Hi There!
My name is Jessica – I am Ryan’s older sister. I think you read about me in Ryan’s first post – apparently I have trouble making decisions amongst other things…and who knew he was so nervous to visit me on his own! I am currently a Lieutenant in the US Navy and am serving with the Marines as a Flight Surgeon. We are currently deployed in Australia. Thankfully, I still have internet and Facebook so I had a little chuckle when I heard my brother was going to have to start a blog...I had no idea what on earth he would write about. But, my brother eats, breathes, and lives sports so I figured it would be something related to that in some way. In fact, I think his dream job would be to be a stats guy for ESPN. I am excited to follow his blog (I think I’ve made his list a few times) and I can’t wait to see what is his number 1 sporting adventure!
Anyway, Ryan asked me if I could be a “guest blogger” this week and I gladly accepted. Specifically he wanted me to talk about The University of Michigan Football Stadium, also known as Michigan Stadium and even more commonly “The Big House!” I attended U of M from 2005-2007 where I obtained my Master’s Degree in Epidemiology. I am an avid Hokie football fan but the 9-hour drive home just wasn’t going to happen on a regular basis. Thankfully, I chose to attend a school with a great football team. I bought season tickets both years I was at Michigan and I saw some AWESOME football games. During my time in Michigan I was lucky to be able to take Ryan and my parents to Michigan Football games (on different occasions). Both were different experiences for reasons I’ll describe below.
You have probably heard of the 7 Greatest Wonders of the World (The Great Wall in China, The Taj Mahal in India)…I feel like Michigan Stadium should be added to the list. Every great college football fan, regardless of whether or not he/she is a Michigan fan or not MUST see a football game in the Big House! Why you ask…
1. Michigan Stadium is the LARGEST stadium in the United States. Currently the “official” capacity is 109,901 people. However, this often gets passed because they cram people on the sidelines and stuff. Almost every home game I went to, the announcer would get on the intercom and say “you are part of history, we just broke another attendance record!” I would say the average attendance is between 113,000 and 114,000. It is really an incredible thing to be at a football game cheering along with that many people. In fact, the last time Michigan did not have 100,000 people in attendance at the Big House was in 1975!
2. The student section usually stands the entire game and a lot of the times they wear a yellow or “Maize” colored shirt. I used to sit on the family side at Virginia Tech games, so I was used to sitting. It took some getting used to…but the students are so into it, after a while you don’t realize how tired you are of standing. When I took Ryan to the game vs Wisconsin he went with me to the student section. I had to sneak him in though using a friend’s ticket. Thankfully though since everyone stands there is more room and people don’t get antsy over their specific seating spot. When mom and dad came we sat somewhere different so we could sit down.
3. There are many Michigan Stadium traditions. Just like the Hokies hit the stone on the way out of the tunnel, the Michigan players all jump up and hit a banner that says “Go Blue, M Club Supports You”. The other is the famous fight song“The Victors”. You have no choice but to learn this song…it is played every time Michigan scores and also on big plays (first downs, if they sack the other team’s QB, if they intercept the football). Opposing teams HATE this song…but Michigan fans love it…and the more we get to sing it, the better our team is doing! My favorite Big House tradition though was the Wave. This is no ordinary wave. The wave always takes place during the 3rd quarter and only happens if Michigan is winning the game. It is started by the student section and goes around regularly a few times….then it speeds up…then it goes in slow motion…and then it reverses direction and then splits in two and goes in opposite directions. Overall, it’s a pretty fun departure from your normal wave.
4. Interestingly enough…there are no permanent lights at Michigan Stadium…which means that there aren’t regularly night games…however, once a year, there will be a Big House game “Under the Lights”and they will bring in portable lights. Everyone loves a good night game, and the Big House doesn’t disappoint.
5. The Big House doesn’t go unused in the winter either. Once a year, they host “The Big Chill”…and they set up an Ice Hockey rink on the field. I never went to this event, but it is usually televised and looks pretty fun.
6. What were my personal traditions? Well I loved the kettle corn…so every home game I gladly handed over my $5 for a bag. I usually tailgated on the golf course before the games (and sometimes after) and I would stand during the whole game (I’d sit at half-time). Unfortunately, my photos from this time period are on a different computer, so I can’t show you any personal pictures…but I promise I was there!
Overall, Michigan games were a blast, especially when they were winning. I will say though that I still think Lane Stadium, despite its > 40,000 less people is still louder than the Big House. I think it has to do with the way the stadium is built (the Big House is like a big bowl)…but a game at the Big House is an experience of a lifetime. Go Blue!
My name is Jessica – I am Ryan’s older sister. I think you read about me in Ryan’s first post – apparently I have trouble making decisions amongst other things…and who knew he was so nervous to visit me on his own! I am currently a Lieutenant in the US Navy and am serving with the Marines as a Flight Surgeon. We are currently deployed in Australia. Thankfully, I still have internet and Facebook so I had a little chuckle when I heard my brother was going to have to start a blog...I had no idea what on earth he would write about. But, my brother eats, breathes, and lives sports so I figured it would be something related to that in some way. In fact, I think his dream job would be to be a stats guy for ESPN. I am excited to follow his blog (I think I’ve made his list a few times) and I can’t wait to see what is his number 1 sporting adventure!
Anyway, Ryan asked me if I could be a “guest blogger” this week and I gladly accepted. Specifically he wanted me to talk about The University of Michigan Football Stadium, also known as Michigan Stadium and even more commonly “The Big House!” I attended U of M from 2005-2007 where I obtained my Master’s Degree in Epidemiology. I am an avid Hokie football fan but the 9-hour drive home just wasn’t going to happen on a regular basis. Thankfully, I chose to attend a school with a great football team. I bought season tickets both years I was at Michigan and I saw some AWESOME football games. During my time in Michigan I was lucky to be able to take Ryan and my parents to Michigan Football games (on different occasions). Both were different experiences for reasons I’ll describe below.
You have probably heard of the 7 Greatest Wonders of the World (The Great Wall in China, The Taj Mahal in India)…I feel like Michigan Stadium should be added to the list. Every great college football fan, regardless of whether or not he/she is a Michigan fan or not MUST see a football game in the Big House! Why you ask…
1. Michigan Stadium is the LARGEST stadium in the United States. Currently the “official” capacity is 109,901 people. However, this often gets passed because they cram people on the sidelines and stuff. Almost every home game I went to, the announcer would get on the intercom and say “you are part of history, we just broke another attendance record!” I would say the average attendance is between 113,000 and 114,000. It is really an incredible thing to be at a football game cheering along with that many people. In fact, the last time Michigan did not have 100,000 people in attendance at the Big House was in 1975!
2. The student section usually stands the entire game and a lot of the times they wear a yellow or “Maize” colored shirt. I used to sit on the family side at Virginia Tech games, so I was used to sitting. It took some getting used to…but the students are so into it, after a while you don’t realize how tired you are of standing. When I took Ryan to the game vs Wisconsin he went with me to the student section. I had to sneak him in though using a friend’s ticket. Thankfully though since everyone stands there is more room and people don’t get antsy over their specific seating spot. When mom and dad came we sat somewhere different so we could sit down.
3. There are many Michigan Stadium traditions. Just like the Hokies hit the stone on the way out of the tunnel, the Michigan players all jump up and hit a banner that says “Go Blue, M Club Supports You”. The other is the famous fight song“The Victors”. You have no choice but to learn this song…it is played every time Michigan scores and also on big plays (first downs, if they sack the other team’s QB, if they intercept the football). Opposing teams HATE this song…but Michigan fans love it…and the more we get to sing it, the better our team is doing! My favorite Big House tradition though was the Wave. This is no ordinary wave. The wave always takes place during the 3rd quarter and only happens if Michigan is winning the game. It is started by the student section and goes around regularly a few times….then it speeds up…then it goes in slow motion…and then it reverses direction and then splits in two and goes in opposite directions. Overall, it’s a pretty fun departure from your normal wave.
4. Interestingly enough…there are no permanent lights at Michigan Stadium…which means that there aren’t regularly night games…however, once a year, there will be a Big House game “Under the Lights”and they will bring in portable lights. Everyone loves a good night game, and the Big House doesn’t disappoint.
5. The Big House doesn’t go unused in the winter either. Once a year, they host “The Big Chill”…and they set up an Ice Hockey rink on the field. I never went to this event, but it is usually televised and looks pretty fun.
6. What were my personal traditions? Well I loved the kettle corn…so every home game I gladly handed over my $5 for a bag. I usually tailgated on the golf course before the games (and sometimes after) and I would stand during the whole game (I’d sit at half-time). Unfortunately, my photos from this time period are on a different computer, so I can’t show you any personal pictures…but I promise I was there!
Overall, Michigan games were a blast, especially when they were winning. I will say though that I still think Lane Stadium, despite its > 40,000 less people is still louder than the Big House. I think it has to do with the way the stadium is built (the Big House is like a big bowl)…but a game at the Big House is an experience of a lifetime. Go Blue!
Photo credit: mgoblue sign
http://www.freep.com/article/20110107/SPORTS06/101070354/Analysts-Michigan-football-job-still-has-some-cachet
Photo credit: The Big Chill
http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/24394898/winter-classic-a-photo-tour-of-the-2014-game-at-the-big-house
Also check out these YouTube Videos about the Wave and Fight Song
You Tube Link for the Wave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a_bI2Qzzi4
You Tube Link for “The Victors” Fight Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwoLdHNzZ4M
I hope you have fun reading about all of Ryan’s favorite sporting events! Thanks for taking the time to read my little guest entry!
Jessica
You Tube Link for the Wave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a_bI2Qzzi4
You Tube Link for “The Victors” Fight Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwoLdHNzZ4M
I hope you have fun reading about all of Ryan’s favorite sporting events! Thanks for taking the time to read my little guest entry!
Jessica