Michigan Football opens the gates again for fans in 2006 ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN AUGUST 26, 2006 The Michigan Stadium gates swung open once again this year to allow the fans to meet the 2006 Wolverine coaches and players. We enjoyed the 90 minute warm embrace of the Michigan athletic department Saturday morning along with around 5,000 others. After last year’s logistical debacle they made some intelligent changes with the layout. By putting the players outside the stadium near the concession stands, they made better use of the space. They had freshman on the actual playing field which allowed more room for the kids to run around on the field and enjoy the day. I got to see my new seats in Section 38 – a very nice improvement. Also, we saw the results of some of the infrastructure renovation. They poured new cement in most of the stadium and stamped the row number in large print. Lew and Penny joined Abby and I for an hour or so as we toured around. Abby Dooley is under the impression that we attended an actual game and that Michigan won thanks in part to her efforts.
-
-
Michigan Football Preview 2006
What you need to know about this squad SALINE, MICHIGAN AUGUST 10, 2006 Expectations are high once again for Michigan. Here’s this season’s look at the upcoming season and this team. – Last Season. Obviously this was ugly, and 2005 will be looked at as the worst season since the early 80s. Michigan could have won every game on the schedule and had significant leads in every game, blowing it five times in losses to Notre Dame, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Nebraska in the Alamo Bowl. And the wins didn’t come easier either, with Michigan winning on the last play of the game against Michigan State in DB13 (OT), Penn State and Iowa (OT). While it is the worst season since I entered the U of M campus in the Fall of 1989, it probably featured the most exciting games. – Sun Belt Refs. Speaking of exciting, the Alamo Bowl all in all was quite a ride. The pathetic crew of referees from the Sun Belt conference that lost control of the game are a running joke in town. Check this out, the Sun Belt conference even produced a full report to rebut the hammering they took in the national media [check it out]. These guys were so clueless. – Last Play of the Season. I captured the diagram…
-
Throw Stuff on Field? You’re Gone (for Good)!
Martin to M Fans: Throw Stuff & You’re Gone ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 Michigan fans threw crap on the field after the refs reversed a couple of calls against the Wolverines in favor of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Here’s a note from Bill Martin: During Saturday’s UM/ND football game, a number of objects were thrown onto the field from both student sections. The throwing of objects onto the field is dangerous and unacceptable. A golf ball narrowly missed a reporter on the sidelines, while a photographer was not as lucky. He was hit in the head with a bottle and taken to the hospital. The action of a few has disappointed and embarrassed the entire University community. We will eject any individual throwing objects onto the field. The resulting actions could lead to possible criminal penalties as well as revocation of your right to purchase season football ticket(s). Bill Martin Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
-
Michigan Ticket Holders Groan
2006 Season rounded out by Ball State SALINE, MICHIGAN AUGUST 23, 2005 Yikes. Fresh out of 1000 South State Street, Michigan announced it is rounding out its football schedule with Ball State. Ball State. Along with Central Michigan, Northwestern, Wisconsin, MSU and Iowa. OK, so MSU is always a big one, and Iowa will be a test. Traditionally Michigan has scheduled a major conference opponent in one of the slots. Shame! All this said, with the adding of a 12th game in 2006 Michigan still can make this right by getting in a big school. We’re watching.
-
Michigan Announces Big House Renovation Plans
Michigan To Expand Michigan StadiumNew levels, luxury boxes, wider seats, and more for $200M!SALINE, MICHIGAN JANUARY 21, 2005 Obtained by the Ann Arbor News via the Freedom of Information Act, plans to renovate Michigan Stadium are out of the bag. Click to enlarge on the artist’s rendering pictured left depicting the general goal of the renovation (apparently orange is a favorite of AD Bill Martin). Completion is desired by 2008-2010. So what does this mean and what is the initial word on the street? Here’s what I’ve heard:– Many fans are concerned about the price tag but it will be funded through the existing preferred seating program, set to begin next season.– A few fans feel that the basketball arena should be the primary target of renovation. The typical response is that revenue from the suites and additional features will fund other projects at the U.– The report in the Ann Arbor News indicated there might be a seat reduction of a few thousand seats, putting Michigan below at least Penn State and probably Texas A&M as the leader in capacity. AD Bill Martin and others have already made statements confirming that this is a concern and will be addressed. (Translation: They’ll figure out a way to not reduce the capacity size.)– They would like to add an additional inch…
-
It’s Official: Required Donations for Big House Tickets
Beginning in 2005, premium seat holders will pay $115-$500 per ticket SALINE, MICHIGAN MARCH 1, 2004 In what is being called a “preferred seating program”, starting in 2005 the M will start peppering folks with premium seats with up to $500 per seat. Even Endzone seats will be required to fork over $50 per ticket. This is expected to raise an additional $9.5 million each year. Athletic director claimed that if they didn’t institute the required donation they’d have to cut eight sports (right). Folks who don’t want to pay the donation will have the option to move their seats to a place where they aren’t required to plunk so much cash. 80% of the “donation” will be tax deductible.
-
Open Memo to Michigan Ticket Department
SALINE, MICHIGAN DECEMBER 20, 2003 Kudos to the M ticket department for its decision to allow football season ticket holders the opportunity to buy Rose Bowl tickets. Believe it or not, this has not been the case in the past. In 1997 for instance, only Victors Club members of a certain level were able to purchase tickets. Beyond that, only M Alumni Association members were able to apply for tickets, then a lottery was held after demand easily exceeded supply. Season tickets holders had no priority. This year the ticket department gave season ticket holders the right to apply for tickets. All of those that applied received up to two tickets. This was the right thing to do; season ticket holders should get some added benefit for paying hundreds of dollars for their seats, season after season.
-
Michigan to Institute Required Donation
gd.com Exclusive: M to Institute Seat Licenses gd.com has learned that Michigan will institute seat licenses or a required donation as part of season football ticket packages in 2004. Maize (end zone) seats will be excluded from this; but there will be some fee for Victors and perhaps Blue seats. The amount is unknown. We also learned that Mich will institute a program where season tickets holders can transfer their tickets to someone else, which was restricted in the past. This will be announced sometime next Spring.