Warde Manuel and Mark Hollis plead for "civility and respect" by fans.

Submitted by Alton on

The two Universities involved in the upcoming game seem concerned enough about unruly fan behavior that the two Athletic Directors (and also the 2 University Presidents) released joint letters expressing those concerns.

Presented without comment:

To the fans, families, and friends of our two great universities in our great state,

On Saturday, October 7, our two programs will meet for the 110th time in our storied rivalry, and for the first time the game will kick off at night.

While both Michigan and Michigan State hope to come away with a win, the best aspect of this series is how it brings the entire state together. Families, classrooms, and offices throughout the state of Michigan will be "divided," hoping for their schools to bring home the Paul Bunyan Trophy and yes, bragging rights for the next year.

With the kick-off in primetime, both schools will share the national spotlight. After the game, each facet will be dissected and analyzed by many. Let's make sure the analysis is all about the game.

Our two universities can show that civility and respect can be a hallmark of not only college sports but what we need to strive for in our society.

Our institutions have high expectations of student-athletes, coaches and staff and how they serve our communities. We share a steadfast commitment to represent our schools with class and dignity as participants, students and members of our respective communities.

This weekend will be a time of togetherness, celebration, and competition.

On behalf of both institutions, we invite you all to represent yourself and your favorite side in a manner befitting our proud communities.

Sincerely,

Ward Mauel and Mark Hollis

Warde Manuel & Mark Hollis

jjelliso

October 5th, 2017 at 1:28 PM ^

One way to help encourage civility and respect is to not schedule the game for 7:30 p.m. so unrulier elements don't have all day and early evening to get shit-faced.

WoodleyIsBeast

October 5th, 2017 at 1:28 PM ^

I've been nervous about this ever since they announced the possibility of a night game.  Walking through the dark woods behind Pioneer heading back to cars at night....Many fans will be upset one way or another and it should be on everyone's radar.  Doesn't feel like a good idea, hopefully the knuckleheads aren't out later on.

BursleyBaitsBus

October 5th, 2017 at 1:48 PM ^

Nothing significantly more than when ND came to town. 

Night games will be the norm soon enough. Trepidation with this stuff is just dumb when the rest of the nation does it all the time. 

It's like they think MSU-UM is somehow more of a savage rivalry than the Iron Bowl etc. 

Nonsense. 

HimJarbaugh

October 5th, 2017 at 2:36 PM ^

I think they put this out because it is the first night game against MSU at the Michigan Stadium. The likelihood of widespread rioting by either fanbase is pretty low and while we joke about them being juggalos and whatnot, I truly do not believe there will be any violence. My experiences in Spartan Stadium and with MSU fans at Michigan games has not been much different from other fanbases.

sharklover

October 5th, 2017 at 11:39 PM ^

I generally agree with your statement, that they are not much different from other fanbases. But I would add a huge caveat. They are much better than the OSU fanbase. Buckeye fans are a bunch of dicks. They are terrible human beings across the board. Spartan fans are basically like all other fans that are not buckeye fans.

Alton

October 5th, 2017 at 1:30 PM ^

This may be nit-picky, but there are 2 British-isms that really jump out here, and not in a good way.
 
(1) "With the kick-off in primetime..."  Note that kick-off (as a noun) is British, and kickoff (as a noun) is North American.
 
(2) "...represent yourself and your favorite side in a manner..."  Note that "side" as a synonym for "team" is purely British.  
 
What next?  Will they tell us what colour kits Michigan are going to wear as they run out onto the pitch for their 7.30 fixture?
 

Owosso_wolverine

October 5th, 2017 at 1:32 PM ^

Wtf ! It's s

Night game! Get over it ! Auburn / bama more intense and works out fine . So

Many complaining about the late kick ! Gives the people who can't attend the noon kick because of work a chance to go to

A game

Ty Butterfield

October 5th, 2017 at 1:33 PM ^

Hollis can fuck off. Hopefully he is done as head of the NCAA tournament selection committee. That being said I may end up going to this game and I am a little worried about the Staee fans.