What a 'Michigan Man is'
Here is a great article on Rivals by Chris Balas about what it is to be a 'Michigan Man' and how it is defined. I find it great to see how other people outside of Michigan look at the love, dedication, and pride this great university instills in its' Alumni. Sorry if this article is paywalled, but if you have access it is a great read. GO BLUE!
http://michigan.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=338&mid=154953281&sid=883&tid=154953281&style=1
As a non-alum, I like to consider myself a fringe Michigan Man. I know I don't have the degree to earn that title in a technical sense, but I feel like I represent myself and the university well when cheering on the Maize and Blue. I just was not quite smart enough to be admitted into the university coming out of high school, so I did the only logical thing: I attended WMU.
Did not help that I was an in-state student either.
we're grateful for YOUR love. Signed, the U
Miami is the U.
and apply it to a buncha schools, whaddya say?
I'm assuming that part of being a Michigan Man is knowing the proper usage of "its" and "it's," no?
Ah, there it is, the perfect ammunition for our rivals to say a true "Michigan Man" is an arrogant and condescending asshole.
Sincerely,
A "Michigan Man" who is simply just an asshole.
It's only arrogance if you're ultimately proven wrong. Otherwise, it's called confidence.
Sincerely,
Another Michigan Man (who agrees with enforcing the rules of grammar)
Yeah, he went back and tried to correct it, but unfortunately it's still wrong.
in some way affiliated with the University of Michigan at some point. Any other meaning is asinine and feeds into some of the worst aspects of how the school views itself (e.g., the notion that there's something unique about Michigan that only those with ties to the school can "get.")
Being loyal to Michigan football and all of the athletic programs is certainly a part of it, but like you said, there are many distinguishing features about the university itself that make Michigan a very special instiution.
All I can say is that after being a student there for four years, the experience really shapes you as a person...into what I like to think is a "Michigan Man." I can't explain exactly how, but being immersed in that community teaches you a great deal about yourself and others. It broadens your horizons and molds you into an individual of high character and integrity. Then it's the football aspect that really unites everybody and helps them embrace how special of a place Michigan is.
I don't think you need to have gone to the school or have been employed there to be considered a "Michigan Man." IMO, though, it takes a strong understanding and appreciation of the Michigan culture and the values it instills in people academically and socially as well as through athletics.
...has a Rivals subscription.
I was paying about $8,000 per year to find out when I was there when I could have found out for only $8.33 per month. I feel like I was cheated somehow...
THE END.
I think that if you root for Michigan athletics and aren't a total asshole then you're probably a Michigan Man. That rules out half the assholes on this blog.
Don't worry about it, I'll still consider you a Michigan Man anyways.
I'm not a Michigan man either, I'm a ladies man
still too soon
did it say anything about buying your wolverine gear from walmart?? if so I HAVE FINALLY MADE IT!!!!
In my view, there are 3 requirements
1) Degree
2) Love for the university
3) Good person
Nothing to do with arrogance, or this idea of the Michigan "difference". Just people that went here, love the university and are good people. That is enough for me. With adjectives ("real Michigan Man") comes more severity of the above three.
After 10 years, we can offer you "Senior Associate Michigan Man," which includes 100% matching contributions to your retirmenent account. In both cases, you'll be covered under the Michigan Man health insurance program, with a $30 co-pay.
Are you honestly upset about this?
because you were on the 1989 National Championship team.
Yes, fuck everyone. That's the ticket.
Over Michigan was that it was out of state, I'd say yeah, you could question your love of the school.
There are lots of good reasons to love Michigan and not go...grades, money, living far away, trouble at home....but wanting to get away from the school? Yeah, that might disqualify you.
By this definition, even Brady Hoke isn't a Michigan Man. I think attending the school and graduating with a degree is extremely important to understanding the full tradition of the school, but not neccessarily a requirement. Plenty of passionate supporters of the University and its various programs, academic or athletic, didn't attend UofM.
Bo and Hoke, Michigan men imposters.
I dare you to tell Brady Hoke he's not a "Michigan Man."
So Bo was not a "Michigan Man" I guess...
love for the University, good person, and pay for somebody to go there ?
I’m not going to make any friends by saying this, but… I really feel like this “Michigan Man” thing is overblown. Without athletics this wouldn’t even be a discussion for non students/alumni. I don’t understand why saying “I’m just a fan” is such a terrible thing, why do we have to fabricate these odd constructs to validate watching a football game? If you eliminate them, all that saying “Michigan Man” means is that you are formally affiliated with the University, which is hardly unique to Michigan.
...It's just a fun thing to say. A lot of die-hards like having a little more of a title...like me.
A degree is not a pre-req, tho. My step-father didn't go to U of M, but even when I was growing up in Lansing, we were in Ann Arbor every other weekend. It was a second (or a first) home to me. And through Michigan athletics, he taught me so many things about tradition, pride, ethics, hard work, character, and dedication; all traits that, to me, define a Michigan Man or Woman.
So, as an alum, I'm more than happy to welcome those who walk the walk and believe the beliefs...whether you got the sheepskin or not.
"If you eliminate them, all that saying “Michigan Man” means is that you are formally affiliated with the University, which is hardly unique to Michigan.
I would think that being affiliated with the University of Michigan is exactly unique to the University of Michigan.
NOT a Michigan Man.
Its write their four any one too si!
Here is my Michigan "Man"!
...is the photo Mrs. Kass approved? That may be the litmus test.
I caused the prior uproar by saying a degree was a requirement. On second consideration, I agree with others that is it NOT a requirement. Bo and Brady clearly must be included.
Perhaps love and loyalty to the University, plus a good person is sufficient. Some affiliation to the University perhaps too, whether it be faculty, employee, fan, parent, etc
Nestled right in the middle of all this...
This.
After the Kate Upton pic.
Maybe instead of someone being a Michigan Man or not, we could have a Michigan Man Quotient (MMQ if you prefer). You could have scoring based on several categories. Then throw it into some arcane formula to come up wtih your MMQ. Going to the University would have to be a huge weight though.
That is a female showing you how she behaves and what she looks like whenever she sees a Michigan Man....
That watch of hers is beautiful.