September 9th, 2012 at 1:42 PM ^
It'll change if/when the students decide it's not worth keeping "You suck" going. If the Daily's sportswriters endorse a switch to "Go Blue," it could happen.
There are two things that I think a lot of students don't realize about "You suck":
1. It's not a time-honored tradition to chant it. It's only been around a few years (some of which were really brutal on the field, which may give it a negative assocation in the eyes of a lot of fans)
2. It's not that audible from other parts of the stadium, because three-quarters of the stadium don't chant it.
September 9th, 2012 at 4:48 PM ^
and surprise surprise, nothing happened. Because 90% of the students don't even pick up a copy of the Daily throughout the entire time they're at Michigan.
There's been ample discussion of this topic in the Daily in past years too. But it's pointless. And if you think you're going to get a bunch of drunk 17-22 year olds to refrain from yelling a derogatory chant that's been around for a decade by starting facebook groups, you're wasting your time.
Sad to say, but the only effective way to stop it would be for the band to stop playing temptation for a couple of years. I'd hate to see it come to that, especially since I really don't it's that big of a deal, but if the Athletic Department really wants to see this end it's the only way.
September 9th, 2012 at 5:36 PM ^
The Daily muddled the issue by urging fans to chant "Defense." Why would you chant "Defense!" in a celebratory way? That just sounds weird.
"Go Blue" is the only replacement that makes sense. They should keep at it. If enough people lobby for it, it'll sink in eventually. The key point to stress is not that it's "classless" to chant "You Suck" but that it's ineffective, because the alumni won't join in.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:13 AM ^
The tradition of playing Temptation after defensive stops isn't even that old. It was instituted by then director Gary Lewis in either the '92, '93, or '94 season. I always thought he was inspired by the September '91 visit by Florida State & their band. Their tomahawk chop was, sadly, a little too popular in our stadium that day, but I think the arm motion that accompanied it inspired the current gesture. I even remember Mr. Lewis wanting to make sure that when non-playing members of the band as well as surrounding students made the gesture, it was with a closed fist, kind of like a "Hail!" but in slow motion.
September 9th, 2012 at 3:32 PM ^
The "you suck" post-Temptation chants at the game yesterday sounded louder than they have ever been. I assumed they were loud because the student section didn't get many opportunities to use them, as Air Force was converting 3rd downs like they were nothing all day long.
When I hear it, I don't think it's the end of the world. You hear much worse at other stadiums. But when your own team is sucking on the field and your students are chanting about how much the OTHER team sucks, it's pretty cringeworthy.
I think I'm more disturbed that your average student in the stands does NOT even know the song tile "Temptation," instead referring to it as the "You suck song."
September 9th, 2012 at 3:55 PM ^
September 9th, 2012 at 6:34 PM ^
It made me irrationally angry when we did the you suck chant when Air Force was going for it. Even more so when they proceeded to convert it.