For the people who think night games are a bad idea...
http://www.maizenbluenation.com/2009/03/night-games-at-big-house.html
Dex is right. I was in way over my head. My bad guys. I just got too carried away. I didn't plan on making anymore posts about night games, but now I definitely won't. My other two were not well thought out, but please click and read what he has to say. It is actually pretty well thought out.
You honestly started ANOTHER thread about this? You are officially the resident retard of MGoBlog. I now am against night games just to spite you.
I really was apathetic about night games before, but I'm with you on this one. I'm now opposed to them just to spite this guy.
I wasn't quite sure what you were trying to say the first 2 posts about night games, but now in this third post, it all becomes clear. I am now in favor of night games as well.
You're like the petition guy who wasn't cool enough to stand in the Diag.
My recommendation to you is you move to Norway. That way, when you watch Michigan games, for you, even those that start at noon will be at night!
Here we go with the unnecessary flaming again...
My recommendation is that you move to Norway as well. But for wholly different reasons.
Whatever dickweed. Until now, I had yet to insult anyone on this blog. And I really want to know the reason you had for sending me a rude message, since I didn't insult you first...
Dickweed.
WTF...
I'm glad you're leaving.
I'm all for night games, but I'm beginning to suspect that you're a vampire.
LOL. +1 for highlighting the topic is a bit overdone without exactly insulting anyone.
this guy in your link makes a fair argument until he says "I think Bill Martin and Rich Rodriguez want this to happen. And those are the two guys who's opinions matter the most." Yeah their opinions matter most but that's a bold assumption that they want this to happen just as much as some fans.
We already settled this, we're having games at dawn, so that's final.
I always thought a night game would be cool.
But I didn't start three different threads in a week about it.
Your answer; it's in this post.
I wasn't going to sign the petition, but the 4 ! on the petition title swayed my vote.
What 4! are you talking about?
I didn't care one way or another, but you have convinced me.
To my understanding, your case for having night games comes down to:
1) Other schools have them. It would increase Michigan's "exposure."
RETORT: Yeah, we want to be just like PSU and LSU; and since Michigan has no traditions of its own, we have to steal others since we have no brains to come up with anything original. As for increasing Michigan's "exposure," until last season's dismal season, that attitude would have been laughed at. I don't think things have changed that much. And if any of those horrid games of the past season were televised on prime time, I would beg to differ - getting bufu'ed on national TV is not good "exposure."
Want to increase our "exposure"? Field a better team. Lots of positive talk and highlights throughout the week, even at night.
2) It would be cool and I could tailgate for 6 hours
RETORT: Most people don't care what provides you with fun, regardless of the inconvenience night games impose on the surrounding communities and out-of-town/out-of-state attendees. God forbid people, especially those party-pooping evil good-for-nothing blue-hairs, get in the way of the fun you want to have.
3) Night games would give us an advantage.
RETORT: You have not provided ANY data to support that night games provide the home team any advantage over that of being home. I have provided evidence to the contrary.
Michigan has a 19-5 record in away night games (this record does not include the 3-6 record in neutral-site bowl games) since they began in 1944. The opponents include Notre Dame (3 times), UCLA (2 times), Penn State, Boston College, Syracuse, Minnesota (7 times) Wisconsin (2 times), Illinois (2 times), Marquette, and Northwestern (2 times). This 73% winning percentage in away night games is roughly equal to Michigan's all-time winning percentage of 74% (Both HOME and AWAY).
A least show some data that night games give an provide an advantage over that of just being at home.
You give no consideration on the impact on season ticket holder who have to drive in, fight the traffic and parking (on the golf course!!!) of 110,000, and then return home.
You give no consideration on the impact on the surrounding community that night games would have.
You have just been dismissive of all of this. Just don't want any of those old farts to get in the way of cool experience and a party.
Yeah, I just don't understand why the residents in Ann Arbor are against it.
But, did you have to raise the specter of those night games in South Bend?
Now, I cant get Dave Deuerson, Reggie Ho and Michael Stonebreaker out of my head.
Bad Demons, Bad.
As for nightmares, man, when it comes to Notre Dame, mine is not of Rocket Ismail, or Reggie Ho, but:
Tony Rice
QB Tony Rice in the 1989 game (24-19 ND win): 1-2 for 6 yards!!!!! Rushing 18-79.
Aghhhhhhhhhh
Well, thanks for playing along! This is how it could go: 1. The night game is a great success, and since it would be a longer wait for the game to start, more people will need things to do and businesses around ann arbor will make a large profit. To be honest I have never had a problem with traffic after a game. Not once. Hopefully the cops do their job and minimal arrests and accidents happen 2. All the residents around the stadium complain, traffic becomes a mess, and things get people get totally out of control.
There is a 50-50 chance one will happen. There's a 50-50 chance something will go wrong with every college football night game, but no one knows until it is tested. The city should test this out, not just present their concerns and say NO. If they tested this out, and it isn't a success, don't do it anymore. They never did it before and it will stay like that. If it is as success, keep doing it every year and it will be a blast.
i really don't think it's 50/50. It's 99/1 that the residents will complain.
I'm not even against you, but convincing yourself something is a great idea and something being a great idea are two very different things.
Thats the problem. People besides me obviously think its a good idea. There are also the people who don't think its a good idea. People that think saftey won't be an issue and people who do think saftey could be an issue. No one will actually know if it's a good idea or bad idea until it is tried out.
...could apply to every aspect of life:
- sex with a (choose your persuasion) hooker
- going to war without UN approval
- driving drunk in Maricopa County
- dating Chris Brown (singer, not Colorado running back)
If the reasons against are compelling enough, there's no reason to try it out. That's called decision-making.
I am in favor of an occasional night game too, but if the justification is, "Well, we ought to try it because because because....," that's not good enough given the significant reasons not to do it (traveling alumni, tradition, cold-arsed weather in November - wouldn't that Northwestern game have been great at night - I was one of the 30,000 who stayed at the Big House until the end but I wouldn't have if it was 11pm, Michigan doesn't have to pimp itself out to get on national TV, neighborhood opposition).
Late night game in late August or early September would be the only way...
March 10th, 2009 at 10:02 PM ^
....you've eliminated all options for the next 20 years except for the odd years when Notre Dame plays at Michigan. Rich Rod said himself today that we won't be able to schedule any games against BCS squads now because we have ND and don't do home and homes.
That is, unless you are excited for a EMU - UM Saturday night tilt. Welcome, Ron English!
March 10th, 2009 at 10:14 PM ^
What if they did it for the first big ten home game of each season when the notre dame game is away?
March 10th, 2009 at 10:34 PM ^
....in the first year your premise would be put to the test (2010), that night game would be against Michigan State. I think that would be a good one with which to start.
March 10th, 2009 at 10:58 PM ^
Glad you agree
I don't think we should try it out just because...I think they should try it because it's out of the ordinary and exciting. I don't know why fans get excited for night games, they just do. IT would be the game to look forward to for the season against the biggest opponent besides ohio state. Plus, it would also give traveling fans more time to get to ann arbor. They wouldn't have to get up so early to get there.
8 or 9 PM increases business for the town. Hotel rooms are already sold out for the night. All that would happen is (1) the price for the few rooms go up exponentially and (2) a hell of lot more people are inconvenienced. The time spent in town before the night game would be totally offset by the loss of people from town after the game that happens during the present day games.
As for no one knowing until a night game (or anything else) is tested. Tell you what, why don't you go to school or work or where ever you go during the day, and wear nothing but assless chaps, and let us know how it goes. You never know until you try it.
If you are unwilling to do this, then stop trying to impose your stupid idea about night games on the residents of Ann Arbor.
What if I worked at a club? If I wore assless chaps, it would be a definate success. If I worked at a casual diner, it would probably not be a sucess.
So.....if someone wore assless chaps to work, it may or may not go well, depending on where the person works.
If Michigan tried out a night game, it may or may not go well, it depends how all that stuff (money, fan support, minimal crime) works out...
=) looks like I got you there
as I am convinced you are speaking from experience, and that assless chaps are not a hindrance where you work.
Ok ok fine. I'm just saying there are those obvious things in life that would not work such as keeping a wolverine as a pet. It would just be common sense not to do it because of what could happen. Nothing good could come out of it at all. A night game is not one of those things. It is possible that bad things could happen, and it is possible that good things could happen. It has been a discussion for years and I hope they finally decide to do it for once.
March 10th, 2009 at 10:16 PM ^
There really is no compelling reason to do this for most of the parties involved:
1. The University - No. More hassle, more cost for infrastructure (lights on the golf course for parking and stadium, for what, 1 or 2 nights out of the year), no tangible financial benefit.
2. Ann Arbor - you got to be kidding. Realistically, no additional money, but the town's residents are put out.
3. The UM student body (and other adolescents) - Hell yeah, party on.
4. The Alumni and out-of-town fans - Totally inconvenienced, for what, seeing a game in a less illuminated environment?
This try-out is not just a casual thing, a lot would have to go into to pulling it off, for virtually no tangible and little intangible benefit. So, why invest precious resources on this?
The costs of switching from noon or 3:30 kickoff to night are obvious; as are the total lack of benefits.
I'm learning a lot about probability and decision-making today.
There are basically two categories of Awesomeness Likelihood.
Category 1: Things That Common Sense Say Would Be Not Awesome, Probably: (e.g. wearing chaps to work at a casual diner) AL%: 5/95
Category 2: Things That Are Out Of The Ordinary And Who Knows Might Be Totally Awesome (e.g. night football games) AL% 50/50. Please note that for anything that falls into category 2, the EXACT AL% is always 50/50, because for any potentiality that falls into this category, things might work out, and they might not, who knows, but you'll never know until you try.
you are really one of the Village People, aren't you?
March 10th, 2009 at 10:01 PM ^
haha nope sorry. And I don't wear assless chaps either
First of all I have always wanted to see one night game at the Big House.
Just wondering what way do you take to get out of town after the game. If you take Main St. to 14 to 23 North then i am very surprised because that is always backed up after games past downtown.
Now as for your claim for hours more of business. I don't really agree. First of there will be many fans that just dont come into Ann Arbor until 5 or 6p. So that defeats that reason. Not to mention after the games are some of the most profitable for restaurants. Many people go to Cottage Inn, Pizza House or any other restaurant downtown and eat after the game while letting most of the traffic get out of town. I know I did that for years before I moved back to Ann Arbor.
Again I would support a night game but I think some of your claims aren't completely thought through.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:18 AM ^
Not sure if it's possible, but what if the really popular restaurants stayed open later for those games? They might want to because they would have business before the game, during the game for people who didn't go to the stadium to watch, and after because lots of people would still be hungry. And in all seriousness, maybe some people would like to go to some restaurant because most of the food at the stadium tastes like crap. I know I avoid eating the stadium food because I don't live far enough away from Ann Arbor that I have to eat right after, and I can just wait until I get home. Off topic but, does anybody know why they have Hungry Howie's pizza now? They have had Dominos forever and Hungry Howie's tastes like ass. Anyway, I'm not exactly sure how I would request this of the restaurants, but maybe after the first night game they would realize the amount of people who may still want a bite to eat?
March 11th, 2009 at 10:25 AM ^
I'm not really convinced that even a decent number of attendees (who are mostly families, older alums, and people from out of town) are going to be heading downtown to grab some food on a Saturday at, conservatively, midnight.
The students, yes, but they already go out Saturday. It's not going to increase - if anything, with the all-day tailgating and energy expended at the game, the number of people who go out will go down.
And the tailgating thing has yet to be adequately addressed, IMO. MSU used to have night games fairly regularly, until the last ND night game turned into a 5AM to 8PM tailgate, which sounds OMG AWESOME except for the hordes of ambulances that were flying around all day picking up people who got shitfaced in 90 degree heat for 8 hours and nearly died. They haven't had many night games (if any?) since then and completely revamped their tailgating setup to eliminate the infamous tennis courts.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:52 AM ^
Does the university and city really believe that they are going to lose that much money, or even any money? For the first game, yes, they might lose a little bit of money since they haven't done it before, but since the stadium is going to look grand spankin' new, hopefully be louder, and if night games gain popularity after the first test, TV networks from all over the country are going to be flocking to try to cover the CLASH IN THE DARK at the Big House, and they'll make a fortune. People are going to be buying their tickets a year in advance because of so much hype each year.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:43 PM ^
you are making shit up and then acting like it's fact.
"TV networks from all over the country are going to be flocking to try to cover the CLASH IN THE DARK at the Big House,"
We already have a TV deal. The amount of money this deal brings cannot change because of our kick off time. We can't decide "fuck you big ten network and ESPN, we're going with CBS for this game". It's impossible. It literally cannot happen.
The games all sell out anyway. Why does it matter if the tickets are sold one year in advance (FYI we don't sell tickets one year in advance) or if they are sold immediately, like almost every big game is anyway?
For the last time, I'm not "against" night games. I'm against terrible reasoning.
Isn't is possibe though, that other smaller TV networks, from other parts of the coutry, would want to broadcast the game? Plus none of Michigan's games are national broadcasts. They are only regional. If they would have night games, they would get national exposure.
This makes it official. You're either 12 years old or a complete moron. Smaller TV networks? Do you think PBS Boise is going to start televising UM football or something? Or do you just want more games on The WB so you can see Gossip Girl commercials in between quarters.
Theres a somewhat local TV station in Toledo that broadcasts some Michigan football games. It's called BCSN. It broadcasts local sports and even Tigers and Indians games. It broadcasts to everyone within about 50 miles of Toledo.
That "CSN" stands for "Comcast Sports Network" - it is part of Comcast's "Sports Tier", and if you buy the sports, tier you get every single one of those games. Regardless of kick-off time.
Not very many games are "national". Most ABC telecasts are split by region, even the big Saturday night ones occasionally. NBC airs Notre Dame nationally. So, short of leaving the Big Ten, becoming an independent, and signing a deal with NBC to do nationally televised doubleheaders of Michigan/ND home games throughout the season we'll still be getting the same "exposure".
And what would be the point of TV contracts if "smaller" TV networks could just televise whatever they want? I'm baffled by this.
And I'm sorry, do we have an exposure issue to begin with? Are there people who out there that watch football who haven't heard of "Michigan"?
1. Said existing TV deals are exclusive, other smaller networks can't pick them up even if they wanted to pick them up.
2. Every year the OSU game is national, as are multiple other games on ESPN. And any ABC regional broadcast gets reverse mirrored on ESPN2 in the areas it isn't on the ABC local affiliate.
3. Outside of Notre Dame, Michigan is just about the most nationally exposed team in the country (insert Larry Harrison joke here). And even if you do some research to determine some other teams that have night games have had more games on national TV as proof for your argument, I'm guessing that has more to do with said teams not going 3-9 last year or being in the national championship race through November more than once in the BCS era.
Just. Give. It. Up.