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The University of Michigan’s athletic director sent a proposal to the University’s Regents, requesting permission to set off fireworks during two football games this fall.
At first blush, the question of post-game fireworks didn’t seem like a very big deal either way. On Michigan fan blogs, reactions were mixed. As for the University’s Regents, they have bigger things to worry about than fireworks. Even the athletic department’s budget – which has grown by 50-percent, currently pushing 150 million dollars — might seem like a lot to us, but that’s a rounding error at the University’s hospital.
So when the Regents voted down the proposal for fireworks for two games this season, it got people’s attention.
Michigan’s Regents rarely split their votes, or deny the athletic director’s wishes. But when the Regents looked into the fireworks proposal, they were surprised to find Brandon wanted to set off fireworks not just after both games, but during the second game, after touchdowns – replacing the century-old tradition of celebrating the Wolverines’ success with the marching band blasting, “The Victors.”
Once bloggers saw that, they exploded like – well, fireworks. They didn’t like the idea any more than the Regents did.
More telling were the Regents’ remarks. Three-term Regent Larry Deitch said, “I have religiously attended [Michigan] football games for 50 years. I have not found that experience wanting for lack of fireworks.”
Regent Mark Bernstein termed the fireworks a “huge symbolic issue.” He explained, “We are not Comerica Park, Disney World, or a circus. I love Michigan football for what it is, and for what it is not. It remains and should be intentionally simple. The fireworks should be on the field, not above it.”
The bloggers voiced full-throated agreement, writing things like, “They get it!” “About time!” and “Amen.” They might have set a record for quoting Regents.
The day after the vote, incoming President Mark Schlissel told a reporter that, being new, he had no opinion on the matter. He made it a point to tell the faithful he appreciates just how important athletics are to the university culture, but he added, “We’re an academic institution, so I want to work on the appropriate balance between athletics and academics… The athletic director does have delegated responsibilities, but he works for me.”
On Michigan websites, this sparked another chorus of “Hallelujah.”
But what does all this mean? It’s easy to read too much into the comments from the Regents and President Schlissel. When you boil their quotes down, they represent not a radical departure from the status quo, but a return to it: the protocols, the customs and the traditions Michigan has relied on to become a leader, academically and athletically, for over a century.
Taken together, however, their comments suggest the people who run the university no longer feel compelled to rubber stamp the athletic director’s every request.
The athletic department has bigger things to worry about, too. The department has run ads on its blog, its electronic billboard, on TV and even at a street stand during the Ann Arbor Art Fair, urging fans to buy football tickets – unheard of. If those unprecedented efforts didn’t tell us how eager they must be to unload tickets by the thousands, the email this week to its golf club members, announcing free tickets for anyone who asks, removed any doubt.
If you went to Michigan, live in Michigan or can find Michigan on a map, don’t be surprised if the athletic department offers you free Michigan football tickets. It’s a boon for those who’ve already dropped their tickets – and a bust for those loyalists who already paid full price for theirs.
If Michigan fails to lure 100,000 fans to the Big House this fall for the first time since 1975, the biggest fireworks might not be in the sky or on the field, but in the University offices on State Street.
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Well written John. Bout time DB was checked. Don’t wanna get in the habit of applauding Bernstein’s but what Regent Bernstein said was simple truth.
Keep the fireworks on the field.
Tick Tock. Brady Hoke.
Forever Go Blue!
cjr, BSChE 1991
Bernstein was right on. Michigan Football doesn’t need fireworks. A rousing chorus of the a Victors is all that is necessary.
Time to get back to the basics. Time to get a real athletic director and most likely a real coach. A guy with experience from Alabama is waiting in the wings.
A “Michigan Man” isn’t necessary. Um, as you recall Bo was not one…
…, and neither was Fielding H. Yost nor Fritz Crisler.
Um, neither was Rich Rodriguez.
John, you are consistent and I believe fair in your observations. I can’t help but feel that for the general fan base right now it is hip and chic to think everything is Brandon’s fault and even better, Brady isn’t a real coach but a puppet of Brandon’s. Just a few interceptions / missed blocks last season from there probably only being a subtle dip in ticket purchases because of the schedule this year. I guess as a Walverine…. I often wonder why this/our fan base enjoys amping the angst. Sure hope they all return when the team is kicking butt this season…
Thanks again, John. I like to think that maybe some of the Regents have read your articles and some of the responses over the last few weeks. It appears they are no longer going to just rubber stamp any “new idea” from the athletic department that is changing the core of what Saturday at the Big House is suppose to be about.
Saturday’s in the fall, here in Ann Arbor, is about Michigan football. Ever since I was a kid growing up in Ann Arbor, I looked forward to Saturday and either watching live or listening on the radio to Michigan football.
It’s been troubling to watch the direction Michigan football and big time college football has been going over the last 10 to 15 years. Today, it seems to be more about the “money” than about the game of football. Each major program across the country has tried to build or remodel a bigger more luxurious stadium. They have built state of the art practice facilities and weight rooms. Many have built luxury boxes, raised season ticket prices, added a seat tax and any other creative idea the athletic department can come up with. For what purpose? To generate more money. Brandon is probably no different than any other college AD. He is simply trying to have an athletic program that is better than anyone else.
Unfortunately, this run away train has lost sight of what is most important. It’s refreshing to see that the Regents and hopefully, the new President, will begin the process of regaining some control of this run away train before it crashes and burns. We are seeing the beginning of the crash with students and long time season ticket holders voicing their opinions on the current situation. With the Regents beginning to apply the breaks, maybe the crash won’t be as bad as it could of been.
As a long time season ticket holder I absolutely hate the way game day is being approached by Brandon. The constant (poorly mixed) noise from the scoreboard and ads for everything U-M. I have always gone for the team & the band, but they seem to be secondary to “the money”. I mean, sheesh if I want blaring rock music I’ll go to an NBA game…not!!
Amen!
Hurray for the Regents in telling DB “NO” to a stupid idea. I say DB doesn’t last thru 1/1/16. The new President will see through and want his own Person as AD. The BRAND is in decline and DB he is directly to blame. Michigan is about more than about MONEY…
I’m glad to hear there will not be fireworks after touchdowns. Now if we could just get the goal horn to stop covering up “The Victors” as it plays at Yost.
It is nice to be able to go to a Michigan game and know you’re at Michigan from the atmosphere and traditions of old, not from the big screen advertising Michigan to you every stoppage of play.
John,
Maybe the message Fourth and Long is finally getting through. My Michigan roots, dormant after I moved to CMH, go back to 1940 and a 78 RPM record of College Fight Songs including Hail to the Victors.
Dave Brandon has kicked Michigan Tradition under the bus, and before you start a hate Woody game plan, remember who coached and taught Bo about tradition. Woody was Bo’s friend and mentor. and Bo was Woody’s closest friend, except on that next to last Saturday in November. I care about Michigan and The Ohio State University as places where tradition needs to be restored, all the while casting the money changers out of the temple.
bomberjohn5
Kudos to regents Deitch and Bernstein for getting it right, M stadium is not a theme park. But that is only a first step toward righting tha athletic department ship.
As a former captain under Bo Schembechler, I am sick watching retired numbers 11, 47, 87 and 98 on the field. Talk about a total lack of disrespect for not only M tradition, but college football in general. those numbers are to be re-retired by the next AD,hopefully, since the current AD doesn’t seem to have a clue… no wonder fans are fleeing M stadium.
John,
It is about time the silent majority speaks out. After 46 years, I gave up my 5 season tickets. I think our AD has gone overboard with his price increases. $100 for a mediocre Penn State team? As one of the above readers said, we need a new Ad and definitely a new coach.
If Brandon wanted to do something useful, he should have protested the hell out of having to play at State 2 years in a row. Does State now come to us 2 years in a row?
Brandon is a money man not an AD.
Bake,
Dave Brandon’s birthday part invitations just went out. Sorry — you’re not on the list.
– Pete
Good analysis, Mr. Bacon. What does the Michigan administration expect when they hire a pizza man to be their AD??? Being a U of M grad, I bleed Maize and Blue, and hate to admit it when Michigan athletics is not at the top. But the current reality is that MSU AD Mark Hollis who worked his way up from mopping the floors, makes Dave Brandon look like the rankest of amateurs. This fireworks hijinks just provides more proof of that.
Another well written article. Thank you, John. This has been the worst offseason for me, so bad that I hardly have looked into anything U of M since the basketball season, and I find myself looking forward more to the next Tigers game than the season opener. I find this very sad as Michigan Football has been a constant in my life for so long. What saddens me even more is news of the constant gimmicks that Dave Brandon continues to push to “increase the Michigan football experience.” I am sorry, but I feel that the lack of wanting to go to a game, or interest in following offseason news is the direct result of these gimmicks, not our performance on the field. The Regents do have it right, the fireworks should stay on the field. Here’s to hoping that I, and others start getting more excited about the upcoming season, and get behind these young men who have earned the right to wear the Maize and Blue.
As Always, Go Blue! And Go Tigers!
-Wes
Glade to see fireworks in the board room rather than on the football field. DB is just the latest in a string of people who have dumped on Michigan traditions. When I was a student in the sixties I went to every football game. Today students don’t show up until late if at all. DB blames the students when he should be looking into the mirror to figure out what the real problem is. Go Blue.
Mr. Brandon is a bully. He belongs in the NFL not college sports. He believes a thing has no value unless it generates a profit. He represents everything that is wrong with college sports today. He is not worthy of the job.
Dave Brandon has NO feel for football tradition. None at all. God bless the Regents who summoned forth the guts to say a firm “No way!” to U-M’s incarnation of P.T. Barnum.
Well done John. You articulate what current(and former) ticket buyers are thinking.
The one thing I think of given current concerns with the athletic department is “What would Don Canham do?”
I think people on this blog are being a little too harsh with Dave Brandon. I think he lives and dies Maize and Blue and wants the best for Michigan Athletics. Money is important if you want to be competitive in Div. I sports. He is doing everything possible to upgrade all of the teams facilities. I’ve read about Yost and how many of the powers to be fought him when he wanted to build Michigan Stadium and the field house. I didn’t like the fireworks idea either but I do like the excitement that he has encouraged to pregame and halftime shows. Now we need a during game show by winning.
I was unimpressed that Brandon didn’t attend the Regents meeting; he had to have known in advance (Bernstein said he called him the day before), but did’t have the ….whatever …. to attend and back his proposal
I’m late to this party but here’s my two cents: I’m a 23 year season ticket holder and I’ve seen a lot of changes in that time. Mr. Bacon, sir, you’ve hit the nail squarely with your recent commentary on how the program is rapidly losing sight of tradition under DB’s leadership. This has been happening over the last 15 years or so (remember AD Goss?) but has picked up steam under Brandon.
I had to think hard about renewing my tickets this year and, sadly, this may very likely be my last year as a season ticket holder. Living in the past? Maybe. But when the things that made Michigan football special for me (and MANY other long-time fans) have eroded to the extent that they have, you’ve got to make a decision.
Go Blue! Go Blue! Go Blue!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHf4hYt9Lko (forward video to 4:55)
Actually we had this same problem with the students 20 years ago.
ST number sold:
1993 – 20,000
1994 – 18,000
1995 – 16,000
According to the video (student television) lack of home schedule, losing (two straight 8-4 seasons) and ticket prices were the main reasons. So basically the same problems we have now. It’s not because of Dave Brandon or HDTV’s or wifi…
True, student ticket sales have gone up and down before — but never like this. Latest figures: 21,000 in 2012 to 10,000 in 2014 — and it might be worse — more than 50-percent, which is almost three times the drop you site from 20 years ago.
I’m sure there are many reasons, but if you ASK the students, as I have — by the hundreds — the top reason is General Admission. That is exactly what the Athletic Department-funded survey discovered, as my previous column cites — and both methods are far better means to get their opinion than the views of a few students on the TV station.
Ask them, or survey them, and you’ll get the same answer.
(I’ve let it slide this summer, due to the volume, but as this site mentions, please always leave your full name.)
I’m surprised no one has acknowledged that Michigan planned a fireworks display for the Miami (Ohio) game because September 13, 2014 marked the 200th anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner (“bombs bursting in air”, “rocket’s red glare”). While it hasn’t been publicly acknowledged, the Michigan Marching Band is planning a special show for that event. I rather suspect the Regents no vote on the fireworks for that game will make the MMB program rather unique in the nation, i.e., it will be one of the very few major commemorations without any fireworks.
I always thought fireworks were fun, so I don’t understand why people (and that includes the Regents) are up in arms about having them at a Michigan football night game against Penn State. I guess there was no problem with them at college and pro ice hockey events at Michigan Stadium, but it’s a no go at a football game. I’ve also been at fireworks displays accompanied by music, so the idea that “The Victors” would be supplanted by some explosions in the sky seems rather far fetched.
I certainly understand tradition, but what is the baseline for Michigan football tradition? One regent spoke about watching football at UM for fifty years, but did he note how the experience of watching those games has changed in that time frame.
The M Banner the team runs under didn’t start until 1962. Michigan didn’t have female cheerleaders until 1974 and the dance team is an even newer innovation. Playing Notre Dame would have been forbidden as long as Fritz Crisler was AD, but the series was restarted in 1978. We’ve seen the stadium expand, including two replacement scoreboards and large structures on the east and west sides of the stadiums. Michigan’s helmets used to have stickers on them, and now don’t. Heck, even the stripes and wings have changed on the helmet (and the maize is almost florescent thanks to HD television).
What else? Well, all the games are now on television. The Big Ten isn’t a ten-team conference anymore and it certainly isn’t the Big Two/Little Eight from the 1970s. Michigan football games were badly attended in the 1960s, but now there’s a streak of 100,000 plus attendees going back from 1975 to last Saturday’s game against Appalachian State. The post-season has seen the BCS and now a four-game playoff and even the Big Ten has a conference championship game.
Band Day has come and gone, although it looks like we’ll be seeing Slippery Rock play at Michigan Stadium again. The UM male cheerleaders no longer “castrate” the opposing team’s mascot on the goal posts, students don’t throw marsh mellows on the field and no one passes co-eds up the stadium.
The core traditions remain, including the famous, “Band, Take the Field” with a pregame show I would recognize from my freshman year in Ann Arbor back in 1978.
My larger point behind all this is that there have been a lot of changes within college football, the Big Ten Conference and at Michigan itself. Things we don’t think twice about (such as the banner and female cheerleaders) because they were the norm were once new.
We’ll see what happens in the future, but I rather hope that when Michigan opens the 2026 season by hosting Oklahoma, the Regents who are in place then would allow a fireworks display if it turns out to be a night game. After all, it is the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding . . . . .