be to take advantage of Michigan's present mediocrity and try to de-emphasize the importance of winning & losing. They're just football games and if you have a well-rounded life then the game-day results should not define a person.
Granted, that approach hardly inspires passion but even an indifferent Michigan fan is better than letting him turn into another Buckeye meathead.
Oh, and also I'd go with #1 as a jersey number. It's a bit risky banking on any current player and fortunately nobody presently has the #1 despite it's great history.
November 25th, 2013 at 6:50 PM ^
Live in Temperance and the only Michigan fan in the whole family. I wouldn't push anything. Go to games if you can, do the kid friendly thing and let the chips fall.
November 25th, 2013 at 9:00 PM ^
I agree with all the advice here - very good advice...
...and you probably won't like my advice much, but:
I'm not sure how hard you should push him. I live in Korea and my family is diehard Blue (and even Lions). My extended family if from Ohio. I know my 12 year old has struggled with the Lions thing - and I've encouraged him to like whatever he likes. But I've felt bad bringing him up in the last five years of UM football. Basketball, my son's real love, has been my ticket in. But that is a recent thing, and the previous few years we've had the same conversations you have had with your son.
I think you should do what has been recommeneded. But ALSO, let him know that you'll have that connection with him no matter where he lands with his fandom. I think it can be stressful for the child to meet your parent's level of fandom. If you give him that freedom, no stress, but also the joys in it, he's more likely to embrace it for real himself.
November 26th, 2013 at 11:21 AM ^
him away from this site after a loss, especially a poor offensive performance loss. These cry babies in here will make anyone reconsider thier fandome. Christ, the critics in here could turn him into a Lions fan which is...... Well you should know, there's no need to put him through a lifetime of that, that could be considered borderline child abuse. But seriously I personally love the hockey idea, its cheap er cheaper and then he can learn that it takes more than a great football team to be a world class university.
November 26th, 2013 at 7:25 PM ^
Take him to a game at Yost. Better atmosphere, currently performing better, and cheaper. Somehow show him that Michigan fans are generally a better bunch. Also, it's better to be a Wolverine and lose than be a buckeye. ever.