Michigan to open Big House for student watch party during opener against Alabama

Submitted by GoBlueinEugene on

 

The Center for Campus Involvement posted the following on its website:

"Michigan students are invited to open the football season in the Big House for a Go Blue Pep Rally on the field and to watch the first away game! Experience the Michigan tradition of our stadium, cheer on Maize & Blue, and have fun with multiple activities and free food as the Wolverines tackle the Crimson Tide in Texas. Be sure to bring your MCard for entry. Let's Go Blue!"

 

http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/michigan-to-open-big-house-for-watch-party-during-wolverines-opener-against-alabama/

Edit: more details here, thanks Captain Blue:

https://www.michigandaily.com/sports/michigan-alabama-viewing-party-pla…

Johnny Blood

July 30th, 2012 at 2:28 PM ^

Brandon gets knocked for all the bad things he does...

But this actually seems to me to be a pretty good idea and way to kick off the season for those not in Dallas.

Blazefire

July 30th, 2012 at 2:57 PM ^

Sort of. I can't help but thinking all of the students will say, "screw that" when they realize the team won't  be there AND they can't have beer. Then again... those new scoreboards should make for some friggin awesome highlights.

jadaSPW

July 30th, 2012 at 3:02 PM ^

With only 6 home games this is a great way to get students in the gates one extra time. My first game as a student was the Washington Phil Brabbs game in '02. Impossible not to be hooked after that (if you weren't already).

Since these freshmen don't get to enjoy a home game to start of their college experiences, walking through the tunnel onto the field and watching the squad play on the big screens is a pretty incredible way to introduce them to the Big House.

go16blue

July 30th, 2012 at 3:16 PM ^

Hell yes! I've always wondered why they don't do this more often. It will be my first game as a student, very happy I wont have to watch in some random bar.

GoBlue2002

July 30th, 2012 at 3:24 PM ^

Tom Goss (AD from 1997-1999) did the same in September of 1998 when he opened Crisler Arena to students for the first game of the season against Notre Dame to show off the new jumbotron at the time. I must admit this is a WAY better idea.

I'm a big Brandon fan.

WolverineHistorian

July 30th, 2012 at 4:58 PM ^

Well, it was originally going to be in the big house because they had just got the new scoreboards with screens after the '97 season.  It was basically inspired because Joe-Vision had become really popular for the Red Wings games during the playoffs. 

The newspapers were hyping it saying maybe there will be more people at the big house than at the actual game.  But that obviously never ended happening.

I never knew it got moved to Crisler.   

LSAClassOf2000

July 30th, 2012 at 3:47 PM ^

This will serve as a pretty great climax to Welcome Week, I would think, not to mention a great "Welcome Back" for returning students. Kudos to the Athletic Department for running with this and being, as someone mentioned, great about the whole thing. The next best thing to being in Dallas, I would think, would have to be this.

I am pretty sure I have an old student ID card somewhere....

Wolverine Devotee

July 30th, 2012 at 3:54 PM ^

This is really awesome. Wish it was for everyone. Would be a full stadium, plus DB would make money. Make it happen!

Darth Wolverine

July 30th, 2012 at 4:12 PM ^

...but it's dumb if it can't be for anyone else. I think it would be great to fill that entire stadium with anyone who wants to go.

Michigan Manders

July 30th, 2012 at 4:46 PM ^

We're sitting on the field, not in the stand, at least that's what I was told at orientation. So there might not be enough space for others on the field, though I don't know why they won't let non students go in the actual stands.

Tater

July 30th, 2012 at 4:30 PM ^

I watched one of the Fab Five's NCAA final games in Crisler Arena.  They let everybody in, not just students.  It was a great way to watch a game.  I hope a bunch of students show for this one at the Big House and have a great time.  

Michigan Manders

July 30th, 2012 at 4:43 PM ^

as far back as early June. I'm really excited for it since it'll basically be my first weekend on campus. It's a great idea for the students to have a awesome place to go to watch the game and we apparently get to sit right on the field for it.

MGoBender

July 30th, 2012 at 5:30 PM ^

Cool idea and I'm glad it is just for the students.

No offense to non-students (and I fall into that category now), but something like this can be a huge deal, especially for freshmen, to make friends and enjoy as a student body.  That atmosphere would be markedly different if the place was crawling with high school kids, toddlers, and "family event politics."*

 

*These seats are saved for my four kids.  Please watch your language.  Please sit down.  Etc.

denardogasm

July 30th, 2012 at 9:50 PM ^

Last year i showed up to a game an saw that my seats were taken. I said, no big deal ill take these seats in the next row and if someone wants them ill take my real seats back. Everything worked out well for the first half, but then at halftime the people sitting about 5 seats down from me for the whole half came and told me i was in their seats. I was so confused. The seats are not unique. I couldnt get the stubborn old man in my seats to move and thus was crammed in between seats. The old man subsequently used my girlfriend as an arm support when he stood up to go to the bathroom 3 times. Dont be like this people.

/cool story

DealerCamel

July 30th, 2012 at 8:00 PM ^

Awesome idea.  One thing though - it says that students will enter through the tunnel.  While I am totally down with that idea, I get the feeling that most of the new students won't exactly know where that is, it being smaller than a stadium and all.