Confessions of a Walmart Wolverine
I was born in Williamston, Michigan. I played basketball for Williamston Middle School in the seventh grade. As an underprivileged kid, I was befriended by our head coach. One of his interventions to make a positive impact on my life was a trip to watch MSU play ball. I don't remember who they played, but I remember Scott Skiles driving to the basket over what seemed like ten guys to win the game. I never forgot that moment.
From there I bounced around, drifting and following sports in general. I remained aware of MSU and even followed some of their football. Eventually in the late 90's I ended up on active duty stationed at Ft. Bragg. For context, it as 1997. One of my three roommates was a big football fan. His team was Washington St. We were also highly competitive and nearly came to blows several times during many of our drunken endeavors. Needless to say, we all watched that game together in the barracks. I never forgot that moment either.
Again, I bounced around following sports in general.
I remember the likes of Chris Perry and "Too Far" Navarre, but I also remember Lorenzo White and Tony Mandarich. It's one hell of a dichotomy.
In the end, I never really followed any of it with real commitment until a freshman named Chad Henne started instead of Gutierrez. I've been there for every gut wrenching loss since. I did the walk of shame at Notre Dame stadium when the Irish came back to win in 2002. I watched the Rose Bowl against Vince Young and Texas with my wife's cousin who just returned from Iraq. (He is a Texas fan, so I was OK with the loss for him.) I was also at Michigan Stadium for the RR miracle against Wisconsin. Hell, before that I had my wife drive me to Ann Arbor just so I could stand outside the Big House on my birthday in July.
So there you have it. As a kid I pulled for Sparty. That is my sin. My wife likes to tell everyone I still pulled for Sparty when we met 15 years ago. Technically I was pulling for Sparty against UNC, so that does not count. Either way, in my heart I'm a Michigan fan. Call me a traitor. Do what you will. This confession may mean nothing. Or maybe I'm the Steve Bartman of Michigan Football. If that's the case, let this be my exorcism.
GO BLUE!
September 17th, 2014 at 2:30 PM ^
the people who ask me if I went there are disgruntled Michigan State people who didn't get in. Usually they didn't believe me. I've even brandished my old student ID once to prove that I did go to Michigan. Then about 3/4 of them, would go on to tell me that they too got into Michigan but they thought the campus was too arrogant for them. So they went to MSU.
September 15th, 2014 at 9:19 PM ^
I don't care how or why someone roots for Michigan, if they are reasonable and a good person about it all I am glad they are fans. I dislike arrogant and idiotic fans, whether they actually went to Michigan or purchased a knockoff sweatshirt at Wal-Mart.
September 15th, 2014 at 9:20 PM ^
Been a Michigan fan since birth but $54,000 a year was not something I wanted to pay.
Attend Nebraska now. GBR*
*Go Blue all day though.
September 15th, 2014 at 9:35 PM ^
I inherited my fandom from my dad- he was in high school when he watched his first game with his dad, circa 1969 (the final score was 24-12), his dad was a devout Wolverine who didn't go to college because he was busy fighting for the USMC 1st Division in Guadalcanal, later Okinawa, etc. Anyway I was 5ish when my dad took me to my first game in the late 80's. I literally haven't missed a game yet. I have never bought Michigan apparel at Wal-Mart, but we are both EMU grads and I feel like my world has come to an end when Michigan loses; complete elation when they win. I never "chose" to be a Michigan fan, I feel as though I was born this way. I even wonder sometimes if I can simply turn it off. I have asked "God, please take this cup from me, it is more than I can bear." But I continue to carry it. It is who I am. I was born this way.
So fuck off Valenti.
September 15th, 2014 at 9:35 PM ^
Except OSU. You can't root for them. That would be stupid.
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September 16th, 2014 at 6:20 AM ^
September 15th, 2014 at 9:44 PM ^
We all take different paths to Michigan. No matter how you get here, the only thing that matters in the end is whether or not you stay.
September 15th, 2014 at 10:31 PM ^
Well put. Bo was not a graduate of Michigan. Lloyd Carr graduated from Northern Michigan University. We all can contribute and support the program in our own way.
September 15th, 2014 at 9:45 PM ^
September 15th, 2014 at 9:48 PM ^
September 15th, 2014 at 9:53 PM ^
We have a user here, Logan88, who is "no longer a Michigan fan."
How does that even happen? We hear tales of the opposite fairly regularly, but wtf?
September 16th, 2014 at 12:36 PM ^
That is a paradox- if you decide you are "no longer a fan" then you were never really one to begin with.
September 15th, 2014 at 10:01 PM ^
I have always dreamed of having a degree from the University of Michigan. Unfortunately by my junior year in high school I had messed around enough to be lucky to go anywhere. Needless to say even with a turn around my senior year I didn't exactly achieve at Michigan standards. Plus I was an out-of-state kid so mucho $
Anyway I have since earned my bachelors and masters degree from a small private school in Nebraska and have become an educator. But I have still thought about getting that U of M degree often.
So is there anyway for a non traditional student (33 year old professional educator) to make that happen at Michigan? I am not talking online as I doubt an institution such as Michigan would offer that but I am also not talking about moving into the dorms (a la the dude from weezer) any suggestions?
September 15th, 2014 at 10:08 PM ^
I would guess some sort of advanced degree in education would help your career (I know public school teachers in many places get bonus pay for having them). Not sure it would be worth the time or the money career-wise, but if you want a two year vacation from real life there are worse things you could do with your time.
EDIT: Noticed you said you already have a master's degree, so I would just recommend a fake birth certificate and living in the dorms. Might as well go all in.
September 16th, 2014 at 9:30 AM ^
Hell, I'd kill to go back and live on campus. When I make enough to retire, I'd like to go back and take some fun/interesting grad major and live right on campus. I may keep doing it until I run out of programs. Then on to Doctorate.
September 15th, 2014 at 10:38 PM ^
Look into the online Certificate in Public Health from UM SPH. It's distance learning... you can totally do this online...... and it is an amazing program. Perfect for a "nontraditional" student such as yourself. Classes are held on weekday evenings. You can be an adult UM grad learner and comprehend health care reform at the same time! You'll be the one people look to at cocktail parties for insight and wisdom.
September 15th, 2014 at 10:03 PM ^
September 15th, 2014 at 10:19 PM ^
If/when a school like Duke has a very successful year or two in football, it might generate some excitement, but after another down year, they quickly fade back into irrelevance. Fortunately, programs like Michigan and Texas can go through some rough times without losing all their credibility. And that has a lot to do with having a large following that goes beyond just students and alumni.
Sure, this comes with a few extra bad apples, some of whom you might see trolling the ESPN, MLive, and Bleacher Report message boards, saying embarrassing stuff like 'Moo U' and 'Suckeyes'. But regardless, we should all be very grateful for the many fans that, despite not being alumni, loyally follow Michigan sports while carrying themselves with class.
September 15th, 2014 at 10:39 PM ^
I grew up in Central IL watching college football with my grandpa. Its one of my earliest memories. He'd let me pick my team, and he'd root for the other. I ALWAYS chose Michigan. I was in middle school before I realized that Illinois even had a football team... Well kinda I guess. Michigan is the only team I've ever known.
September 15th, 2014 at 10:26 PM ^
Take it from THE WalmartWolverine, son: You'll be OK.
September 15th, 2014 at 10:28 PM ^
But let's make one thing clear. I wouldn't even sing the Spartan fight song in elementary school when our MSU grad music teacher made us.
September 15th, 2014 at 10:32 PM ^
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September 16th, 2014 at 9:45 AM ^
I grew up in Columbus in the Cooper era
It was awesome, wasn't it? I lived in Dayton (90 mins outside Columbus, very pro-Ohio State area) during the early Cooper years. Man was it fun to be a Michigan fan living in Ohio during that time. I walked around with a constant smirk. We were so in their heads.
I was not alone. There were a lot of Michigan fans around and they would make their presence known. On the day before the '86 Michigan - Ohio State game (the Harbaugh "guarantee" game), I looked up to where my company normally displayed the company flag on top of the tallest building in the office park . . . to see a big bad-ass Block M flag, even though most of the employees where Ohio State slappys.
The Monday after that game was a pretty good day at work for me.
September 15th, 2014 at 10:35 PM ^
Were you in the 82nd airborne? Believe me, you can root for whoever the hell you want. . . except Ohio State.
And thank you for your service.
September 16th, 2014 at 6:02 AM ^
I was 50th SIG. I currently serve as a crew chief for an Apache unit in the North Carolina National Guard.
And, my pleasure!
September 15th, 2014 at 10:36 PM ^
September 15th, 2014 at 10:45 PM ^
September 15th, 2014 at 11:06 PM ^
the year that great grandmother was the first woman to graduate from michigan. so important was she that i named our present bird-dog after her (maude). as an aside, we hunted the grouse opener this morning before work. i was 4th gen, one of my brothers has 2 daughters who are the 5th gen. don't know if any of my children will attend, but they will all undoubtedly be life-long fans. who could call them wal-mart fans?
bottom line: if you come by it honestly and aren't just a fair-weather fan, bless your maize and blue heart for pulling for michigan!
September 15th, 2014 at 11:14 PM ^
It was my 1st visit to a college football game... vs Texas A&M... and the hook was set. Season ticket holder for the last 36 years.
Or maybe it was Bob Ufer!? Just thinking of his enthusiasm makes me smile.
It hasn't been all sh1ts and giggles, but I promised myself in Pasadena (Jan 1998) that I would accept whatever the football gods provided from that point forward.
Looking forward to Saturday and another chance to support the Maize and Blue!
September 15th, 2014 at 11:22 PM ^
Grew up a Michigan fan. Attended Michigan. Graduated from Michigan. Attended Notre Dame.
September 15th, 2014 at 11:27 PM ^
September 16th, 2014 at 5:25 AM ^
September 15th, 2014 at 11:37 PM ^
Reading this as I sit in my apartment in East Lansing, Staee student but a die hard Michigan fan
September 15th, 2014 at 11:46 PM ^
September 16th, 2014 at 12:18 AM ^
September 16th, 2014 at 4:38 PM ^
A perjorative term concocted by jealous sparty fans and perpetuated by anti-Michigan media haters.
ND's "Subway Alumni" is considered an endearing term for Irish fans who didn't attend ND yet somehow the massive fan base of non-Uof M Grads are demeamed.
I didn't attend U of M but went to my first Mich game on Sept.26,1959 (20-15 loss to Missouri).I've listened to hundreds of Michigan games on radio and seen almost every Televised game since the rule limiting the number of TV games was changed.
#1 on my bucket list is to watch the 1,000 Michigan football victory sometime in the early 2020's.
#2 Is to take a massive dump in the middle of the big 0 in Columbus.
September 16th, 2014 at 12:20 AM ^
I come from a family full of Buckeyes. 2 Uncles, 2 grandparents retired from the OSU athletic department, mom played softball there. OSU/Michigan game is an annual gathering for the family and so as a 7 year old, I remember watching The Game. Since I was a youth running back at the time, the 95 game (my first) was pretty cool because I had Eddie George and Biakabutuka. Obviously 21 had a huge day, and that is honestly what made me a fan. Most of the family was devastated when I asked for M gear for that Christmas. I have since converted both parents and siblings to Michigan fans, but the uncles won't turn
September 16th, 2014 at 12:35 AM ^
First memories were watching Michigan football with my grandmother and her sister (both grads). Grew up a Chicago kid in the 90's and I had as much (if not more) of fanaticism with Michigan football as the Jordan Bulls. Dreamed of going to Ann Arbor...just realized in high school I didn't want a big school for edumacatin' and opted for small liberal arts (would do it all again). Skipped Alma Mater's D3 live games for Michigan games on TV. Dating Michigan Grad now though...lucky me and funny how things work out like that.
We went to this Miami (NTM) game, my first in 15 years...and I don't think I blinked once while inside the stadium. The band, the banner, and the blues brothers chant. It was just too perfect.
F***you Sparty for calling me a WalMart Wolverine.
The ONLY thing I don't do is say "we" when talking Michigan...because for all the love and loyalty I have, it's not MY Alma Mater. It's my girlfriend's and all of yours and no matter how much I want it, I will never have the same connection an Alum will. I will say though...I think I hate Ohio Sate just as much as anyone...
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September 16th, 2014 at 8:11 AM ^
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September 16th, 2014 at 11:49 AM ^
I came by my fanship through my boyfriend, who is a Michigan grad, but grew up in East Lansing. His entire extended family is divided between Michigan and MSU, and they are lovely people, but their inner spartiness crops up from time to time. I chose my MGoUsername as a counterpoint to the "walmart wolverine" theme because I went to an ivy league school and wanted to express that being a fan of Michigan is a conscious choice and not just bandwagoning.
September 16th, 2014 at 9:40 AM ^
Born in Ypsi, relocated to Tennesseee at the age of three months (THANKS GM), a MTSU Blue Raider graduate, but an entire spare bedroom in my apartment (I'm only 23) devoted to Michigan. I go to Ann Arbor twice a year and any bowl game located from Louisiana to Florida. Two jerseys, sixteen "M" shirts (yes, I counted), two pairs of "M" shorts, two pairs of "M" joggers, three sweaters and two "M" jackets in the closet.
I've had to endure Tennessee and SEC fans my entire life, which admittedly is probably just as bad as you having to endure with the two Spartan fans you probably know. I could not afford out of state tuition, so Michigan was never an option for me. My mom (who lives in Lansing now) has pictures of me in 1994 in a #21 Michigan uniform.
I'm so thankful for my mom and dad raising me right and teaching me what a great institution the University of Michigan is. I'm thankful they instilled a tradition of watching Michigan every Saturday (even when we had to order Michigan vs. Purdue in the 90's and early 2000's for $4.99 because ESPN was playing Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt in our area.) No Spartan will ever degrade me with a label just because I was raised right and they weren't, especially when I know more about THEIR team than they probably do.
Go blue today; go blue tomorrow; go blue forever.
September 16th, 2014 at 10:21 AM ^
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September 16th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^
I just moved from Murfreesboro to Brentwood/Cool Springs. I'll be here until at least August 2015.
September 16th, 2014 at 11:51 AM ^
We live in Brentwood. It's not too bad here, but I do miss Ann Arbor.
September 16th, 2014 at 10:53 AM ^
My first grade teacher was a big Michigan fan and her room was always decorated in maze and blue. I remember how excited she was about Bo being the coach. I became a Michigan fan that year. My Father was a big ND fan but I did not like the Irish and have been a Michigan fan ever since the first grade. I always wanted to be a star QB at Michigan, just like Rick Leach. Never made it to that level but at least I got to attend college at Michigan!
September 16th, 2014 at 2:00 PM ^
September 16th, 2014 at 5:49 PM ^
The only way one is a Walmart Wolverine is if they quote U of M's ranking for academics to someone who say, went to MSU - while they
1. either didn't go to college or
2. went to a "lesser school".
Every fan base has fans who didn't go there - Sparties like to throw around Walmart Wolverines with reckless abandon, but unless they've been wronged in the matter mentioned above, they're just reguratating Mike Valenti's crap that spews from his dirty whore mouth.
September 16th, 2014 at 6:41 PM ^
Much of my family lives near Lansing and are MSU fans. I even worked there one summer with my grandma (who worked there for years before retiring). My Sparty fandom didn't last long. I remember watching a Michigan/MSU game at a very young age with my dad (UM fan) and uncle (MSU fan). I remember telling my dad I was an MSU fan just like my uncle. My dad said: "That's fine, but they're going to lose badly." His prediction came true and my five minutes of Sparty fandom ended forever.