Bring Back the Block M in the Student Section for Sparty

Submitted by the Glove on October 19th, 2022 at 6:08 PM

I am hoping that the momentum of the blue out continues to grow. At the same time, I'm challenging the maize rage to bring back an old tradition first done as early as 1912 and not seen since 2009. The block M in the student section. I've seen others talk about how the blue out will not pop as the maize out does, but I believe a MAIZE block M would. This is where I need your help. I have no influence or connection to the maize rage or student body than any normal fan, but some of you do. If you could share this idea on Twitter (I don't have one) with the maize rage or those with influence. Let's make the stadium look great during prime time on ABC while they kick Sparty's teeth in.

Tradition: Students Forming the Block M — MVictors.com - Michigan Football History

https://mvictors.com/tradition-students-forming-the-block-m/

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Billy Ray Valentine

October 19th, 2022 at 7:55 PM ^

I'm all for Maize Outs. I'm all for Blue Outs. I'm all for a student section Block M. To varying degrees, these things look great on TV, and they promote the program.

That said, home-field-advantage, or an electric atmosphere, is NOT created by clothes or seating gimmicks. It's an attitude. It's a commitment to show up early, be loud, and be 100% involved - start to finish. Start the game in a frenzy and build. 

It happened last year vs. Ohio State. It was as if the entire stadium blew a fuse, collectively lost their mind, and it didn't let up until the field began to empty after we stormed.

Joined: 02/04/2012

MGoPoints: 9229

moldee_raspberry

October 20th, 2022 at 7:43 AM ^

Agreed, the most overlooked, best part of the in-game experience is the lack of trashy ads that cheapen the M brand.

Sure, JH has a Meijer sticker on his headset, but we don’t have a giant Kroger billboard on our scoreboard like the redneck middle managers down 23 south. Jordan brand, OK. Absopure water on the sidelines, seems chill.

The point is that when you attend (or watch on TV or stream online) images from INSIDE Michigan Stadium, the entire show is an advertisement for M.

We don’t abide any brands polluting the in-stadium experience, aside from whatever trash the opposing squad may have trucked in. 

The frisbee dog is a gimmick instigated by TikTok. The dog has has entertainment value and wasn’t necessarily trying to sell us anything Mf’s name was Victor fer chrissake. 

Sidenote tho: Anyone ever catch the Red Panda lady who unicycles and stacks soup bowls on her head during a basketball game halftime? She flips plastic pho bowls from her foot to land on her head like 20 deep. That shit right there, man. First-class entertainment. 

Joined: 11/20/2018

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MGoRob

October 20th, 2022 at 3:22 AM ^

As you said, the "blue out" will not pop out. It's been done before. Early to mid 2000's was one time we tried it. It just looked like a normal stadium crowd, just a little darker. The problem is people will wear other articles of clothing too so you end up seeing yellows, reds, and other small things stand out amongst the darker blue. It just looked sloppy IIRC. And don't get me started if it rains or is cold. Not everyone will bring a dark blue rain jacket or extra warm coat b/c they simply don't own one.

Best bet is to try a "blue out" but also hand out blue pom-poms, if you want the desired color.

Although, I think a 'blue out" with maize pom-poms just might be more striking. People can keep them at their laps or feet and on big plays whip out the maize pom-poms and drastically change the color of the stadium. Maybe it's cooler looking in my head, I don't know.

Joined: 03/14/2010

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yoshfriedman

October 20th, 2022 at 10:41 AM ^

Wanted to chime in - I and friends of mine actually organized the various Block M's in 2008-2010, I used to have the t shirt to prove it! Here are a few pictures when we tried to get it going, the first one we foolishly put in the corner of the bowl and it sorta screwed up all the dimensions of the M but we figured it out by 2009. 

Joined: 10/28/2009

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Human Block M 2011

October 20th, 2022 at 10:54 AM ^

As my friend commented above, yes, the current iteration of the human 'M' started in 2009. The Daily ran a story about our efforts: https://www.michigandaily.com/uncategorized/potential-new-tradition-be-added-michigan-traditions/

To answer a couple of the above questions:

  • The paint on the bleachers has been there since about 2010. We originally measured and used duct tape (literally!) on the bleachers to rope it off the Friday afternoon before the game.
  • Tried corner first because it was the middle of the student section, but found that straight on was better proportioned.
  • The blue 'M' on a maize out pops the best, but we have also done the inverse maize 'M' on blue square during the 2010 Ohio St game (we handed out both blue and maize t-shirts, because in cold weather we thought it was less likely people would all wear maize).
  • We also did a pink 'M' for breast cancer awareness month. That was cool.
  • The 'M' is between 800-1,000 people, give or take. The square around it adds close to 2,000 more people in the total area.
  • Agree completely that for stadium atmosphere it helps but does not do it on its own. Look how full the student section was then, and it was only 10-15 years ago.
  • A good 10-12 volunteers helps to make sure this runs well and to hand out t-shirts.

And yes I created an account to comment on this post! 

Joined: 10/20/2022

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