Any other wolverines live in hostile territory?
Just wondering how many others live away from Ann Arbor in specifically hostile territories? Do people take cracks at you when you wear your pride out in public? What responses if any do you give? I've mentioned it in my other posts, but being from WV/living there you'd think RR was the spawn of satan and raped every virgin now...
November 24th, 2009 at 10:25 AM ^
I currently live outside Philadelphia with a bunch of Nittany Lions. They're not so bad and have a healthy dislike for the poisonous nuts which make them the enemy of my enemy and thus are approximately my friends. They're particularly pleasant compared to the inhabitants of my former digs - Urbanjo, Illinois. Upon arrival for my 60 month sentence (graduate school), I had the locals inquiring re: my feelings on the "rivalry". What rivalry? Yes, they have the same myopic, one game season with Michigan that sparty enjoys. Fortunately, for the duration of my penance, we did not lose to them.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:04 AM ^
I've taken a few visits to State College for away games and, much to my surprise, most of the PSU fans I have met in that God-forsaken, out of the way town were extremely decent. I hate when that happens; it mitigates the venom.
Speaking of State College, are they isolated or what?
November 24th, 2009 at 10:32 AM ^
The OSU fans here are unbearable. All I hear all the time is how can you be a Michigan fan that was born in Ohio. They can't fathom that someone who was born in Ohio doesn't worship at the altar of OSU football. I mean doesn't every one know OSU football is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I swear they hate Michigan more than they like their own team. I hear crap all the time when I wear my Michigan stuff, but f them I say
November 24th, 2009 at 10:36 AM ^
Here in southern WV, I actually live about 50 miles from VT, the VT fans could care less, but there are more conspiracy theories than JFK has ever saw about RR throwing the Pitt game a few years back because he "knew" he was going UM. It was bad enough about Beilein leaving, but man, after WVU sorda got back on the map and RR left like I said, you would have thought RR raped and plundered every house in the state. Everything from UM paid off RR to throw the game to he got a cheerleader knocked up.... this stuff was printed in the papers too!
Even a couple years after the fact it seems like no matter where I go around here some inbreed is making a statement toward me. I've had more than one person who didn't know me from Adam cuss something about UM. I've had my outdoor flags destroyed. I honestly don't think OSU fans destroy personal property.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:47 AM ^
Live near Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH. Moved here in 2002, and have suffered through recent 1-7 record against dastardly Buckeyes. The most obnoxious people are usually not alumni from OSU, but rather their subway alumni. I've learned to take gruff over wearing anything with Michigan on it. When they ask me if I am a fan of Michigan, I always say, "No, I'm an alumnus." When they hassle me or say something like Sorry you went to Michigan, I always say, "I'm sure you might have had a chance, but you know, it is not my fault you could not get in!"
November 24th, 2009 at 11:00 AM ^
I live in SEC country and the Woodson hatred in this state is ridiculous. I hang my 6 foot flag out on my porch with pride, though it will probably be stolen one day.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:04 AM ^
I live in Central Iowa as well. Iowa fan loves him some Iowa fan. They are obnoxious and drunk. They treat everybody else in the state like they are substandard. They do not have much to live off of except Iowa football, corn futures, and reduced taxes on truck liscences. The last time we beat them they stole one of my flags. At games I've been cursed at, flipped off and threatened.
My son (and daughter) have names pertaining to the University of Michigan and when I pick him up from school on Fridays I hear the GD teacher tell the boy "GO HAWKS!!!" More than one tear falls from my eyes when I hear my 4 year old son turn back and say...."No, GO BLUE!!!"
November 24th, 2009 at 11:52 AM ^
I once played pick-up ball with a guy who attended Iowa and he tried to tell me, with a straight face, that the best pick-up ball in the country is played on Iowa's campus. The guy was serious. I just nodded my head and walked away.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:46 AM ^
I live in Lubbock, TX and before the ND game this season I got harassed at a local Wal-Mart by a redneck dude in a ND hat (yasrsly).
November 24th, 2009 at 11:51 AM ^
I live in lansing, which is why I hate sparty more then brutus. Sparty fans are the worst fans in the world. they know michigan doesn't respect them so that makes the rivalry even worse.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:59 AM ^
Let's see, I grew up in Toledo (50/50 split), which wasn't so bad. You get to really appreciate the Rivalry living up there. I went to high school in a small town in North-Central Ohio. Our fight song was a variation of OSU's and our colors were, you guessed it, red and gray. That was a painful four years of having to play high school football in those uniforms.
I went to college in Dayton, which wasn't as bad due to all of the students from MI; you really only get heckled by the random hick working at the gas station. Now I am residing in Cincinnati, which, as others have noted, isn't so bad. You see more UC merchandise on the shelves than OSU, but there are a fair number of OSU fans/alums.
In short, with the exception of the first few years of my life in MI, I have been living in hostile territory for all of my life. It only serves to make you a stronger fan and love Michigan that much more to have taken all of the abuse through so many years.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:24 PM ^
I live just north of Dayton, and it's pretty awful. Everyone is a buckeye fan now, which is funny because 10 years ago no one gave a shit about them. I really don't get too much shit talk from anyone at school or out and about. It's just annoying to have to listen to everyone think Tressel is a god. Going to Columbus is a totally different story. People over there are nuts.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:31 PM ^
West Michigan is split up into 3rd's Sparty's, Jimmah's, and Rods. I think 2.3% are buckeye fans, but that's also the nation's prevalency for mental retardation. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:49 PM ^
of East Lansing. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't feel the need to tell me how ugly my hat or sweatshirt is. I don't even flinch anymore, as I have become numb to the "hilarity". They always act like it was the final Dragon Punch in the Street Fighter insult contest too, cackling like Jason from Home Movies as their pride swells...
November 24th, 2009 at 12:53 PM ^
my dad used to work down in ohio. he'd wave the double michigan car flags during game weeks down there. i went with him once, and old people were throwing eggs at us. lol.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:53 PM ^
Most smack talk is good natured ribbing.
However I have had my dinner disrupted by a Bucknut who came up to my table and yelled "Michigan Sucks, go Bucks!"
November 24th, 2009 at 1:01 PM ^
I take a lot more shots about the big ten. Most people don't have a problem with M, but always talk about how great the Big 12 is. A lot of it is taken with a grain of salt though bc when you blindly follow a team (UT) because they're good and not because you went there it doesn't hold up against people who support their alma mater.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:18 PM ^
But I can't stand when someone throws out the "I'm a bigger fan because I attended and you're just a casual fan because you didn't." It has been my dream to attend UM since I was a kid. I had to attend the local community college due to finances, but I can assure you there are no bigger Michigan fans in the world than I. I don't think a diploma makes people cheer any louder or love their team any more.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:55 PM ^
I live in Dewitt, but just bought a house in East Lansing. The newspaper here (The State Journal)is terrible. They never mention UofM unless it is negative (i.e. losing, NCAA violations, etc.) Last year on signing day there was a huge article about MSU, and nothing about UofM. Considering people live here from all over the state, you would think they would be more balanced.
By the way, my parents both grew up in Ohio, so all my relatives are OSU fans. Grrrrrrr. Also, I went to college in a small school in Kansas for two years. Nebraska and Iowa fans were the worst! Thier life revolved around thier school football team. I assume that there is nothing else to do there.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:16 PM ^
The LSJ Wolverine coverage (and usually in general) is garbage. If you're lucky you can catch a basketball "write-up" in the first 3 pages!
November 24th, 2009 at 2:42 PM ^
I live in Marysville, Ohio. 45 Mins. NW of Columbus. I work at a big ass Honda plant, and luckily i have found some M friends, but its is sickening. I lived in Saginaw before moving here, and it was 75% M, 20% Michigan State, with Nouvel area making up the 5% as ND fans.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:30 PM ^
I live in Columbus and it gets old after a while. Most people are not real jerks about it but the overall assumption is that everyone is a Buckeye fan; plus you get lots of dirty looks when Michigan is doing well and lots of jokes when they are down (I have lived here during both Cooper and Sweater Vest).
You really can't get away from it as it is on TV, radio, stores, work, even at church the pastor will mention the game (Chris Spielman and John Copper both attend my church).
I will forget I have on my UM hat and when the guy at the drive-thru says he won't serve me with that hat on and starts laughing it often takes me a moment to figure it out.
My mom came to visit close to The Game one year, however, and people were giving her crap all over town so she changed. I told her you can't let them win but she didn't think it was worth the hassle.
Of course, my wife's family all went to Michigan State so I have to take crap from them now too ...
November 25th, 2009 at 3:31 PM ^
I live in Columbus.. it gets pretty brutal sometimes depending on where you are. The most popular question I get when I wear any kind of Michigan gear is "Don't you know you live in Ohio?" Apparently, I'm only allowed to like Ohio State here. Most people will just joke around about it to me but I do every once in awhile get cussed out, people have even thrown shit at my car. I really really can't wait to get out of this town.. one day.