Michigan Wolverines NCAA Football: Spring Football Not the Only Game in Town
Michigan football fans should have it much easier this weekend. While officials expect a good crowd, fans should be able to explore the town without the hassle of bumper-to-bumper traffic, packed restaurants and sold-out hotels.
The athletic department has several sporting events scheduled , including a Big Ten baseball game Saturday between Michigan and Illinois at 3 pm. The Wolverines have even put together a promotional ticket package. For $36, you can get four tickets, four beverages, four popcorn boxes and four 6" x 9": posters.
The rowing, volleyball and men's tennis teams also compete Saturday.
If you're staying over, the men's track and field team competes at 11 am Sunday, while baseball faces Illinois at 1 pm.
Should you indeed get a chance to do a little exploring, we've assembled a short list of things you might enjoy doing.
Early Breakfast: Fleetwood Diner
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Get you foursome together and start the day out right. You'll find one of Ann Arbor's institutions at the corner of Liberty and Ashley. My guess is that the "Short Stack" will be your choice.
And if you're the least bit adventurous, order up a side of Hippie Hash.
8am Saturday: Golf and Tailgate, U-M Golf Course
2 of 10Providing you're a student, faculty staff or alumni, you can play one of the more challenging and beautiful courses in the country.
The 18-hole layout was originally designed by Scottish architect Alister MacKenzie, who also crafted such masterpieces as Augusta National, Cypress Point (Monterey, CA) and Crystal Downs (Frankfort, MI).
The course was restored to it's original configuration in 1992 by respected golf course architect and Michigan graduate Arthur Hills. While it's not overly long, U-M distinguishes itself by its narrow tree-lined fairways and severely undulating greens.
If the wind is strong enough a be a factor, you might join the tailgate long before you reach the back nine. (Just in case of inclement weather, you'll want to check with the golf course first).
Find a Good Seat
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If you're lucky, you could be given one of those chair-back seats to the left of the yellow line (pictured).
Most fans have their favorites, but sometimes your seat could be the same for years.
My favorite spot is in the southwest corner in row 73 (around section 15). First of all, the sun is never in your eyes, you're near the concessions and you're high enough to have a good view.
Plus, I'm not a fan of running the stairs.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
The Spring Game
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The game will actually be a controlled scrimmage between OFF1 vs. DEF 2, OFF2 vs. DEF1, OFF1 vs. DEF 1, and OFF 2 vs. DEF 2.
The most important goal will be to keep Denard Robinson healthy. He'll score two or three times just to entertain the crowd.
In the running game, most everyone hopes that Stephen Hopkins looks good.
For Brady Hoke's offense to be effective, Michigan must run the ball between the tackles and move the chains. Should none of the quick-backs emerge, Hoke will just run them as a committee this fall.
In the passing game, look for some quick drops, legitimate screens, draws and even wheel routes. It will be interesting to compare the numbers of Robinson and Gardner. They should be surprisingly close.
Defensively, most of fans will be studying the cornerback play, along with the effectiveness of big Will Campbell.
Last but not least, the focus will also be on the kicking game, if you could call it that.
Michigan Baseball vs. Illinois, 3pm
5 of 10The schedule was set up for some real good baseball, but the Michigan team hasn't cooperated. The Wolverines have won only nine of 20 games this season and have a 2-4 Big Ten record.
Meanwhile, the women's softball team has posted a 35-3 record and sits in the No. 2 spot of the ESPN national poll.
Dinner at Weber's Inn
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One the favorite Ann Arbor dinner destinations for generations, Weber is well know for it's prime rib, fresh seafood and great steaks.
Whatever you choose, leave room for their signature dessert, a hot fudge cream puff (pictured).
If you like a brunch buffet, stop by Sunday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. At $9.95 a person, you couldn't find a better value.
The Michigan Daily
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A little academia never hurt anyone.
If you're still in town, check out the old Michigan Daily building on Maynard Street. The student-run newspaper has been published there for well over 120 years. Students are working just about any time of the day writing stories, doing interviews and finding photos.
Technology has changed the methodology. No more hot metal, type-galleys or Fairchild photo machines. And no more photographic film. It's practically an all-digital world.
In fact, when the Ann Arbor News closed its doors in 2009, the Daily became the only printed newspaper in Washtenaw County,
One thing is for sure: I'll still pick up the paper and find good journalism.
Michigan Solar Car
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Whether it was intended to be serious at first, students in the Michigan Engineering school started a solar race team in 1990. It's success has been more than shocking.
Six times the Michigan car won the North American Solar Challenge and three times Michigan finished third in the World Challenge.
Infinium, Michigan's latest car, which began racing in 2009. won the American Challenge last year.
The Law Quad, Central Campus
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Just about every graduate school or college at Michigan is ranked in the top ten nationally. We're including some of this because lately, Michigan hasn't had much to boast about on the athletic side. The law school (see link) is currently ranked fifth by U.S.News and World Report.
The University as a whole is ranked 14th in the entire world by:
And last but not least, Ann Arbor itself was ranked in 2010 as the top college town in the nation
Pizza Bob's
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For those of us who spent a lot of time there, Pizza Bob's is a favorite. They even had a submarine called the "Favorite".
Undoubtedly the best pizza in town, especially if it was snowing and you lived just two blocks away. I'm not sure If they still make it, but back in the 70s the had a pizza called the Hawaiian. It came with pineapple topping and much, much more.
Ann Arbor has many, many more restaurants today. Places like Zingerman's, the Roadhouse and even the new Cottage Inn are popular.
So the golf clubs are in the car and we should have no trouble spending in week in Ann Arbor And that's only if we stay away from Joe Louis Arena, Comerica Park and Lafayette Coney Island.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
