Eleven Warriors

There are more people at my high schools basketball games

Mostly because most scUM fans are all "we're back!" and "we're going to beat you four years in a row" and "Hoke is god!", and it's just funny because at a minimum we'll triple that at our spring game, with rain. It's just something to laugh at.

Plus, unless the side behind them was mostly full, that's not 25,000. What a poor "estimate". At OSU, they at least keep accurate count.

That picture was taken from the home side (which is where the majority sat) and was taken during warmups.  25k might be slightly high, but it's pretty close. 

Our Spring game (which isn't even a game) has never been a big event, anyway, but when alerts go out on every Michigan media outlet that the game is in jeopardy of being cancelled due to inclement weather, in which case the game would be moved indoors and closed to the public, what would you expect?  The rain didn't help, but it was the threats of Tstorms and tornadoes that made the decision for those on the fence.  It wouldn't have been more than 40-50k, even if it was bright and sunny.

I still don't understand what I'm supposed to be embarrassed about?  That our fanbase isn't as passionate about our spring game as yours?  Ok, you win.  But, I'm pretty sure the 25k tickets we sold through in 2-4 hours for the Alabama game in Dallas is a pretty clear testament about our fans excitement for the upcoming season. 

Besides, when does attendance matter anyway?  If it did, we'd be the reigning national champs for the last few decades, back and forth with Tennessee.  This is the dumbest "dig" I've heard from you guys to date.  We have the biggest stadium, largest crowd, and consecutive games streak of 100k or more (even dealing with the dickrod era).  We own attendance!  Hell, we packed in over 113k to watch a college hockey game.

My favorite quote from Andy Geiger was this regarding renovating Ohio Stadium: "We could have the biggest stadium in the country if we wanted.  All we would have to do is buy a gallon of paint and draw a line down the middle of each seat.  We are not looking to be the biggest. We want to be the best and that is what we are planning on doing."  It might not be verbatum, but the jist is there.  I thought that was the biggest swipe at AACC's stadium because that is what they did.  Having to sit sideways and being forced to stand or sit as a row is real luxury.  We fit 105K+ comfortably.  We're not packing 113 in like sardines.  We could have the record and not even be close if we sold twice as many tickets to the home opener.  Ohio Stadium would seat 210K if we had AACC's principles.  Enjoy your shoe box and attendance records, I'll keep Ohio Stadium.

@GABUCKEYE...u honestly wouldnt be embarrassed or dissappointed if only 10 people showed up. haha. That's just dumb...No offense.

Must have been a bitchin' sale at Walmart.....priorities.

@Hodge - Because what else is there to do in Alabama?

I mean it's meaningful in the sense that there will be many recruits there, so it's important to show them love and give them a sense for a gameday atmosphere.  My point was solely about the game itself.  The game means nothing and I couldn't care less about being there to watch it.

@Doc

Yes, we boast about being the biggest because we are.  The same as you would.  Plenty of room for everyone as long as people are sitting in their purchased seat.  If extra people sit in your row, of course it's going to be over crowded.  And FYI, Michigan Stadium was built in anticipation of adding a second deck.  So yeah, we could go a lot bigger if we wanted to, as well.

@Hodge

 Can I hire you to make my points going forward?

You have a way of validating all points of view into one concise post that proves that no one is greater than another.  I know where your allegiance stands, but I dub you the "rational mediator."

@SOUTHERN - Makes total sense, but still--that kind of draw at a spring game is insane, regardless of population.  The fact that they can do it with a lot less is even more impressive.

@HAIL - I do what I can.  I just hate to see the bickering.  I live, eat, sleep and breathe football--like most people here, if my bucks lose it ruins my entire week.  But I also enjoy spirited discourse, regardless of allegiance. 

British Buckeye is right as well, this is the OSU-UM dick-measuring that both fanbases love, I love how we use it to help stock blood banks.  

A gentleman (and lady) is as such, regardless of the colors they wear--the same holds true for the douchebags.

@Hail - It's a bigger deal here because regular season tickets are so hard to come by (ask alumni).  The Spring Game is a very cheap way for fans who don't normally get a chance to get into games to see the stadium and see the players up close (depending on their seats).  I think that's why it's so big here is because money really isn't an issue getting in, whereas you might need hundreds of dollars to get your hands on a ticket for a game in the fall.

Just wondering, where would the second deck go with the new press box?  I don't see it - the Big House is way too spread out - that's why it's not real loud.  The Shoe is louder because the stands get vertical a lot quicker and the closed end traps the sound.

We could be up near 110,000 - take out the club seats for benches, take out the luxury suites in B deck and fill in benches, and build back up over the Rotundra on the north end, but it's really not worth it for a few more thousand seats to try and get the record.  I mean 106,000 v.s. 111,000...is the difference really that big?

OSU has sold 40,000 tickets per Jerry Emig.

I think the "mine's bigger than yours" measuring stick is taking a bit too far but I do agree that showing a sense in pride of your team to the point that you might just as well sell out your spring game does say something. So there wasn't that big of a turnout at UM's spring game, better wait till after OSU's before you go spouting off. Never know what could possibly happen! it is 2012!

And as far as the population levels of the cities goes, that should have nothing to do with it. AA has no problem selling out during regular season games so the fans are there. Plus if Tuscaloosa can bring in 75k, AA should have no qualms. MSU may draw away some of the possible population but Cincinnati could easily do the same to OSU.

Still not that big of a deal in my opinion but need to stop with the excuses because alot of them are lame!

Did not charge admission, just took donations for the children's hospital which got you a Michigan item based on the amount ($5 got a patch, I think and $10 got a towel...$250 got a signed Brady Hoke football, etc).

I was at that game.  Utter abomination.  There were fans like me that drove 3 1/2 hours to the game and I'm sure others from much further away.  Then there were those sellouts, even though it was partly in protest against Richrod,that took advantage of the opportunity to make a few bucks by selling their tickets instead of rooting on their 5-6 Wolverines.  I was in that North endzone you were referring to---right up close to see Forcier take a hit at the 1 and someone from OSU scoop it up for a score.  The worst part being that Tressel dangled it in front of us to make us think we had a chance...or maybe that was just Brandon Graham being himself and keeping us close...I think Boom and your other RB each reeled off a 60+ yard TD run.  (Ugh...Why did you bring this up?)

Yeah, when you follow traditional powers like we do, we never expect to see a lot things happen...like seeing our consecutive bowl game record go out the window, have two losing seasons in a row, set records as the worst _____ in Michigan history, allowing 30k Buckeye fans invade Michigan stadium and hearing OHIO go around the stadium, losing 7 in a row to OSU...Dark days, my friend, dark days.

It's not likely that Michigan fans will overtake Ohio Stadium, but the same could've been said in regards to OSU fans and Michigan Stadium just 4 years ago.

This pissing contest is fun, but Ill just wait until Ohio State and Michigan do that thing where they throw stuff and run around on that big green recangle with the white stripes.. 

We've heard of one on this site already who is going to be driving about 5 hours to get there.

Exceptions, not the rule.  You're describing the hardest of the hardcore fans.  Though we probably could, we will never fill Ohio Stadium.  It's the more casual majority that fill the stands in the spring.  I do agree that it does speak to the overall passion of fans, though.  I'd have honestly expected that OSU--in Michigan's place--could have probably put at least double that figure in the stands.  Again, though, that opinion is based on more on population than it is solely on passion (though the latter still is a main motivator).

For what it's worth, it was at risk of being canceled due to weather until 6 am that morning.  I'm betting that turned a lot of people off.

^^^ in a perfect world, no. Undefeated... ;) (yanking ya chain, Sir.)

Edit: now I see u changed the 11-2 comment, so now I feel out of the loop

Rational: CBus has (a) professional sports team, too - the mighty Bluejackets!

All you really have to say is that Michigan used to only get 25K at the spring games when Bo was winning Big Ten championships and that small spring crowds didn't seem to hurt UM in the 1990s (especially in 1997) or early 00s (pre-RR).

On the other hand, the hints that Michigan fans are too cool, sophisticated to turn out 50K for a silly spring exhibition plays into the stereotype of Michigan being a wine & cheese crowd.

Also, a lot of our Alumni are out of state. We have a ton of alumni on the east coast. That may play a liltte bit of a role as well. Our spring game is not all that exciting either. As long as we continue to sell out our homes games, our spring game attendance does not matter to me.

Yeah, it does have a professional or corporate feel to it, but I certainly understand why they implemented those (as well as the luxury boxes) during the renovations...$$$$

Hodge, I'm not completely discounting the notion of population being important at all, but I definitely think there will be more than a handful of people making the trek from Dayton, Cincy, Cleveland, and other corners of Ohio.  Especially, with the buzz around Ohio State football with Urban and the recruits that will be in town etc.  Coming off of such a rough year and all the excitement and Urbmania that the program has around it right now are going to draw folks from near and far.  Of course the overwhelming majority will be students from campus and people who live in Columbus. 

My point was more about what the status of football in Ohio is compared to other places.  No matter what the population is, if football didn't mean something more in Ohio than it does other places, you wouldn't draw the kind of numbers they do for spring practice. 

Look at the list of spring practice numbers that is out there in the forum or blog post section.  There are a few programs on there who love their teams and sell out their stadiums on a regular basis that don't have all that impressive numbers.

I'm coming from Cleveland for this game and am sitting in those club seats Hodge talked about. Mostly because I am very excited about the new era of football. The other reasons though are like what some of the other posters have already mentioned. I am not willing to pay anywhere between $180 to $700 dollars per seat it would cost on any regular season game. (damn ticket brokers) due to the games being sold out all the time. Plus my son is a student there so it gives me an excuse to come down and hang out with him. I am proud that we will have a good showing of fans for the players sake, not because I want to beat TTUN. I think it makes our young men feel good when the fans show support.

Sounds righteous to me Buckz4ever! Good for you. I nearly packed my family in to the car to drive up from FL myself...but alas - in the end it is just the spring game and I think I will be bringing the crew up for The Game this year...

@ Hail - I'm late to this forum & just saw your question & wanted to address it. Regardless of whether it is or isn't dumb to make fun of the low UM spring game attendance numbers - this is an OSU blog. People are well within their rights to poke fun at all things M*&%+!*n if they so chose. They have a bunch of really great blogs specifically geared toward the team that you love where they make fun of all things OSU. Just as it should be. I have no problem at all with fans of your team being on this blog...but don't be surprised when someone makes a contest out of every possible thing they can regarding the 2 schools - that's just the nature of the rivalry.