Very cool moment
My 12-year old son's birthday was this weekend and I experienced one of the coolest moments with him. We are avid UM fans who live in Tennessee. We have been to see UM play at Illinois, but have never been to the Big House. I bought us tickets for the Indiana game in Noveber. My wife came up with the idea to have him open four separate envelopes that read as follows:
1. Roses are red
2. Violets are blue
3. MJ's going to the Big House
4. And so are you!!!
His reaction was absolutely priceless and brought him and the rest of us to tears. The best part of the story is that my son, my dad, and I are all going to the game together. My dad and I have watched Michigan games together our whole lives but have never been to a game together. One of the coolest moments i have ever experienced. GO BLUE!!!!
August 29th, 2016 at 10:47 AM ^
game in '04. we had just moved back home from socal. he still remembers that game. go now. there is still a (very faded) michigan helmet sticker on the dashboard of my old truck that he put there on our way home that afternoon/evening.
enjoy tremendously, but be ready to have some time out of your seats during the game and/or an early departure.
August 29th, 2016 at 10:58 AM ^
to that gotdammed Akron game for his first game. The one where it started to dawn on folks that maybe Hoke just might not know wtf he's doing. At the time he would watch with me on my Sunday re-plays so he was into the football. He was really impressed with the Big House and all the other extracurricular crap that went on. He had trouble getting into the game, although that was probably because we sucked all the ass it was barely more entertaining than the M00N game - especially for an 8 year old.
Tl;dr version - depends on what you're looking for for yourself and your kid to get out of it. My 8 yr old likes watching UM on TV but seemed a little "who gives a rat's ass" about the game itself when we were at the Akron shitshow.
August 29th, 2016 at 11:03 AM ^
From 3 on, she's really enjoyed it.
A camping toilet for the tailgate makes life infinitely easier. No kid should use one of the AAGO porta-potties. Woof.
August 29th, 2016 at 11:28 AM ^
I think it depends on the maturity, attention span, and other fators whether they can handle a game.
My 4 yr olds are YEARS away.
Even my 11 yr old can barely tolerate it (she's semi-into football, but doesn't likre the stadium crush, not seeing, etc)
What we found to be the best thing is to take them for the "game day experience".
They love the party atmosphere (who doesnt!)
They get to wander around, see all the people, go to some tailgates. By then they are usually tired, & mom will take them to a park for quiet time or to the hands on museum.
Meet up after the game.
My wife takes one for the team, then her & I have a football date for another game.
Also, we're on a tight budget, so kids tickets without 100% fandom are kind of a waste.
August 29th, 2016 at 11:29 AM ^
everyone. Now I don't know what the hell to do.
August 29th, 2016 at 12:11 PM ^
I am taking my 4 year old little dude to the Central FloRida game for his first game. My daughter went at the age of 2 but she was much calmer than my little man. My 4 yr old duder, 6 year old princess, my dad and I will be in attendance while mommy shops with Nana. Not sure who will love it more...me or pops. Start them early. Go Blue!!!
August 29th, 2016 at 12:10 PM ^
delete for my stupidity
August 29th, 2016 at 12:32 PM ^
August 29th, 2016 at 12:53 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
August 29th, 2016 at 10:26 AM ^
what it's all about. Happy Birthday to your son and have fun this season heading up to AA!
August 29th, 2016 at 10:28 AM ^
August 29th, 2016 at 10:30 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
August 29th, 2016 at 10:34 AM ^
We all grow up loving Michigan, and it is so amazing when we get to finally make that journey to go to a game, and when you get to add your family like that. Simply amazing. I'm very excited for you and can't wait until the day I take both of my girls. It is something special and you won't be dissapointed. Get there way too early and stay way too late, and capture every memory.
August 29th, 2016 at 10:36 AM ^
August 29th, 2016 at 10:36 AM ^
August 29th, 2016 at 10:40 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
August 29th, 2016 at 10:43 AM ^
After tailgating or seeing the drumline at Revelli Hall come to Gate 10 to get your ticket scanned ...we sometimes have food vouchers for the first 200 hundred students or something and I usually save a few for kids on their first visit to Michigan Stadium. Just chant "Carl, Carl" as you approach the huge granite M (also great for pictures) and some Event Team Member will escort you to the best scanner there. My daughter just graduated in the spring and her whole house used to chant my name as they came in my chute to get scanned.
August 29th, 2016 at 11:18 AM ^
That's awesome Carl, you're a good man
August 29th, 2016 at 10:44 AM ^
I want to school in Ann Arbor from kindergarten through college. But have lived in CA for over 15 years. My kids have adopted U of M as their team due to no other choice. I took my two 12 year old daughters to their first game last year and they had the time of their life and love Michigan campus and of course the Wolverines. They had a blast at MDen and at the Big House. We met the Sklar brothers at the car rental and then saw them again at the game. We are scheduled to go back this year (Homecoming game!). And hopefully, every year after as long as I'm able to take them! GO BLUE!!!
August 29th, 2016 at 10:50 AM ^
That will be a truly fun experience for all of you!
I can't wait to take my son (18 months old now) to a game down the road. I'm sure I will be just as pumped as you are right now. I'm planning on his first Big House game experience to be either Texas or Oklahoma in 2024/2025! But we will probably make it up there before then, because why not?
August 29th, 2016 at 10:51 AM ^
However, your son can't become a Michigan fan or do any of the suggested activities until we beat MSU and OSU.
*Couldn't resist, sorry to steal your bit, Hatter. Let the negs roll...
August 29th, 2016 at 10:55 AM ^
Very cool story, OP. I'll be back in MI for the Indiana game as well - i you want to meet up, I'd be happy to give you and your dad a beer before the game or buy a round of hot dogs in the stadium. I'm excited for your first game together, I hope to do that in a few years with my dad and son.
August 29th, 2016 at 11:02 AM ^
Thanks for this, man. Our son (and first child) is about 7 months old and I'm already thinking about some of those future experience and remembering those I had with my dad. For now, he'll have to listen to my maniacal rambling while he tries to conquer more important tasks, like learning to not poop his pants.
August 29th, 2016 at 11:03 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
August 29th, 2016 at 11:17 AM ^
I had one of those experiences when I was 18 years old. As the youngest of 7, I was born in Lansing but moved to Az when I was 3 months old. Our whole family grew up die-hard M fans and I was no different. Despite my family living in Michigan for a couple decades, my Dad (or anyone in the family) had never been to a game at the Big House (we were pretty poor growing up).
I came into about $2,000 when I turned 18 and decided I was going to buy plane tickets and game tickets for me, my dad, and my only brother to go see a game. My brothers wife paid for the hotel since my $2,000 all went to the game and flights.
On September 5th, 2003 we flew in to Michigan from Arizona, ate all you can eat riblets at Applebees, slept in our hotel and the next day walked to the stadium. Seeing the Big House in person for the first time was awe-inspiring. It's massive! I'll never forget the hallowed feeling as we walked in the stadium. Everything was perfect. We smacked Houston 50-3 that day and flew home that night. My dad still brings this day up as one of the greatest of his life.
A couple years ago, when Michigan went to the Buffalo Wild Wings bowl, it was held in Tempe, AZ. I surprised my Dad again with tickets on Christmas Day and we went and tailgated with family and although we lost we still had a great time. I'm proud that I have taken my Dad to the only 2 Michigan games he has been to in person. He is such an awesome and unselfish guy and I wish I could take him every year!
August 29th, 2016 at 12:16 PM ^
but beware His Dudeness will probably hate on your great story and NEGate my +1.
August 29th, 2016 at 11:27 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
August 29th, 2016 at 11:31 AM ^
Awesome. Have fun.
August 29th, 2016 at 11:36 AM ^
I attended my first UM game as a 13yo, a snoozer against Northwestern in 1987. The Wildcats looked like a high school team in size and quality of uniforms. It was a Bo special - QB Michael Taylor had more rushing TDs (2) than he did pass completions (1). His passing line: 1-5 for 3 yards, to Jamie Morris. Team rushing 50 carries for 374 net yards, 7.5 per carry. I recall being excited to see John Kolesar relatively up close.
Hope your son has a great time.
August 29th, 2016 at 11:43 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
August 29th, 2016 at 2:49 PM ^
kidding about throwing the ketchup bottle in the trash. You chucked it right at Frieder, right?
August 29th, 2016 at 11:39 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
August 29th, 2016 at 12:06 PM ^
August 29th, 2016 at 12:41 PM ^
August 29th, 2016 at 1:37 PM ^
i once told my daughters that I was taking them to a michigan game. they cried too. but they were tears of sadness, as they hate football. TOUGH LUCK, I said.
August 29th, 2016 at 3:20 PM ^
I might steal it when my son is old enough for me to justify flying us up for a game.
August 29th, 2016 at 4:32 PM ^