My Pops honored for 71 yrs at Big House
I hardly ever post and will probably get this wrong but wanted to share an article on my grandfather who was honored at UNLV game for 71 yrs of service. I know there's some on here that bash the ushers occassionally but I'm proud of this man and his service over all these years.
I'll get to be with him at the MSU game in a few weeks as I take my somewhat annual trip up from Texas.
Link to MLive article: http://tinyurl.com/nbqs8bu
This is a pic from 2010 when I brought my oldest up for his first game at the Big House.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:11 PM ^
He got quite the ovation at the UNLV game. Everyone in my section was really impressed at seven decades of service. Really cool!
I haven't seen anyone bash ushers on here, but if I see it I'll neg them since I am friends with/tailgate with a bunch of ushers who are great. They usher the student section.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:16 PM ^
It's been awhile since I've seen it but usually its, "ushers don't do anything" or "they get paid all that money ($25) just to stand there and watch the game for free." I don't let it bother me but enough to put the caveat in the OP.
Again, I'm proud of Pops as game days are long days for his age/health but he loves this university and all their athletics. I'm concerned for the day he stops working games because thats all he has left since my grandmother passed 5 yrs ago.
One more thing, he is the biggest homer their is. I'm pretty sure he'll still swear to an undefeated season, as if Utah didn't happen.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:42 PM ^
I didn't realize the ushers got paid. I assumed it was volunteer. In fact, I thought I read in BLL that it was a volunteer position.
September 29th, 2015 at 1:13 PM ^
I read that in BLL too. But having also worked as an usher previously, I can confirm that BLL is in error on this (small) point.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:16 PM ^
How early do they have to get inside the stadium and can they sneak booze in for you?
September 28th, 2015 at 7:02 PM ^
Kid! I like it.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:24 PM ^
Most of the bashing that goes on around here is apparently aimed at a very undeserving WD...
September 28th, 2015 at 7:33 PM ^
You'll......*Neg Someone*?!?!?!??!!
Oh god, please no. Anything but that
Have mercy on a poor soul! Think of the children who have to see this bloodshed
September 28th, 2015 at 8:34 PM ^
I concur.
Your grandfather got the loudest round of applause of all the ushers & some of the loudest cheers of the day.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:14 PM ^
Well done. Thanks for sharing this.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:18 PM ^
I always enjoyed when they honored the ushers at the games - more than 70 years is pretty amazing. Congrats to your pops! The article is nicely done as well. Favorite quote:
"Michigan, to me, is the finest college in the country, bar none," Luke said. "Michigan State was nothing — you went there to milk cows ... They weren't even in the Big Ten back then."
September 28th, 2015 at 5:18 PM ^
Huzzah, huzzah!
September 28th, 2015 at 5:19 PM ^
who talks about the ushers?? I love them! one caught me when I fainted coming up from row 7 when I was 38 weeks pregnant!
September 28th, 2015 at 5:54 PM ^
That you were in Michigan Stadium 38 weeks pregnant makes you a Goddess on this blog.
+1,000.
September 28th, 2015 at 7:29 PM ^
It must have been you that told the story of seeing him at games several years later, and that he still recognizes you at today. I thought of that story and laughed to myself as i passed the usher entering my section for the Oregon St game.
September 28th, 2015 at 8:18 PM ^
and my son is now 14 and 6'1!
Not a goddess at all. It's just that not much can keep me from my Michigan football. Don't tell my girlfriends though, I think they would be mortified by my football love.
September 28th, 2015 at 8:31 PM ^
With apologies to Bill Simmons, formerly of ESPN, if you didn t marry a Michigan fan, you settled!
September 28th, 2015 at 8:32 PM ^
offer you a seat with us in row 78 next time you go to a game 38 months pregnant [that is, if there is a next time :-) ]. That's quite a climb, as row 7 is 63 rows down from the exits in most sections of The Big House.
September 28th, 2015 at 10:21 PM ^
The factory is closed, however. I must say I LOL-ed and also cringed at your slight "38 months" error. I would definitely not be in the Big House 38 months pregnant. That would be the downfall of society right there.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:20 PM ^
I clapped very loudly for 71 years up in section 3. What section does your Dad work?
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September 28th, 2015 at 5:25 PM ^
Section 1 above the tunnel. Been standing there forever. He calls it Ricky Leach's section as he sits there and is so kind to Pops.
And it's my Grandfather, which my kiddos call Pops, not my father - just FYI.
September 28th, 2015 at 7:31 PM ^
Can you please tell him to stop allowing the poster formerly known as Section1 to his seats? That would be great.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:20 PM ^
I've shot the breeze and exchanged high fives with quite a few ushers over the years. They have seen it all.
September 28th, 2015 at 8:55 PM ^
Over in section 36 we've had some of the best, and some of them have been doing it for a long time, too---the most senior usher in my section, Dave, was honored on the video board at the UNLV game for 45 years of service. As I've been sitting in those seats since 1980, just a half dozen rows up and next to his entrance, he's seen my kids grow up and seen me grow (nearly) old.
Another in our section, Bert, has been there for about 20 years. Last summer, totally at random, I ran into him in Stevensville (SW corner of Michigan) when he and his wife were in town for a wedding---it was like seeing a long lost friend!
...and even then, CJM, the total years of service for Dave and Bert in my section falls 6 years short of what your Grandpa has done himself. What a great story, thanks for posting that about him!
September 28th, 2015 at 5:24 PM ^
Hear-hear!
September 28th, 2015 at 5:24 PM ^
You should be very proud of him!
September 28th, 2015 at 5:26 PM ^
Cheer for your dad. Thank you for his service.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:27 PM ^
I remember the applause when they introduced him.....being dedicated to anything for 71 years is impressive. I know that I greet and address our usher by name ever week.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:27 PM ^
That's actually really cool and congratulations to him.
I also never understood the attitude some have towards the ushers - they are witnesses to history in many cases, particularly those that I have been around a while. I have even asked a few what their favorite game was, even in the knowledge that they might not have been able to all of it, and the responses are often fascinating.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:28 PM ^
I love this story. Congrats!
September 28th, 2015 at 5:29 PM ^
And he looks great for being ~91 years old!
September 28th, 2015 at 5:34 PM ^
For retiring from the position during our lean times, yet, he never wavered apparently in his Ufer-like devotion to Meechigan.
I'd award your dad with an honorary degree if it was up to me. Perhaps we all should make some calls and send e-mails.
Most of us will not have 71 years to give back.
September 28th, 2015 at 8:34 PM ^
Yes! WD - make it so.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:46 PM ^
This is awesome. You need to sit with him and have him document some of the things he's seen in the stadium.
Michigan football did not just start with color TV broadcasts. Everytime we talk about "greatest games in Michgian Stadium", we always start in 1969 as if nothing happened before then. Those championships in 1947, 1948, etc. didn't just win themselves.
I'm sure there were some epic, exciting, down-to-the-wire games that he could tell you about that have been lost to the radio airwaves.
I'd love to see his list of Top Ten moments in Michigan Stadium history.
Vote_Crisler_1937, I'd also love to hear yours.
What are some of the greatest games in Michgian Stadium history that none of the rest of us know about?
September 28th, 2015 at 9:45 PM ^
on the stories both his Grandpa and Vote_Crisler_1937 could and should tell.
I just love hearing stories from people who have lived the past---my Grandpa told me a lot in my youth about being in Germany at the tail end of WWI, as he was an MP with the duty of keeping our 'Doughboys' out of trouble in the German Beer Halls post-war. And my neighbor, for instance, told me many a story about WWII in the Pacific before he passed away a few years ago.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:56 PM ^
That is great....you definitely get a thumbs up.
September 28th, 2015 at 9:17 PM ^
Jack has fucked 'em all....Tiger never had a chance to catch him.
September 28th, 2015 at 5:58 PM ^
Have interviews done by a quality interviewer and/or write a book. I'm personally willing to represent your dad free of charge in terms of IP clearance, protection and licensing provided my actual identity is kept private. Please feel free to reach me for this purpose at: [email protected] or at -gmail.com, I forget which applies. Good luck.
September 28th, 2015 at 6:10 PM ^
Started working there at age 10%.
September 28th, 2015 at 6:30 PM ^
and there was an audible collective gasp in the stadium when they said "71 years". Amazing. I cheered wildly.
September 28th, 2015 at 6:44 PM ^
I shared this article on my Facebook feed. Amazing story, amazing quote about little brother, and an amazing man. Awesome.
September 28th, 2015 at 6:52 PM ^
I think Bo, Yost, and Crisler would all be impressed with your grandfather's loyalty.
I know a co-worker who is an usher. Steve is his name. Your grandfather may know him. He is a large man who just happens to have gone to high school with the Harbaughs.
September 28th, 2015 at 7:00 PM ^
Anyone who does something for 71 years must really love it. He's witnessed a lot of Michigan history. So, is it true he started when he was 10 years old? :-)
September 28th, 2015 at 7:15 PM ^
He thinks he is 91 (as article mentions exact birth date unknown) so he was 20ish when he started.
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September 28th, 2015 at 8:46 PM ^
He looks good for 91. Seriously.
September 28th, 2015 at 9:15 PM ^
He looks great, and not to be morbid, but dying while doing something you love is a pretty damn good way to go.
I hope he can usher and live to 100, so he can watch us beat OSU and win another NC or 3.
September 28th, 2015 at 7:18 PM ^
1 love pops!
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September 28th, 2015 at 7:24 PM ^
Amazing how the Big House touches so many lives and how so many lives touches the Stadium and the people that visit. Congratulations!
September 28th, 2015 at 7:47 PM ^
Quite the service record. Bravo man and tell your Grandpa he kicks ass!
September 28th, 2015 at 7:49 PM ^
Great story thank you for sharing this with us. Very cool gramps you have there I'd be damn proud of him too!