Frustration level with “spring game” & lack of fan interaction?
I’ve seen a lot of people voicing their grievances about tomorrow’s “spring game” and the fact that there’s no tailgating allowed, no TV coverage except a $20 stream to watch a practice that’s not even a spring game
Does this bother you? Are you frustrated with the lack of fan appreciation/interaction shown by the program?
I just want to take the temperature of the fanbase right now.
April 12th, 2019 at 11:02 AM ^
Did anyone else think Sam Beckett looked a lot like that one Texas State quarterback who was on the team with the kicker who could've been a supermodel?
April 12th, 2019 at 10:32 AM ^
I'm bringing my 3 y/o to the Big House for the first time and really none of it bothers me much. Isn't no tailgating just at Pioneer and Michigan lots? Seems like an easy work around is park on private property. Not being a real game just is what it is. If the coaches don't think the roster is in a place to do it, then don't do it. I'd be shocked if it wasn't some game like format with 11 vs 11 for at least some/most of the time.
Not being televised is kinda mind boggling, but like I said, I'm going so it's not a big deal. It'll be up on YT and torrent eventually.
April 12th, 2019 at 10:35 AM ^
I feel like it is a huge opportunity that is wasted. Some previous coaches have established opportunities for kids to meet the players, and I wish the current staff would take advantage of that connection with the fan base. They could have a fan interaction with the players before or after, music, concessions, interactive games (like at last weekend's 5k). They could really make this a huge event, and a major money maker if they wanted to have the concession element available. Having your fan base excited also ensures that they will have great attendance even during the years that have weak home game schedules.
I was very excited to go to the Spring game, because it would have been an opportunity to see some of the changes that were made, and my young son was really looking forward to seeing them in game situations. We don't go to many games because of the price, so this is "the game" that we go to as a family. I doubt we will be attending this event, because it sounds like it will be dry/boring.
April 12th, 2019 at 10:36 AM ^
This topic perfectly depicts the Michigan athletic program and its fanbase. On Saturdays in the Fall we want to be the best, have the best players, beat our rivals and win championships, fair to say every program wants that. We also tout our magnificent stadium and university - see intro video to every single game. No issue thus far from me.
The program wants the fans to be more involved, students to show up to games and support the team, the environment to be electric and show a true home field advantage oh and don't boo because we have to support our student athletes.
Meanwhile, that same program seems to go out of the way to introduce measures that, in my humble opinion, go in the completely opposite direction. ticket prices continue to go up, concessions are ridiculous (see ATL for good example to follow), game day atmosphere lacks - why in the world can't we manage to get a maize out? - just look at white out at PSU or even the Iowa home games for crying out loud, and now this complete disconnect with the fans for Spring games.
The Spring game isn't about you and I as fans who will undoubtedly watch every game and likely attend at least one game a year. The Spring game should be for the younger generation, for them to grow their passion for the team, to have some opportunity to see their favorite players, even participate in some fun event at the big house, go on the field, etc. without the need for their parents to be millionaire boosters. Other schools do this and, frankly, do it really well. It can't hurt them with recruiting either...
Here's an idea, combine the Big House 5k in the morning with the Spring Game in afternoon. Make it a whole day of Michigan sports, bring in other school sports, interact with kids and their parents, show that it really is a family atmosphere. Those same fans will grow their passion and show their support for the teams come Fall Saturdays the way the program wants.
Will I be upset the Spring game isn't an actual game, or it's not televised or there's no tailgating? Not particularly as I wasn't planning on attending given my past experience. But our lack of interest in it is to me exactly the point the AD is missing.
April 12th, 2019 at 10:47 AM ^
I just want to win football games. I think I've been to 3 Spring games in my life. None were particularly stimulating. It's whatever.
April 12th, 2019 at 11:06 AM ^
don't care. I'm going to spend all day Saturday like I usually do ...hanging out at MDEN
April 12th, 2019 at 11:08 AM ^
It bugs me. Both the athletic department and Harbaugh himself seem to take the fan base as an entitlement. This has been obvious since they canceled the Women’s Football Academy, and now this with the Spring Game - I get that there’s not a lot of obvious football training value to events like that, but there’s clearly a ton of fan goodwill that come from those, and it’s clear that Harbaugh and the AD put zero value on “fan goodwill” except to bitch about it when the fans don’t fall all over themselves to freely dump maximal money into a declining product.
April 12th, 2019 at 11:13 AM ^
I never went to a spring game when I was on campus or since. I am not sure I have watched one on TV. If you really want to see it, just pay the $20 to watch. If you don't want to pay the $20 then don't worry about it. It doesn't sound like there will be much substance going on.
Do you think this team could be split up into 2 squads? Do you want to watch teams full on walk-on skill players and d-linemen get obliterated by starters? The team seems pretty beat up right now so I would rather allow the players to have a less intense practice and have time to heal than watch a spring game.
BTW I know its the minority, but this fan base can be absolute shit at times and I'm sure the AD knows this. Some people saying Beilein developing players to leave early to the NBA is a bad thing and Izzo is better because he retains players longer. Izzo turning 1-and-dones into 2-year or 3-year players is not a positive things. But some people in the fan base need to complain about something.
April 12th, 2019 at 11:24 AM ^
100%, you can run a grouchy asshole program like Saban when you win like Saban.
Bama actually does some fan engagement events, and they do them well. A coworker's kid is attending there and he says the school works hard to keep the non-athletes (and community at large) engaged and involved with the program, even though they really don't have to given their current dominance of the sport.
April 12th, 2019 at 11:31 AM ^
The only thing I want to see is a win over OSU. I don’t give two shits about anything else. This season is Harbaugh’s last stand. Lose to OSU as usual and I think there will be a mass exodus of season ticket holders.
April 12th, 2019 at 11:46 AM ^
I don't care. Feel flat about football after the end of the season. No sense of excitement about spring camp. Probably me getting older and more realistic in my expectations for the program, so less unbridled enthusiasm. I'll start caring again in August (I hope).
April 12th, 2019 at 12:05 PM ^
For sure it’s frustrating but there is no doubt that year by year the fans are given slightly more spring access to the team. It wasn’t long ago that it was 9 months of a semi blackout. Now we are getting some open practices and at least some effort towards giving the fans access. I’m going to call it now, there will be a spring game next year as this trend continues, albeit slowly.
April 12th, 2019 at 12:06 PM ^
While I wish the university would allow tailgating and yes I know they can afford it.But without charging for the spring game if they allowed tailgating they would have to place Porta-Johns and they would have to clean up the parking lots after the pigs who can't clean up their own mess when they leave after a game.
I was trying to make it an every year event with my grandsons and other family but it just never seems to happen every year so yeah I am not happy about I am not going to drive 90 minutes just for an open practice not to mention trying to park and get to the stadium.
Parking won’t be an issue. If your grandkids are very young I could see the difficulty, but otherwise you should definitely bring them !
I’m not even a tiny bit bothered. I care about winning games in the fall, without rampant cheating or illegal activity. That’s it.
Spring game hasn't meant much since Lloyd Carr effectively killed it. Frustrating to watch other programs get huge crowds, hype and exposure while we run a glorified practice and usually in terrible to sketchy weather.
It should be an event but our athletic department seems uninterested.
Yup I sure am frustrated with the fans lack of support .... O wait, read that wrong ...nevermind.
Meh. I'm not bothered at all. It's the spring game.
Why give BlowSU anything at all to start preparing for?
Just keep working and improving.
I hope the new offense is what all the BPONE sufferers have yearned for since Lloyd's days:
An unstoppable offense that just outscores top opponents when needed and grinds lesser opponents to dust.
I have never cared about the spring game. When it is on TV I flip over a few times.
The only thing I care about is that everyone is healthy. The game is fake but the injuries are not.
I’m struggling here and need someone to shed some light..
I have 3 boys. 9, 6, and 2. Is this the right time and situation to take them to the big house and show them around AA? Can anyone give advice?
April 12th, 2019 at 10:46 PM ^
No it does not bother me
I find it bizarre the way they are packaging the spring game to the fans. Seems like instead of trying to generate excitement and enthusiasm, Harbaugh is taking a “there is nothing for you to see here, please move on” posture.