Spring game at the Big House in '09
http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=897279
"It looks like we'll be able to get a spring game in Michigan Stadium April 11," he [Rodriguez] shared.
This should be awesome. I'm not expecting the spring game to reach SEC levels of hysteria where the stadiums are all sold out and there are lots of concerts and tailgating events, but still, should be cool to be able to go to the Big House and watch our Boys in Blue.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:23 PM ^
Just wondering how you get tickets to the spring game or do you even need tickets?? Never been to a spring game but really wanna get out there this year!
January 6th, 2009 at 4:36 PM ^
In recent years, the "spring game" at the Big House has been free. I think they used to charge back in the 80s.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:50 PM ^
It's free, and for whatever reason, attendance tends to not be all that great (usually in the 20K range).
January 6th, 2009 at 4:31 PM ^
I think it would be awesome if our Spring Game got to be huge. I remember watching Oklahoma's and Florida's spring games televised last year. I see no reason why we can't get a spring game that everyone wants to go to. We talk and read (obsess?) about this stuff all year and the spring game is our first break from M football hibernation. No reason that shouldn't be packed.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:34 PM ^
I happened to be in Happy Valley for their Blue/White game. Tickets were a bit expensive for a scrimmage (about $15 for upperdeck), but the place was packed as if it were a real game. They had full out tailgating and everything. It's basically treated like a spring homecoming on their campus.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:35 PM ^
I don't understand what the athletic department wouldn't want to make a huge deal out of it. It would be great for them from a promotions standpoint, and lots of fun for us.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:41 PM ^
I'd love to come to the spring game. I'm really interested in the QB situation at that time. Tate will have been there over 3 months. We'll see his progress as well as the new DC and whatever improvements he brings.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:47 PM ^
It's been freeeee for some time now. Afterwards, you get a chance to go on the field and get autographs, pics with some of the players and coaches. Great for the kids!
January 6th, 2009 at 4:59 PM ^
if they have a spring game at the big house I'll be making the trip from Chicago for it. I'd definitely treat this as a normal game with tailgating prior. I think part of the reason for low attendance may have been Carr's philosophy to make it a Spring Practice rather than a game (at least that is what I think he did). I think you would see an improvement in attendance if it turned into more of a game atmosphere than a practice.
January 6th, 2009 at 5:02 PM ^
spring game is fun. i kinda like that its low key. you can wander around the stadium and just casually enjoy the afternoon without feeling like you're at some deranged pep rally like osu has
January 6th, 2009 at 5:57 PM ^
It's all marketing. Like other things football, the Athletic Department's marketing staff takes a hands-off approach and does almost nothing to promote the major revenue sports (or what they do, they don't do well). Bill Martin should be out there looking for the next Don Canham to spread the word.
Certainly things may change some now in the Rodriguez era that just would never happen under Carr, but I just don't see the marketing department ever doing enough to make the Spring Game a true "event".
The other thing to consider is the weather, which is always an iffy proposition when you're talking about early to mid April in Michigan...I have a lifetime of memories of going to early season Tigers games that were absolutely frigid.
January 6th, 2009 at 7:13 PM ^
Don't know about you guys but I'm excited about this years team, the spring game would give us all a good idea how were gonna do this year, The way RR is bringing in speed like crazy with this class I know some of these kids will get on the field right away and make some plays. It's gonna be exciting to see how much better our O-line plays, gonna be "interesting" to see how Threet came along during the off season and it's gonna be REALLY interesting to see what Tater can do.
January 6th, 2009 at 7:15 PM ^
Last season, and I'm sure seasons prior to that, the weather was absolutely dreadful. You sit through freezing rain and sleet to watch the team practice, as opposed to a real scrimmage. Florida and Oklahoma aren't good comparisons with their 75 degree weather to watch a scrimmage. Fan Day in August is generally a big event, much bigger than the spring game has ever been.