how to handle "Down in Front!"

Submitted by might and main on

Next time you're verbally assaulted with an angry "DOWN IN FRONT!" you are encouraged to retort in either of the following ways:

1. Don't turn around, just reply with "UP IN BACK!"

2. Do turn around, i.d. the aggressor, and remark "Wow, that grecian formula really does work."

HartAttack20

September 19th, 2009 at 8:34 PM ^

I personally like the "Up in Back" comment. It keeps you from coming off as a total jerk off, yet you still emit a pure "up yours" sense. Also, it will probably get a few chuckles from fans near you that don't care that you stand. For me in section 12, though, it's a lot more stand-friendly. More people seem to just stand instead of fighting it.

Section 1

September 19th, 2009 at 8:40 PM ^

To stand the whole game, bounce around, yell, etc. That's all fine, for the northwest corner of the stadium.

I have hated the "everybody stand up" thing from the moment that I realized that the "tradition," such as it is, grew out of South Bend.

My goal in life is to do nothing -- absolutely nothing -- they way they do it in South Bend

Section 1

September 19th, 2009 at 9:01 PM ^

I'm part of the "I don't want to abandon Michigan Stadium to rude gen-y millenials to the detriment of people who have the kind of money it takes to support one of the handful of the biggest athletic departments in the country" crowd.

If you have to stand up to see what is going on, you must be really, really short.

Does your standing up somehow help the team on the field? Maybe so. But I think it helps in the way that painting your chest helps.

If you really want to do something for the team, start by getting off your butt and donating $10,000 to the athletic department.

bouje

September 19th, 2009 at 9:34 PM ^

And you can be assured that once I handle MY OWN finances that I will be giving to the UofM.

And there is a big difference in standing up and cheering and sitting down and cheering. You get your whole body into it and are just more into the game.

I sat/stood behind a 60 year old man if he can stand up for the whole game I think that you can too. So maybe you should get off your high horse and walk around a bit so that you can stand up for longer than the halftime show.

***EDIT*** Yes the athletic department needs people like Section1 (I think that's who it is) who's contribution to the football team is to do nothing at the games but to fund the university/football team through tons of donations and we need people like that. BUT we also need people who are like the drunken idiots at OSU/LSU/VT/ETC who yell scream and who are truly passionate about the game. That is their contribution.

In sum Congratulations for you being able to donate tons of money to the football team but that is not the only way to contribute to the football team as a fan. Frankly your opinion is what everyone talks about when they say "the arrogance of Michigan fans". Your opinion is pompous that you aren't a real fan unless you give $10,000. Sure maybe it sounds a lot but maybe just being able to afford season tickets for someone else is all that they can afford.

Pull your head out of your ass.

Section 1

September 19th, 2009 at 10:24 PM ^

I didn't say that you can't be a real fan unless you're a major donor.

ON the other hand, you seem to be saying that you can't be a real fan unless you stnad up (without any need to) and block the view of people sitting behind you.

Who, I ask you, is the real antisocial asshole?

By the way, I've got news for you; we Michigan fans have been called "arrogant asses" ever since Darryl Rogers coined the phrase more than twenty years ago. I was there; an eyewitness. I was probably the only Michigan Man in the room that night in Dearborn as an invited guest at the MSU football bust. Get used to it. I want to assure you with all sincerity, that our rivals in this state, in the Big Ten and the rest of the midwest, will not stop calling us "arrogant" if Michigan Stadium patrons stand up the whole game.

MaizeNBlue

September 19th, 2009 at 10:52 PM ^

The point has nothing to do with what others perceive us as, as far as arrogance goes. Your argument kind of came across badly, and misunderstanding is usually blamed on the one conveying his/her opinions, not the one interpreting them.

I appreciate the donations that people make, but I think it's good game etiquette to be into the game, cheering, and showing support for your team, and yes, standing at several points. Maybe people will still think M is arrogant, but I haven't seen a single person comment on the Big House holding the quietest 100k fans so far this season.

I'm sorry, but I can't buy into the "this fan is more important because he/she donates" thing. Dedication to a team follows a huge spectrum and saying or implying that having and donating money makes you more important seems lame. Living life with that mindset just isn't fun at all.

Section 1

September 19th, 2009 at 11:01 PM ^

my "argument kind of came across badly."

I'll keep it simple.

If you are not in the student section, and if you are standing up and blocking the view of people behind you (with nobody standing up in front of you), and somebody behind you says, "down in front!", and you don't resepct that, then you are an asshole.

We can leave out donors. Forget about support for the Athletic Department. It's actually fine if everyone wants to stand. But it seems like many of you believe that "We all have to stand, all of the time. And, we're going to make people behind us stand if they want to see anything. Whether they like it or not..." (Like, uh, in South Bend!?!)

MaizeNBlue

September 19th, 2009 at 11:11 PM ^

It's just that by throwing out statements like "I don't care if my argument comes across badly," and then implying that you'll keep it simple because you don't think that I (or others here) understand your argument, you don't exactly inspire a legitimate argument. Intellectual debate with respect is a MICHIGAN thing, isn't it?

BTW, saying standing all game is a South Bend thing is like saying that "It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine" is a Michigan-source thing.... irrelevant (no offense.)

I never said or even implied that anyone had to stand all game, especially not against Eastern - though I do think that would be a cool visual show of dedication.

Section 1

September 19th, 2009 at 11:08 PM ^

you have watered down the debate to nothingness when you write in terms of "standing at several points."

The whole freaking stadium is standing "at several points." That's not an issue.

The one issue here is standing, when there is no need to stand, and when someone behind you has therefore asked you to sit so that they can see.

MaizeNBlue

September 19th, 2009 at 11:22 PM ^

You don't need to attempt to insult me to make your point. If you can't have a friendly argument, then maybe you need to talk to Brian because I'm fairly certain he'd disagree with the way you and several others here are arguing.

Sorry for saying "several others." Hopefully that's not too watered down for you. I'd hate to further prove how much better a person you are than I am.

EDIT: By the same token that you criticize the way I say "standing at several points of the game," I could question the amount of time that some people, possibly in your section, stand and say that though they "stand at several points," it's really not all that much at all.

MaizeNBlue

September 20th, 2009 at 12:19 AM ^

BTW, yeah, my word choice was bad by saying "standing at several points." But I'm assuming that everyone here knows what I mean. If anyone doesn't and would like me to clarify what specific points I'm talking about, then I'd be more than willing to elaborate.

HINT: The best way to tell you what points at which it's good to stand is to tell you the less-than-handful of times that you might as well sit down.

bouje

September 20th, 2009 at 12:26 PM ^

Here is your quote:
"If you really want to do something for the team, start by getting off your butt and donating $10,000 to the athletic department."

That sounds an awful lot like the only way to really help out the team is to donate at least $10,000. I especially like the part about "getting off my butt".

Secondly as I said later in the thread if people are standing up in front of me instead of me being a "down in front" I will stand up. If my view is impeded then I will stand up and cheer.

Finally, if you treat going to a football game as going to an opera where you are just a mere spectator and have no bearing on the outcome of the game then please give up your seats and stay home. If you don't go home with a sore throat then yes I will say that you are not a good fan no matter how much money you donate to the football team/University in general.

Just because I buy a ticket doesn't give me the right to stand up when no one else is standing up. But just because you give money to the University doesn't mean that you are an all powerful and knowing being. Because you're not you just come across as a pompous, arrogant blue hair.

Section 1

September 20th, 2009 at 6:00 PM ^

... I don't think you understand opera very well if you think that the audience is just a passive observer.

And you obviously have never been to the opera, or a Michigan game, with me.

Act One of Mozart's Die Zauberflote is a good one to send a message to the cast, especially Papageno, that, "We're into this, baby! Let's rock!" It all pays off, obviously, in the Third Act.

There are several moments in Rigoletto when the audience can make the difference between triumph and ordinary. (We could say the same of so much of Italian bel canto. And depending on the venue, say, a place like La Scala, it could be huge.)

And as you undoubtedly know, the mad scenes from Turandot and Lucia di Lammermoor are make-or-break occasions for the audience.

I'm guessing that we'd agree on all of that.

mtzlblk

September 20th, 2009 at 1:59 PM ^

It isn't a movie, it is an event where you are supposed to be part of the experience, not a passive observer.

You are not in the stadium to 'watch' a game. You can watch it on TV and get better camera angles, replays, commentary and be sitting on your nice comfy sofa. Honestly, why would you brave the crowds and sit on a cramped, hard bench just to sit and watch the game from a distance?

Being at the game means that you should join other fans and help make the environment as attritious as possible for the opposing team. If you are just going to watch, stay home and give the tickets to any of the 10,000+ on the waiting list that will make a difference.

I am an M alum, as are my parents, brother and sister. I grew up in East Lansing and my Mother's side of the family are all Columbus Bucknuts. I am tired of hearing from Sparty, Buckeye and Penn State fans what a lame, easy venue our stadium is to play in. I live in California now and even fans out here, from Cal of all places, give me shit about it. I have heard our beloved Big House referred to as, 'The Big Easy', Whine Country, The Big Mouse, etc, ad nauseam...

Our program has taken steps toward becoming an elite team nationally, we should be on our way to becoming an elite fanbase. That doesn't mean Bucknut-esque lunacy, or the 'Yo, Brah', empty chest-thumping of Spartyrdom, but you can go all out for your team. I sort of look at Texas fans as having a pretty good handle on things and are a great mix of crazy and classy. Their stadium rocks, why can't ours?

I think it may take a while, as the blue-hairs will only be purged with time.

I don't agree with the vitriole on either end of this conversation. You are supposed to be on the same side, so chill out a bit and enjoy 3-0.

BlueVoix

September 20th, 2009 at 5:07 PM ^

"I'm part of the "I don't want to abandon Michigan Stadium to rude gen-y millenials to the detriment of people who have the kind of money it takes to support one of the handful of the biggest athletic departments in the country" crowd."

So, you're a douche?

Bando Calrissian

September 19th, 2009 at 8:46 PM ^

I'm all for standing up, all of that. However, if you're the only person standing in your section, that does NOT give you the right to stand up and try to prove a point. No, this doesn't make you a more hardcore fan--it just makes you a pathetic 20-something who doesn't understand you're not in the student section anymore. Take a seat and yell. It's called being considerate.

Section 1

September 19th, 2009 at 10:39 PM ^

I support the Michigan football program. I contribute to the athletic department. I go to the games. I cheer for the team. I go on road trips with them to cheer them on and support them in other stadiums.

And you think that I am a "horrible person" because I have suggested that while standing up for the entire game is okay for the student section, it really is not a good idea for the rest of the stadium?

Is that what makes me a "horrible person" in the eyes of the MGoBlog demographic?

Who are you guys? Maybe I am in the wrong place.

MaizeNBlue

September 19th, 2009 at 10:49 PM ^

I'm not negging you at all for presenting your opinion, just offering friendly opposition to it because I disagree with you. I doubt most the people who read this thread think you're a horrible person.

The only thing I can think of is that maayyyybe you should've read your first posts before posting to see what people would perceive "the point" or what you were trying to imply. Because it seemed to come off as a bit harsh.

speakeasy

September 19th, 2009 at 10:52 PM ^

And your support is appreciated.
I agree with the general principle of standing during the entire game, I just don't really see a need for posters to drop into ad hominem attacks against you or others that they disagree with.

Section 1

September 19th, 2009 at 11:19 PM ^

It sounds so good to say it that way, doesn't it?

It doesn't sound quite so good when it is described as some guy or a couple of guys, who do not need to stand, and whose standing actually blocks the view of people who also paid for seats and who do not want to stand.

For the record, I am not criticizing "fans who want to stand and cheer." I AM criticizing fans whose standing is a nuisance to people sitting behind them.

How do you know when you've become a nuisance? Easy. When somebody tells you to please sit down, so that everybody else can see, too.

octal9

September 19th, 2009 at 10:32 PM ^

I really, really tried to avoid this, but you dragged it out of me.

You're a dick.

Pity that nobody just beat them all down.

Nobody should have that type of attitude towards opposing fans. They just happen to like the other team.

You're a dick.

Catholepistimiad

September 19th, 2009 at 9:20 PM ^

100% agreement. You cannot be a great fan without some discretion. Know when to sit and when to stand.

I had this girl two rows in front of me--one fan--that stood up the whole ND game. I stand up quite a bit, but the WHOLE game? She deserved some flying debris (but I don't condone that because the target is almost never hit).

aenima0311

September 19th, 2009 at 8:51 PM ^

You don't need to stand the whole game, but you shoudld stand most of the time the team is on defense and for crucial plays. No reason not to. You should never feel you need to sit down because the people behind you don't like it.

bouje

September 19th, 2009 at 9:09 PM ^

and this is what is wrong with America. Everyone is too fat and lazy. I'm not going to say anymore than this because I know I'll get negged into oblivion but I hardly think that the worst thing that you could do is to stand up for a few hours and burn some calories.

the_big_house 500th

September 19th, 2009 at 9:10 PM ^

For all the 3rd downs for Eastern and Michigan. I stood during "The Victors" (which is a must) and after a big offensive play like A 30 or 40 yard throw deffinetly. I personally like going to hockey games more than football games you don't have to worry about down in front. But yes football and soccer games are standing games in my opinion. I think it makes the game more exciting and the student section is highly recommended.