How Much Fandom (Gear) Is Too Much Fandom?

Submitted by MaizeMN on

 The other day I had to take our new Morkie pup, Cujo (I wanted to name him Hairbaugh) to the veterinerian. While there, the vet noticed my MICHIGAN survival bracelet and asked if I was a fan. I replied that I was an alumnus, Class of '88, and followed with the obligatory GO BLUE!

On my way back to the office, I realized that not only was I wearing a MICHIGAN bracelet, but also a UM watch, '95 throwback Fab Five Nikes and carrying a Michigan wallet. I'm originally from Traverse City, but currently live in MN, so there isn't an abundance of UM fans here. (mostly Gopher and Badger folk) So... 

How much gear is too much gear?

Do those of you that live outside Michigan tend to wear more, less, or the same amount of branded clothing as when you were a student or resident?

 What is the perception/reaction in other places to your Michigan attire?

Edit: Changed thread title to clarify

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South Bend Wolverine

April 9th, 2016 at 10:29 PM ^

I can see your point here somewhat, but it's also worth bearing in mind that Michigan for most of us is way more than a sports team.  Not just in the way that a lot of people will say that their team is more than *just* a generic team, but also quite literally.  It's a university, a part of our past, of our families, etc.  I know people who had their lives saved by the UM hospital.  When I wear a Michigan shirt or hat, yeah, the teams are often what I'm most immediately connecting with, but it's also because of all the rest of that package.  Representing the totality of what Michigan means is something I don't mind doing every day of my life.

Joined: 09/11/2009

MGoPoints: 7918

Muttley

April 10th, 2016 at 2:12 PM ^

once when he gets a kiss, twice when he makes it to third base, and three times when he goes all the way.  He's befuddled as to what to do when he gets to second.

the horn Ufer used to sound was the horn off one of Gen. George Patton's jeeps. Somebody had given it to him (Patton's nephew). It was three honks for a TD, two honks for a FG and one honk for a PAT. I remember when Ufer got flustered because Michigan had just scored on a safety and he didn't know how many honks to give it.

http://www.jldr.com/michigan.htm

Joined: 07/07/2009

MGoPoints: -73245

StephenRKass

April 9th, 2016 at 10:48 PM ^

"Whatever works for you" is the right answer. I own more Michigan stuff than any other logo or team shirt. But partly, it is work related. There are places where Michigan themed clothing just wouldn't be appropriate. I'm sure everyone has enough sense to know when and where. Now, I definitely favor white and blue buttondown shirts, blue blazers, and gold or maize ties. But I happen to love some greens and browns as colors, and I'm sure not going to avoid "green" because it is an MSU color. I'll never wear an MSU shirt, but green? No problem. 

Joined: 07/15/2008

MGoPoints: 23003

The Dreaded Re…

April 9th, 2016 at 10:51 PM ^

Couple shirts, a hoody, two hats, and my M workout shorts. I would include a track jacket but the wife has staked a claim to that.  

 

I'm consistly blown away by how many Go Blues I get out here on the west coast, first in the Bay Area and now in Seattle.  Alumni are everywhere!

 

Sadly, I'm guessing the next game I'll get to go to will be when the team comes out to play the Huskies in 2020.

Joined: 09/06/2014

MGoPoints: 196

drjaws

April 9th, 2016 at 10:58 PM ^

None. No such thing as too much. I have about 15 tee shirts. About 10 of them are UM. I think I have one non-UM hoodie. I have 3 pair of sweat pants. 2 are UM.

In fact, about 95% of clothes I wear are UM, Lions, Tigers or Red Wings. The rest are work clothes.



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rob f

April 10th, 2016 at 2:24 AM ^

although I probably have closer to about 20 Michigan Tees. And 75% of what I wear is (in this order) U of M, Tigers, Lions, Red Wings. Last Piston item purchased was a Championship cap over a decade ago---still have it but not worn in several years.

Joined: 11/11/2010

MGoPoints: 195024

Santa Clause

April 9th, 2016 at 11:16 PM ^

When Bo died in 06, and then after the loss to OSU, I was so mad and built up with rage that I threw my coffee mug at the wall and it shattered into a million pieces. At that exact moment, I knew that I was getting to emotionally attached to the team and decided to dial it back a bit. I hated losing Bo and the game, but it taught me a valuable lesson. And that is never get so emotionally attached that you might possibly do something you will regret later on.

Joined: 12/12/2015

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Rosey09

April 9th, 2016 at 11:16 PM ^

My favorite apparel purchasing memories from my time in Ann Arbor involved getting off the bus from North Campus after class on a Friday during the week of a big game, hearing the band practicing, and walking to Moe's Sportshop before I got home. I don't jones for the latest Michigan apparel, but I still love wearing the beat up M ballcap I bought ten years ago.

Joined: 02/05/2009

MGoPoints: 2779

quigley.blue

April 9th, 2016 at 11:17 PM ^

1) there is no such thing as too much, but you should probably have SOME other stuff. Probably. 2) I wear less than when I was in college, but 90% of the time that I'm not at work or "wearing something nice" when my wife asks me to, it's Michigan tshirts. 3) I wear a Michigan lanyard at work that people almost never say anything about, but usually I get a few go blues when I'm out and about and maybe 1 of every ten times I see an Osu fan, one of them will say something. I see a lot of big ten people and nobody else ever says anything



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mgobleu

April 9th, 2016 at 11:31 PM ^

I have quite a bit of M gear, but I pretty much only wear it A, on game days, and B, when I'm out of town. I just like trying to get a rise out of people and counting the "go blue"s I hear when I'm on the west coast or in the south. People in the Midwest see it a lot and pretty much don't care.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 38428

FatGuyTouchdown

April 9th, 2016 at 11:34 PM ^

a few shirts, a michigan pair of sweatpants, and a UM ballpoint pen that I use, and a Michigan wallet. The michigan wallet is lowkey ass and I never use it but my dad got it for me as a gift and I'll probably keep it longer than my actual wallet.

Joined: 09/07/2014

MGoPoints: 14126

dracord

April 9th, 2016 at 11:36 PM ^

speaking of gear and fandom - has anyone seen these hoodies around ann arbor at all? They are the adidas ones that the players have. Want to snag one up before the brand switch and haven't been able to find online 

Joined: 04/12/2012

MGoPoints: 85

Hotel Putingrad

April 10th, 2016 at 12:10 AM ^

a Tigers hat in the summer and a Red Wings fleece in the winter. there's the occasional recognition, but it's nice when I go home at Christmas and see so many people wearing Michigan or Detroit gear around town. Love my hometown, love the pride.

Joined: 12/10/2014

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