• Interview: John Pollack of ‘Save the Big House’

    On Wednesday fans and media will get a good look inside the nearly completed renovation of Michigan Stadium.   While there’s seemingly been an overwhelming positive reaction to the new digs by fans, you may recall that the project had its opponents.  The most vocal was a group named Save The Big House, led by longtime U-M fan and Ann Arbor native John Pollack.   The group received much attention in the media including this piece in the New York Times. Pollack, 44, formerly a speechwriter for President Clinton and Rep. David Bonior, suggested that the needs of the athletic department could be met via an alternate design.  His team proposed a less costly plan that would expand seating, add bathrooms and the upgrade the press box without adding premium seating or suites:  savethebighouse.com Pollack is the author of the book Cork Boat and resides in New York these days.  He was kind enough to answer a few questions about the (nearly) finished project. For the record, a couple things here.  I told Pollack right off that I disagree with much of his stance about the renovation.  And if I count as a U-M historian, I’m firmly with Bacs, John Kryk and the others who argue Fielding Yost would support this project based on what I know about the man.  This said,…