Should I Take My Kid to UM at MSU?
I apologize in advance, because I know this has been discussed in other threads. So neg me, delete this topic, whatever. It's all good. Just going back and forth between venturing into the belly of the beast and watching from the safety of the couch. I would take my 15 year old son with me, and we don't want to get caught up in any of that funky shit goin' down in EL. If we (1) wear Michigan gear, (2) walk briskly and look either straight ahead or at the ground, (3) stand and raise our hands when UM scores, but not make any real noise to speak of, and (4) exit quickly at the end of the game, what do you suppose the chances are that we get something thrown at us or worse?
October 11th, 2016 at 10:00 PM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 10:03 PM ^
By all means take your son cheer loudly and often wear all your Michigan gear you will be fine Spartan fans are not that bad you will always have a few crazy's anywhere you go. I live in Owosso and got to East Lansing often I always wear Michigan gear and have never had a problem it will be a great memory for your son.
October 11th, 2016 at 10:04 PM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 10:06 PM ^
October 12th, 2016 at 1:02 AM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 10:09 PM ^
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October 11th, 2016 at 10:10 PM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 10:14 PM ^
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.
October 11th, 2016 at 10:21 PM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 10:22 PM ^
I went to Columbus at 14, don't be a dick and they're fine
October 11th, 2016 at 11:10 PM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 10:24 PM ^
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.
October 12th, 2016 at 6:25 AM ^
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October 11th, 2016 at 10:29 PM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 10:35 PM ^
has seen and done a lot worse than go to a sparty football game
October 11th, 2016 at 10:54 PM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 11:13 PM ^
Jerk, then you should have no problems. Now going to OSU is another story and you will need to fight.
October 12th, 2016 at 12:20 AM ^
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October 12th, 2016 at 12:23 AM ^
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October 12th, 2016 at 12:31 AM ^
October 12th, 2016 at 5:20 AM ^
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.
October 12th, 2016 at 5:25 AM ^
Been to a few UM/MSU games in EL over the years, never had a problem - although I never sat near the student section. I agree with other posters, if you stay away from the student section, you should be OK.
October 12th, 2016 at 6:22 AM ^
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October 12th, 2016 at 6:56 AM ^
Take all your M stuff off or you might get the STAEE treatment.
Do that and you should be good to go.
October 12th, 2016 at 7:37 AM ^
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October 12th, 2016 at 7:48 AM ^
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.
October 12th, 2016 at 7:59 AM ^
October 12th, 2016 at 9:52 AM ^
Last year's UM/MSU game was in Ann Arbor...
Or do you mean you were hanging out in EL during GameDay (which was in A2)? I'm confused.
October 12th, 2016 at 9:57 AM ^
October 12th, 2016 at 10:24 AM ^
Should have realized that's what you meant. I believe Connor Cook called that Oregon game a "landmark victory for the program" or something like that. The Ducks would go on to lose by 42 points to Utah two weeks later in Eugene.
October 12th, 2016 at 8:31 AM ^
I am taking my 15 year old son, screw sparty!
October 12th, 2016 at 9:33 AM ^
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October 12th, 2016 at 9:58 AM ^
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.
October 12th, 2016 at 11:09 AM ^
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.
October 12th, 2016 at 11:11 AM ^
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.
October 12th, 2016 at 11:14 AM ^
Take your kid and don't worry about it. Can't and shouldn't insulate him from the real world forever.
October 12th, 2016 at 12:00 PM ^
...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.
October 12th, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^
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.
October 12th, 2016 at 2:06 PM ^
Just don't decide to compromise and watch it from "the safety of a couch" in EL. That would be a terrible idea.
October 12th, 2016 at 3:12 PM ^
ever. or in columbus. but i do not wear sigma summation capes so that helps.
October 12th, 2016 at 6:05 PM ^
October 12th, 2016 at 6:44 PM ^
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).
October 12th, 2016 at 7:53 PM ^
You absolutely should NOT take him. You should take me. I am a large human being and I have the "don't eff with me" stare down pat. What time are we leaving? Go Blue!
October 12th, 2016 at 9:47 PM ^
Yep, take him. When my boy was 15 we went to a couple of games there. Wore our Michigan gear and were good visitors. People were cool to us. We cheer our team and they cheered their team. Side note: took my son to the 1997 UofM game where Boston was upended and Woodson and Boston fought on the sideline. Was a high tension game until Michigan pulled away. About midway through the 4th quarter, my son looked at me and said "Dad, this is the best game I've ever been to". That was worth it right there....so take your boy.