Should I Take My Kid to UM at MSU?

Err why do you want to go if you can't cheer? This year i'm sure there will be tons of UM fans. Obviously it's safer in the sections designated for the visitors. Strength in numbers and all. However, even there your kid may hear things in the bathroom or whatever like "fuck Michigan" and it can be a little intimidating. I would be shocked if anyone tried to directly harass a kid however. It's not Ohio

I say take him, and wear MSU gear and try getting a chant going "Fire Mark! Fire Mark!" See how many might join in with you.

Come on. Really? First off the stadium will be half Michigan fans because most Spartan fans have given up on the season. Secondly, this is not Columbus. You'll see more groups with fans of both schools entering the stadium. EL is not Ohio.

MSU fans are confused Michiganders...not Arkham Asylum looney bucnuts

Yes, take him....      If it were Columbus, then I'd say no way... the OSU fans, the bottom rung, are complete lowlifes.  Sparty is just silly, but not dangerous.

Just issue a language disclaimer first, such that ought to have been played before the last presidential debate. And - oh - a gas mask - there will be a mess of synthetic furniture burnin' burnin' afterwards, and you don't want junior's lungs to be seared by all that nasty stuff.

"there's no seatbelt in the back seat. what do you suggest I do?"

has seen and done a lot worse than go to a sparty football game

Yes, if only to teach him valuable life lessons, like which University he should attend.

Jerk, then you should have no problems. Now going to OSU is another story and you will need to fight.

How much do you love/not love your kid?

State fans are supreme assholes to every fanbase that visits, especially Michigan fans. Don't do it.

I've been to EL for a game and the fans were obnoxious in the stands, but otherwise they were fine.  We parked our car in some large lot of Hagadorn and took the shuttle to/from the stadium and there were no issues at all. 

My suggestion for you is to wear all the maize and bring a couple vuvuzelas(sp?). Do a little march around the stadium before and after the game. Spartan fans love those, so you should be welcomed with open arms...or firearms. Either way you'll have a good time.

Take all your M stuff off or you might get the STAEE treatment.

 

Do that and you should be good to go.

I would definitely take him. That being said, in 2011 I was shoved from behind while walking down the aisle. Fun times.

Went to the game in 2014. The experience was overall meh. Got called a "f***ot" a couple times around campus etc.. Biggest problem was when I was standing by the stadium to get in by my gf, some random MSU student thought it was funny to mouth off to her and I said something back. Nothing really happened besides him coming within 2 inches of my face. Police presence seemed non-existent on campus and the people at the stadium gate did nothing.

Left the game early, and actually got some nice directions from MSU students on the way back. I know a guy (another UM fan/grad) who said at the game he got blindsided while using the restroom at the game in UM gear.

This experience is from the standpoint of a young man/college student. I noticed the students will leave adults and younger kids alone, besides some just name calling.

For the OSU game -  I did some postgrad at OSU and my classmates (many OSU undergrad) specifically warned me about having Michigan plates on campus during the week FWIW.

Pretty much been well addressed here, but I've gone to MSU games (both against Michigan and others) a lot in my life having grown up in EL. I've had everything happen from having drinks poured on me (wasn't even a Michigan game, I was just wearing a blue North Face jacket, without any Michigan logos, because it was cold) wet towels thrown at my face (towels were laid out before the game and then it rained) and I've also seen people from the upper deck throw bottles that they snuck in at the lower deck.

All of that being said, if you're not around the student section you will be less likely to experience these sorts of things. There will probably be cussing and name calling, but that's not unusual. So long as you're not an obnoxious fan, the MSU fans around you really shouldn't give you too hard of a time. I'd be more concerned walking in/out of the stadium around the tailgates where people will be hammared and more willing to get after you and your son a little bit. 

I guess my "words of wisdom" are be the better fan. MSU fans have gotten pretty emboldened over the last 8 years. Show them that you can be the better person.

Went in 1993 and 1995 won't ever go again.  93 numerous drunks in seating area harassed us mercillessly during the game.  I was in my late 30's for these games and just wanted to sit and watch and the verbal abuse and threats were scary.  A dad and his 10ish son next to us left because he tried to take his son to the men's room and the boy was pushed around in the men's room.  In 95 people threw things at us and harassed both women who were with us with crude verbal sexually oriented taunts.  Will never go back to Spartan Stadium and try to avoid EL completely for any purpose, whatsoever.  

 

you have. Go enjoy the game. Cheer for Michigan, just don't be obnoxious and provoke anyone. There are bad apples everywhere, but I think the majority of the fans won't give you any crap, especially if you stay away from the student section.

The people who usually end up in fights are the ones who can't keep quiet and have to yell and taunt even after games. Enjoy the game and then quietly head home.

 

Have to say UM still has the greatest fans and place to see a game. Was at the CU game this year and had a couple of buddies with me, who are CU fans. When we walked into the game the ticket taker told my friends to enjoy the game and hoped they had a great experience at the Stadium.  UM fans were all respective to my friends and they couldn't beleive how enjoyable it was to see a game there.  I understand people having passion for their teams, but no need to be an asshole to an opposing fan.

Take your kid and don't worry about it.  Can't and shouldn't insulate him from the real world forever.

 

...there is no law saying you have to wear maize and blue to root for Michigan. If you're concerned, just wear something else. The drunken idiot Sparty pot-stirrers will pass you by.

Go.  Cheer for Michigan.  Don't be slient, but don't be d***s either.  Expect some curse words to be tossed at you.  Warn your kid in advance that some people are going to be drunken asses. 

IMO it will be a fun bonding experience.  There is a greater than zero chance of negative Spartan fan interaction, but as long as you keep your wits about you it shouldn't be too bad.  The worst I've ever had from a Spartan fan is getting hit in the head with an ice cube.

Now, Ohio State, THAT is a different story.  I wouldn't go back there with anyone I cared about.   MSU is like drunk frat boy mean.  OSU is like Deliverance mean. 

Just don't decide to compromise and watch it from "the safety of a couch" in EL. That would be a terrible idea.

ever.  or in columbus.  but i do not wear sigma summation capes so that helps.

I went with my dad when I was a few years younger than your son and had a great time. I was used to standing for big third downs so near the end of the game an 80+ year old lady pulled me down from behind, but other than that people were kind. This was waaaaay before Sparty had any recent success so they may be a little more testy but I say go for it.

Would you take your child to a tire fire where drunk morons had assembled with couches?

I went to MSU, so I don't think its that bad. But, I've never been there for the UM game (in the stadium).