Wednesday, July 01, 2009
WE ARE!!
Yeah, Penn State? You suck. Enjoy your one game win streak over Michigan while it lasts because, well, it appears we have figured out how y'all roll in State College.
Sky is Blue, Satellite Campuses Embarrass Themselves Again
A while back, we opined on the ridiculous protest that students at the satellite campuses (e.g., students not at The University of Michigan) were putting up regarding being denied tickets to football games at the Big House. Our reasoning went something like…you
got denied from Michigan, Michigan State, Central, Eastern, Western, and Wayne County Community College, so stop trying to go to our football games. Aren’t 17 ACTs contagious? We got responses from defensive satellite grads, eagerly trying to justify in some way, shape or form that they were indeed “Michigan” alums. (Which they are not.) It still would’ve been mildly amusing to watch a UM-Flint student try and enroll in classes fall semester in Ann Arbor. “But, but, but, I go to Michigan!” Anyways, we digress a bit.
The ticket problem, at least for UM-Flint, appears to be solved. While it’s a week or two old, we just couldn’t pass up a chance to comment on these clowns and their “football team.” It seems like we won’t have to worry about the whining coming from UM-Flint students being denied tickets for the REAL University of Michigan, because they have a team of their own they can support, complete with ridiculous uniforms that are strikingly appropriate for their inferior education. So, UM-Flint students, stick to supporting the team with the, er, winged flame on the helmet. And forget about tickets, you can go ahead and use the thin letter you received from Ann Arbor as admission to the game. We hear it doubles as a student ticket in East Lansing, too.
It appears as though due to recent attention to their helmet (chiefly: it looks ridiculous) the Flinters have issued a statement "explaining" it:
Wow. A couple of things: UM-Flint should strive to create their own image, because they are not Michigan. They need not reflect back on the great history in which Michigan Football has enjoyed any more than Michigan State, Eastern, or UCLA should reflect back on that history. Because it is history belonging to the University of Michigan, not a glorified community college inBosnia Flint. Never, ever, should "blaze" exist. We need to get a cease and desist on this abortion immediately. It figures that the satellite campus can't even do make-believe football right.
got denied from Michigan, Michigan State, Central, Eastern, Western, and Wayne County Community College, so stop trying to go to our football games. Aren’t 17 ACTs contagious? We got responses from defensive satellite grads, eagerly trying to justify in some way, shape or form that they were indeed “Michigan” alums. (Which they are not.) It still would’ve been mildly amusing to watch a UM-Flint student try and enroll in classes fall semester in Ann Arbor. “But, but, but, I go to Michigan!” Anyways, we digress a bit.The ticket problem, at least for UM-Flint, appears to be solved. While it’s a week or two old, we just couldn’t pass up a chance to comment on these clowns and their “football team.” It seems like we won’t have to worry about the whining coming from UM-Flint students being denied tickets for the REAL University of Michigan, because they have a team of their own they can support, complete with ridiculous uniforms that are strikingly appropriate for their inferior education. So, UM-Flint students, stick to supporting the team with the, er, winged flame on the helmet. And forget about tickets, you can go ahead and use the thin letter you received from Ann Arbor as admission to the game. We hear it doubles as a student ticket in East Lansing, too.
It appears as though due to recent attention to their helmet (chiefly: it looks ridiculous) the Flinters have issued a statement "explaining" it:
In response to recent attention to the helmets, we figured we should share the story of why we altered the look of the traditional winged helmet. The University of Michigan - Flint Football Club strives to create our own image, but one that reflects back on the on the great history in which Michigan Football has enjoyed. In doing so, we used a wing design but changed it to look like flames or as we call it 'blaze'. The blaze is our combination of Blue + Maize.
Wow. A couple of things: UM-Flint should strive to create their own image, because they are not Michigan. They need not reflect back on the great history in which Michigan Football has enjoyed any more than Michigan State, Eastern, or UCLA should reflect back on that history. Because it is history belonging to the University of Michigan, not a glorified community college in
NOTE: Their "GO BLUE" banner is a cute knock-off, too. It is certain to strike fear in the likes of Macomb Community College, DeVry, and the University of Phoenix.
Also, in an effort to maintain a good relationship with our readers from the satellite campuses, we've decided to compile a list of folks just like you...who don't go to the University of Michigan:
1. Barack Obama
2. Terrell Owens
3. Godzilla
4. Yosemite Sam
5. An inanimate carbon rod
Support Ann Arbor Businesses: Say No to MGoBlue.com
Today, the University of Michigan launched a new ten-year partnership with eSports Partners as the official supplier of UM merchandise for the school. In partnering with eSports Partners, UM dropped the M-Den, which had previously held that contract. Why is this newsworthy? 
Well, for starters, it’s just one more notch under the belt of greed worn by Sailboat Willie that can serve to alienate fans of the school. Most importantly, it’s a significant chunk of business being given to an out of state corporation over local Ann Arbor businesses in a time of economic despair in the State of Michigan.
You see, eSports Partners is a Texas-based company (apparently backed by Jerry Jones) who has previously held and lost similar relationships with the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts. Fans of Michigan are likely well aware of the strong community roots that companies such as Moe Sport Shops and the M-Den, the two most prevalent retailers of Michigan apparel in Ann Arbor, have to the city and the school. Students have been shopping at Moe’s since the early part of the 20th century, and M-Den’s presence in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities is undeniable. Both companies are owned by Michigan alums and our Wolverine heroes from Tom Harmon to Ron Kramer to Rick Leach to Charles Woodson and Tom Brady have shopped there. They give back to the community. As fans, we know what we’re going to get when shopping at these businesses— friendly customer service, high quality merchandise, and an atmosphere unique to Ann Arbor. What will it be like dealing with eSports Partners? Likely something similar to any company adhering to policies dictated thousands of miles away—long, unproductive customer service calls that get you nowhere and a lack of personal accountability. I’ve heard from several sources that both Nike and Adidas strongly urged UM to not make this switch to eSports Partners. That seems pretty significant.
So, what would make the University (e.g., Sailboat Willie) turn its back on such successful local businesses in favor of an out of state corporation? Why, Sailboat Willie’s two favorite words, of course: GUARANTEED. MONEY. You see, eSports Partners have offered the Yachtmaster a guaranteed $1.5M for the first year of the contract, which escalates up to approximately $2.25M in the later years and has provisions allowing the University to see a higher return if certain sales expectations are met. In return, eSports Partners is now the sole retailer in Michigan Stadium as well as the official merchandiser of the University, receiving the branding on the official Michigan website. Certainly, this is a richer offer than the M-Den was willing to make. However, the resulting blow on the local economy could be staggering. A significant hit in retail sales could be expected (well, certainly for M-Den, which stands to lose 100% of the revenue they generated from the mgoblue.com partnership) for local retailers. Additionally, the expectation is that eSports Partners will be opening up retail locations in Ann Arbor in the near future. Coupled with the “official” designation, they are certain to receive instant validation and take a large chunk out of the already diminished market that currently exists. While in the short-term, maybe a couple dozen jobs could be created by the opening of these new stores, they are likely to be part-time positions filled by students who would otherwise be working in other local businesses, and the profits will be lining the pockets of Texans.
I can’t say that I’m without bias in this controversy—I spent my undergraduate years working for Bud Van De Wege at Moe’s and developed deep friendships there, and have several good friends at the M-Den as well. But, even without those personal connections, I would be inclined to do business with companies tied to the community—even moreso with companies that have a history of providing exceptional customer service and the highest quality merchandise. I find it appalling that once again Sailboat Willie has made the decision that cold, hard, cash is more valuable than a longstanding relationship and a community partnership between the University and local businesses. He gladly accepted money from the M-Den to assist with stadium renovations and the new retail shop on the northern end, but was quick to ignore that and allow the space to be sold to the highest bidder. For a school whose alumni and fans pride themselves on an association with tradition and values, it’s deeply troubling that the athletic department is being run by a man who seems to have no problem auctioning them off to the highest bidder.
I’d like to urge you to share your displeasure with the athletic department. Contact them and let them know that they should be supporting Ann Arbor-based businesses which support the University.
Most importantly, please do not purchase your Michigan merchandise from the “official” supplier on MGoBlue.com. Go to Moe’s, or M-Den, and help support members of the Michigan family and the Ann Arbor community.
Click, shop, buy!
Moe Sport Shops
The M-Den
Well, for starters, it’s just one more notch under the belt of greed worn by Sailboat Willie that can serve to alienate fans of the school. Most importantly, it’s a significant chunk of business being given to an out of state corporation over local Ann Arbor businesses in a time of economic despair in the State of Michigan.You see, eSports Partners is a Texas-based company (apparently backed by Jerry Jones) who has previously held and lost similar relationships with the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts. Fans of Michigan are likely well aware of the strong community roots that companies such as Moe Sport Shops and the M-Den, the two most prevalent retailers of Michigan apparel in Ann Arbor, have to the city and the school. Students have been shopping at Moe’s since the early part of the 20th century, and M-Den’s presence in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities is undeniable. Both companies are owned by Michigan alums and our Wolverine heroes from Tom Harmon to Ron Kramer to Rick Leach to Charles Woodson and Tom Brady have shopped there. They give back to the community. As fans, we know what we’re going to get when shopping at these businesses— friendly customer service, high quality merchandise, and an atmosphere unique to Ann Arbor. What will it be like dealing with eSports Partners? Likely something similar to any company adhering to policies dictated thousands of miles away—long, unproductive customer service calls that get you nowhere and a lack of personal accountability. I’ve heard from several sources that both Nike and Adidas strongly urged UM to not make this switch to eSports Partners. That seems pretty significant.
So, what would make the University (e.g., Sailboat Willie) turn its back on such successful local businesses in favor of an out of state corporation? Why, Sailboat Willie’s two favorite words, of course: GUARANTEED. MONEY. You see, eSports Partners have offered the Yachtmaster a guaranteed $1.5M for the first year of the contract, which escalates up to approximately $2.25M in the later years and has provisions allowing the University to see a higher return if certain sales expectations are met. In return, eSports Partners is now the sole retailer in Michigan Stadium as well as the official merchandiser of the University, receiving the branding on the official Michigan website. Certainly, this is a richer offer than the M-Den was willing to make. However, the resulting blow on the local economy could be staggering. A significant hit in retail sales could be expected (well, certainly for M-Den, which stands to lose 100% of the revenue they generated from the mgoblue.com partnership) for local retailers. Additionally, the expectation is that eSports Partners will be opening up retail locations in Ann Arbor in the near future. Coupled with the “official” designation, they are certain to receive instant validation and take a large chunk out of the already diminished market that currently exists. While in the short-term, maybe a couple dozen jobs could be created by the opening of these new stores, they are likely to be part-time positions filled by students who would otherwise be working in other local businesses, and the profits will be lining the pockets of Texans.
I can’t say that I’m without bias in this controversy—I spent my undergraduate years working for Bud Van De Wege at Moe’s and developed deep friendships there, and have several good friends at the M-Den as well. But, even without those personal connections, I would be inclined to do business with companies tied to the community—even moreso with companies that have a history of providing exceptional customer service and the highest quality merchandise. I find it appalling that once again Sailboat Willie has made the decision that cold, hard, cash is more valuable than a longstanding relationship and a community partnership between the University and local businesses. He gladly accepted money from the M-Den to assist with stadium renovations and the new retail shop on the northern end, but was quick to ignore that and allow the space to be sold to the highest bidder. For a school whose alumni and fans pride themselves on an association with tradition and values, it’s deeply troubling that the athletic department is being run by a man who seems to have no problem auctioning them off to the highest bidder.
I’d like to urge you to share your displeasure with the athletic department. Contact them and let them know that they should be supporting Ann Arbor-based businesses which support the University.
Most importantly, please do not purchase your Michigan merchandise from the “official” supplier on MGoBlue.com. Go to Moe’s, or M-Den, and help support members of the Michigan family and the Ann Arbor community.
Click, shop, buy!
Moe Sport Shops
The M-Den
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