Student section

and get your ass to the game

I was at the game today. There was literally zero difference in the amount of students compared to years past.

This is turning into 2012's official, "Thing we blow up into a much bigger deal than it really is because we have nothing better to bitch about."

I'd come back with we'll show up early as soon as you guys stay for the whole game. Looked to me like the students who did come stayed until the end. The rest of the stadium ... not so much.

I'm not exactly sure what people are trying to do by posting about this on the board. You're preaching to the choir here. It's not like Dave Brandon or anyone who matters in the athletic department is going to read this topic and change it.

I'd agree that it's kind of a problem but I feel like we should stick to talking about football rather than attendance.

Somehow the thread is broken online, so posting from the app. I have defended the students before, but I won't here. I agree that more should have shown up today for the senior day activities. Here are some more potential solutions that are not kneejerk reactions like taking seats away from students: As I said before, make the pregame more exciting. I don't know what exactly to do, but the students are obviously not impressed by the same thing. Do something special, and get the word out about it. I expect Charles Woodson back next year to make a #2 legends patch, so that might be a good way to start. The students, especially the younger ones, need to make arriving on time (early) a habit. General Admission might do this over time, but I'm not sure if the university is totally comfortable with creating a Paternoville kind of camp out situation. Also, it can get messy as even more people try to squeeze close (even dangerous--lots of potential for a crush). And the top rows will still probably look empty. But the AD should really engage the students directly. Talk to the frat councils and encourage them to turn off the music and kick everyone out an hour before kickoff. Give away pizza at the student gates. Try anything and everything. I have some more, but I'll save it for the next time we have this discussion.

All the students fault, kick me out so our 50+ crowd can continue to sit on their hands all game without so much as a damn golf clap. I get it, you aren't happy with the student section attendance, do we need to make a thread after every game about it? No.

I sat in the opposite end zone and my group watched the student section all game.  It never came close to getting filled.

Also, as a side note, I wish to personally flay the idiot responsible for pom-pom day.  The behemoth in front of me (hope he paid for 2 or 3 tickets!) could not rise out of his seat.  But, he certainly could fling his pom-poms backwards with enviable vigor.  The six-year old next to me got the bright idea to tie two together to create a pom-pom baton that he twirled for 3 joy-filled hours.  By the end of the second quarter, I was praying for "Glock at the half"

I'm sorry but the students have earned the right to do what they want.  As a recent graduate who went to every game, if some students want to study, get drunk, or watch a better game on TV that is their decision.  You may disagree but going to THE SCHOOL gives you a right to go YOUR SCHOOL'S games.  The tickets are already paid for so UofM is still making the money.

I propose a system that is similar to Penn State and Wisconsin where all upperclassmen are garunteed tickets and then there is a lottery for freshman and sophmores.  This would screw over a lot of deserving fans and the kids who go to Dearborn and Flint.