University of Michigan alums to wear school gear in honor of Oklahoma boy
Nathan and Cooper Barton in their Michigan gear.
The University of Michigan Alumni Association is asking graduates to wear their school gear in a tribute to Cooper Barton, a 5-year-old who was chastised by his Oklahoma elementary school for wearing a Wolverines T-shirt.
A school official made Cooper turn the shirt inside out because it violated a city ordinance banning apparel supportive of a team that's not from Oklahoma.
The parents say the reprimand embarrassed their child.
"The kids were out on the playground," Chris Barton, Cooper's father, told AnnArbor.com. "They made him go behind a tree and change it."
Since the incident flared up in national media earlier this week, Cooper has received the promise of new Michigan apparel —with the school logo on both sides of the fabric,— free football tickets and an all-expenses-paid trip to a the University of Massachusetts game at the Big House on Sept. 15. He even received a personal call from U-M Athletic Director Dave Brandon.
"It's awesome," Barton said. "Cooper's little mishap at his school is turning into a positive thing."
"The support from Michigan has been overwhelming," Barton continued, adding that his son has been "blown away" by his instant national fame. "He is a true Michigan fan. Of course we raised him that way."
Now, the school's alumni association, the mouthpiece for an estimated 500,000 living Wolverine alumni, is calling graduates and supporters to wear their Michigan gear on Friday, Aug. 31.
"We’ve heard from a lot of our alumni about Cooper’s story and thought it was a good opportunity for them to show their Michigan pride," said Brad Whitehouse, of the alumni association.
Earlier this week, Brandon called the Oklahoma ordinance "a bunch of crap," and said he hopes Michigan's outreach to the young boy will bring about change.
"Maybe the recognition of this will get them to re-think their kind of crazy rule in Oklahoma," he said.
The alumni association is also encouraging people to make a donation, in honor of Cooper, to its scholarship fund.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Madeleine Borthwick
Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 5:11 p.m.
The people who subjected Cooper to this kind of humiliation should HANG THEIR HEADS IN EVERLASTING SHAME. now this poor kid will have to go to school every day wondering who will taunt him about this. not exactly a good learning environment. nice going, Oklahoma(that's sarcasm, by the way).you are anything but OK. shame on you!!!!
Joe_Citizen
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.
That actually a great story. I am still amazed at the first amendment rights that the Oklahoma Schools just tossed to the curb, and I didn't see anything about that here. Remember folks it's very important to not allow anyone to disregard our amendments, because it starts small like a seed, and before you know it you have a tree, and no rights.
John
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 5:18 p.m.
So wearing Oklahoma U. or Oklahoma State apparel is ok but not ANY other school huh? Sounds to me like its a little biased in Oklahoma schools. Granted I see the gang relation with team colors but more with like say the Oakland Raiders not so much college teams. Also, isn't red (O.U. color) associated w/ the "bloods" gang. Come on. seroiusly?!?!? If schools are going this route with there dress code they better do it all the way and not ok for some but not others.
Matt
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 3:41 p.m.
The title and first sentence are inaccurate. The Alumni Association is asking alumni to donate to scholarships and wear maize and blue gear on Friday the 31st (the day before the big game). Nowhere do they say they want us to turn our shirts inside out. See here: http://giving.umich.edu/umaa/mpact.html
KINGofSKA
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.
Is it also against the rules to change in the bathroom?
Tom
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
Hi Everyone. (Oklahoman Here) On the surface, it sounds like a crazy story. But let me give you some background, in which the Article fails to point out. The Rule actually was put in place that was meant to protect gangs from entering the public school system and PROTECT kids and actually HELP parents. (Think as you read this .. 9th-12th grade). There is No Standard Uniforms in the OKC school system....which might be what happens next! We all have read stories about colors and teams representing gangs. OKC was being Pro-Active. Yes, I said the word .. Pro-Active. In this case, it was a 5 year old, who was the subject to this rule. Was the 5-Year Old in a gang? Of course, NOT! I think we all agree on this. Its a well known rule in OKC, that was adopted some 10 years ago and applies to EVERY kid in the OKC Public School System. The Parents should have known the rule! Shame on Michigan Alums who support this cause on Friday, as its a slap in the face to a school system who was actually being Pro-Active. We should asking ourselves, what were the parents of this 5-year old, doing that they did not learn about the OKC Public School system, that they were entering their child in. We all agree, that Parents should be a part of their Child's Education and future!
Madeleine Borthwick
Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 5:02 p.m.
at least, here in Ann Arbor, we don't HUMILIATE our children this way. SHAME.SHAME.SHAME.
Joe_Citizen
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.
Tom, did you go to school in Oklahoma? I would like to know because I will never hire someone from there after seeing your English writing skills. First and foremost, the 1st amendment states freedom of speech, and there fore they can't make rules that go against that. If we do then what are we showing our kids? Well the rules of freedom are for adults only? This is the kind of thing that confuse kids, either they have the same basic rights, or they don't. This law is for that, and that is for this, is very confusing for a child. As far as I'm concerned it's the same as mixing religion, or anything else that's against our constitution. Gangs are human nature, so whats the difference between clubs and gangs, maybe take that to court and get a proper def., it still doesn't change the first amendment clause. This child should have never been embarrassed like this. So yeah get a clue, and an education please.
TinyArtist
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 2:39 p.m.
Good Lord, Tom! I sincerely hope you is not be an Oklahoma educator.
KINGofSKA
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.
Personally I think what college football team is on shirt, does not affiliate you with a gang. When I went to high school, you couldn't wear hats because it's "distracting". Limiting it to only OK seems a little unfair, are they saying that there are no gang affiliations with OK teams? I wouldn't let a school tell me what I can and cannot wear.
r treat
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.
Stay tuned. The ann arbor city council drafts legislation...
Jim H
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 12:27 p.m.
More fun to have all the Michigan fans at the UMass game turn their shirts inside out on cue. Just hope for a warm day or we will all Go Blue!
arborani
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 6:39 p.m.
As long as they don't go Commando.
KINGofSKA
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 2:25 p.m.
Ha! Good one Jim
Dave Otto
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 12:15 p.m.
Dave Brandon is in discussions with Seal Team Six to rescue Cooper Barton from the lawless tribal area known as Oklahoma.
A2comments
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 11:40 a.m.
Brandon's "crap" wording wasn't acceptable. Brandon's actions were perfect. Alumni Association is "calling on" unless they are making 500,000 calls, and their effort is just silly and late.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 5:51 a.m.
Maybe a little overblown - but a warning to any other fools who think they can dictate to anyone about football in any state. As I see it: U of M and alumni are simply saying: You wanna mess with OUR fans? Then TAKE THIS! Say, wait a minute: has anyone bothered to tell the Barton family we named a pond after them? Just kidding. ;-)
xmo
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 11:06 p.m.
What kind of parents would let their kid out of the house wearing anything with MICHIGAN on it? I think the school official should be given an award for preventing further humiliation to the kid by making him turn his shirt inside out! The problems out teacher have to deal with!
Madeleine Borthwick
Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 4:58 p.m.
xmo, why don't you go 3489gjkhtrmfr?!
lefty48197
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.
Maybe they should turn those ugly football helmets inside out?
Itchy
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 11:08 p.m.
U-M?
Billy Bob Schwartz
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 8:34 p.m.
Idiocy once again exposed. Ooooooooo-klahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain! Where the school board rules, a bunch of fools who drive little school children insane! How do you spell narrow ethnocentricity?
Madeleine Borthwick
Sun, Aug 26, 2012 : 4:57 p.m.
Billy Bob, i LOVE your lyrics! oklahoma, NOT ok...
oldblueypsi
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
Perhaps your lyrics could be prerecorded and played when Cooper is introduced at the U-Mass game!
RedSchwinn
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.
Maybe the Alumni Association could now approach PNC Bank to offer Cooper free checking for life. It's only a small gesture, I know, nothing will ever completely erase the trauma this poor young man has suffered, but every small effort has to help.
RedSchwinn
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 4:01 a.m.
I didn't think the sarcasm was all that thinly veiled. This whole story has been like watching a very slow-motion car wreck, all week. I just can't look away... just watching the coverage, and especially the comments of the free-speech protectors, has been fascinating and amazing.
towncryer
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 11:53 p.m.
I am only giving you a thumbs up if this is sarcasm....
Wolf's Bane
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.
This is exactly why nobody (important) lives in Oklahoma..
a2miguy
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.
Ok, this has gotten to be WAY out of hand. I am a proud U of M alumnus (MM '88), but I am just not going to do this. Boo to the kid's school for making him do that. Kudos to Dave B for calling the kid and sending him a box of shirts. But it should have all ended there.
towncryer
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 11:54 p.m.
Seriously, totally agree. WAY out of hand, nothing to see here, move along....
WalkingJoe
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.
I agree a2miguy. When it first came out it was interesting but now it is over done and needs to be put to rest.
TMC216
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 7:34 p.m.
Obviously a "slow day in the news room" for A2.com.
Joe_Citizen
Sat, Aug 25, 2012 : 9:53 p.m.
Using the word "slow" and "day" in a sentence is very good indeed. You must have been paying attention in class today. Give him a star to show his mother.
RedSchwinn
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.
Well, yeah, it's been a slow day, but was I whining or commenting? You seem to read a lot into a few words, riverguy. Are you perhaps a psychiatrist?
riverguy
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 9:04 p.m.
Must be an even slower day for TMC216 and RedSchwinn, since they were interested enough to read the article AND post their comments to whine that the article is not worth reading. Fools.
Richard
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 8:03 p.m.
Look harder. It is not the only news story on A2.com
RedSchwinn
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 : 7:42 p.m.
And an even slower day for the Alumni Association folks.