Pictures of Michigan Stadium, early 2000s-ish
The other day I started looking through my old rolls of film from back when I shot film, and on the tail end of one roll I found a set of photos of Michigan Stadium on what seems to be just a random spring afternoon with people running around on the grass. I don't know the exact date because I didn't keep detailed records, but I'm pretty sure it's early 2000s.
September 21st, 2018 at 5:03 PM ^
You nailed it. It looked like nothing special at all from the outside. And that made it look all the more impressive once you got in
September 21st, 2018 at 8:28 PM ^
100% agree Hatter. My first thought as a kid was "where's the stadium?"...feeling confused walking up, my Dad saying "just wait...", then we emerged from the tunnel. Awe inspiring!
50 years later and I still cherish that memory. Thanks Dad for giving me that gift. I was able to pass it along to my three boys, i hope they get to do the same for their kids.
September 21st, 2018 at 8:40 PM ^
Same experience here - ~20 rows of bleachers and a decrepit press box is all you saw from the street. But once inside, holy hell it's big!! I enjoyed being able to walk over from Crisler at halftime of a ball game just to take it in. Fuck Brandon with a hot poker for locking it out...
I hope to pass that feeling on to my son, someday...
September 21st, 2018 at 3:40 PM ^
The stadium still feels big to me. I'm usually pretty traditional but I like the changes - the boxes hold the sound much better.
September 21st, 2018 at 3:44 PM ^
I miss the white uprights. Those look sharp.
September 21st, 2018 at 3:45 PM ^
hey Sergeant, nice post and hope all is well with you
September 21st, 2018 at 3:45 PM ^
Nice pictures. I remember I was in the late fall orientation my freshman year and the last thing our (orientation guides? whatever they're called) took us to was the stadium. It was already getting dark, but we walked down to south campus and onto the field anyway. I have a couple good pictures of us standing in the endzone and at midfield. Good times.
September 21st, 2018 at 3:46 PM ^
Ha! This looks like the late 1990s to me. Peak of Western civilization.
September 21st, 2018 at 3:55 PM ^
The upgrades were so needed. I also don't miss the green end zones.
September 21st, 2018 at 3:56 PM ^
I used to live over by Briarwood Mall. A favorite workout was to run to the stadium and then do a few steps in the stadium. Good times.
September 21st, 2018 at 3:57 PM ^
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My personal favorite!
September 21st, 2018 at 3:58 PM ^
I seem to be in the minority here, but I like the new stadium better. Seeing the photos of the old press box reminded me of John Pollack's "Save the Big House" crusade from a few years ago.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:00 PM ^
Saw these and figured I had some photos lying around my email. Found some from 2004.
Notre Dame 2003
Post OSU 2003
September 21st, 2018 at 4:04 PM ^
Corrections:
The 2003 Notre Dame game, which we won 38-0. That was a wonderful day.
The 2003 OSU game, where we wrapped up the outright Big Ten title.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:07 PM ^
I just realized I made that mistake because I graduated in 2004, but my final football season was 2003.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:17 PM ^
Man are we due and in need for a season like that. Been far too long.
September 21st, 2018 at 5:00 PM ^
I was on the field for this. I ran into Big Papa Pump Scott Steiner and snapped a pic with my Sanyo flip phone. Unfortuantely it's been lost to the ages.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:19 PM ^
I'm pretty sure it was the 2002 season, but my roommates and I would spend every away game playing pick-up games at the stadium... typically it was only us, with a few die-hards running stairs, but man was it an amazing experience. Our one roommate was a "walk-on" (aka film review assistant that had a pair of football gloves), but he introduced us to how the stadium rarely locked its doors.
I vividly remember trying to re-enact Brabbs kick against UW a few weeks after that game... Also, nothing like catching an over-the-shoulder TD in the corner of the endzone.
#humblebrag
September 21st, 2018 at 5:43 PM ^
We played a lot of pick up games in the stadium as well. My first was during Bud Middaugh UM baseball camp in the early 80s when I would pretend to be Jim Harbaugh throwing bombs. Then throughout the 90s as a student when of course you tried to replicate Desmond's fourth down diving catch. 20 years in and around the stadium. Moved away and didn't go to a game from 00-15. Then went to a game 2 years ago. I thought I walked in to an NFL stadium. All of the charm of the old stadium was gone. It felt corporate. So did most of Ann Arbor.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:44 PM ^
I used to live two blocks away on Belmar Place from 1997-2006. I loved running the stairs until they shut off access. Also have fun memories of playing around throwing an Aerobie the length of the field one Sunday during my freshman year in '87.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:49 PM ^
Nostalgia, baby! That field had seen better days though.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:54 PM ^
In the very old hard-as-concrete astroturf, we'd play touch football waiting for basketball games to start, or have punting duels - wherever you fair caught is where you punted back from. I miss those days, and wish others could experience them.
I get that the stadium is much nicer now, but then again so is our local high school football field and track, and we have free access there.
September 21st, 2018 at 5:30 PM ^
Thanks for not posting a picture of the Tom Goss inspired halo as seen from outside the stadium.
September 21st, 2018 at 6:08 PM ^
I don't get the nostalgia for the old look. I was in school then and I thought it needed an upgrade. Looks way better now and it's louder.
September 21st, 2018 at 6:40 PM ^
If they had just upgraded the press box, and did the brick archwork around the outside, it would have been great - but not paid for.
I agree there was something about the artificial horizon of the old bowl against the fall sky and the community of it.
That said, the new stadium is awesome too. It sold my son on Michigan his first game. No other stadium as good for him.
Ed Martin may not have been good at hiring a coach, but the stadium renovation and boxes are very well done.
September 21st, 2018 at 7:05 PM ^
Bill Martin?
September 21st, 2018 at 8:46 PM ^
HAHA!!! Talk about a slip...
September 21st, 2018 at 7:15 PM ^
I don't miss that old press box, but it all looks pretty cool! Thanks for posting!
September 21st, 2018 at 7:45 PM ^
I still have some of the grass turf from the 1997 OSU game sealed in a "purchased" Mitch's mug. That sentence dates me in more ways than one.
September 21st, 2018 at 7:51 PM ^
I've got 4 coaster made from Canhams original carpet. I agree with Dierdorf, that shit is like steel wool!
September 21st, 2018 at 7:47 PM ^
8 years old, 1968. Was able to just walk on to the field. As a little munchkin I was in AWE!
Wish I could give my Grandkids that memory, but not allowed any more :(
September 21st, 2018 at 10:09 PM ^
So who made the determination that the field should be locked up, rather than left open? Definitely jealous of all those folks who were able to enjoy the on-field stadium experience in those days!
September 22nd, 2018 at 1:02 AM ^
Don’t know, but I visited for the homecoming game several times in the early 90’s and was able to get on the field Friday night no problem. We ran down the tunnel, took pictures all over the stadium and played football on the field. Unbelievable then and disappointing it can’t be done now.
September 22nd, 2018 at 10:50 AM ^
Memories. I miss the old look.