Life long UofM fan going to first game!
August 4th, 2010 at 11:12 AM ^
...to peruse at the User-Curator HoF that should be useful to you.
August 4th, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^
Haz a gr8 tym?
August 4th, 2010 at 11:16 AM ^
If you're in the mood for some tailgating check out the golf course or the Pioneer High School parking lot. Otherwise, if you're not familiar with Ann Arbor, I'd suggest taking a walk around downtown and the State st./Packard st. area. There's nothing like the atmosphere in this city on a gameday.
August 4th, 2010 at 11:19 AM ^
I'll admit, as a student I would usually show up sometime during the first quarter (yes, I was one of those kids). But do as I say and not as I did--there's a lot to see pre-game so make sure you get there on time. I don't know how much you've beel following the blog, but Brock Mealer is supposedly going to lead the team onto the field, and I don't think you're going to want to miss that.
August 4th, 2010 at 11:25 AM ^
As a student, I also would try to arrive before kick off, but wouldn't always make it. However for UConn I will be in the stadium early to see Brock. Impossible is nothing.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
goosebumps
August 4th, 2010 at 11:21 AM ^
Yeah I am on here every day, best website ever. I think I'm addicted to it. lol Thanks guys. Can't wait for Sept 4th.
August 4th, 2010 at 11:23 AM ^
I would reccomend listening to the Michigan Marching Band's pre-game show, and following them to the stadium. I remember doing this for years, and I loved it. I didn't go to M, so someone will have to fill in the exact details... They start at the _________ Building, and it's a short (less than a half mile) walk from there to the stadium.
August 4th, 2010 at 11:30 AM ^
During the game, yell your @$$ off, on my behalf; thanks in advance.
August 4th, 2010 at 11:31 AM ^
Walking with the band is one of my favorite things to do before the game. It is very fun to watch, and the atmosphere is amazing.
If I am not mistaken the building is Revelli Hall, which is on Hoover.
Like cheezle said, its a short walk, plus you get there well before game time so you get to enjoy the pregame inside the stadium.
August 4th, 2010 at 11:24 AM ^
Don't bring a water bottle.
August 4th, 2010 at 11:26 AM ^
Enjoy it. Take it all in. I have only missed a handful of games since the age of 8. That is 23 years and I still rank going to Michigan games 3rd behind getting married and the birth of my son. Get there early to see the band come in and definitely don't miss the team coming out of the tunnel. Still gives me chills every time. Getting chills thinking about it. Is it Sept. 4th yet?
August 4th, 2010 at 11:44 AM ^
"...I still rank going to Michigan games 3rd behind getting married and the birth of my son."
Get your priorities straight, brother.
/s
August 4th, 2010 at 12:12 PM ^
the birth of his other son is ranked 4th, daughter 5th
August 4th, 2010 at 11:29 AM ^
I went for the first time last year. I loved it so much I had to go back for another game. Have a great time, it should be easy to find a place to park. Make sure you have at LEAST $15 dollars for parking. That's my experience anyway. Have a great time and be LOUD!
August 4th, 2010 at 11:30 AM ^
August 4th, 2010 at 11:34 AM ^
See for yourself on this Seating Chart.
August 4th, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^
...no bad seats at the Big House.
August 4th, 2010 at 11:44 AM ^
I agree, with the way the stadium is constructed, you get a great view of the field wherever you are seated.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^
If you want the full experience, get to the Michigan Union around 2 or 2:30 and start your walk over from there (unless you are tailgating). I personally love the walk up State Street with all of the lawn parties / drunken revelry going on. When you turn right onto Stadium, you will get to see (1) Bongo Man (I know that some people find him cheezy, but I enjoy him), and (2) the Band preparing for its march to the stadium.
If you leave from the Union around 2:15, you should be in the stadium by 3, so you will have plenty of time to enjoy all of the pre-game fun.
Damn, writing that post makes me wish I were flying out for a game this year.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:36 PM ^
Onto Stadium or Hoover?
Yeah, onto Hoover, not Stadium.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:31 PM ^
All the other advice is sound, but make sure you also block those harmful UV rays, especially if you are sitting on the East side of the stadium.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^
Depending on if you are old enough to consume alcoholic beverages, I would say to do some tailgating and then head to Revelli Hall. Part of the fun is walking through the other tailgates, I always mooch food as I go, people are always so friendly. I also like to see all the expensive RV's and the elaborate spreads at Pioneer lot.
Anyway, go to Revelli Hall and watch the drumline and then walk behind the band as they march to the stadium. You cut through the Blue lot of Crisler and the band goes into the tunnel and you go up into the stadium. Be there in time to watch the Circle of Death performed by the football team at the end of warm-up. My daughter always tries to guess which player will jump on the top of the heap.
Just enjoy the game. It is only one afternoon but it will be a lifetime of memories.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:48 PM ^
I posted this in another forum, but it will be my first game ever as well. I guess we'll pop our cherries together, errrr, I mean if you are into that sort of thing.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:58 PM ^
it's a must you visit the urinals or troff's should i say.....now if only they could put some ohio state urinal cakes in there so we could piss all over them.......-go blue.....cheer loud....
brilliant!
hit up the kegs on State Street
Revelli hall is MANDATORY. I had some concern during the tOSU game as bongo man was apparently awol. Didn't see him all day. He's usually sitting along the nat, right?
Don't worry about going home after the game. Get dinner first. Roads will be swamped and there are too many great places to eat in Ann Arbor. Try one of the breweries.
The last thing you want do is feel rushed on your first game.
For the 3:30 kick, the band will probably be out rehearsing at 9am. Later games just mean longer tailgates, so there's almost no such thing as showing up too early. Especially with this being the first game of the season, there's likely to be more people out early as everyone is itching for football.
Some people will have postgame tailgates too. They're generally more fun after a win.
After the game, it's really up to you what you want to do. My preference is to find somewhere to watch the prime time game with a burger and a beer. Oregon St vs. TCU should be rolling by the time you find somewhere to go.
My first ever game was Appalachian State.
I also got the worst sunburn of my life.
I live in Columbus and once went to a bar downtown that had the block "M" painted on the inside of all the urinals. So naturally i emptied my bladder on the floor instead. lol
August 4th, 2010 at 10:25 PM ^
Get there early - the lines always seem longer for the opener than any other game. Also, make sure to prepare for the sun (hat, sunglasses, suntan lotion) - you're going to be out there for 3+ hours.
The earlier the better. Be loud and be proud.