U-M release on "fan initiatives" at Big House, traffic info

Submitted by Raoul on

Some of the items have been covered here previously, including the upgraded cell service and the new broadcasting crew, but this press release has details on various "fan initiatives" for the 2014 football season at the Big House, including delay-free radio and new food items. There's also info on traffic for tomorrow—note that "all lanes on Ann Arbor-Saline Road north of the bridge over I-94 and all freeway entrance and exit ramps to I-94 should be open to traffic. The single lane closure on Ann Arbor-Saline Road south of I-94 may create minor delays in the area." Here's the full release:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- With game day less than 48 hours away, the University of Michigan Athletic Department wants to provide fans with some of the new initiatives expected for the 2014 football season at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines will kick off the 135th season of gridiron action on Saturday (Aug. 30) against Appalachian State at noon EDT.

The gates to Michigan Stadium will open at 10 a.m., with the team expected to begin taking the field at 10:55 a.m. for warm-ups. The Michigan Marching Band will perform its pregame routine starting around 11:45 a.m., with the 2014 Wolverines taking the field under the "Go Blue" banner just prior to noon.

A limited number of tickets including unique ticket packs remain for the season opener with Appalachian State. Fans can purchase tickets online at MGoBlue.com/tickets.

Following are some of the key initiatives that fans can expect at Michigan Stadium in 2014:

Cell Service

Athletics in partnership with University of Michigan Information and Technology Services is testing upgraded cellular coverage at Michigan Stadium for Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility. [ More Information ]

  • U-M started a major upgrade to the distributed antenna system (DAS) at Michigan Stadium.
  • The current DAS project integrator is ExteNet Systems, which is constructing the systems for cellular providers Verizon and AT&T.
  • The Verizon infrastructure improvement is up and running, while there will be a temporary solution in place for AT&T customers. This temporary structure for AT&T is currently visible from both the east and west towers.
  • The cellular improvements are being funded by the cellular carriers through their respective agreements with ExteNet.

Delay-Free Radio

Fans can listen to the flagship radio broadcast featuring Jim Brandstatter and Dan Dierdorf without delay inside Michigan Stadium thanks to a partnership between WTKA Radio and the Michigan/IMG Radio Network. WTKA's AM 1050 in Ann Arbor will be airing Michigan football games without delay during the 2014 season, meaning fans can bring a radio to the games and hear the commentary in virtual real time as the play unfolds before their eyes. [ More Information ]

New Food Options from Sodexo

Sodexo, the official concessionaire of Michigan Athletics, will have more than 100 new items for fans to enjoy at different locations throughout the Big House. Some of the highlights around the general concessions are:

  • Gourmet mac and cheese with brisket, Buffalo chicken or broccoli mix-ins
  • Chili and cornbread
  • Chopsticks Asian noodle stand featuring stir fried noodles and vegetarian offerings
  • Big C's BBQ with smoked pulled pork, ribs, brisket and all the sides
  • Fruit smoothies
  • Enhanced gluten free stand with chicken chickpea salad and Udi's snacks
  • Additionally, take the top of your popped maize popcorn box to the Michigan Ticket Office or Crisler Center to redeem two free tickets to any 2014-15 women's basketball game (not including the Michigan State at Michigan game)

Pregame Tailgate Show Featuring Doug Karsch and Jon Jansen

A new pregame tailgate show featuring Doug Karsch and former Wolverine captain and NFL veteran Jon Jansen take place on the corner of Stadium Boulevard and Main Street. The tandem will anchor the tailgate show from Pioneer High School starting two-and-half hours before kickoff. Karsch and Jansen will provide fans with a new college football-centric broadcast that includes appearances from director of athletics Dave Brandon, former Michigan football coaches and players as well as members of the media.

A New Team in the Michigan/IMG Radio Booth

College and NFL Hall of Fame player and broadcaster Dan Dierdorf is joining Jim Brandstatter in the radio booth for broadcasts on the Michigan IMG Radio Network this season. Brandstatter begins his first year as the play-by-play announcer on the flagship broadcast after serving as the team's color commentator for the past 34 years. Dierdorf will provide analysis for the broadcast heard on WWJ-AM (950) in Detroit, the flagship station for Michigan football. Karsch will continue as the team's sideline announcer and Jansen will provide halftime and postgame radio commentary.

Towsley Museum at Schembechler Hall Open to Fans Prior to Games

The newly renovated Towsley Football Museum at Schembechler Hall will be open to the public on football game days. Admission is free. Following is the schedule for each of the three potential game times:

  • Noon kickoff -- 8-10 a.m.
  • 3:30 p.m. kickoff -- 8 a.m. to noon
  • 7 p.m. kickoff -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Traffic Information for Saturday's Game

It is expected that all lanes on Ann Arbor-Saline Road north of the bridge over I-94 and all freeway entrance and exit ramps to I-94 should be open to traffic. The single lane closure on Ann Arbor-Saline Road south of I-94 may create minor delays in the area. In addition, the eastbound I-94 exit ramp 172 to Jackson Avenue should be open by Saturday; however, there will continue to be a single lane closure on Jackson Avenue (I-94BL) at Maple/Stadium which is likely to cause some backups. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Road and Lane Closures link at www.a2gov.org.

TuneIn Radio

TuneIn, the world's largest audio network, and the Michigan/IMG Radio Network have joined forces to create a groundbreaking broadcast partnership in which TuneIn will carry every play-by-play broadcast of Michigan football this season. Fans can simply search "college football" on the free TuneIn Radio app or visit TuneIn.com/collegefootball for a complete list of their team's games. TuneIn is available on more than 200 platforms, including smartphones, tablets, vehicles and gaming consoles.

Welcoming Our Wolverines (W.O.W.) Fridays

Michigan Athletics welcomes fans and visitors to Ann Arbor and Michigan Stadium on Fridays prior to home football games by providing an opportunity for them to purchase official game programs, take their picture with one of the well-known landmarks at Michigan Stadium, and ask any question they may have prior to game day. Guest Services team members are available outside Gate 10 (corner of East Keech Avenue and Greene Street) and the Northeast Entry of Crisler Center from noon to 5:30 p.m. this Friday (Aug. 29). Please email any questions about W.O.W. Fridays to [email protected].

Tours of Crisler Center and Portions of Michigan Stadium

Sixty-minute tours of Crisler Center and select areas of Michigan Stadium are available on Fridays prior to home football games for a fee of $10 per person. Tour tickets will be available for purchase at the Crisler Center Ticket Office located just inside the Northeast Entry beginning at 12:30 p.m., with tours beginning at 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The tours will begin in the Hall of Honor, travelling around the concourse of Crisler Center to the east side of Michigan Stadium. There will be an opportunity to have photos taken inside the stadium, and officially licensed University of Michigan souvenirs will be available at the M Den Store located on the northeast concourse of Crisler. For information on other guided tours of Michigan Stadium and Crisler Center, please visit MGgoBlue.com/specialevents/tours.html.

Hot Weather Expected for the Season Opener

With temperatures expected to be in the mid to high 80s on Saturday, we suggest that fans take precautions to ensure they stay hydrated and are well-prepared for the hot weather. To assist in this effort, there are several ways to find access to free water once inside the gates:

  • Courtesy cups of water can be found at any concession stand with soda dispensing capability as well as at any one of the Absopure tents located around the concourse
  • Numerous water fountains are available inside Michigan Stadium
  • New this year, there are five water bottle/cup filling stations in various locations throughout the concourse

Medical personnel will be on hand to help anyone who may need assistance.

Additional Resources for Fans Attending Saturday's Game

2014 Michigan Stadium Guide
Prohibited Items List
Traffic and Parking Information
Guests with a Disability

Wolverine Devotee

August 29th, 2014 at 1:37 PM ^

Has anyone been to the Fan Fest? 

I wonder why they don't have the food prices listed on MGoBlue?

Also, no Chobani? Cumong man. 

Hail-Storm

August 29th, 2014 at 1:47 PM ^

had trouble eating an Lemonade Icee crammed next to 100,000 other fans, I find some of these new food options to be difficult to consume while enjoying the game.  Maybe I am alone in thinking this though.

LSAClassOf2000

August 29th, 2014 at 2:10 PM ^

I had that same thought when I read that portion of the release. I am a huge fan of a good chili and some cornbread, having enjoyed it at some tailgates even, but unless there is some very unique way to package it all, it is hard for me to imagine trying to enjoy it while actually at your seat. I suppose I might test one of them for the hell of it anyway, but I do agree that some of the option sound a little stadium-unfriendly.....but they also sound rather good. 

HELLE

August 29th, 2014 at 2:12 PM ^

I've mentioned higher end food for years in my survey. I'm all in for some mac and brisket. Also, kids are going to be killing those smoothies at $12 a pop.

Wolverine Devotee

August 29th, 2014 at 2:17 PM ^

I spend $12 on two hot dogs and a bottled water, every game......I can only imagine what that fancy stuff is gonna cost.

My belief is that only the classics should be sold at sporting events. Hot dogs, popcorn, pizza, burgers, pop and beer (obviously not here). 

Although I did try the pulled pork at The Big House once and it was pretty good. 

ADSellers

August 29th, 2014 at 2:17 PM ^

How about more comfortable/roomy seating for fans? I mean we don't REALLY have a 110,000-seat stadium. We have a 90,000-seat stadium that we uncomfortably pack 110,000 people into so we can yell "HEY EVERYBODY!!! LOOK AT OUR ATTENDANCE!!!" There are about 20 other programs in the country that could do the same thing but choose not to since it would ruin the fan expereince. And its not like the AD is finding it easy to sell that many tickets anyway. 

Moonlight Graham

August 29th, 2014 at 2:49 PM ^

Nobody talks about Michigan Stadium's true capacity. Second rule of Michigan Stadium's capacity: Nobody talks about the actual attendance. 

But seriously, really?? I'm not sure if  you're a huge fan or a fair-weather fan but your complaint is pretty lame. The Big House is sacred and a crowd of 90,000 comfortably distributed across the bleachers with a couple more inches of wiggle room just wouldn't be the same. It's a Sports Destination like Augusta National and Churchill Downs. The combination of the simple elegant bowl architecture, the lack of advertising and the MASSIVE crowd is what makes it unique and appealing. Take the attendance away and it's just (yawn) Notre Dame Stadium. Or the Rose Bowl post-renovation, which now is below 100k. 

And I don't think 20 other programs could do the same. Maybe those that are nipping at our heels with their expansions could try it (Texas, Alabama, Penn State, Tennessee) but whatever.

I can't wait to step into the stadium tomorrow to be part of the largest crowd watching a football game in America (although tomorrow in particular, I hope that is actually true). 

TheTeam2

August 29th, 2014 at 3:17 PM ^

I worked in a place that was run by Sodexo. They are the worst. Everyone is incompetent and in order to meet the "goals" they set they just let a bunch of people go and force the remaining employees to cover the slack. I dislike them intensely. 

charblue.

August 29th, 2014 at 3:24 PM ^

the gameday experience at Michigan Stadium, it looks like school officials have listened and are offering better food choices inside the stadium,  more accessible water fillups which fans need to stave off hydration issues during these hot early season games and improved media collaboration on radio broadcasts, a new tailgating show and even free visits to the Michigan football museum, which, for anyone who loves Michigan football lore (practically everyone, right?) is a great opportunity. 

I don't know what's not to like, Dierdorf doing color commentary, Jansen and Karsch doing a pregame tailgate, everyone able to hear no-delay radio play-by-play and you can tweet to Mgoblog during the game on the live blog. Plus you got all the regular Michigan traditions with the band playing before, during and after. And if you ever get a chance, take in the band at their building on Hoover. They are a great group of dedicated kids. 

Bando Calrissian

August 29th, 2014 at 3:39 PM ^

Heres the thing, though: Water bottle fillup stations are great, but you still have to buy a $4 bottle of water to refill. Why large outdoor concert venues will allow you to bring in sealed bottles of water or (gasp) empty Nalgene or other plastic water bottles to fill on site, and Michigan Stadium won't, is beyond me. What makes a 50,000 person music event different in terms of security than a 110,000 person sporting event?

Black Socks

August 29th, 2014 at 4:56 PM ^

Can I bring in a bottle of water?

Unless DB goes back to the impeccable 100+ year safety record of bringing sealed bottles in I'm out.  It appears a lot of others are as well.