Shitty Michigan Fans

Submitted by bouje on

I'm sick of this shit. I'm sick of these so-called "fans" who give up on teams who can only see the "trees but not the forest".

(website redacted so that he doesn't get the hits but it's a blog about tailgating Michigan style.)

My friend (for some unknown reason) reads this rag and I just want to call this guy out. Was this written by a Spartan?

Honestly if you're so "sick of this shit" leave. Forget about Michigan sports. We don't need you but frankly it's people like you that are not helping out the situation.

In sum: You can't polish a turd and you sir are the turd.

Tacopants

March 7th, 2010 at 10:31 PM ^

Well, you probably just made his day by giving him 5000x the traffic he normally gets.

I think you can safely assume he's the internet version of an uncensored Mike Valenti. It's one thing to read a dissenting opinion, its another thing to willingly read trash.

Zone Left

March 7th, 2010 at 10:38 PM ^

The angst meter is at its highest level since Shawn Conway committed. Does a loss by the seventh place team in the Big 10 to the conference champs change anything?

MaizeNBlue

March 7th, 2010 at 11:07 PM ^

Naturally, people are going to complain when things suck.... doesn't mean they're not a fan. I bitched the whole drive back to AA while listening to the awful Spartan Radio Network so I could catch the game.

It was a looooooooooong drive...

mtzlblk

March 7th, 2010 at 11:51 PM ^

In a nutshell....what I see from that type of fan:

I have followed M sports for a while and, more or less, they have always been a winning program and I have enjoyed that a lot over the years. the programs I have followed have always provided me with a bucket of WIN that was lacking in my own life and my identity is is unhealthily attached to the success of the program. Now, the moment that program starts to go through a rebuilding process and modernize, they are not giving me enough win and I am having an identity crisis. Naturally, my reation to this is not to back the program that has provided for me, rather I can only see what is directly in front of me and and I am going to puke and mewl about not getting enough W to satisfy. I am going to cower at the thought of opposing fans saying mean things to me. I am going to whine, questions every recruit and every decision made by the coaches until they start winning and crucify them for every misstep. the program doesn't matter, it is me that matters. I will be a 'rea' fan again once they start giving me my W's.

Analogy: exactly like a corpulent, petulant, spoiled little child who has always been allowed to eat whatever they want who suddenly needs to go on a diet and, like Augustus Gloop who can't wait for his calories, sticks his face in the chocolate river and gets his just desserts. I only wish the fair-weather fans would suffer the same fate and end

The sad part is that the moment the program starts to take care of business again and then surpasses the previous 8-9-10 win seasons and starts seriously challenging for MNCs on a regular basis (we didn't before, face it), those people will all jump right back on the badnwagon and act like they were aboard the whole time, even though they boo'ed a bunch of young players giving it their all in the first year under a new coach. Shameful to call themselves fans.

blueheron

March 8th, 2010 at 4:09 AM ^

"... starts seriously challenging for MNCs on a regular basis (we didn't before, face it)..."

So true... few people seem to realize this.

It's not that a long string of 9-3 is bad. It's very good. It's fair to say that the bowl streak of 30+ years is great. But, in the days of the Schembechler regime the BoMoCarr crew won exactly one game with national championship implications. They lost a bunch more (mostly in the Bo years).

Search4Meaning

March 8th, 2010 at 10:58 AM ^

When someone chooses to live their life vicariously through something else.

None of us like what Michigan is going through. Its brutal. I can understand the need to vent - but enough already!

Get a life! Remain a M fan, but GET A LIFE!

Now is the truest test of our loyalty.

Remember these so called "fans" for what they are...

Go Blue!

Brick

March 7th, 2010 at 11:56 PM ^

Don't let it get to you. Just keep cheering for our teams and showing support.

Some people need to blame someone (usually the coach) every time a team loses. I feel sorry for them.

bcsblue

March 8th, 2010 at 12:22 AM ^

This is the same as football season. People watch a game and freak out for 24 hours. I mean really. Did you think this team was going to win. You basically know what both the football and basketball teams are. We have read and determined what the flaws of the teams are. Everyone knows the football and basketball programs need older/more experienced/better players.

So I dont know what watching 1 game and freaking out accomplishes. Look, these teams will get better over time. If they dont the coaches will be let go after it is obvious the program is not moving consistently in the right direction. END of story. Dont freak out after every game bec this is UNACCEPTABLE and the coach needs to be fired.

A2MIKE

March 8th, 2010 at 12:18 AM ^

its ok to be upset. Hell, I would even say that it is good to be upset. It means you care. Just because you handle upsetting moments differently than someone else does not make them a shitty fan. Everyone here for the most part wants this team to succeed. I agree that it is annoying to read 2340958 posts on John Beilein's coaching abilities, but replying that everyone that questions anything Michigan or writes a dissenting opinion is blasphemous is not going to help. Everyone handles grief differently, that doesn't make everyone bad fans.

bouje

March 8th, 2010 at 12:39 AM ^

"So if you’re keeping score at home…

…haven’t defeated Michigan State in hoops or football since 2007

…can’t beat OSU in football, last win in 2003

…won’t make NIT after making NCAA tournament last year and only graduating walk-ons

…three Big Ten wins in 2 years in football

You can’t polish a turd. Happy Monday."

Calling our football and basketball programs (essentially the AD and all that Michigan stands for in athletics) a turd is hardly a dissenting opinion. And yes it does make the "well respected blogger" a shitty fan.

clarkiefromcanada

March 8th, 2010 at 12:28 AM ^

and being a whiny little btch.

We've never faced difficult times like these at Michigan in most of our lifetimes (I suspect there is some 90 year old MGoBlog reader out there who could comment on the Bump era) but there are choices on how to play it out. We can deal with it, speak respectfully if firmly about our dissatisfactions in football/basketball, support one another and act in the tradition of true Michigan men and women. Or we can lose our wits and complain like children, post a million and one speculative "what if" type topics, type ALL CAPS about how THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE and bitch like hell about the perceived flaws of exceptional 18 year old student athletes...three star mafia style. How Spartan.

It's a pretty easy choice.

Dark Blue

March 8th, 2010 at 12:54 AM ^

make me either want to laugh or puke. When everything is going good we know for sure that our shit does not stink. However at the first sign of adversity we immediately pull the pin on the grenade and then stand there bitching about it until it blows up. I love the University of Michigan, my life revolves around their athletics, but for gods sake lets all take a deep breath and relax a little bit. It's probably not the end of the world to have a couple of down years(or 15 if we're talking about our hoops team) Every team in the history of college athletics has had a down period, but you know what, most of the true powerhouse programs bounced back.

VictorsValiant09

March 8th, 2010 at 2:01 AM ^

So what you're saying is: it's not right to question our University?

I support Michigan Athletics, and I love the University more than anything, but NOT questioning it is also wrong.

The backbone of a college education teaches you to not simply go with the norm, but to see diverse viewpoints and form your own opinion. At least, that is how I see it.

Of course, I do agree though: there's a difference between a well-reasoned critique and pure noise. I'll back up my assertions before I complain haphazardly.

bouje

March 8th, 2010 at 8:02 AM ^

And it is that anyone that says this about the football and basketball programs "you can't polish a turd" is an idiot.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't question. I'm not saying that we shouldn't say "well maybe Beilein isn't the guy and maybe Rich isn't the guy and maybe these West Virginers aren't going to work out". But turds? Seriously?

This also from a guy who after the USA lost had a post about how Ryan Miller was a Sparty sieve and how he sucks and how he lost USA the gold. Ya know what I don't give a shit where you went to school if you are playing for the USA in the Olympics I want you to do well and I will wish no ill will toward anyone ESPECIALLY someone who stood on their head most of the Olympics.

Anyone that bashed Ryan Miller after the Gold Medal Game should be ashamed of themselves.

saveferris

March 8th, 2010 at 8:50 AM ^

Sounds like this guy took the "Drew Sharpe Correspondence Course for Journalism". Anybody who would call Ryan Miller a sieve after that Olympic performance clearly can't write, is not interested in fair reporting, and is just fishing for site traffic; the idiots version of getting your stuff read.

MGoShoe

March 8th, 2010 at 8:55 AM ^

...after the gold medal game has no credibility in sports commentary. This thing we do when we extend our distaste for certain athletes from their college to pro careers is pretty silly. It's a mental trap to avoid.

Tater

March 8th, 2010 at 7:09 AM ^

These are hard times, but both programs are headed in the right direction, and the coaches deserve a chance to prove it. The football and basketball teams spend their seasons as middleweights trying to fight in the heavyweight division. The football team was small because they were so young, and the basketball team was small because nobody over a 6-9 with two healthy legs and legit "big man" skills seems to want to come to Michigan right now.

RR's personnel are in place now, and this should be a "quantum leap" year for the football team. JB needs to find at least one legit big guy now, or the best we can hope for in the next few years is to be like the Butler team of a few years ago that had four seniors who could fill it up.

At any rate, all the last few years proves is that even UM isn't immune to occasional down years. It doesn't erase the football team's all-time victories record, nor does it mean that the basketball team is doomed to MAC-type performance for the remainder of time. And it doesn't mean either coach should be fired.

We all have opinions on this, and are all entitled to voice them as we see fit, but it would be nice to see the UM fan community support both of their coaches and their respective programs. Recruits read the internet, too, and I would imagine that most would like to see a fanbase that is loyal to whatever team they are considering.

It would be sad to lose a good recruit to OSU or MSU and then hear him say it was because of the negativity of UM fans. Hopefully, that will never happen here.

Giff4484

March 8th, 2010 at 8:34 AM ^

and over everyday on the internet and on TV and Radio /Newspaper etc. Its frustrating for all us, but the thing you have to ask yourself is are you a real Michigan fan or someone who just jumped on the bandwagon during the FAB 5 days or because Michigan has a cool color scheme?

Losing sucks we have never gone through something like this and if you don't like Coach Rod or Coach B so be it. But remember these are 18 to 22 year old kids busting their butts at Michigan to make it better. So before some of these people blow up and take shots remember you are hurting Michigan more with the words then helping it.

Go Blue!

Stymie2000

March 8th, 2010 at 9:25 AM ^

Remember though that kids on other teams should be given the same respect as well. Rip on Izzo or the other coaches but if a kid is a clean player (i.e. not a thug) give him the respect he deserves even if he is on the other side of the ball. Many peoplpe said some pretty bad things about good hardworking spartan players after the lose yesterday. It's not right.

saveferris

March 8th, 2010 at 9:16 AM ^

This is an unprecedented time for Michigan athletics. The last time so many of our marquee teams were struggling, TV was broadcast in black and white and didn't show Michigan games each and every weekend, computers could barely fit inside a room, nevermind on top of your desk, and the internet wasn't even a glimmer in Al Gore's mind. Point being that Michigan fans have had to suffer through lean times before, but those lean times never had it thrown in our face each and every day.

I'd always assumed a time like this would come and we as a fanbase would acquit ourselves well because we're not Sparty or the Buckeyes. I always assumed we as fans were made of sterner stuff. It's disappointing that we as a fanbase haven't shown more grit in this trying time.

bouje

March 8th, 2010 at 9:27 AM ^

There are 2 basic primal human emotions that everyone has.

1. Greed. We were greedy when all of our programs were doing well, were going to Frozen Fours, Rose Bowls, etc. We were greedy for wanting to compete for National Titles every year.

2. Fear. We are fearful now in the (I'm sure it will be called this) "Dark Ages" of Michigan Sports. This is our Financial Crisis, our Stock Market crash. The only question is are you going to add fuel to the fire and make things worse? Or are you going to be someone with a calmer head that will say "It's okay things will get better".

So while I too hoped that Michigan fans would act "better" than other fans who go through this experience it's like trying to tell someone not to gawk at a traffic accident or gather around a burning building. It's just human nature to be scared when things aren't going your way.

los barcos

March 8th, 2010 at 10:11 AM ^

once again, all anger and hot air and no substance. what the hell are you talking about?

fuel to the fire? you do realize this is a message board blog? no one here is a figurehead for the university in any way shape or form, not even brian. we have no say with university athletics and our assaults on the program, if you can even call them that, dont show up in the sports page of the freep (like say, morgan trent's).

we're not in any official capacity with the university nor are we intimately associated with the football/basketball program. "fuel to the fire"? i would say slow roasting coals to a grill.

bouje

March 8th, 2010 at 10:37 AM ^

I know that you were the one who was gang-negging me for everything that I said in this thread which is fucking pathetic.

But that's besides the point. If you dont think that cohesive-ness of a fan base is important and for everyone to be on the same page then I honestly have no idea what to tell you.

If you don't think that someone in the blog-o-sphere spouting this shit is conducive then I don't know what to tell you. But I'm pretty sure that any REAL "Michigan Man" would not be calling the football and basketball programs "Turds".

If you don't see a problem with that then I can't help you but I take offense to that. I take offense in ANYONE calling ANY of the Michigan Athletic teams turds because these are kids busting their ass. And when you call the program a turd you are saying the same thing to those kids and frankly they deserve better than that.

los barcos

March 8th, 2010 at 11:02 AM ^

i wasnt gang negging you, you do a pretty good job angering the mgoblog community on your own.

cohesiveness is important, yet the idea that everyone has to be on the same page, or even feasibly can be on the same page is very naive. michigan is the largest fan base in the country; there will always be outliers and disgruntled fans no matter what (much like you calling for lloyd's head during his coaching tenure).

and as far as your misdirected anger, i didnt write the "turd" comment. if you were so unhappy with the umtailgate post, why come on here venting. you spout "cohesiveness" yet your attitude is often one of the most divisive on this blog.

bouje

March 8th, 2010 at 11:22 AM ^

There were MANY posts after the lost to State that were inexcusable (I'm just assuming I didn't even read those "DEATH" threads).

I just went to one of the threads and dude compared the MSU loss this year to APP STATE? Seriously?

And of course there will always be people calling for the coaches head and I will still stick by my guns and say that in 2005 when I wrote my letters to the editor and surprisingly everything that I wanted to happen happened.

1. We went outside the program
2. We changed our offense
3. Lloyd became Assistant AD

And I bet that you'll say "and look at what happened OMG!". And to that I'll say "And what do you think would have happened if we hired Debord or English? Would we have gone win-less? No one has any idea what would have happened and we can only assign probabilities to what we think would have happened. But I will state with a 99.9999999999% probability that no coach in the "Michigan Tree" of coaches could have taken the previous 2 teams to winning records.

los barcos

March 8th, 2010 at 11:32 AM ^

was your cohesiveness in 2005 bouje? how did you incorporate your abe lincoln quote when you were calling for lloyds head?

i fail to see the difference between people disappointed in richrod and you disappointed in lloyd. yet, here you are preaching a holier than thou attitude "i support the coach and administration no matter what and anyone who doesnt is a dissenter adding fuel to the fire"

bouje

March 8th, 2010 at 11:43 AM ^

10 years in 2005? How were things going to change? He had his chance to make his mark on the program and did by winning a "NT" in 1997. But his teams always under-achieved and started the spiral of losing to OSU that we are currently in.

Since 2001 we have won 1 game against OSU. Since at least 2003 we hadn't gotten out of September without a loss (except for 2006 and last year).

I don't see how that you don't see the difference between wanting someone out of the program after being there for 10 years and someone being there for 2. You're comparing apples and aardvarks man.

Bando Calrissian

March 8th, 2010 at 12:07 PM ^

What more did the people calling for Lloyd's head in 2005 want him to do? It was ONE bad season.

2005 was the first season since 1995 that we went to a non-January 1 bowl game (and by rights we should have been in the Outback Bowl anyway, extending the streak, but that's another story). We had won two consecutive conference titles. Our program was being represented well in the public eye, we were doing things the right way, we had one bad season, and people like you were flying off the handle because you thought Michigan was spiraling down the toilet.

Give me a break. The kind of character assassination Lloyd Carr has undergone in the last year is sickening for a person who spent his professional career pouring his heart and soul into Michigan Athletics. Yet it's no different than when he was coach-- he was never doing enough to satisfy the masses. And that attitude continues.

bouje

March 8th, 2010 at 1:48 PM ^

Seriously that's a softball man. You have Conan O'Brien as your avatar saying "I'm with CoCo". He was on the tonight show for what 6-9 months? I figured that you'd be a Leno fan.

(Full disclosure I am also with CoCo I just thought that this was incredibly ironic and everything that you said is wrong.)