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
we love you, dude, and
we're grateful for YOUR love. Signed, the U
Miami is the U.
Miami is the U.
It ain't easy being cheesy
let's take the word university back from them
and apply it to a buncha schools, whaddya say?
I'm assuming that part of
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
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.
Class of '97: 4 Years -- 4 Four-loss seasons
It's only arrogance
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)
"Long time listener, first time caller."
Yeah, he went back and tried
Yeah, he went back and tried to correct it, but unfortunately it's still wrong.
"It would be a travesty, it would be ridiculous to all of a sudden come back and get the feeling back, get the health back, feel good again and then all of a sudden go throw some other colors on my shirt and go coach."
Someone who is or has been
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.")
There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter.
Meh
In trying to strip down the definition until there's essentially nothing left, I think you managed to keep only the most annoying part. Though some take it too far, I don't think there's anything wrong with "Michigan man" as an expression of pride in U-M. I think there are features of that university and football program that distinguish us from many (not all) schools and are worth taking pride in. What bothers me about the title is the idea that only one with a formal affiliation with U-M can attain it. It feels like that's what you left in the definition.
Being loyal to Michigan
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.
If Ann Arbor is a whore, why didn't you get in?
I guess that a real Michigan Man...
...has a Rivals subscription.
In Retrospect...
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...
"Funny isn't it, how naughty dentists always make that one fatal mistake."
Follow the random tweets of a Michigan alum - http://twitter.com/#!/LorneEC3
What the article should look like:
THE END.
I think that if you root for
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.
www.eatacheeseburger.blogspot.com Brian Cook has read this blog!
Don't worry about it, I'll
Don't worry about it, I'll still consider you a Michigan Man anyways.
Did you hear that everyone?
Did you hear that everyone? If you've ever negged Andrew Jackson Jihad you are not a Michigan Man!
USING GRATUITOUS AMOUNTS OF CAPS LOCK SINCE APRIL 2011
I'm not a Michigan man
I'm not a Michigan man either, I'm a ladies man
www.eatacheeseburger.blogspot.com Brian Cook has read this blog!
THIS IS "MICHIGAN MAN", MAN.
It is...
still too soon
Go Blue!
has sex
with anything that moves
and if I appeared first as an elderly man and not as a young one
did it say anything about
did it say anything about buying your wolverine gear from walmart?? if so I HAVE FINALLY MADE IT!!!!
Vice.com
Degree + Respectful + Love the U
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.
So, I was born and raised in
So, I was born and raised in A2, both my parents went to Michigan, I was a ballboy for Michigan basketball during the Fab Five's sophomore year, worked for U of M for 3 years, after living in Arizona for 5 yrs gave up a steady job to move back to A2 in large part to be closer to U of M sports, but I never went to school at Michigan. So, I'm not a Michigan Man to you?
"Adjunct Michigan Man"
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.
dumb
I started going to games at The Big House when I was seven years old. I'm not considered a Michigan Man because I wanted to attend college out of state? Fuck you.
Columbus, OH: The armpit of America
Are you honestly upset about
Are you honestly upset about this?
Are you a park ranger at Yellowstone? Say hi to Yogi Bear for me. - the_big_house 500th
I may not be a 70 year old man. - Herm
Hell, I thought you WERE a Michigan Man
because you were on the 1989 National Championship team.
U mad bro?
U mad bro?
For today, goodbye. For tomorrow, good luck. And forever, Go Blue.
Yes, fuck everyone. That's
Yes, fuck everyone. That's the ticket.
or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
Actually, if the ONLY reason you picked another college
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.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
By this definition, even
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.
The swag is back.
I guess Bo's out of luck too.
Bo and Hoke, Michigan men imposters.
I dare you to tell Brady Hoke
I dare you to tell Brady Hoke he's not a "Michigan Man."
"We've beaten Michigan the last four years. So where's the threat?"
- Mark Dantonio
Blogging the Virginia Cavaliers at http://fromoldvirginia.blogspot.com/<
So Bo was not a "Michigan
So Bo was not a "Michigan Man" I guess...
how about
love for the University, good person, and pay for somebody to go there ?
I’m not going to make any
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.
I'll be your friend, Owl...
...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.
"The Artes, The Scientia, The Veritas."
Um...
"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.
L.S.A. '88
Clearly
NOT a Michigan Man.
L.S.A. '88
Simple...
Its write their four any one too si!
L.S.A. '88
But...
...is the photo Mrs. Kass approved? That may be the litmus test.
L.S.A. '88
Uproar
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
This.
Nestled right in the middle of all this...
This.
"The Artes, The Scientia, The Veritas."
I think you meant to post this further up
After the Kate Upton pic.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
Maybe instead of someone
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.
Wrong....
That is a female showing you how she behaves and what she looks like whenever she sees a Michigan Man....
Oh Hail Yes
That watch of hers is beautiful.
From the Red Cedar Message Board: "God hates us." Yes He does Lil Bro, yes he does. Everyone hates you.
It's a stupid term that
It's a stupid term that members of the Michigan family use to feel superior to other people IMO.
For today, goodbye. For tomorrow, good luck. And forever, Go Blue.
Feel superior? We are
Feel superior? We are superior!
USING GRATUITOUS AMOUNTS OF CAPS LOCK SINCE APRIL 2011
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.