Soliciting Help To Indoctrinate My Children
I'm entering Phase 1 of my Michigan Fandom Indoctrination Program (MFIP) for my children. The plan is to spend some time leading up to the season opener watching the 4th quarters of some Michigan games. I will be shamelessly tapping into the instant gratification sector of their brains in order to pump some Oxytocin into their bodies while watching the footballs. Because they have little to no knowledge of Michigan football history the context of the win or overall record for the year doesn't matter (think 2010 Illinois 3-OT win). So, exciting finish is the most important criteria. Here's what I got so far:
2015 Minnesota (Goal-line stand for the win)
2012 MSU (Last minute FG, rivalry win)
2011 Sugar Bowl (OT FG after a 4th quarter comeback by VT)
2010 Illinois (Yes, yes, ne'er was there a better indictment of the problems of the Rich Rod era, but 3-OT fun win is still exciting)
09' 10' 11' ND (All big 4th quarter wins, all wonderful dong punches to relive against the smarmiest fan base in college football)
2007 Capital One Bowl (Even though the finish isn't as flashy, I still get misty watching that team try and carry Carr off the field)
2005 Penn State (The Henne knife to the heart of PSU's previously undefeated season. Also, they're a bunch of child molestation enablers and perpetrators so for forever: Fuck Penn State.)
2005 Iowa (Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat and as we are in the Iowa City area this will play nicely into Phase 2 of the MFIP.)
This is what I'm starting with. I humbly solicit any other ideas for maximum excitement games. Have at it.
August 14th, 2018 at 8:38 PM ^
Show them Mello's hype videos.
August 14th, 2018 at 8:39 PM ^
2012 UofM v Northwestern
August 14th, 2018 at 8:42 PM ^
Step 1: Have them be born in the early 80s.
August 14th, 2018 at 8:58 PM ^
As someone born in the latter half of the 1970s, I strangely approve of this comment.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:37 PM ^
Hard to top first memories being a national championship in hoops, the fab five, desmond howard and ty wheatley and alex mack (what?).
August 15th, 2018 at 12:18 AM ^
Contrast this:
I came of football cognizant age (7) in 1969. Hail Bo. 3 losses.
Starting in '70, from 3rd grade through 12th grade I experience 0, 1 and 2 loss seasons only (except for 4-loss 1979, but I kinda discovered weed that year, so, pain was dulled). 21 total losses in 11 seasons.
---------
My son becomes M football cognizant in '08. Rich Rod baby!
9 losses
7 losses
6 losses
2 losses
5 losses
6 losses
7 losses
3 losses
3 losses
5 losses
53 total losses in just 10 years, compared to 21 losses in my 11 years.
Poor kid has watched 32 more losses than I did and he still has a season to go. It took me another 11 years after HS to witness that many losses. Sometimes I'm surprised he's still a M fan.
August 15th, 2018 at 5:21 PM ^
Maybe get him some weed?
Yes, j/k
August 14th, 2018 at 9:12 PM ^
1880s.
August 14th, 2018 at 10:08 PM ^
1982 here, 2014 for my little boy so that will be a good starting point for him in my opinion
August 15th, 2018 at 8:21 AM ^
I was born in '83. I approve of this. First memories were basketball's success, Desmond's Heisman, repeatedly beating OSU at the expense of John Cooper, winning the '97 title, and Woodson's Heisman. We didn't even have a TV in our house through most of those years so I listened to most of the football games on the radio.
August 14th, 2018 at 8:46 PM ^
2004 3-OT win over MSU
DUH
August 14th, 2018 at 8:48 PM ^
This x1000
August 14th, 2018 at 9:40 PM ^
This is the game that started my fandom. Proven indoctrination material.
August 14th, 2018 at 8:50 PM ^
Just take them to a game. It really doesn't happen until then.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:01 PM ^
Couldn’t agree more.....
My then 7 yr old daughter LOVED going to her first game, cheered along wildly, knew what offense and defense meant, and wants to go to a game every year now.
If we don’t/can’t go to a game, she barely watches any of it, just notices the game whenever I make loud noises.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:24 PM ^
A lot of truth to that.
I grew up in Michigan and was a U-M fan. But I never attended a single game, all through high school. First college game I attended was at my actual undergrad school.
I certainly don't hate Michigan now, but I may have remained more of a U-M fan if I had those childhood experiences.
August 14th, 2018 at 10:05 PM ^
Traitor, good riddance
August 14th, 2018 at 9:27 PM ^
I agree. Just get them as much exposure as you can. Go to games, watch on tv, buy them gear. It's all good stuff. My kids are brainwashed as fuck ?
August 14th, 2018 at 10:33 PM ^
Totally agree. The Big House is a magical place. Take the kid(s). Make it a habit and they will get hooked. Whether they immediately embrace the game, fall in love with the band, or just take in the atmosphere, they will find their joy.
August 14th, 2018 at 8:51 PM ^
2004 MSU.
2015 Indiana
1997 Penn State
1997 Ohio State
August 14th, 2018 at 8:51 PM ^
1979 Indiana game - John Wangler to Anthony Carter with 6 seconds left to go. Listen to Bob Ufer. Your kids will be sold!
August 14th, 2018 at 8:59 PM ^
1995 Pigskin classic vs VA....
August 15th, 2018 at 7:59 AM ^
My stepkids were already indoctrinated by their aunt into UVA fandom when I married in. Somehow I think that game might backfire on me.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:01 PM ^
KIds watch ESPN's Game Day, right? Right after the broadcasting trio picks the game on Game Day where Desmond Howard makes us proud once again. Take a time out to show them the below tribute. DH was a damn bomb-catching machine and the Heisman winner ... should help them understand the legacy which is Michigan. Go Blue !!!
August 14th, 2018 at 9:01 PM ^
“Daddy—what became of the nice boy who kicked the game-winning field goals against MSU and Northwestern ??”
”?”
August 14th, 2018 at 10:06 PM ^
Another mgoblogger who thinks he’s clever and is expecting congrats on such a sick burn.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:05 PM ^
2011 Ohio State
2015 Citrus Bowl vs Florida
August 14th, 2018 at 9:05 PM ^
2011 OSU. Sort of exciting finish. But they should see a victory over OSU.
2016 vs Rutgers just because it's hilarious
I can think of way more exciting basketball finishes which should also help with your indoctrination plan.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:07 PM ^
Just go to YouTube and binge watch all of Wolverine Historian's videos. That's an incredible collection
August 14th, 2018 at 9:10 PM ^
2003 at Minnesota - 31 pt 4th quarter comeback victory
August 15th, 2018 at 12:33 PM ^
Was going to post about this. Glad someone beat me. I remember watching this game when I was home alone and my parents were out (I was a lame 13 year old). Great memory
August 14th, 2018 at 9:11 PM ^
2003 vs Minnesota. I had to record the game (on VHS) and watched it with no knowledge that we’d won. I kept thinking I should just turn it off and go to bed since Michigan was getting beat so badly. I powered through for the epic comeback.
Loved that team.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:15 PM ^
Speaking of children and trying to get them to become Michigan fans. I just got two foster kids. One is three and a half and I really want to get him jumpman shorts. Any know where I can get little man jumpman shorts in maize and blue??
August 14th, 2018 at 9:30 PM ^
Whatever shorts you find, you’re taking them into your home, which is the greatest gift you can give. Good job.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:53 PM ^
that is awesome. truly a great thing to do.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:15 PM ^
You're overthinking it. They'll either love Michigan football or they won't. I was into it with my dad since I was 6 or 7. Some kids don't really care until they're older. But I know plenty of people who hate school X because their parents tried to cram it down their throats.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:20 PM ^
And when you need some nappy time, roll the MOON tape
August 14th, 2018 at 9:22 PM ^
Personally, I just watch the games with them and let them pick which Michigan stuff they want from mden. They love it when we score or break a big play because I yell and swing them around, and when we get scored on, I shout and curse and let them do it too (the only time and place they get permission to do so).
They love it.
August 15th, 2018 at 11:12 PM ^
We have a disturbingly similar approach.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:24 PM ^
2016 vs Colorado, sure if their QB doesn’t get hurt Michigan probably loses, but a nice comeback by the boys in blue.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:25 PM ^
Focus on March Madness wins and Big Ten tourney championships (if they're okay with basketball)
August 14th, 2018 at 9:29 PM ^
Get a male dog, name it Harbaugh (left). Get a female dog and name it Maizey (right). Every kid loves dogs. When they get old enough to understand where the dogs names came from you explain. Since they already love the dogs they will of course love Michigan as well. FWIW I have no children, but I can't imagine this not working.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:39 PM ^
I wish my Dad (UM '49) was alive to show him this post ... he had a retriever named Bo who loved Michigan summers and all that came come Autumn in God's country. Go Blue !!!
August 14th, 2018 at 9:30 PM ^
https://www.youtube.com/user/WolverineHistorian
Wolverine Historian has a phenomenal YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtLXT7JeC3QJC9UNfRP8aIw
JCBakkar has some great games as well.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYi7rOF9CZ6Ah2GjInHEFZg
Stephen Barnett is a FSU fan but has several Michigan games on his channel.
there are also condensed games that you can find on youtube that put the whole game into 30-45 minutes.
it helps to attend games from a really young age. my first football memories are of AC and sitting on the old narrow benches in section 5 and then more concrete memories, when i was a little older, of Harbaugh, Jamie Morris, Leroy Hoard, and Jerrod Bunch.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:34 PM ^
The Game sensitivity training ... Marcus Ray's hit on OSU's All-American David Boston care of our own Ace:
https://mobile.twitter.com/aceanbender/status/500078129684037632
August 14th, 2018 at 9:35 PM ^
2016 vs MSU
2011 vs OSU
2004 3 OT win vs MSU
if you want to rile them up, show them the “phantom clock” game against MSU in either 2000 or 2001
August 14th, 2018 at 9:38 PM ^
Depends on their age, but the big hook that got my two oldest kids excited about Michigan football (when they were 7 and 8 years old) was finding out that there were players named Taco and Butt
August 14th, 2018 at 9:45 PM ^
You are getting a pretty late start on indoctrination. My daughter could sing Hail To The Victors when she was 1 b/c I sang it during diaper changes and would clap her feet together and raise one up for the hails. She will be 4 Aug 30 and will attend her 4th annual installment of the $5 September opponent that is designed for taking your kid to the big house. We live close by so it's no big deal if she's toast by half time. She likes the tailgating, the cheerleaders, frozen lemon ice, the band, and people in our row fussing over her. She knows that the blue ones are the good guys and that blue and yellow are daddy's favorite colors. Finer points (the actual game) will be taught later. When we drive by the stadium we compete to be the first to notice the great big M (scoreboard). The University of Michigan is a source of a great deal of happiness for me and I try to impart every bit of that onto her in the hopes that it is something we can share.
August 14th, 2018 at 9:56 PM ^
Good stuff. At age 4, my daughter loved to shout BIAKABATUKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unforutnately, I am a less than perfect father. She went to MSU even though she was accepted to U of M. I will question some of my support decisions for the rest of my life.