Michigan Wolverines: My First Memories and Our Renewed Hatred of OSU

I grew up spoiled.  The first Michigan quarterback I remember watching was Jim Harbaugh.  I started watching Michigan football in 1985.  I'll return to this point towards the end of this article.  First, I want to share a cool little story from my childhood.  

One of my earliest UM football memories came when I was at the University of Michigan for a summer soccer camp.  I want to say this was in the summer of 1987 or 1988.  After camp one day, I was supposed to be heading back to the dorm with the rest of the kids.

However, I heard a rumor that real live University of Michigan players were practicing on one of the fields near our camp.  I was able to watch for about an hour before one of the camp counselors figured out where I was.  I guess my non-stop chatter about how awesome it would be to meet an actual Wolverine gave it away. 

It’s kind of a blur 25 years later, but I remember a few things.  One, it was around three in the afternoon on an extremely hot Michigan summer day.  When I found the practice field, there were probably about 20 players out there. 

I mostly remember guys running what now seem like 15 yard out-routes.  I don’t remember any defenders, and I don’t remember seeing the ball ever hit the ground during these drills.  By the way, Michael Rosenberg, in case you’re salivating about your next witch-hunt, I also don’t remember seeing any coaches at this summer practice session.

After I stood on the practice field in awe for about five minutes, a handful of players who were catching a breather took the time to chat with me for a few minutes. 

At first, they were wondering if I was lost or needed help (I guess it wasn’t every day that a super skinny brown kid stood there watching with his jaw on the turf and eyes popping out of his head).  When I told them I had sneaked away from soccer camp to watch them practice, they were totally cool with me. 

Man, was I thrilled!

The one guy I definitely remember was wide receiver Greg McMurtry.  McMurtry was one of my favorite players, but I didn’t know what he looked like in person.  I remember being stunned when I found out who he was for two reasons: 

First, as a 12 or 13-year-old kid, I was totally stoked to meet one of my favorite players in person.  Second, pretty much everyone had their shirts off and I remember being shocked that a guy who was that ripped was a receiver.  Before I found out who he was, I thought he was probably a linebacker.  Yes, I know that seems pretty stupid now, but hey, I was 13.

Man, once my camp counselor found me, I got chewed out about six ways to Sunday.  He ripped me a new one, and so did the head of the camp.  I sure didn’t care; I was pretty much a folk hero to all the kids for the rest of the camp.  Not only was I the kid who had gone missing, but I got to tell everyone I talked to Greg McMurtry!  Ahh, good times.

I share that story for two reasons: First, it’s the kind of thing I would enjoy reading.  Second, it reminds me of when I first started watching Michigan football. 

The first game I remember watching was Michigan thrashing Michigan State in 1985.  It also brings me back to my point:  I grew up spoiled.  From 1985 to 2000, I only saw Michigan lose to OSU three times. I grew up spoiled.

I foolishly took for granted our superiority over the Buckeyes. Every year, I was far more pumped for the Notre Dame and MSU games than I was for OSU. I failed to cultivate the necessary hatred of Buckeyes.  I failed to understand the significance. 

I know I am not alone in my shortcoming.  When I used to throw the football around with my friends, we would all pretend we were playing against ND.  There’s nothing wrong with hating the Irish, but I know now, we should have been playing against OSU in our heads.  Because we were stupid teenagers, we didn’t appreciate the history and the rivalry.  Bo was at Michigan and Woody was long gone.  It seemed like we had won the war.

Believe me when I tell you, OSU fans who started watching during the same time frame definitely did not make the same mistake.  The hatred they have for us has been palpable for years.  Losing over and over to your arch-enemy will give you hate in spades. 

Prior to Lloyd losing six of seven to the Sweatervest, many in my generation, myself included, just didn’t get it.  Man, has it ever been a bitter pill to swallow.  With our collective loss of focus on"The Game", I am saddened to admit, we let our school down. 

Believe me when I tell you, it will not happen again.  Not to our generation.  No way, no how.  I now feel the burden of failing to listen to all the older Michigan fans who knew better.  I can now say with absolute certainty that I will passionately hate OSU until the day I stop breathing.  It won’t matter if we beat them 25 straight times, I will never forget how these past six years have burned a small hole in my soul.

We all know it will take a minor miracle for the streak to end in 2010.  Is it possible?  Absolutely.  When Denard Robinson is involved, anything is possible.  We always have a puncher’s chance.  Of course, so did Margarito against Pacquiao.  Just because it’s possible, doesn’t make it likely. 

We need to play our absolute best game of the season.  RichRod and Calvin need to call a near perfect game.  The Sweatervest needs to get too conservative.  Mike Martin’s ankles need to last him throughout the game.  Toilet Paper, I mean Terrell Pryor, needs to make some serious errors. 

The Michigan defense needs to intercept TP’s mistakes (and not fumble it back).  Somehow the defense has to avoid giving up more than one long touchdown run.  Somehow the worst statistical defense in the University of Michigan’s storied history has to find ways to get off the field against the ninth highest scoring offense in the country without giving up points on at least six possessions.

All these things are possible.  They may not be easy, and they may not be probable, but one thing is for sure:  From this day forward, everything that Michigan needs to do to beat OSU will always have the full weight of our collective hatred for OSU helping to fuel the possibilities.  We are the most successful program in the history of college football and I, for one, promise to never take my eyes off the ball (aka the program) ever again.

GB2SL!

GO BLUE, GOD BLESS SHOELACE!