Scheduling - key games and academic breaks - Penn State (football) and Wisconsin (men's hoops)
I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed this - and, perhaps the situation I'm in affords me a slightly different perspective. I'm a football season ticket holder - and, parent of a couple of students at Michigan today.
So - what's my "issue". It's the scheduling of certain games - and, aligning it with the academic year - specifically - the two breaks students have on the academic calendar which take place in both the fall and winter semester.
The fall academic break - is two days off (a Monday and Tuesday - so, the kids can head home on the Friday before) and usually takes place in October. This past year (2022) - it was the same weekend that Michigan hosted Penn State in Ann Arbor.
Spring Break begins later today - and, who is Michigan hosting this weekend for the final regular season home game, and Senior Day, this weekend - Wisconsin.
Having a spirited study body in attendance and key sporting events is part of the experience. And, it makes me wish that the Athletic Department could align with the conference to ensure Michigan can take advantage of the home venues (Michigan Stadium and Crisler) as much as possible - along with the tremendous energy and passion of the student section.
The academic calendar is published years in advance - and, it would be nice if the B1G conference administration could actually work with Michigan to ensure the schedule maximizes the opportunity for students to support their teams.
February 24th, 2023 at 5:47 PM ^
I used to care about this but the B1G doesn't so it is clearly a waste of time to dwell on it. All they care about is TV money. Sucking the excitement out of a game experience for the fans who pay to see the game is not a concern.
They could definitely adjust the schedule if it were a priority. No other school has its spring break as early as Michigan. Some have winter break that extends well into January. Fortunately we have students who stay on campus or travel back to campus for the games so there is a presence even during break.
February 24th, 2023 at 6:14 PM ^
We have this issue every year, but it's our own fault. We choose to go on "spring" break at the end of February, which is earlier than just about every other school in the country. If our break were one week later, we wouldn't have this problem.
I don't see how the Big Ten can fix this, other than making us play multiple road games to end the season every year, which I don't think Juwan Howard would like.
February 24th, 2023 at 6:47 PM ^
Snarling, you are correct about Spring Break timing. Michigan’s break is earlier than every other school in the conference.
Most other B1G schools schedule their Spring Breaks either the week of the BTT, or the first week of the Dance.
February 24th, 2023 at 7:50 PM ^
See my post above. They're moving the start of the winter semester back a week starting next year. I assume they'll move spring break a week too.
February 24th, 2023 at 8:00 PM ^
Good. It never made sense to have spring break so early. When I was on campus, the joke was that Mary Sue must have a timeshare that week.
February 24th, 2023 at 8:39 PM ^
I was the student (in 2001-02) who convinced the Regents to add the Fall Break to the calendar.
1. The break is Monday/Tuesday because there are already too many classes that don't meet on Thursday/Friday because of Thanksgiving, end of semester mid-week, etc.;
2. Fall Break is always in October; and
3. the B1G is not going to schedule around individual school academic calendars.
I'd be surprised if Michigan Football has a worse record on Fall Break weekends than on any other weekend of the season.
February 25th, 2023 at 6:25 AM ^
As someone who plays a role in scheduling (not at Michigan).
All I can say is, "sorry" and recommend that you not waste an ounce of energy.
Michigan can provide blackout dates, but those are almost always limited to graduation/commencement or some MAJOR event (e.g., presidential debate or an event that would generate a crazy amount of revenue).
No one uses blackout dates for fall or spring break. You just try to reduce the blow by selling those seats that would normally go to students or you use it as a community engagement opportunity and you bringing middle schools or high schools in.
With the number of breaks at different...it would be impossible for the B1G to account for all schools.
And the biggest piece is no school let's student-athletes in ANY sport that is in-season go home during fall or spring break. So if they're around practicing, they're going to play games. You just have to hope they're away.
February 25th, 2023 at 11:45 AM ^
But someone would get the short end of the stick…it would be virtually impossible to align with every school in the conferences academic and break schedule.