• Michigan Ticket Department, and Scalping on eBay

    The Michigan athletic ticket office discussed ticket scalping, and in particular, current ticket auctions on eBay with Antoine Pitts of the Ann Arbor News. Click above for the entire article. While threatening to pull season ticket holder’s tickets, they have not done so to date. Although some contact has been made in the past with offenders.

  • Seeing Bo Schembechler

    VIP Sighting: Bo Visits Produce Station SALINE, MICHIGAN JUNE 9, 2003 Jess & I strolled into the Produce Station on State Street last night (I gripped a couple more peppers for my garden – a couple of the ones I’ve planted got taken by the cold) and who did I see at the checkout counter? Michigan football legendary coach General Glenn E. “Bo” Schembechler himself. I strolled over to Jess and and told her, “that’s Bo freaking Schembechler”, and she backed it. I was going to have him autograph my bag of coffee but thought better of it. I didn’t ask him to sign my Bo Bobblehead doll…maybe next time. He is the general, the legend, and works in a place named after him “Schembechler Hall”. Can you beat that?

  • NCAA Bans Michigan Hoops from Postseason

    Scholarships taken for 4 years; Players banned from U. ANN ARBOR MICHIGAN MAY 15, 2003 A couple quick takes on this mess: 1. Regarding the post-season ban for next year. There are a lot of good arguments on both sides as to whether this is fair or not. My take is that it is not that big of a deal. First of all, who is to say M will even qualify for the tournament? I think the chances are pretty decent, but this is not a Final Four team. I believe that the coaches and players are kind of disappointed, but the experience of playing college hoops is not solely based upon a week or two post-season tournament. There are months of games and travel (Hawaii, Puerto Rico, etc.) and camaraderie involved: the NCAA tournament is more important to the fans and the media than it is to the team. 2. On Whether M should appeal the ban. Why not? The appeal will probably get shot down but the penalty will not get any worse. To prove that the school is solely looking after the interest of the current players, Michigan should offer to give back any funds earned from post season play. 3. On Chris Webber. Bad Karma. The day the sanctions were announced his knee was injured and…

  • University of Michigan Raises Season Ticket Prices

    Bill Martin hints at “required donation” for 2004 SALINE, MI MARCH 30, 2003 Football season ticket renewals were sent out last week. As expected, ticket prices were raised again, this time between $1-$5, depending on the seat location and on the opponent. The Wolverines AD has continued the policy of charging a higher amount for the better games. In 2003 there are two “premium” games on the schedule: Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Ohio State Buckeyes. It makes you wonder if the other schools feel slighted as not being designated as a premium opponent. Hmm. Athletic director Bill Martin basically guaranteed that Michigan will institute some type of seat license or required donation program in 2004, to make up for having only 6 home games on the schedule. But I have a feeling once this fee is in place, it is here to stay. Speaking of fees….the other change this year is the ability to renew season tickets online. I was pretty happy when I saw this feature, especially given the prospect of avoiding the $6 handling fee that is charged to renewals that are mailed in. My glee was quickly dashed when I went online to see that not only was the $6 fee still there, it was jacked up 50% to $9. In an email, the M ticket…

  • Michigan Finally Beats Spartans, Izzo in Hoops

    Beats in State rivals for first time in years ANN ARBOR, MI JANUARY 26, 2003 It was a Super Sunday indeed for the Michigan Wolverines as they topped Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans 60-58 this afternoon at Crisler Arena. The two teams will not meet again in the regular season, although a rematch in the Big Ten tournament is possible. The crowd, which included Greg Dooley, Lew Popoff, Scotty Muldrow and Ron Dooley up high in section 44, was lean, mean, but not-so green, due to some stealth ticket sales to M football season ticket holders. It appeared as though MSU were outplaying the Blue all game, but the combination of poor free throw shooting by State and a few lucky shots by the M propelled the Wolverines to a close victory. This was Tommy Amaker’s first win over the Spartans, and hopefully not his last. Down the stretch MSU held a five point lead, but Michigan went on a eleven point run to close out the game. Wolverine senior LaVell Blanchard’s only two points of the game were the difference – free throws that gave the Blue their 59th and 60th points. The Maize Rage, the pet name for the student section, stormed the court after the game, enveloping the team and celebrating the removal of the…

  • Buckeyes Defeat Hurricanes in BCS Championship

    Buckeyes Win a Thriller SALINE, MICHIGAN JANUARY 4, 2003 In an unreal game of twists and momentum changes, the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the mighty the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl to win the 2002-03 national championship. It was a good win for the the Big Ten, which now has its second national championship since 1997. Congrats to the Buckeyes and to my boys Grummy, Schlimmy, Wilhelm and Waltos, who each must be jacked. Although we have to withhold judgment until all of the police reports come in and the ER clears out, it actually looks like the Buckeyes fans in Columbus were somewhat restrained (at least those in Columbus). This is probably a bigger shock than beating powerhouse Miami. Maybe the Buck fans are turning over a new leaf. Some possible next steps in this maturation process: – wearing shoes – wearing underwear – brushing teeth Hmm. We’ll see. Until then, great win for the Bucks, and we’ll see you next year in Ann Arbor. Here’s some video highlights of the game, compliments of YouTube:

  • Michigan Spring Scrimmage 2002

    Quarterback question on everyone’s mind – Ticket application arrives ANN ARBOR, MI Saturday April 13, 2002 Supposed back-up quarterback Spencer Brinton received a big welcome from the 20,000 or so who came to watch the annual Michigan football spring scrimmage. The problem that plagued the Wolverines last year remains: lack of consistent play at quarterback. John Navarre played with what appeared to be the first unit, but Brinton looked a little more sharp. Continuing a tradition from last year, Scotty Mudbowl and I played the M course (across the street from a stadium) that morning. Despite a shaky putter, Geegs pulled teeth. Meanwhile, on Friday I received my annual renewal for my 2 endzone seats. After a steep price increase last year, they raised the price of each ticket in my section by $1, to an even $40. In his annual letter, Michigan Director of Athletics Bill Martin noted that poll data shows that most M fans don’t mind the current ticket prices. He also pointed out that many of Michigan’s “peer schools” have implemented seat donation programs (a required donation in order to buy tickets). FYI, the peer schools are Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Notre Dame. The required donation at these schools ranges from $100 – $3000. The Buckeyes charge $3K for seats between the 35 yard…

  • Buckeye Fans Out of Control

    Buckeye fans out of control COLUMBUS, OHIO NOVEMBER 24, 2002 Surprisingly it appears as though the Ohio State Buckeye fans may have over did it during their celebration after an exciting win against the Michigan Wolverines this Saturday. Above, Ohio State Trooper Buford T. Outlaw literally peppers with tear gas a drunken Buckeye fan as he attempts to climb the goal post. After the student ignored a request to stand down, Buford delivered to him a nice, cool drink of the yellowish toxin. As the student lay motionless on the ground, Trooper Outlaw was overheard telling the student to have “Sweet dreams.” Asked if the spray was necessary, Outlaw responded, “Probably not, but I just can’t stand these Columbus college pukes.” New coach Jim Tressel had no comment. Here’s some video highlights of the behavior of the Buckeye fans, compliments of YouTube: