OT- The etiquette of autographs and pictures?

Submitted by Steve in PA on February 10th, 2019 at 3:55 PM

My daughter has been watching the internet for months because she really wants to go to the PSU-Michigan basketball game this Tuesday.  She's been pretty bummed because I refuse to get crappy seats at BJC with the place having zero atmosphere and my work schedule didn't work out.  I told her to be patient because good seats always come up, especially if the weather doesn't look good, and if we found good ones I would take off work.

Sure enough a pair came up Saturday.  We are going to be 1st row behind the bench.  Best birthday present ever!  It will be her 1st Michigan game.

I had also gotten her a #4 Jersey for her birthday.  She is a huge fan of Livers and wears #4 on her teams.  I also suspect that at 14 she thinks he's "dreamy" but would never tell dad that.

How would one go about getting a picture of daughter and Livers at the game?  I'm not an autograph/collectibles hound so this is completely foreign to me.  I think making an attempt would be worth it to complete a wonderful dad/daughter night.

 

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Comments

MartyinDayton

February 10th, 2019 at 4:01 PM ^

Find out where the team exits the arena for their bus ride to the airport after the game. Then wait for the team to come out. Alternatively, try to learn when the shoot around is on game day & catch them after it. Good luck!

Joined: 04/03/2015

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LSAClassOf2000

February 10th, 2019 at 4:07 PM ^

It seems like most of photos of this type that you see on Twitter or Instagram or wherever are taken as the team is boarding / exiting the bus or during the shootaround, so I would imagine those are the best bets. 

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stephenrjking

February 10th, 2019 at 4:11 PM ^

Marty seems to have the right idea (with your schedule constraints, after seems like the right way to go). Obviously, leave them alone during the game. 

I’m interested in how much time passes before they leave, since I might get to see them in Minnesota. 

The selfie age has its downsides but they are a big improvement over autographs IMO. 

Joined: 03/15/2012

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Steve in PA

February 10th, 2019 at 4:14 PM ^

Man, this feels so stalker and is why I don't do it.  But, as is with most dads I would do most anything for my daughter.

Where would I get the bus or shoot around information?  I'm going to guess we will be close enough to student managers during the game to ask about the bus.

 

Joined: 08/10/2009

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Blue_by_U

February 10th, 2019 at 5:54 PM ^

When you consider your daughter is the motivation...it's not stalker...it's helping your kid meet a player she respects. That autograph will last a lifetime for her...the players also appreciate it from kids. We stopped in Three Rivers, MI long long...long ago on our way to ND. Happened that the place we stopped at backed up to a school playground...at recess. Didn't take long for kids to figure it out, the Principal approached our coach and asked if we could spend a few minutes visiting with the kids, the coach obliged, and it was a great time. Hundreds of little kids asking to sign anything they could find, scraps of paper, whatnot. It was really cool to feel that appreciated and just make them happy. 

Now Ebay magnates...yeah that's just scum. I absolutely LOATHE those assholes.

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scanner blue

February 10th, 2019 at 4:50 PM ^

Having helped facilitate many photo ops with fans at Crisler (Wagner, MAAR, Livers, Poole etc.) I will give you my advice. Get there early. I'm talking an hour early and be there for the informal shoot around. Most three point shooters are there at that time taking dozens of shots and also are free to goof around and interact with each other and with cute maize and blue clad kids. Photos are fine,  autographs are pretty much a no-no. You're already courtside so access shouldn't be a problem. If you talk up the courtside event staff this should also help with access. By the way Isaiah is a very nice young man...he offered me some of his snack after a practice when I was working in the tunnel for women's b-ball. (xtramelanin's  twins got a nice shot with Mo last year thanks to me ).

Joined: 07/14/2014

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xtramelanin

February 10th, 2019 at 6:09 PM ^

can confirm all of SB's points.  and if i knew how to embed photos that weren't on the net, i'd try to do that with the ones we got with Mo and MAAR that SB orchestrated.  the twins got in there, so did the daughters.  need to see if i can get the other sons down to a game and take advantage of SB's graciousness.  

how'd the singing go last night SB, did the voice make a comeback?   

Joined: 12/09/2014

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bklein09

February 10th, 2019 at 7:13 PM ^

I’ve always heard that athletes are much more willing to do photos than they are autographs. This is especially true with big time pro athletes. They never know if a person is just getting their autograph in order to sell it for cash. A photo is clearly for your own use. 

I think being @PSU will work in your favor. Less Michigan fans clamoring for attention. As mentioned previously, get there super early and hope for the best. I imagine grabbing a photo during shoot around is possible, as is after they game if they win. 

At the end of the day, be flexible and don’t get your daughter’s hopes up too much, in case it doesn’t work out. Just sitting that close for a Michigan victory should be an awesome experience! 

Joined: 08/24/2009

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Charlestown Chiefs

February 10th, 2019 at 7:24 PM ^

Make a sign and get there for shoot around.  "All I wanted for my birthday was to see Isaiah Livers" or something like that.  You'd be surprised how willing athletes are to interact with kids who do things like that, especially on the road.  Good luck.

Joined: 12/04/2011

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LAmichigan

February 11th, 2019 at 1:36 PM ^

The "right time and place" seems to be when the players, after the game, are getting their slim time to spend with their families before getting on the bus to go to the airport back home.  I don't think the need for their autographs or pics outweighs players' family time.  And certainly don't approach them during warmups.  After enjoying the game from great seats, not sure why more is needed.  These guys are already bombarded with autographs and pic requests every hour of their lives, probably including when they're in class.  It's just gotten out of hand.   

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PrettyFlyWhiteGuy

February 10th, 2019 at 8:28 PM ^

Not a ton of experience, but we just went to a girls’ game and the players were there and took several pictures with fans. My daughter is a big Poole fan and watches anything on YouTube with him in it. She said his position is that if a fan has the guts to come up and ask for a picture, he always says yes. 

Joined: 02/22/2018

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mrlmichael

February 10th, 2019 at 8:44 PM ^

I went to the Rutgers game a week ago and got there when the gates opened. I was waiting for someone to meet me at the game so I went down to where the Michigan players were doing their shoot around and plopped down in the front row (the usher didn't care because not many people were there yet, this won't be a problem for you since your seats are down there anyway). Now I am a 30 year old man that was by myself at that moment, so I wasn't trying to be the weird guy getting pictures, but I did see many M fans with little kids approach the front row and get players attention and have the kids pose with the players, Livers being one of the players that stopped for a pic as well as Iggy, Poole, and Z. Seems pretty easy if you get there early. Good luck! 

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oHOWiHATEohioSTATE

February 10th, 2019 at 9:07 PM ^

Your going to be in luck. After road games the players usually come out to see their family and friends after a short time in the locker room, most of which sit behind the team bench. So as long as we win she will have a great chance at getting a photo/autograph.  Just don't bother the players before the game is over.

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ckersh74

February 10th, 2019 at 10:51 PM ^

Don't forget the "Mr. xxxx, may I please have an autograph?"

NOT "Hey, xxxx, how about an autograph?"

You wouldn't believe how many people don't grasp this simple concept. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

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Ibow

February 11th, 2019 at 7:51 AM ^

Great job Dad! How cool is that when a Dad comes on the Board asking for advice on how to make his daughter’s dream come true. 

I hope you and your daughter have the time of your lives no matter what the outcome is! 

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HenneGivenSunday

February 11th, 2019 at 10:16 AM ^

Good topic, and if anyone knows Jourdan Lewis, I’ve got a pair of his shoes (someone gave them to me as a gift) that I would love to have him autograph for my personal collection.  

Joined: 10/24/2011

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Arb lover

February 11th, 2019 at 10:37 AM ^

This isn't Michigan State. Pretty much any Michigan player is really nice and if they have a moment would willingly get in a photo with your 14 year old daughter.

You? Now that's a tossup...

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Steve in PA

February 13th, 2019 at 11:44 AM ^

Update:  She got a picture with Isiah.

I sent an email to M Basketball-  no response.

We got there as soon as gates opened-  Watched shoot around but it was all business then off to the locker rooms.

We had been right behind the bench all game only one step up from the floor.  There was a small gathering at the far corner away from us as people waited for autographs/pictures.  A security person was holding them up on the steps but had allowed what I assume was a relative of Poole down on the floor.  She was talking to him and Livers.

I pointed it out to my daughter and we stepped down onto the floor.  No security chasing us away so far.  We walked closer and my daughter said, "Should I say anything?"  I said to give them time to spend with his guest 1st.

We respected their time then when it looked like they were wrapping up, my daughter yelled (only about 20 ft away) "Isiah, can my dad take a picture of us for my birthday".  He nodded and waved us over.

Nice kid and wished her a Happy Birthday after taking 2 pics with her.  I shook his hand and told him he played great and thanked him for taking the pictures.  Told us both "You're Welcome" after our thank yous.  Great job Mr/Mrs Livers!

He seemed exhausted and I remembered my son was the exact same way after games in the state playoffs.  Thinking about it, these kids bring that "state playoff" level of intensity every night.  I have more respect for what they do now that i see it like that.  There is no "just a game" in big-boy college sports.

 

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