What Does Michigan mean to you and your family?
For most of all of us, Michigan football is our national pastime in the fall. For some it's important but not the most important but for the majority of us it's a way of life. Either off season or during the season our eyes are glued to the tv or internet watching the game, highlights from the game, insight from players and coaches and of course here on mgoblog talking about it pregame and post game. With that said all colleges no matter where you go or who you love have a special place in our hearts. Sometimes it is more than a college or team. It's a part of our life. It's what we live for every year. I never had the privilege of being raised in a Michigan family. My family, at least on my mother's side, are all Buckeyes so you can imagine how that works every year. For the people though that have had that privilege of being raised in a Wolverine setting all their life, what is that experience like? What does Michigan mean to you and your family? What are your traditions that make it so special? What are some things on gameday that you do with your friends or family? What are some special memories you have about being a Michigan fan. I always wanted to hear this from a person who comes from a die hard Michigan family.
August 17th, 2012 at 8:48 AM ^
when I was at my parents house I found an old picture i had drawn of desmond Howard when i was 7. I was a Michigan fan from the day i was born, both my parents are grads. saturdays were sacred when Michigan played. Even now it brings us all together. i had the food fortune to be visiting them last fall and we watched the Michigan-OSU game together.
August 17th, 2012 at 8:57 AM ^
Our connection to the school has really become a very important part of our lives. My parents both went to Michigan. My wife and I both are UM grads and met while working at the Michigan Daily. Our kids are already brainwashed, and my ten year old son and I miss very few home football and basketball games. He's already announced that even if he can't get in to Michigan and gets stuck going to school in East Lansing, he'll still wear Michigan gear around the campus and at games. (would this make him a WalMart Wolverine, or does he get an exemption as the son of two UM grads?)
August 17th, 2012 at 9:02 AM ^
Both of my parents have degrees from UM, and I had M sweaters on in my baby pictures, and had one of those helmet lamps in my room growing up. We tried to match the wallpaper to all my Michigan shit. I was probably taken to an average of one game a year at the Big House from ages 8 to 17, and made it down to a few in college from Kalamazoo. I've probably been to a game every other year since.
I went to WMU. I constantly get razzed about it by Sparties. The way I look at it, I've been UM faithful for 18 years longer than a "WMU fan". Western gives you a team to cheer for about 1 in 5 years, and with my Wolverines, 365 days of every year are dedicated to following. My dad is still a big fan too.
August 17th, 2012 at 9:03 AM ^
(and largely NFL) agnostic family. My friends growing up never watched or cared about college (hardcore NFL guys), so unfortunately I cannot answer your question, but hopefully my son can!
August 17th, 2012 at 9:07 AM ^
Michigan means that if we don't beat Michigan State this year I am seriously going to lose my mind and be the guy that smashes things in my house and punches holes in my garage. I will also cancel Halloween and my five year old will be devastated.
August 17th, 2012 at 11:57 AM ^
It's all about the kids, man. Teared up a little...
August 17th, 2012 at 9:18 AM ^
I'm from Windsor, Ontario and never went to college. Growing up I always cheered for Michigan and Notre Dame on Saturdays (what did I know). Fast forward to when I met my wife. She came into my life and the lives of my four daughters. My wife, brother in law and several of her aunts, uncles and cousins are all alum. She took me to my first game and it was all love from that point on. I went on to marry her for her season tickets and if we're not playing at home we're in a local sports bar over in Windsor. Every Saturday we and the girls get geared up, my kids paint their faces. If we're up early heading over for a home game, we wake up to her Michigan Marching Band CD. Michigan football gives our family something that all of us share a passion for. My 79 year old father who lives with us get's his colours on and gets in front of the TV to join us from home because he can't always get around. I never had the privilege of attending UofM but am very proud of my wife and in laws for having done so. I follow recruiting, read all that I can including blogs but seldom post (always accused of trolling). Michigan football gives our family something to share for at least twelve weekends a year and for a family guy that really does mean everyting.
August 17th, 2012 at 9:24 AM ^
August 17th, 2012 at 9:30 AM ^
I got a bachelor's and master's in chemical engineering. It was the hardest I've ever worked in my life. I didn't go to parties, I didn't go to bars, I didn't go to Rick's or Brown Jug or Charlie's or Skeeper's because I was one of those fanatics that needed to get a 4-point every semester. There were many times when I questioned what the hell I was doing and why I couldn't just take it easy and lighten up. Engineering was the only thing that made sense to me, though. So I guess that makes me a masocist. It's not the school's fault, but the school itself just brings back bad memories for me.
Needless to say, the one thing I allowed myself in college was football on Saturdays. In the 5.5 years I went to school, I missed one game, and that was because I had a project due and two midterms the next week. I loved football. I always wanted to play it when I was a kid, but with my crappy vision (I have absolutely gigantic glasses), scrawny build, and overprotective parents, it didn't happen. So I lived vicariously through the football team. Their triumphs were my triumphs and their failures were my failures. I will never forget the euphoria of the Charles Woodson punt return and sometimes I wish there was a DVR for your brain so you could rewind back to those parts of your life and relive them as they actually were, and not clouded by a nostalgic haze.
August 17th, 2012 at 10:04 AM ^
Although I was the first person in my family to graduate from Michigan (my brother graduated a year later), I grew up a huge fan. I can remember back when I was 8 years old and followed the 1986 football team led by Jim Harbough, Jamie Morris, John Kolesar, etc. to a victory over Ohio and a trip to the Rose Bowl. I remember the last few years of Bo on the sidelines. My dad and grandfather were both huge fans. That is why I first started following Michigan sports. I didn't learn until I was a teenager that my great-great uncle, James Couzens, donated a large sum of money to the university and now a residence hall bears the family name (Couzens Hall). I now have a 3-yr old son of my own and cannot wait until he is old enough to attend games with me. We already watch games on tv in my Michigan Man Cave and he knows all of the words to the Victors. I am hopeful that he will learn to love Michigan as much as the rest of my family does.
August 17th, 2012 at 10:05 AM ^
My dad is a Michigan alum, the first in his family to graduate from college. He's had season tickets since 1968. I remember going to games and getting to sit on my dad's lap in section 4 as a little shaver. The long walk in from parking on Granger was always full of stories and laughs. My dad would take all three of us boys to at least one game a year as older kids. I had a chance to play DIII football in MN and took it for college, but pined for Michigan games all four years. Now, I've lived in Wisconsin for the last 17 years and have been able to get to about a game a year with either my brothers or dad....and now my sons. This year my boys will get to see Air Force and Illinois with me. I think we'll park on Granger and enjoy that same long walk. The family gets a glorious wakening with MMB's Saturday Tradition playing when breakfast is ready on Saturday mornings in the fall and the world does actually stop upon kickoff.
August 17th, 2012 at 10:54 AM ^
Is my FAVORITE form of entertainment. I was born a Wolverine. My Dad can tell you who played TE for Michigan back in 1932.
We would watch the big games (Not every game was televised) on TV, turn the volume all the way down, and Listen to Bob Ufer call the game on the radio. This was in the '70's. That is my most fond memory.
The second is when '98 M beat Wash State and went 12-0. I can remember thinking that I was so happy that I actually witnessed a undefeated season (with no tie games...like the 9-0-3 Grbac team). I remember thinking how many fans get to say that. Great memory!
August 17th, 2012 at 11:16 AM ^
Waking up just as pregame coverage starts is a good way to ensure a football filled day.
While I despise everything about the Mothership and the highly sensationalized College Gameday, I know they will cover at least something about Michigan. I also am just curious to see what the talking heads have to say about our program.
Usually I go to Ball States tailgate (which were awesome when Hoke was there). The stories of him kicking it with fans after the game are true.
As far as being raised in a Michigan household goes, I don't really know of anything out of the ordinary to say. Like most Michigan fans, my baby wardrobe consisted of Michigan, Red Wings, and Tigers stuff. I knew at a young age that Saturday meant game day. I hoped for a tight meal or appetizers for the game. My mom knew that the TV wouldn't be turned from the games. She was always cool about it and knew it was a bond my Dad and I shared.
Now that I'm in college the innocent gamedays have changed. I was able to make it back home for the Sugar Bowl with my Dad. This time I brought a 12pk of Corona. Love watching Blue with him but I wouldn't trade the raucous campus atmosphere in the fall. Watching the UTL game at a mid-size Indiana public college permeated with salty ND fans is far from dull. Let's just say I went out in my Denard jersey that night.
Anyways, Michigan football is something that makes my quality of life amazing. The thought of not being able to watch those games if I was locked up keeps me out of jail..
It helps me stay connected with my family all over the country and allows me to meet true fans that only accept the best for the program.
It's been so awesome watching Hoke kick butt on his way to the top of the college coaching ladder.
P.S. my family does not speak to our Cbus relatives.. Just never really got along. Totally different personalities.
August 17th, 2012 at 11:16 AM ^
August 17th, 2012 at 11:24 AM ^
And while her parents went to college, my mom was the first in the family to go to Michigan. So thanks, Mom.
August 17th, 2012 at 11:36 AM ^
I think I have an interesting story. My dad is an alum. He got in after enlisting in the army and used the GI bill to pay for some of the tuition. My parents had my sister when they were 19 and married in North Dakota in 1975. I was born in 1980. My dad had to work as a janitor during his time at UM. He worked 40 hours a week to support us and went to school full time. I was just 2 1/2 when he graduted. He actually held me in his arms and studied when I was a baby. Can you imagine that pressure and the constant distractions? He graduated with a Computer Engineer degree in '83. Go dad!
Upon his gradution he retained the same season tickets that we have to this day. Section 35 Row 1 (hence my mgohandle). I am not sure when I went to my first game but I was probably 5 or 6 years old. I just remember being overwhelmed by the size of the stadium and the crowds going into and out of the games. What an experience!
My dad was then transfered to Rochester NY to work for Kodak in 1989. He actually worked on a lot of classified military projects and the Hubble Telescope! We have retained the season tickets despite being out of state for 23 seasons. My favorite birthday presents growing up were going to the Ohio game. I used to get a lot of shit from kids starting in elementary school for wearing all of my michigan gear. I always talked about the football team and michigan as I was just 8 when we moved to NY. One "mean girl" even dubbed me Mr. Michigan to make her feel better about herself.
As I grew up and was able to drive I started to bring friends from NY to the game and they were always blown away and many have become casual michigan fans to this day. I did not even apply to michigan because I was a pretty good lacrosse player and had scholarship offers on the east coast. If I could do it all over again I think I would have applied and just played club lax at michigan.
Go Blue!
August 17th, 2012 at 11:44 AM ^
For me, Michigan football means everything.
For my girlfriend, Michigan football means that I'll be owing her favors in the fall.
August 17th, 2012 at 12:10 PM ^
The first football game I can remember is the 9-0 Michigan vs 9-0 Iowa in 85 or 86, with Jamie Morris and Jim Harbaugh. My father watched UM football every saturday it was on TV, and I was right there with him. I learned to hate Notre Dame in those years (Damn Rocket Ismael!), and saw the Desmond Howard catch as it happened.
My father remarried, to a woman with 2 daughters who decided to be Sparty fans, just for the rivalry, and the year Desmond was interfered with was horrible. We were young then, thinking that the number of items one owned pertaining to our team showed who was the greater fan.
When I grew up and joined the army, I missed most of the 97 season, but was home for the Rose Bowl, which was the last game I got to see with my father before he died.
Now, I tend to move a lot, but my children will always hear daddy shouting "Touchdown, MICHIGAN!" in his best imitation of Keith Jackson every single saturday. I have number 16 jerseys, home and away (from John Navarre, not Denard), and I wear the matching one to the team, she wears the other. If we score while she is in the room, she is not allowwed to leave until the half is over, just in case. I refuse to be responsible for any losses in my house. If it worked against Minnesota and Wisconsin, it will be upheld from now on!
My kids were shocked when I bought a red Ford Bronco this year, which I only kept a few months before trading in on something without such an objectionable color.
Michigan football is one of the constants my family is based around, providing a bit of continuity when we move so often.
August 17th, 2012 at 1:32 PM ^
I'm not from Michigan... So Michigan means something different to me and my family... It's not a family tradition to go to Michigan or anything and I didn't grow up watching Michigan. (I simply wanted to go to the best damn public university in the best damn country on the planet.)
My Michigan Degree means somebody from my family made it.
In the community where I come from it's even bigger. It means somebody from our community made it, and somebody from my high school made it.
I come from a school where we have far more dropouts than college bound kids and probably even more students incarcerated each year than college bound kids. My Michigan degree means a lot here.
I've even gone back to my school to speak to the student body about goals and potential and am involved in the football program mentoring young men and steering them toward college.
I don't know of any other Michigan alumns in my area (although I know there are thousands). So I typically watch the games by myself in the privacy of my home. Sometimes over at a buddy of mine from Michigan's house (he's from Traverse City we went to Law School together).
There's a lady in my church who went to State oddly enough. I'm looking forward to giving her the blues when we beat Sparty this season lol.
August 17th, 2012 at 1:46 PM ^
It simply means shifting every other priority in my life to be able to watch and attend every single Michigan football game.
Anyone ever miss an important wedding because someone was stupid enough to schedule on a gameday? I've done it twice.
August 17th, 2012 at 3:17 PM ^
August 17th, 2012 at 5:39 PM ^
August 17th, 2012 at 5:48 PM ^
August 17th, 2012 at 8:46 PM ^
My wife and I both have multiple degrees from UM but I'm the only rabid fan in the family. She supports my obsession, but really couldn't care less about football. Unfortunately I don't think my fandom will transfer to the next generation. My oldest son went to WMU, my next son was admitted to UM but chose to go to a small school in Minnesota. We'll see with son #3 five years from now. None has developed the same passion for UM that I had at their age.
August 18th, 2012 at 10:44 PM ^
I like to think it's fate. I had no connections to U of M growing up whatsoever. No one in my family had ever went there, and none of them were Michigan football fans. However, I've always been drawn to Michigan for whatever reason. I've been a Michigan fan all of my life, and attending my first ever game last year, my Freshman year at the greatest university on the planet, was one of the most amazing days of my life.
My parents are huge Michigan fans now that I'm a student. My dad gets more nervous watching the games than I do.
Looking forward to my next 3 years here, and bleeding maize and blue for the rest of my life as an alumnus. My (future) children will certainly grow up Michigan fans as well.