The stream of fandom reached as far as the eye could see before curling around a corner and out of sight. Despite its length, those at the back of the line nonetheless stood and waited.

Rick Henry had been in this position before, situated closer to Crisler Arena than to the locked gates that led into the University of Michigan's football sanctum.

A seasoned veteran of Michigan's football fan day, Henry wasn't overly concerned with the line he saw in front of him, knowing once the gates swung open, it was every man for themselves.

In this case, 7,500 of them.

"People will thin out, and then you just to have a strategy," he said.

Over the years, Henry estimates he's acquired hundreds of autographs from Michigan players and coaches. Despite his line position, Henry knew the location of his targeted players, making his mission easier.

John Towne employed a different game plan, securing the first spot in line by arriving at 8 a.m. - four hours before fans were allowed inside. Towne drove from Traverse City on Saturday night, spending the night at his parents' home in Royal Oak.

After spending nine years on a wait list, Towne recently learned he had become a freshly-minted season-ticket holder.

"I can honestly say when I saw the letter saying I had gotten the season tickets, I was like a little girl screaming up and down the driveway," Towne said. "I called everybody I knew."

Once the gates opened at 20 minutes past noon Sunday, Towne darted across Michigan's practice field before making his way to Al Glick Fieldhouse, where he was third in line to meet head coach Rich Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, by far the most popular among autograph seekers Sunday, arrived at 2:10 p.m. to a reception of fans that stretched around the perimeter of the Wolverines' indoor practice facility.

Towne met Rodriguez and wished the second-year coach and his players good luck after last year's 3-9 campaign. At least for the time being, Towne is peppering his expections with optimism.

"I'm hoping for a winning season, well a better season," Towne said. "I guess it can't get any worse. But I'm excited. It's going to take some time to turn things around, but hopefully it does turn around."

Most fans who waited in line had gotten over last season's forgettable campaign and were looking forward to better days ahead. For Henry, who referred to last season as "a perfect storm, as far as badness goes", the season-opener against Western Michigan on Sept. 5 can't come soon enough.

"It was a long summer," Henry said. "I'm hoping it's a little better, with hopes for a lot better, but I'm not going to count on it. It can't be as bad as last year."

Brandon Parmentier arrived two hours before the gates open after making the drive from Warren. Like Towne, Parmentier came to wish players well, having already forgotten about last season.

He expects more wins this year, believing Michigan will be more fundamentally sound and better suited at quarterback.

But Sunday was all about meeting players and coaches, making sure his 3-year-old son met cornerback Boubacar Cissoko and slot receiver Martavious Odoms.

"They're his favorites," Parmentier said. "Boo-Boo and Tay-Tay is what he calls them so we have to get over to see them."

Rob Rademacher drew the task of unlocking the gates and in essence, unleashing the fans that turned out for Sunday's event.

Rademacher, Michigan's assistant athletic director for facilities and game day operations, said the goal is to open the gates and then get out of the way. He characterizes the crowd as being patient for the most part, knowing that players can only sign one autograph at a time.

Overall, he enjoys the interaction between fans and players.

"This kind of keeps them in touch with the program, and I think it's important they get the chance to see (players) outside the program," Rademacher said. "They get a chance to get an autograph or take a picture and I think the team likes it."

And despite being on the clock Sunday, Rademacher was also on dad duty. While he ushered fans inside the gates, Rademacher's son waited for his chance to meet his favorite player.

"He's got a No. 5 jersey," Rademacher said. "So (freshman quarterback Tate Forcier) is who he wants his picture with."

Photos by Lon Horwedel, AnnArbor.com. Photo 1: Michigan freshman quarterback Tate Forcier signs an autograph for a fan outside the Al Glick Fieldhouse. Photo 2: The long wait didn't bother this pair of excited, young Michigan football fans as they stood in line. Photo 3: Michigan running back Michael Shaw autographs a football for a fan.

Jeff Arnold covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2554 or jeffarnold@annarbor.com