The University of Michigan is known for its education programs as much as its sports. While I grew up a fan of Wolverine football, I was also attracted to U of M for its academics. In fact it was one of my top choices for college. Unfortunately, I just couldn't hack the hefty tuition. I didn't want to do a bunch of loans that would take forever to pay off. I could have qualified for numerous scholarships, but unfortunately couldn't take my SATs and ACTs until senior year of high school. I had missed the PSATs because I decided to be an exchange student during the fall of my junior year. And then I had mono three times. Needless to say, taking exams fell on the back burner.
The University of Michigan was fortunate enough to gain some of my good high school friends as students. One or two even ended up joining the faculty there. And one of my friends went to that school to the south and then converted to the Maize & Blue to teach.
What else is intriguing is the amount of research that they do into a variety of areas. I love to watch a documentary or a news report and to see, "The University of Michigan has found...." I also like their University Press and love how they have preserved many Montessori writings from 90 years ago.
Check out more of their current research here.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
D is for Desmond Howard
It is Desmond Howard's fault that I am a huge Michigan fan. Yes, I had been watching the annual rivalry game between Michigan and Ohio State every year since I started elementary school. When you grow up in Toledo, Ohio, it is like a religious event akin to Christmas to participate. I followed my family's Michigan roots, plus I preferred wearing their colors over the ugly scarlet and gray. But I really didn't pay too much attention to what was going on.
And then there came that infamous year with Desmond Howard. In that infamous game in 1991, he returned a punt for 93 yards, extending the Wolverines' lead 24-3. I just remember sitting, watching the game, when he caught the ball. He took off running. As he kept moving, I stood up. He kept going and I started yelling. He went all the way, made the infamous Heisman pose, and I started jumping up and down.
My mother came in to find out what the hell was going on. After all, I was screaming and yelling. We lived in an apartment at the end of our store. I think I was disturbing some customers. When I explained to her that history had been made, she was happy, but still told me to hold it down. So, I inwardly yelled.
And thus, a monster was made. Now, I scream and yell and carry on all I want. As long as I am home alone....
And then there came that infamous year with Desmond Howard. In that infamous game in 1991, he returned a punt for 93 yards, extending the Wolverines' lead 24-3. I just remember sitting, watching the game, when he caught the ball. He took off running. As he kept moving, I stood up. He kept going and I started yelling. He went all the way, made the infamous Heisman pose, and I started jumping up and down.
My mother came in to find out what the hell was going on. After all, I was screaming and yelling. We lived in an apartment at the end of our store. I think I was disturbing some customers. When I explained to her that history had been made, she was happy, but still told me to hold it down. So, I inwardly yelled.
And thus, a monster was made. Now, I scream and yell and carry on all I want. As long as I am home alone....
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
C is for Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the only one that I really know. When I was growing up, I didn't realize that there were any other conferences. In fact, I don't think I realized that Michigan could even play any other teams.
I didn't watch a lot of the games while I was growing up. Honestly, we pretty much focused on watching the Michigan State and Ohio State games. My cousins attended Michigan State and of course the Ohio State game was the big one. All I ever heard was "Big Ten."
Even as a kid, I understood that the Big Ten was something special. It is more than just great sports and great rivalries. (The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is arguably the biggest one in college sports.) All of the schools also have stellar academics. Their research facilities are well-known around the world. I can't tell you how many times I come across a study or educational information and find it came from a Big Ten school.
I always had dreams of attending a Big Ten school, specifically Michigan. Unfortunately, I had mono three times in my later high school years, so I was delayed in taking the SAT and ACT. I missed the PSAT (which based on my SAT score would have given me a free ride) because I was in France as an exchange student. Finances were not such that I could afford an out-of-state school.
Nevertheless, I still feel a sense of pride whenever the Big Ten is involved in something. Even though I despise Ohio State, I had a bit of excitement that a Big Ten school made it to the Final Four this year in basketball. At the same time, I was annoyed that it was OSU. And it was hard for me to accept them beating Syracuse. After all, I now live in Orange Country.
I still keep up with my beloved Wolverines, thanks to the wonders of the Big Ten Network. I was so grateful when it finally became available in my area a couple of years ago. Now, I never again have to miss games because they are not on national television, such as ESPN. I can even watch games on my computer. The app should soon be available for the Droid (if it isn't already - I have to check into that). I can stay connected wherever I go.
I didn't watch a lot of the games while I was growing up. Honestly, we pretty much focused on watching the Michigan State and Ohio State games. My cousins attended Michigan State and of course the Ohio State game was the big one. All I ever heard was "Big Ten."
Even as a kid, I understood that the Big Ten was something special. It is more than just great sports and great rivalries. (The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is arguably the biggest one in college sports.) All of the schools also have stellar academics. Their research facilities are well-known around the world. I can't tell you how many times I come across a study or educational information and find it came from a Big Ten school.
I always had dreams of attending a Big Ten school, specifically Michigan. Unfortunately, I had mono three times in my later high school years, so I was delayed in taking the SAT and ACT. I missed the PSAT (which based on my SAT score would have given me a free ride) because I was in France as an exchange student. Finances were not such that I could afford an out-of-state school.
Nevertheless, I still feel a sense of pride whenever the Big Ten is involved in something. Even though I despise Ohio State, I had a bit of excitement that a Big Ten school made it to the Final Four this year in basketball. At the same time, I was annoyed that it was OSU. And it was hard for me to accept them beating Syracuse. After all, I now live in Orange Country.
I still keep up with my beloved Wolverines, thanks to the wonders of the Big Ten Network. I was so grateful when it finally became available in my area a couple of years ago. Now, I never again have to miss games because they are not on national television, such as ESPN. I can even watch games on my computer. The app should soon be available for the Droid (if it isn't already - I have to check into that). I can stay connected wherever I go.
Monday, April 2, 2012
B is for Big House
You can't talk about Michigan football without mentioning the Big House. It is the largest venue in college football. In fact, I believe it is the largest sports venue of all. It is an impressive sight to behold.
When you are watching a home game on the TV, you can see how ginormous the Big House actually is. About 120,000 people can fit in the seats, but there is no such thing as a bad seat. Some people are lucky enough to have actual individual seats. The rest of us resort to sitting on a metal bench during the game. But when the action is hot, you aren't even sitting, anyway. What is amazing is how it doesn't seem so intimidating once you are actually there watching the game.
When you arrive at the Big House, you are greeted with all kinds of vendors. All kinds of food is available to consume. One of my favorites is Mr. Spot's. I am partial to them because there is also a location in Bowling Green, where I went to school. You can go shopping for souvenirs at the M Den. That is where I bought my earrings, glass and t-shirt.
There is a general air of excitement, without being obnoxious. Students and fans are super excited, but no one is really rude. When I took my mother, people treated us well. You see families as well as students. It is a community.
Sure, traffic can easily turn into a big clusterf*ck, but residents and police are seasoned veterans at directing the traffic. I don't think it really was too bad in either direction when we went. We elected to save money and simply park in someone's yard for a couple of bucks. I was amused that his hometown was actually a suburb of Rochester. The odds of that happening are quite large, I am sure.
I still get chills when I watch a home game on TV. I hope to have a chance to visit the Big House again.
When you are watching a home game on the TV, you can see how ginormous the Big House actually is. About 120,000 people can fit in the seats, but there is no such thing as a bad seat. Some people are lucky enough to have actual individual seats. The rest of us resort to sitting on a metal bench during the game. But when the action is hot, you aren't even sitting, anyway. What is amazing is how it doesn't seem so intimidating once you are actually there watching the game.
When you arrive at the Big House, you are greeted with all kinds of vendors. All kinds of food is available to consume. One of my favorites is Mr. Spot's. I am partial to them because there is also a location in Bowling Green, where I went to school. You can go shopping for souvenirs at the M Den. That is where I bought my earrings, glass and t-shirt.
There is a general air of excitement, without being obnoxious. Students and fans are super excited, but no one is really rude. When I took my mother, people treated us well. You see families as well as students. It is a community.
Sure, traffic can easily turn into a big clusterf*ck, but residents and police are seasoned veterans at directing the traffic. I don't think it really was too bad in either direction when we went. We elected to save money and simply park in someone's yard for a couple of bucks. I was amused that his hometown was actually a suburb of Rochester. The odds of that happening are quite large, I am sure.
I still get chills when I watch a home game on TV. I hope to have a chance to visit the Big House again.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
A is for Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is deeply ingrained into my very being. I grew up in Toledo, OH. To get home on the expressway, I always had to follow the signs toward Ann Arbor, which was only about 45 minutes away. It is also the site of my favorite University.
I wanted to attend U of M, but didn't get to apply until it was too late to qualify for enough scholarships to offset the out-of-state cost. (I had mono three times in high school and took my SATs and ACTs late.) But I still made it up there a few times to visit the campus, eat great foods and to go shopping. I also crossed the line a few times as I visited Ypsilanti to see friends at Eastern Michigan. I have fond memories of lots of shopping, lots of ridiculous binge eating, and visiting a couple of bars. But don't ask me to tell you the specific names of places I had gone, because I can no longer remember.
The last time that I was in Ann Arbor was the weekend in 2010 that my grandmother died. I was coming home, anyway, because I had gotten tickets to the Michigan-Bowling Green game. I took my mother with me. She suffers from Alzheimer's and this was the last time the two of us went out on a mother-daughter outing. It is a bittersweet memory. I terribly miss my mother and my grandmother. But I got to see my boys in the maize and blue play in person. I have been a fan for many, many years now.
I look forward to having the option to return some day. I get jealous when I read my friends' posts about visiting or going to games. Ann Arbor is a treasure trove of culture and fun of which I didn't take advantage when I was close enough.
Check out the visitor's page here to plan your own trip!
I wanted to attend U of M, but didn't get to apply until it was too late to qualify for enough scholarships to offset the out-of-state cost. (I had mono three times in high school and took my SATs and ACTs late.) But I still made it up there a few times to visit the campus, eat great foods and to go shopping. I also crossed the line a few times as I visited Ypsilanti to see friends at Eastern Michigan. I have fond memories of lots of shopping, lots of ridiculous binge eating, and visiting a couple of bars. But don't ask me to tell you the specific names of places I had gone, because I can no longer remember.
The last time that I was in Ann Arbor was the weekend in 2010 that my grandmother died. I was coming home, anyway, because I had gotten tickets to the Michigan-Bowling Green game. I took my mother with me. She suffers from Alzheimer's and this was the last time the two of us went out on a mother-daughter outing. It is a bittersweet memory. I terribly miss my mother and my grandmother. But I got to see my boys in the maize and blue play in person. I have been a fan for many, many years now.
I look forward to having the option to return some day. I get jealous when I read my friends' posts about visiting or going to games. Ann Arbor is a treasure trove of culture and fun of which I didn't take advantage when I was close enough.
Check out the visitor's page here to plan your own trip!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Welcome to the A to Z Challenge 2012...Maybe?
I went ahead and entered this blog into the A to Z Challenge for 2012. Am I going to be able to come up with an alphabet about Michigan football? I honestly have no idea. But I thought it would be a great way for me to try to get the ball rolling again. I started this blog back in the fall, thinking I could write about the team here and there when topics didn't fit into my sports beats for Yahoo! Sports. But I kind of fizzled out. We shall see what happens.
Good luck to my fellow writers who are undertaking this challenge. And thanks for stopping by! GO BLUE!
Good luck to my fellow writers who are undertaking this challenge. And thanks for stopping by! GO BLUE!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Michigan inches up to #11
It got hairy for a bit there in the first half of the Michigan Wolverines game at Northwestern last Saturday. I was listening to the second quarter on a spotty AM station as we were driving back from hiking at Letchworth State Park. I was swearing profusely at both the mistakes of the players as well as the station going in and out. By the time I got home, the second half was just starting and the game took a 180 degree turn.
It appears that a new trend is for the team to perform poorly in the first half of the game as they get to know their opposition. And then they seem to pull it off in the second half, performing almost miraculous comebacks from being way down. In this last game, Northwestern didn't even have a chance to score in the second half.
Is this the technique of a team ranked #11?
I'm not so sure about this, but it feels good to have a good ranking after a few crappy years. Last week I commented on whether or not they deserved their ranking of 11/12 for my fan beat on Yahoo! Sports.
I definitely believe that the offense is significantly better. I wish that they would stay more consistent and not give us all heart attacks in the first half of each game. Defense is getting quite good at stuffing the opposition. I would say that the most progress has been made in the defense. The offense was also able to post huge numbers last year.
What do you think? Are they a #11 team with their 6-0 record? How will they fare against upcoming rivals, such as Michigan State? I am hoping for the best and still trying to stay cautiously optimistic.
It appears that a new trend is for the team to perform poorly in the first half of the game as they get to know their opposition. And then they seem to pull it off in the second half, performing almost miraculous comebacks from being way down. In this last game, Northwestern didn't even have a chance to score in the second half.
Is this the technique of a team ranked #11?
I'm not so sure about this, but it feels good to have a good ranking after a few crappy years. Last week I commented on whether or not they deserved their ranking of 11/12 for my fan beat on Yahoo! Sports.
I definitely believe that the offense is significantly better. I wish that they would stay more consistent and not give us all heart attacks in the first half of each game. Defense is getting quite good at stuffing the opposition. I would say that the most progress has been made in the defense. The offense was also able to post huge numbers last year.
What do you think? Are they a #11 team with their 6-0 record? How will they fare against upcoming rivals, such as Michigan State? I am hoping for the best and still trying to stay cautiously optimistic.
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