AD is not trying to get fans to attend the Spring Game (my opinion)

Submitted by HELLE on
I think I have attended five of the last six Spring Games, and every year I think that the Athletic Department could do so much more. Dave Brandon is always talking about the "Wow Experience" but I've never seen that applied to the Spring Game. I was a huge fan of the locker room tour a few years ago. That was definitely a step in the right direction, but we haven't seen anything like it since. They could even rotate quick facility tours every year. I would love to see the basketball practice facility, Schembechler Hall or The Glick. I'd even settle for visiting some of the non revenue facilities. This would get more fans in the Big House in April.

Another issue I just noticed about this years Spring Game is the 2 pm start time. Check out the event schedule for Saturday.

• Victors Classic Alumni Flag Football Game (Michigan Stadium), Noon

• Mott Spring Football Game (Michigan Stadium), 2 p.m.

• Women's Tennis vs. Northwestern (Varsity Tennis Center), Noon

• Baseball vs. Minnesota (Wilpon Complex), 2 p.m.

• Softball vs. Ohio State (Wilpon Complex), 2 p.m.

• Men's Lacrosse vs. Fairfield (Michigan Stadium), 4:30 p.m.

A noon start could have increased attendance at baseball and softball. I don't get it. It's not really that big of a deal to me but it seems like a poor decision.

Bando Calrissian

April 1st, 2014 at 12:23 AM ^

"Welll.... I think we had some heady reps there in the second session. Devin really turned in some really dank, Type 2 jamming during the two-minute drill at the end there... The coaches and I are going to sit down with the tapes, maybe have some BTB, I might even spring for a Collider... I think we're going to have something pretty tremendous come fall tour.

What was your question again? Oh, the kicking game?"

ClearEyesFullHart

April 1st, 2014 at 5:24 AM ^

Really, what is the benefit for having more people at the spring practice? It's a nice little fund raiser for the hospital, but what does it do for the team or the University? It's a nice free event/photo op for families with kids too young(or numerous) to go to a game. Have we really become so entitled that we're complaining about free events now?

jblaze

April 1st, 2014 at 9:21 AM ^

What I don't understand is why the AD doesn't use the Marketing Dept at the Business School. It's generally regarded as a top program and I'm sure the BBAs & MBAs would love to do a project to improve the Spring Game experience (and it would basically be free). Make it a 1 credit class with a Marketing Prof and boom.

Same thing for increasing the game experience for students.

M-Dog

April 1st, 2014 at 9:28 AM ^

The Spring Game has never really gotten off the ground at Michigan.

But what if . . . 

What if we had a "Fall Game" before the start of the season at the end of two-a-day practices?  Make the last scrimmage a "Spring Game" type of event.

People would definitely attend that.  It would be like a dry run mini home game.  The players and fans would love it.  It could actually be a significant revenue generator for the AD.

Is there any kind of rule against it?

 

 

Wolverine Devotee

April 1st, 2014 at 7:38 PM ^

Preseason games you say?

Hell, why stop there? There's money to be made! Let's just expand the playoffs to 64 teams, move the start of the season back a month and have a possibility of 20 games and season from August-February!!

I mean after all, according to one school, college football players are employees now!

That really has the Wooooooowwwwwww factor!

Rochester Blue

April 1st, 2014 at 12:20 PM ^

And while I'm not sure how flexible the date can be, April 5 is the first Saturday of Michigan public school Spring Break.  Lots of fans with kids will be out of town. 

IF they could make it 2 weeks later, it'd be warmer.  And make it more of a game.  Fans with kids would love to come and get closer to the field, see some nice catches and runs at a lot less money.  Plus it builds enthusiasm for the program, and can get some parking and concession funds.

But I agree, regardless of whether people should want to attend if DB wanted people to attend, he could do a LOT better.

93Grad

April 1st, 2014 at 1:33 PM ^

I said this in another thread, but all I care about is how Michigan plays on the field this fall, particularly against Sparty and Ohio.  The rest is all just meaningless talk.

Cold War

April 1st, 2014 at 8:32 PM ^

Jesus, are we really going to complain the freaking spring game isn't wow enough? If you don't want to go, don't go. Just stop bitching and looking for an excuse not to.

MGoBlueFan90

April 2nd, 2014 at 10:13 AM ^

I like the Spring game, and have gone lots of times. I really don't know what Brandon is supposed to really promote here (and I get the Dave is a target of criticism on this board).

It's fun to watch and see the players, but it's really not that huge of a deal.