Youth Day Experience/Thoughts?
Since I was physically unable to make this years youth (or fan) day, I'm curious to see if it was a clusterfuck like last year.
Were the ebay whores out in full force taking 20 posters per person?
How were the autograph lines?
And for those who brought their kids, how did they like it?
Disappointment or improvement?
Would love to hear experiences.
August 12th, 2012 at 3:26 PM ^
August 12th, 2012 at 3:30 PM ^
What
August 12th, 2012 at 4:47 PM ^
He sent his parents, who likely live in Michigan, to get autographs for his son, because he himself lives with his family in South Carolina. He's not sure about the overall experience, but his parents were able to get more autographs than had been available in previous years. It was good to have the freshmen on the field, because they were able to get autographs from most of them without much of a wait, and it'll be less of a hassle in future years (when the freshmen are upperclassmen), because they'll already have their autographs. He knows his mother got autographs from the running backs, most freshmen, Devin Gardner, and some of the team's Wide Receivers. Last year (and this is where I get a little tripped up), he was either: a) in line the whole time or b) getting autographs from the offensive line, which took up all of his time to receive autographs.
August 12th, 2012 at 3:29 PM ^
August 12th, 2012 at 4:03 PM ^
August 12th, 2012 at 3:34 PM ^
I wanna hear from the guy who drove in from Iowa to get Denard's autograph for his son. If there is anyone who I'm rooting for having a good experience it's him.
August 13th, 2012 at 1:22 PM ^
That was me. No, we did not get Denard's autograph and, yes, there were tears.
But we had a great time and it was a good experience.
I have two sons, 9 and 7 years old, and they both came with me. The 9 year old is a huge Michigan fan and has been for as long as he's been cognizant that I'm a Michigan fan. So he lives and dies by the Blue and, aside from his Dad, his focus and admiration is on Denard.
The 7 year old is indifferent, at best, about Michigan football. I think he's that way because his brother, bless his heart, can be a little over-the-top in his appreciation for Michigan and the younger is reacting against the older brother's passion. It's frustrating at times that the 7-year-old doesn't like Michigan more but I like that he doesn't follow everything his brother does and that he wants to be his own person (we'll see how this manifasts when he's 16).
We stayed with my parents, about an hour away from A2, so the boys got to see their Michigan grandparents. The only way we would have had a chance to get Denard's autograph was if I had got to the northeast gate about 5 a.m. and then had my Dad bring the boys to meet me later. Logistically, that wasn't going to happen. By the time we got to the stadium there was a huge line at the gate; when the gate opened at 1 p.m. the rush was on to get to the Quarterbacks line. The staff cut off that line at 250 and quickly let everyone know that no one else would be admitted. As far as I could tell, almost everyone in the QB line had a kid with them so I don't think it was a matter of eBay whores edging everyone else out. That didn't stop the tears though, but he pulled his Michigan cap down over his eyes to hide them. We went and got a hot dog and he bucked up. There were some good lessons I got to pass on: a) life has disappointments, it doesn't always go as planned; b) never give up. It won't be easy from Iowa but it's a good excuse to go to Minnesota and see if we can catch Denard after that game.
Both boys got autographs from most of the DL and OL and a number of the freshman and they loved running around on the field. Patrick Omameh was particularly great with my 7 year old, asking where he was from, fist bumping him, etc. We went to the M Den afterward and he opted for a wolverine stuffed animal over a t-shirt. Last night, when I checked on the boys in their room after they had gone to bed, he had the wolverine tucked under his arm, so I think he may have become more of a fan from the experience. Both boys (and their dad) had a great time so it was worth the drive.
Cool story Bro? Maybe, but I was asked.
October 24th, 2023 at 1:28 PM ^
Post script: The 9 year old in the story is now 20. He was waitlisted at M and is at Wisconsin and loving it. Not sure what happened to the stuffed wolverine, he probably burned it. The indifferent 7 year old is a freshman at Michigan.
August 12th, 2012 at 3:35 PM ^
im guessing its better than youth day at penn state
August 12th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^
Too funny to be soon.
August 12th, 2012 at 5:06 PM ^
August 12th, 2012 at 7:17 PM ^
Chucky Cheese.
August 12th, 2012 at 4:29 PM ^
August 12th, 2012 at 4:51 PM ^
I believe it. I also believe he gets <12 carries for the game. Fitz takes the rest (and plays ~%75 of the game).
August 12th, 2012 at 5:21 PM ^
I think Rawls is going to play very well when he gets in the game. He worked his ass off to be academically eligible to come to Michigan so he knows how to show up when it counts. I think we're gonna have a bit of a RB controversy on our hands. Less a controversy than one of those "great problems to have" type of situations I suppose but we might need some bowling ball runs to beat Alabama.
August 12th, 2012 at 5:57 PM ^
I hope (as many probably do) you're right. I definitey don't think that is a far-fetched assessment. Man, it'd be nice to get back to having those "good" controversies and battles in Fall camp (even through the season). They might not be as fun in the off-season to think about, as it's nice to think about the returning "stars" and how good they'll theoretically progress and get better, but it means the level of talent roster-wide is in a good standing and less worries all around are had.
August 12th, 2012 at 7:20 PM ^
this is not a knock on Rawls but we have only seen him in mop up duty and against our back ups. i'm not ready to say he is going to be awesome against bama. (please be wrong.)
August 12th, 2012 at 10:39 PM ^
Right. I wouldn't feel comfortable saying Maurice Jones-Drew would come in and be awesome against Alabama! But yea, point stands about Rawls. We wait....
August 12th, 2012 at 4:51 PM ^
August 12th, 2012 at 5:07 PM ^
August 12th, 2012 at 4:57 PM ^
We didn't go last year, but I thought it was great this year. My boys got a football full of autographs and had a great time being on the field.
We didn't get there in time to line up for Denard's autograph, but were able to get all of the offensive linemen's signatures, half of the defensive line, a bunch of the freshmen, and Dave Brandon's (my kids didn't have a clue who he was, but we happened to end up standing next to him so I figured why not).
I thought it was pretty well organized, and we didn't have to wait much at all. All of the players were nice to the kids (Taylor Lewan showed my son his moustache tattoo). Most of the people I saw had kids. Didn't see a whole lot of e-bay whores, and most of the people we were around stuck to the one item per person rule. It was a good time, and we plan on going back next year.
August 12th, 2012 at 5:09 PM ^
- Didn't see too many ebay whores . . . I think they did a good job limiting the numbers of objects a single person could have signed.
- The lines I visited were only a 15 minute wait for 3-5 autographs, though I didn't stand in the longest lines. One couple in front of me got autographs from the entire defense by leap frogging the lines with one another. Not being there last year I assume their feat wouldn't have been possible last year?
- It was a very enjoyable event. I didn't have kids with me so I can't speak to childrens enjoyment.
- The only complaint I had was the vulture-like contract photographers who get paid per photo. They were staked out near the more popular players slowing down the lines by asking practically every person who passed to take a photo with that player. I was literally one of the last people to get Devin Gardner's autograph because one of these vultures kept snapping away, even after she was asked to cease doing so.
August 12th, 2012 at 5:16 PM ^
August 12th, 2012 at 7:12 PM ^
August 12th, 2012 at 7:13 PM ^
August 12th, 2012 at 7:20 PM ^
It was better this year than last year. Seemed more organized and the lines weren't as crazy long. Got the chance to meet coach Hoke for the first time and brought my 6 month old to get a pic next to Hoke. Didn't turn out the best, but really had a good time on the field. Got some nice pics of my kid with the cheerleaders and the drum major.
Got autographs from some of the D-line , BWC signed it with a Go Blue!, and some of the freshman on the field. Only bummer was the freshman all had to leave with 30 mins to go and I was about 20 people from Joe Bolden.
Didn't see any A-holes with bags full of helmets and footballs this year, so I would say a success indeed.
August 12th, 2012 at 7:20 PM ^
It was better this year than last year. Seemed more organized and the lines weren't as crazy long. Got the chance to meet coach Hoke for the first time and brought my 6 month old to get a pic next to Hoke. Didn't turn out the best, but really had a good time on the field. Got some nice pics of my kid with the cheerleaders and the drum major.
Got autographs from some of the D-line , BWC signed it with a Go Blue!, and some of the freshman on the field. Only bummer was the freshman all had to leave with 30 mins to go and I was about 20 people from Joe Bolden.
Didn't see any A-holes with bags full of helmets and footballs this year, so I would say a success indeed.
August 12th, 2012 at 8:06 PM ^
After barely getting through the one line last year, we did much better this year. They split up most of the position groups. The lines moved pretty well. We arrived just before the gates opened at 1:00 and were able to make it through the lines for wide receivers, offensive linemen, linebackers, special teams, defensive backs, safeties. The players were great (as usual). We enjoyed the kicking drill on the field afterwards. My three boys had a blast.
I agree with the comment about the contract photographers slowing things up. They had the players stopping to pose for each group.
August 12th, 2012 at 9:39 PM ^
Compared to last year, everything was very well organized. My son and I were able to get through 3 auto lines and they had bouncy obstacle course for the kids. The idea to put the freshman on the field was superb. I am kicking myself for having my camera on low resolution though.
August 12th, 2012 at 9:53 PM ^
August 12th, 2012 at 9:57 PM ^
I don't know why, but your avatar combined with the story about your 9 year old daughter is funny as hell.
August 13th, 2012 at 9:51 AM ^
My family had an awesome time.
We got there a few minutes after noon & ended up #114 in the Denard line. My 4 year old daughter & 6 year old son (who both love Shoelace & were dying to meet him) got to talk to him & get his autograph.
I was able to get my under the lights uniform pants signed that I bought at the yard sale.
My wife flirted with Denard, but that's ok... I did too....
August 13th, 2012 at 11:45 AM ^
overall, i think the effort to make it a positive event was achieved. The event staff did their best to keep order, as that appeared to be a heavy focus.
With the insane number of folks lining up early, it may be a good idea to hand out numbered tickets. That would solve the cutting and all other issues.
if you don't have a numbered ticket, you don't get Denard's auotgraph. Seems simple and fair.
August 13th, 2012 at 11:57 AM ^
also, some folks requested a link for prints of the Denard Robinson painting a I brought... here you go.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/106458207/denard-robinson-limited-edition-…