I Like Burgers

January 23rd, 2017 at 8:42 PM ^

I do wonder how much this trip will cost.  The trip to IMG last season cost $350k.  I could see this one pushing $1.5M.  Maybe more.

I mean, for reference, a flight on Delta from DTW to Tampa is around $400-500.  To go from DTW - Rome is around $1300-1500.  And accomdations and transportation in Rome are going to be a whole hell of a lot more than they are in Bradenton, FL.

Not that I have a problem with any of it.  Fire that money cannon at will.

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Bando Calrissian

January 23rd, 2017 at 5:38 PM ^

Gosh this is just the heights of absurdity, but perfectly in line with the futile arms race that is college football in 2017. Practicing on your own damn campus isn't even enough anymore.

/getoffmylawn

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ghostofhoke

January 23rd, 2017 at 5:57 PM ^

This sounds like an amazing opportunity.

 

It sounds like this is also a slap in the face of the NCAA but can someone breakdown that side of it?

I really gave up on trying to follow the absurdity of their rulings on the spring break practices. If those are being enforced effective immediately, how does this trip circumvent them?

Or is this a situation like the satellite camps were for a while where it looked like we'd basically have one year to do it again until the rules were in place?

Either way, this is the kind of stuff I can really get behind. Seeing huge investments in the student-athlete experience is money well spent IMO. I fully understand and appreciate the exploitative side of college sports but just seeing how far our program is willing to go just to dream stuff like this up makes me feel like overall we have the kids' best interests at heart.

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ArmenHammer

January 23rd, 2017 at 6:23 PM ^

"We were looking to provide our student-athletes with a great educational, cultural and international football experience."

What a middle finger to the SEC. I can't believe this actually happened!

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MGoStrength

January 23rd, 2017 at 6:31 PM ^

I love that JH is kinda doing an eff you to the NCAA. But, what is the real value? In Fla and AL there were legitimate recruiting benefits. What's the benefit of this? I guess there's the pitch to future recruits that a trip like this is possible. What do you see as the real value to our team?

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Lou MacAdoo

January 23rd, 2017 at 8:29 PM ^

A unique team building opportunity. Also a great opportunity to broaden these kids horizons by showing them another part of the world, getting to experience a different culture, visiting military and an orphanage, historical landmarks. This could completely change these kids perspective on the world. It could inspire them to pursue a path that they wouldn't have even considered previously.



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WhoopinStick

January 23rd, 2017 at 7:30 PM ^

What are the chances that the Spring Game in Rome will be on TV in the US? I'd venture that it gets quite a bit of media coverage which will certainly be good for recruiting.



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Rockycapp

January 23rd, 2017 at 7:30 PM ^

I have seen so many tweets bitching about how can Michigan pay Harbaugh 9 million and take the whole team to Rome but can't pay the players. Do these people not understand it's not Michigan who isn't paying the players it's the NCAA. Seems to me instead of attacking Harbaugh and Michigan for taking a trip go after the schools who are not taking trips. At least Michigan is giving back to the players in legal ways instead of pocketing the money like other schools are. A bunch of haters that sound ridiculous



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uofmchris

January 23rd, 2017 at 7:49 PM ^

But this is not a slap in anyones face. NCAA already permits teams one international trip every 4 years. 

This will be an experience of a lifetime for many of these young men, but this is not groundbreaking news. 

I am more curious to see what Jim has lined up NEXT YEAR as you know the team will be going somewhere .... Puerto Rico? American Samoa? US Virgin Islands... LOL

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XiX

January 23rd, 2017 at 8:00 PM ^

I love this. I know many view this strictly from a football perspective -- sticking it to the NCAA, possible recruiting advantage/disadvantage, or even if this necessary -- but I think this demonstrates UM and Jim Harbaugh's serious commitment to giving the kids in this program experiences that go above and beyond the "norm".

Not many kids will play football after college (NFL or otherwise) and some may never take a trip like this, whether due to their own choice or lack of opportunity. Having an experience like this could open up many doors and opportunities, or expand their horizons and inspire them to think outside of the box. Plus, I'd imagine many parents of student-athletes would seriously take notice of something like this.

Basically, another example of UM actually being the Leaders and Best. The fact that this also flips the bird at the NCAA and the other conferences that tried to put the brakes on Harbaugh's program just makes it even sweeter. Go Blue!

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Perkis-Size Me

January 23rd, 2017 at 9:30 PM ^

I'll admit it's pretty cool, and it's a great experience for the players. But I'm not sure this is really sticking it to anyone in the SEC or its NCAA puppet state.

This was never about protecting the student athlete. Never was, and never will be. This is about the SEC wanting to protect what it deems to be its turf. None of them give a shit when the practices are happening half a world away. When they see this, they just shrug their shoulders and say it's Harbaugh being Harbaugh. But when it's on SEC turf, ohh boy then it's personal.



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URNotGuilty

January 23rd, 2017 at 10:19 PM ^

For Sale : My 1989 Roman Sports & Daily Leisure Course Pack from Shaman Drum.... (Also My 1988 History of Russia 433 Term Paper manually Typed by A-1 Typing in Nichols Arcade, I turned in without Proof Reading, detailing The 1917 "Pheasant" Uprising). Free: This Life Lesson, and Educational Opportunity

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AngryAlum

January 24th, 2017 at 2:23 AM ^

Someone alluded to this idea in a prior post.  If you have to practice "on your own campus"  or facilities whatever, what's stopping Michigan buying a property down in Florida or whereever  and make it an athletics training facility.  Not just for football but all sports.  And of course having some practices down there.  They wouldn't even have to happen during any kind of a break if the NCAA makes some rule about vacation use.

Or put some other quarter system academic calendar on the athletes.  Instead of semesters and taking say 14-16 credit hours like a regular student.  The athletes are on a different academic calendar; end up taking less classes at a time for a longer part of the year say like 8-12 credit hours.  So they have a lighter work load but spread out for longer.  This way they can practice during regular vacations because technically they are not on vacation themselves.  And they can miss more class time because the class load isn't as rigorous and there are more built in 'study days' or breaks or whatever you want to call them.   

i kinda want harbaugh to specifically engineer something that does  exactly what the SEC and NCAA dont want him to do but it becomes perfectly legal and within his, the students, the universities rights to do.

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