Fantastic account of joining the cult of Michigan Football (paywalled)

I can 100% relate to this. Michigan football (and by extension, M athletics) is the only group to which I belong. When I see people wearing Michigan gear, I feel an immediate kinship. I can find common ground with most of you, even when other aspects of our lives are polar opposites. I don't do that with just anyone. I consider the walk to the Big House a religious experience, a happening, if you will, and I need to do it more often. It really grounds me in a way nothing else does. And I think Harbaugh personifies this in a way no other coach can. I don't mean to say that if he leaves, we're done. I just think he's the perfect fit for reasons other than coaching excellence. 

I have but a few things that are so committed to my experiential memory that by merely recalling them I am transported there once more.  My first time in Michigan Stadium, in 1974, is one of those.  Like the author of that piece, I approached the stadium a little underwhelmed, but when I walked in and the stadium opened up like a grand cathedral, I was completely overwhelmed.  Sitting here typing this takes me back to that moment.

Damn, I only had to pay 150k in tuition to join the cult.

She picked a good year to join our cult.

I have for the past few years dealt with some pretty severe post-traumatic stress disorder, something I wouldn't wish on the worst of the worlds enemies. However, Michigan Football has served the same type of effect for me as it did for Jaime. The culture of college football is rapidly changing, and rightly so, but I pray that our beloved Wolverines will always be who they've always been, Conquering Heroes. I am forever thankful for Jim Harbaugh, the team, and all who make Michigan Football go.

 

Cool story bro disclaimers, but also tangentially related to the experience Lowe captures so eloquently:

I live in Columbus and woke up today feeling lazy, so I drove down to a pretty popular brunch spot to get take out pastries for the wife and I.  I kinda forgot the "popular" part so there was about a twenty minute queue.  While in line another guy comes up behind me and (nicely, to be fair) asks what it's been like wearing my Michigan hat and hoodie, and I cheerily reply it's been great. He chuckles that I might not get great service wearing that, and I smirk that this place is full of hipsters who don't care about football (for other Columbus residents it was Fox in the Snow)

Naturally as I'm approaching the register, one of the aforementioned hipster kids is walking back to his table with his coffee and hits me up with a 'Go Blue' 

We really are a cult and we are legion.  You'll find us even where we shouldn't be found.  I've lived here almost 20 years and gotten more sotto voce 'Go Blues' then angry 'Go back to where you came from!', though - being a thin 5'5" person -  I also don't frequent campus bars on football Saturdays

This author must be on mgoblog. Reveal yourself sweet Siren!

Stirs warm memories.

Thanks Ms. Lowe for the well-written opinion piece.

As someone remarked, she chose a good year to experience Michigan football, but then so did I (1964-5) and did we ever destroy the opposition in the Rose Bowl that year. It might be too much to hope we could do as well against Alabama tomorrow. 

But it would feel very good, especially after all the harassment this season.

And this team will give it their best shot.

Go Blue! 

Thank, Ms. Lowe, and thanks blueinkyiv!

Great fun to read.

I can relate to the author's sense of "elation" at experiencing the Big House.

While it wasn't a salve for depression in my case--I was a rabid Wolverines fan long before "playing skool" in AA--I, too, look back with tremendous fondness at the couple years I had season tickets (2007 and 2010).  Those were not particularly *good* years for Michigan football--Lloyd Carr's final season and RichRod's final season.  My first home game was The Horror, the second was getting pounded by a Dennis Dixon-led Oregon team.  I remember the "we want Mallett" jeers of Chad Henne.  Although the team was on a bit of an upswing from rock bottom by 2010, we still didn't play any defense (I was at the 67-65 triple OT thriller Illinois game where we made Nathan Scheelhaase look like Dan Marino in his prime).  That was a bonkers game to see live.

But, even at the nadir of Michigan football, it was a helluva experience.  Reading posts/remembrances from various younger and older fans here on MGoBlog over the years proves this to be the case throughout any era.  The tradition is unbreakable.  In my case, it was seeing a fully-operational Denard Robinson (he ran for 1702 yards in 2010).  Or, it was Mike Hart's last season.  Great seasons by "Super" Mario Manningham and future NFL Hall of Famer Brandon Graham.  An unheralded guy like Jordan Kovacs trying to clean up the mess in 2010, leading to the founding of The Order of St. Kovacs on MGoBlog.  Singing "The Victors" (the best fight song and nobody could convince me otherwise).  Doing our cover of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline."  The "Blues Brothers Dance."  The cheerleaders with "Let's" "Go" "Blue" cards egging on the different sections.  Stamping our feet on the bleachers, rattling our keys, and yelling our guts out on 3rd downs.  Informing the opposition exactly what we felt of their efforts after not converting on 3rd down.  The MMB at halftime.  The voice of Carl Grapentine informing us we were the largest crowd watching football anywhere in America that day.  Anticipating the Slippery Rock score updates.  Braving the elements (finding shade/hydration in the early fall, staying warm and dry in November).  Feeling like a Mensa member if you brought a seat cushion.  Carefully tiptoeing past passed-out undergrads and red Solo cup forests on various lawns while walking over.  Your "group" of friends and fans to sit with, and the unspoken camaraderie there.  The section, row, and seat numbers take on an almost mystical significance.

My last game at the Big House was in 2016, the "snow angel" game vs Indiana where De'Veon Smith came up big late, and UM won.  So, I don't think I'm a curse to the team anymore!  But, I am staying far away from Pasadena...just in case.  I am a man of science, but superstition goes hand-in-hand with tradition, dontcha know.

I hope Keith Jackson has the call on the Rose Bowl and Go Blue!

Yeah, this was a great read. If the writer does see this, that was wonderful. You captured my experience! Welcome...