Empty seats
Was disappointed to see all the empty seats at the top of the northwest corner of the stadium Saturday, not just at the beginning of the game, but throughout the game. Are those just unsold tickets? Was it due to the noon start? I don't get it, if you can't get excited about the home opener, on a beautiful Saturday morning, in Harbaugh's home debut, against a Power 5 conference opponent, what will it take?
[Edit: Topic obviously touched a nerve, judging by the negs. Thanks for the reasoned responses. Not sure I buy the compaction theory. Just look at some of the photos from the UTL games and the stadium is full to the brim. If compaction is the answer, then why don't we see that impact at all games?]
September 15th, 2015 at 8:03 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 8:13 AM ^
A 50 foot TV? Holy mother of God! I suppose you have an 18 inch Stonehenge too.
September 15th, 2015 at 8:39 AM ^
for MC 900mm Jesus.
September 15th, 2015 at 9:27 AM ^
+1 for that reference. Hell with the lid off!
September 15th, 2015 at 9:25 AM ^
Logged in just to +1 this. And would do so for any Spinal Tap reference.
*Hums "Big Bottoms" to self*
September 15th, 2015 at 9:28 AM ^
We had a reference to Spinal Tap and MC 900 Ft Jesus here. A pretty special moment...
September 15th, 2015 at 8:00 AM ^
Honestly I think part of it, is many , including me, who went to a game or 2 a year are starting to realize there are better things to spend 200 bucks on for a couple tickets + prolly another 100 in misc costs.
I rather take that 600 dollars I was spending on doing this a couple times a year and throw a party for a big game in my basement. and still save money. HDTV has closed the viewing gap quite a bit.
September 15th, 2015 at 11:50 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 8:06 AM ^
Can you refer to any of the one thousand threads addressing this issue over the years? The issues havent' changed: price of a ticket, student compaction, Oregon St, students don't stay the whole time, they suck, etc. Just stop
September 15th, 2015 at 8:58 AM ^
Sorry, it's a new day in Michigan football, so the "thousand" previous threads don't apply IMO.
September 15th, 2015 at 9:40 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^
OK, you got me, how about a new era?
September 15th, 2015 at 8:06 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 8:07 AM ^
The stadium will fill up when the team starts winning regularly.
Watching at home on TV offers a better view, more comfortable seating, lower cost, and better food. (AND BEER)
However, nothing can replace that moment of elation when 100,000 fans celebrate as one after a 60 yard touchdown run or a pick six or game winning drive. So, once Harbaughs system is fully in place I think the students will be there.
September 15th, 2015 at 8:08 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 9:26 AM ^
Exactly this.
The aisles of the student section below row 40 were crammed with people "sitting" in them the whole game. Sitting in row 20 I haven't felt that tightly packed into my seats since UTL II.
The reason for the cramming of the student section is that we have assigned seats now. What happens first is people with seats towards the top initially go to their seats. However, especially during noon games, many people with assigned seats below them arrive late. That means the upper students push down at kickoff, but then the late students (mostly frat and sorority people) show up towards the end of the first quarter and come down to the already full lower sections. Much bickering ensues, but it usually works out and people just squeeze.
September 15th, 2015 at 11:47 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 8:12 AM ^
Many students don't sit in their assigned seats. They push down and stand with their friends. Having said that, there probably were some unused tickets, but the game was a sellout. As Harbaugh continues to turn the program around and the wins pile up, the games will once again be a destination. However, scheduled games like UNLV will make it harder to fill.
September 15th, 2015 at 8:22 AM ^
Over the years I have also begun to realize that as much fun as it is to view live game, there are the comforts of home that can be welcoming too. It began to rain lightly in the second half against Oregon St, we were way ahead by this time and the students were having a great time doing what students do before/ during/ after a game.
The TV timeouts make the game drag on and on and on, often slowing the overall game experience. I do prefer getting up to get another bite to eat or another beverage to just staring at my friends who are sitting next to me. HDTV has really closed the gap for viewing and the cost has skyrocketed to the point you weight the options.
September 15th, 2015 at 8:25 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 8:33 AM ^
Amen. Getting tied up in spectator sports is inherantly irrational. Then when it costs a ton, takes up a lot of time if you're not local, all while that monetary and emotional investment may not be returned (especially recently), I totally understand people being less and less eagar to come to games.
September 15th, 2015 at 8:49 AM ^
IMO, no reason to attend live sporting events anymore.
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September 15th, 2015 at 8:35 AM ^
Now that you mention it, I don't know the last time I've seen a full family at a Michigan game. Dad and son, of course. Young couple and young child, sure. But family of 4+? Can't remember.
September 15th, 2015 at 8:45 AM ^
Yeah, I'd like to take my whole family, but my wife and daughter are only partially interested. Once the band plays at halftime, they're ready to go.
The large financial investment on top of that is the straw that breaks the camel's back. If it's a few bucks for a minor league baseball game, it's not that big of a deal to walk out in the 6th inning. But when you've invested $500 . . .
September 15th, 2015 at 8:57 AM ^
my wife complains when I don't take her (and especially my teenage daughter), but neither of them are fans. It seems like a complete waste of money to bring them along.
September 15th, 2015 at 9:10 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 11:05 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 8:41 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 8:48 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 10:56 AM ^
for 161 out the door. Fees are a bit much but they're guaranteed legit and 3 together in a decent section. But the mad hatter is right. It's going to be a 500 dollar trip from North Carolina to Ann Arbor (tickets included) when you add gas, hotel, meals, etc. It's a special trip I take my kids on to help to show them that aspect of college life.
September 15th, 2015 at 8:43 AM ^
I was fortunate to receive tickets for the NW game this year. But I've stopped attending live games in A2 simply due to cost.
September 15th, 2015 at 9:00 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 9:18 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 9:37 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^
$200 on concessions. Wow. Can I be your son???
September 15th, 2015 at 8:32 AM ^
T-shirts, shorts and no poncho when it's mostly cloudy, high of 65 and a chance of rain. Not a new phenomenon for kids to underdress, but I imagine many students left when it started drizzling, if not earlier.
September 15th, 2015 at 8:47 AM ^
I thought I could tought it out in flip flops, shorts, climalite T-shirt. By the third quarter I had new apparel from M-Den.
September 15th, 2015 at 9:15 AM ^
I'll never forget the '96 game against Boston College. Sunny and 75 when we were leaving for the game, then this huge cold front came through in the 1st quarter. Afterwards, it was mid-50s and windy with rain. I had the T-shirt, shorts, no poncho and completely froze my ass off.
The other nasty game was the infamous 5-0 Purdue game in '95 with the freezing rain. I didn't bring gloves and I couldn't feel my hands by halftime. Had to leave.
September 15th, 2015 at 8:32 AM ^
September 15th, 2015 at 8:38 AM ^
What you got against Marquis?
These guys might file an anti-disrimination law suit.
September 15th, 2015 at 8:56 AM ^
I was suggesting there is discrimination against non-marquis ... i.e., the games of lower quality that are, shall we say, ignoble.
That said, perhaps marquee may be the correct use. However, I don't recall a large tent over the Big House. But then again, that would make it a non-marquee event now wouldn't it? I just don't recall a big tent over the stadium for The Game, or UTL I & II, or even for State. Thus all football games at Michigan Stadium would be non-marquee.
September 15th, 2015 at 9:09 AM ^
Marquee is also the sign outside a venue such as a movie theater that promotes an event. A marquee game refers to the fact that the game is getting more attention than usual.
September 15th, 2015 at 9:10 AM ^
But if you can get on that tent idea that would be awesome.
September 15th, 2015 at 9:36 AM ^
Marquis:
Marquee:
September 15th, 2015 at 9:40 AM ^
Biz Markie:
September 15th, 2015 at 11:26 AM ^
The Marquis de Sade:
Sade's Marquee:
September 15th, 2015 at 10:26 AM ^
Grammar Nazi'ed.