hart20

April 24th, 2012 at 1:30 PM ^

at Brandon now? Now we have nothing to occupy ourselves with this offseason. I'm going to miss the thread-a-day about the band not going.

Blue in Yarmouth

April 24th, 2012 at 1:48 PM ^

you can always bitch about tthe fact that the jackass made the decision in the first place. Also, the band was just the tip of the iceburg. He also has us playing against bama in Dallas which is going to get us less money than playing a home game against baby seal U while costing fans almost twice as much for a ticket.

Listen, I can understand why some people support DB as the AD, he admittedly has made a few decent decisions, but I find it hard to believe that those who do support him won't give those who question him the same benefit. 

I mean seriously, basically what DB did here is floated an idea out hoping no one would notice so he could make up for the fact that UM is getting fleeced in the bama game. It didn't work and he got a hell of a lot of backlash because of it. If you want to mark this down in the "plus" column for DB go ahead, but I would beg to differ on that. 

America

April 24th, 2012 at 2:08 PM ^

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I would pay twice as much money for a game against Alabama all day every day.  Much better than watching us beat NW Ohio Tech 60-0.  I don't understand the issue with the fact that arguably the two best programs in history are going to play a regular season opener with both ranked in the top 10.  Our athletic department makes enough money throughout the year.  I'm not worried that we missed out on like a million dollars by playing this game. And by game I mean this ridiculously epic game of college football superpowers that the whole country is going to watch.

 

Mabel Pines

April 24th, 2012 at 2:28 PM ^

Don't some people on this blog complain when we schedule Delaware States?  Also, isn't this great for recruiting as well as being on the national stage?  There's a time and place for Baby Seal U, but this is pretty cool.  (Although the husband and son are leaving me at home when they travel to Dallas!  so mean!!)

Blue in Yarmouth

April 24th, 2012 at 3:15 PM ^

I love that we are playing Alabama, I just don't like the fact that we are doing for next to nothing and at a nuetral site. Don't get me wrong, I live in Nova Scotia so I couldn't have gone anyway, but now fans have to pony up the extra ticket price as well as arifare, hotels, meals etc to see a game that UM will get very little out of financially.

The post was in response to people saying yay DB for making a decision after his hand was forced that he should have made from the get-go. 

profitgoblue

April 24th, 2012 at 2:00 PM ^

On bitching:  It could be argued that collective "bitching" is one way to get things done.  The interesting question is what would have happened had the decision not drawn such strong criticism . . . Would Brandon have stuck to his guns or ended up making the right decision on his own after introspection?  I think we all know that the answer is the latter, which makes his reversal a victory for the "bitching" fans.

 

Section 1

April 24th, 2012 at 2:51 PM ^

This story wasn't really covered, in the newspapers, or television or radio.  It got some mention, to be sure, but it was late; and it was simply reported as something that was, like, maybe or maybe not happening.

When Mark Snyder snarled at Brian Cook, "You're the competition," he was right.  Sorta.  But I'm not so sure that Snyder's employer even competes anymore.  They sure as hell didn't drive this story.  They can barely keep up with the story.

This story was purely a product of the online media, and the social networks.  The energy came out of online media and the social networks.  It is what carried the news, and then the popular reaction.

I recall something dismissive about the blogs passing Brandon's lips not too long ago.  It is too bad that he said it.  But the good thing is that David Brandon is way too smart to not re-evaluate.  It's hard for me to see how this isn't a rather specific triumph for MGoBlog, et al.

LSAClassOf2000

April 24th, 2012 at 1:31 PM ^

It is great to see the fans, alums, students and all associated with the University unite like this over an issue near to them and manage to effect a reversal of position within mere days. It would not be the same without the band.

Griff88

April 24th, 2012 at 2:42 PM ^

Not taking the band, was making Michigan look second rate.  When Michigan pulls the upset, the band needs to be there to play the Victors.

expatriate

April 24th, 2012 at 1:35 PM ^

It still doesn't take away the fact that it took an absolute uproar for the Athletic Department to do the bare minimum that they should have done in the first place.  It honestly made us look like a second-tier department compared to Alabama and our numerous peer institutions who would have certainly brought their bands in the first place.

I hope Brandon didn't just turn the screws on donors to get some big donors to pay for it- that kind of extortion is not how you build loyalty or set yourself up for larger future gifts.

JeremyB

April 24th, 2012 at 1:35 PM ^

This will always be a mar on Brandon's legacy and its resolution is not something for which I'm grateful to him.

---

"MMB Members and Staff:



We just received an email from AD David Brandon saying that Athletics has now decided that, with the help of some donors, they will be taking us to Dallas for the Cowboy Classic game vs. Alabama.



There are many details yet to be worked out.  For example, we do not yet know exactly how many students and staff will go, and we don't know for sure when we'll be leaving or returning.  Please be patient as we sort these issues out.  We will let you know when we know.



I'm excited that the MMB will be there to support our team for this historic event!



Go Blue!



SB"

WolvinLA2

April 24th, 2012 at 6:01 PM ^

I believe you, but your delivery was poor then, since no one else got the joke either. 

For future reference, I find throwing in a second, obvious mistake helps everyone catch on to your joke.  That way, you can laugh at the one poster who didn't get your joke, and corrects your second, obvious mistake. 

goblue7612

April 24th, 2012 at 1:38 PM ^

Booooo. I was assuming that the band's tickets would then be sold to students as we have submitted applications to buy tickets. Am I the only one that's disappointed? Selfish, yes.

Wisconsin Wolverine

April 24th, 2012 at 1:40 PM ^

DB would be the "good guy" here if he had actually wanted to do this in the first place.  In reality, I feel more like he's a scrooge who was forced to do something nice in order to avoid looking like a total DB.  Yes, that acronym word play was intentional.