The Gift Of MGoBlog: 2021 Edition
We've nearly made it to the end of a rather crazy 2021, and instead of talking about some rather mundane bowl appearance that really doesn't stir the imagination, we are talking about playing Georgia in the CFP Semifinals with a shot at potentially playing for it all against presumably Alabama (of course). Who among us thought we would able to discuss that back in August, right?
I did want to convey a few thoughts as many of us settle into our holidays - some with family, others with friends, others still with both of those, and some perhaps celebrating by themselves. Regardless, there is a place to come even at this time of the year to talk about your Michigan athletics obsession, whether it be a health oy an unhealthy one such as mine, and that place is, well, MGoBlog.
I won't say that 2021 has been easy for me personally. Some of you know what I do for a living, so some of you know that, as a result of what I do, I kind of missed out on my entire summer because of the constant weather which battered the state. Even now, I am still catching up on things that I probably could have finished at this point in any other year. I am also ending my first full year sober since about the middle of high school, and there are days where this is still difficult emotionally on some days. I also finally joined the list of people embroiled in minor controversy on the board over moderation, but of course, I laughed a nice laugh when someone created a thread saying that I shouldn't be a moderator. That said, the event did make me think about one or two things - I have tried to use less graphic language in my retorts, for example. 2021 has been very up and down, but there is always this blog.
Let me say that once more because it is important to many of us - there is always this blog. In the last year, we've seen basketball do great things - fun things really. We saw them make a decent enough tournament run. We've seen many of our other teams excel, many of our athletes win very important awards and other honors. As much as we sometimes complain, we have an embarrassment of riches in a lot of ways in Ann Arbor, for many universities don't have nearly the community or the pedigree that we do here with Michigan. That alone is a gift to all of us, one that really does keep on giving.
We started the year mired in what seemed like a reckoning about the status of the football program, and we saw people here and in other places say, as the spring and then the summer wore on, that there was something different about this team. All of us have heard that before, and I admit, I was prepared to approach such statements with cautious optimism but, in the end, I was also prepared to be pleasantly disappointed, if you will. Then, they played.....and won.....and kept winning.....stumbled once, but recovered....won a gritty, difficult game.....then, Ohio State, and they won that too, then once more and became conference champions. Now, here we are, pleasantly surprised indeed. This football season has been an unexpected and remarkable gift and we can only hope there is more of it beyond this upcoming game.
When I sit back and think about all that has transpired in Michigan athletics this year, it actually makes me look forward to 2022 and the possibilities in a way that I really haven't in a long time. There are obviously challenges, of course. We are still in the midst of a pandemic, for example, but this is something we can certainly get through if everyone follows public health directives and fulfills their responsibility to the collective good. Well, if enough of us do so anyway. After all, none of us have had the opportunity to experience such an event in real time - rather intriguing indeed thus far. We are also in a rapidly shifting environment for athletics, one that gives more power to the players, as they should have, but we are also seeing how this changes the approach universities take to building teams, and it will be interesting to see how these things evolve. I know Michigan is able to navigate these challenges with its resources, but I am eager to see the cultural changes it brings both to sports and to those who run the show.
Through it all, there is this place, and here is where we come to discuss it all. We don't discuss all of it successfully, as much as I would rather we did, but we do congregate here whenever Michigan is involved. That bond, sometimes strained, still exists through all who regularly visit, save for the known trolls, of course. That is perhaps the greatest gift this place imparts - a place where, at least in certain threads, the fact that I am, for example, an ardent atheist, militantly pro-labor guy and left of America's left doesn't matter to anyone, just the fact that I am a Michigan fan and alumnus.
All the same, everyone have an excellent holiday season.
-LSAClassOf2000
December 23rd, 2021 at 9:15 AM ^
LSAClassOf2000,
Thanks for sharing your appreciation for the past year, the acknowledgement of your personal struggles, and your ongoing support and moderation of this strange but wonderful place where we all connect. You reflection could probably be written by all of us in some shape or form and it is great that we have had the gift of Michigan sports to connect us and more importantly allow us to escape from some of the challenges we have all faced.
This pandemic can be summed up by the phrase "We are all in the same storm but in different boats." Last years football Michigan football team was leaking badly and taking on water.
With much appreciation to Captain Harbaugh, his coaches, and the grit of the players, we have been given a great gift of reestablish success on the field that we all love so very much.
Keep up the good work, stay strong in your efforts to stay sober, and know that we all support you and this unique place called MGoBlog.
With Appreciation and Happy Holidays to You and Yours,
LSAClassOf1983
December 23rd, 2021 at 9:23 AM ^
Nice post LSA _ thanks to you, robF, Seth (and Brian?) for keeping this weird site going. I don't know if this place for my little story (or if anyone cares) but here goes.
It's a week before the season and I'm working the VIP open practice in the Stadium. This is a chance for players families, coaches families, and football alumni to see the team have a spirited practice and then mingle on the field afterwards.
There is not a cloud in the sky, hardly a breeze, and the temperature is mid 80's and climbing for gate one opening at 11:30. So given the weather, and the fact that we're coming off a 2-4 truncated season...the turnout is predictably meh. I'm stationed on the ADA platform in sec.42 (35 yd. line) with two bottles of water, sunscreen, sunglasses just hoping no attendees pass out, no players get injured and maybe see a few notable plays when they get to the controlled scrimmage.
McNamara's parents were in front of me with a generic #12 Michigan t-shirt on mom. A little ways away there were some brand spanking new Anthony #1 jerseys that prompted me to google Bentley Football Roster to figure out who that was. The stretching and punting exhibition had started.
Luckily for me a football alumnus and his family from the mid 90's sat down on my platform right next to the portal. He was a back up linebacker/long snapper who decided not to stay for his 5th year that would have made him a national champ. His son was in a wheelchair and promptly started asking me all sorts of questions on what was transpiring, who was that catching the ball?, where is coach Harbaugh? who's your favorite player? etc. Mom (UM med school grad) warned me that this could go on for hours but I welcomed the challenge. My only question was why he was engaging me when dad who looked like he could still suit up next to Ross at OLB was right there.
After the practice was done and the official team picture was taken, every one was welcome on to the field. I told them of course they could go down the tunnel to meet and greet the very sweaty throng. My young fan friend had decided mid practice that Ronnie Bell was his favorite player so I decided to try to search him out and have them meet. I asked Sainristal, Johnson, a staffer or two "Have you seen Ronnie Bell?" but I could not find him. I go back to the tunnel area to explain my failings and there was Jim Harbaugh on his knee next to the wheelchair laughing with the little guy. He then talked to dad for a few about past football glories. On their way out I said have an ice cream for me at Washtenaw Dairy before the trip back to Grand Rapids.
Go Blue!
SB
December 23rd, 2021 at 10:22 AM ^
LSA, well said. This is always a thoughtful place, though of course we are all guilty of ridiculous hot takes and emotional postings at times. I would not want my legacy to contain any post I've made on a game thread, for example. Not even sure some of them were written in any discernible world language, TBH. I saw that an LSA grad from '83 replied-let's see how many years we can get on this thread. LSA '86.
December 24th, 2021 at 11:16 AM ^
LSAClassof78 - yeah, I'm old.
December 23rd, 2021 at 2:05 PM ^
Happy New Year to you & thanks for sharing this lovely reflection.
December 23rd, 2021 at 2:18 PM ^
Yes, indeed, this board provides me with something of a sense of community and continuity in a life that sometimes needs it. I've been reading LSA2000's comments for a decade now, and XM's, That Putin Guy, RobF's, and way many more than I can tick off right now. Mostly, I was inspired to hit the 'Beveled Guilt' button for the first time (I'm ashamed to say, feel free to downvote me) and set up a modest monthly donation for MgoBlog, Inc. Can't run a clubhouse on affectionate feelings, well wishes, or the upvote button. Thanks for everything (particularly the time put in) y'all do to make my life a little bit better.
[Edit] I have been a supporter of HTTV for years, but that's not the same as establishing a steady, albeit small, cash flow stream.
December 23rd, 2021 at 9:34 PM ^
Thanks for sharing LSA.
I've been around here a long time and I've occasionally been a poster who needs a bit of moderation....You're really good at your job.
Happy holidays and a hearty Go Blue to you and yours
December 24th, 2021 at 10:31 AM ^
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year Lorne. May your health continue it's positive trend this coming year and many, many more.
I appreciate your work here very much and am glad you've been able to become a full-time moderator once again. And thanks for this post - very much co-signed here from your virtual friend in Northern Ohio!
December 24th, 2021 at 8:51 PM ^
LSA Class of 1977 here (yeah, a bit long in the tooth) saying thanks, 2000, for a post that I can really identify with. Even when the place infuriates me, I don't ever consider leaving this community.
December 25th, 2021 at 1:01 PM ^
It's a good blog, filled with (mostly) good stories told by (mostly) good people.
I'm concerned about what 2022 may have in store for me professionally and some older relatives health-wise, but if I've (re-)learned anything this year from watching Michigan football, it's that with enough faith and resolve, any hurdle can be, well, hurdled.
December 25th, 2021 at 1:23 PM ^
Nice post. This place definitely is community for me.
GO BLUE!!!
LSA '93
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