Get married in Michigan Stadium? AD Dave Brandon explores using the Big House for weddings, parties
People can get down on the field at Michigan Stadium on fan day — but perhaps they can have weddings and parties there soon too.
File photo
The Big House may soon become a banquet center available to brides and grooms eager to exchange midfield vows on Michigan's fabled block "M."
Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon tells The Detroit News he plans to hire someone to market Michigan Stadium for weddings and parties. He says fans and alums "would love to get married on the block "M'' in Ann Arbor.
Brandon envisions wedding procession coming out of the Michigan tunnel and under the "M Go Blue" banner, with folding chairs set up on the field. He said suites could be used for receptions.
Brandon says families, individuals and corporations seeking a unique location for special events would have an interest in using the recently renovated 109,901-capcity stadium that's currently being used only seven days a year.
Comments
Blackbird
Sun, Dec 26, 2010 : 7:07 p.m.
What's the cost for special events like that?
D21
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 8:59 a.m.
Promisekeepers? Why not.
David Briegel
Fri, Dec 24, 2010 : 1:30 a.m.
So, why is the advertising in the Stadium off limits?
3 And Out
Fri, Dec 24, 2010 : 12:56 a.m.
Hopefully they won't bring back Bill McCartney for a Promise Keepers rally at the Big House followed by a Josh Groban concert.
David Briegel
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 11:45 p.m.
Good post Tater, Veeck as in Wreck was a great biography of a great man. Good Comparison! A2.com Is this ok?
David Briegel
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 10:38 p.m.
Tater,, Veeck as in Wreck!! Great post! No Advertising, except for Absopure!! $4
MWH
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 8:14 p.m.
Boy, that would be a big wedding! Imagine the catering cost.
Sallyxyz
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 4:43 p.m.
"In all seriousness, I would suggest that the University also consider making portions of this facility or Crisler Arena available for security-monitored overnight housing to benefit the homeless." Dream on, Jim Toy. The UM is all about cash, and how to make more cash for itself. The UM could build a world-class homeless facility somewhere in A2 from the ground up, and that would be pocket change for its multi-billion dollar endowment. However, I seriously doubt the UM is interested in using its athletic facilities for housing the homeless, since that doesn't bring in cash to the UM. Weddings, concerts and the like will bring in cash. It's all about money, folks, not community goodwill.
Robert
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.
Marriages yes... Any ole party no. Staff and alumni/matriculates only.
tulsatom
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 3:41 p.m.
Sounds like the kind of place to say "I do" and "Go Blue" at the same time.
michboy40
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 2:24 p.m.
The likes of Billy Joel/Elton John and Pink Floyd have graced the shoe, so why not! Use the statdium as a cash cow any way you can. That's what it's all about right? Gotta make those payments!
Atticus F.
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.
I think the riot and lawsuits from the '87 or '88 Dead show were what put a stop to concerts at chrystler arena.
dading dont delete me bro
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 1:46 p.m.
uofm has to find someway of getting a winner in there...
The OSU
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 1:42 p.m.
I'd like to reserve the Big House for a Buckeye Victory Party on Sat., Nov. 24, 2011. Appropriate attire: Scarlet and Gray.
David Briegel
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 12:21 p.m.
Gee Dave, Maybe we could get that Alabama game back from Jerry Jones. Home and Home Dave!!
Wake Up A2
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 12:17 p.m.
Why not, the football team really doesn't need it. In order to play those "easy" teams in order to win we will have to travel much further.
Jacob Bodnar
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 12:17 p.m.
@Tom Joad "When Michigan gets a winning team then we'll talk about alternative uses for the football stadium." - Why does it matter if the football team is winning? The athletic department can't sit on their hands and do nothing until the football team turns around. And about the Big Chill, fans knew they'd be far away from the puck, and they still showed up.
David Briegel
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 12:11 p.m.
Does the U of M really want a man convicted of a weapons charge to perform? The Nuge! A2.com, is that better?
Jim
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 11:56 a.m.
For all of the people talking about concerts at the football stadium-remember how bound the sound quality is at the big house with the sound bouncing back to the field and the lack of loudness even with a hundred thousand people in the stadium. Crisler is being renovated so that could be an option in a few years but for the next few years weddings is about as interesting as its gonna get.
Jim Toy
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 11:29 a.m.
Mr. Brandon and the University of Michigan are to be commended for offering this use of Michigan Stadium. In all seriousness, I would suggest that the University also consider making portions of this facility or Crisler Arena available for security-monitored overnight housing to benefit the homeless. University buses could transport overnight guests to and from downtown Ann Arbor at designated times. Or perhaps the City's buses or buses operated by a charitable enterprise could be used for this purpose. On the great seal of the University we read "Ars Scientia Veritas" ("Art Science Truth"). The truth as I see it: there is a pressing need that the University, in its generosity and goodwill, could address, to augment the well-operated, yet inadequate resources that now exist in our community. Good holiday wishes to all, Jim Toy MSW
aareader
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 11:17 a.m.
Give Jimmy Buffett a call. I think he could fill the Big House
Tom Joad
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 11:16 a.m.
The Big Chill was a cheap side-show with most fans so far away from the puck you couldn't even see it. Now they are proposing weddings in the Big House. How about a carnival with Rich Rod and the AD dressed up as the clowns they are. When Michigan gets a winning team then we'll talk about alternative uses for the football stadium.
InsideTheHall
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 10:58 a.m.
Bob Seger, Kid Rock, and Ted Nugent in the Big House on the Fourth of July. That's the vision!
treetowncartel
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 10:38 a.m.
One problem with having concerts and the like there now is they don't serve alcoholic beverages. That being said, it would have been great to see the "Dead" play in the Big House instead of Chrysler, and I am sure Mick and the boys could fill it up if they decided to tour again.
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 10:37 a.m.
A clear sign Rodriguez is gone. Brandon needs to raise the money for his buyout and the bonus he will have to pay Harbaugh. (written tongue in cheek, just in case it's not obvious)
cinnabar7071
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 10:11 a.m.
How about concerts at Crisler Arena again. When I was a kid growing up in Ann Arbor during the 70's I'd some of the best concerts of my life at Crisler Arena, now nothing whats up with that?
81wolverine
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 10:02 a.m.
I think it's a great idea. Why not? The facility sits there not being used for so much of the year, it seems kind of a waste right now. How about some big concert acts during the summer?
jcj
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 10 a.m.
Why not? That way after the marriage ends in 3 years they will at least have some interesting photos to show off! Of course the cost will rule out all but children of the administrators, doctors and professors at the U of M!
David Briegel
Thu, Dec 23, 2010 : 9:56 a.m.
Set up a winter carnival like they are doing in Cleveland. Heck, you already had the ice rink! Come on Dave, if you could reinvent Domino's you can do better! Soccer, Bob Seger concert!