Michigan football adjusting its annual 'Fan Day' to avoid autograph congestion
The Michigan football program has adjusted its annual fan day event to avoid autograph line congestion.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
In terms of efficiency? Well, that was a different story altogether.
An estimated 25,000 fans showed up at Michigan Stadium last August to grab autographs and catch a glimpse of Hoke and his team, resulting in painfully long lines and an eventual Twitter apology from athletic director Dave Brandon.
"I know some were unhappy they didn't get a particular autograph," Brandon wrote at the time. "I'm sorry. Turnout was huge & certain lines were ridiculously long."
This summer, things have changed.
MICHIGAN FOOTBALL LIVE CHAT
The event remains free and open to the public, with all stadium gates opening at 1 p.m.
The program will include a 90-minute youth event around the stadium concourse in conjunction with the normal autograph sessions.
As far as autographs go, Michigan is asking that fans only ask Hoke to sign one item per person to "expedite the autograph process and accommodate as many fans as possible."
Fans are discouraged from taking personal photos with Hoke, and are also discouraged from asking for an autograph on a jersey or T shirt.
Additionally, "for the safety of everyone in attendance," Michigan will be limiting certain autograph lines to the first 250 people present in line.
Hoke's autograph station will be located on the southeast portion of second concourse on the east end of the stadium, while players will be available for autographs at concessions stands throughout the venue.
Also, 200 members of the "Kids Go Blue Club" will be randomly selected to enter the stadium early before the general public, giving them a chance to get in line without issue for their favorite player or coach.
To register for the club, visit MgoBlue.com/kidsclub.
Football 'Garage Sale' to be held on Aug. 11
The Michigan athletic department will host an athletic apparel "Garage Sale" from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11 at the indoor track building.
Fans will have a chance to purchase football jerseys, football pants, shoes, polo shirts, T-shirts, shorts, warm-up jackets, warm-up pants, gloves, baseball and lacrosse items and other merchandise.
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
mgoscottie
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 11:05 a.m.
And the biggest problem remains? I went last year and there were only a few lines....they had one line that fed into four position groups. I thought it would be fun to take my little ones to meet a Michigan football player, but they don't know who they are yet, so I was going to jump into a low profile person's line. Brennen Beyer is at the end of the same line as Mike Martin though, Denard's line is the same as Bellomy's. They need to put more lines and make it where I can go get a freshman offensive lineman's autograph. When I looked last year most players were sitting unless they were high profile anyways....
unclefred
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:12 a.m.
25,000 people showed up last year and the solution is to allow autographs only to the first 250 people in line? Also how is this limit a "safety issue"? I realize there will be multiple lines, but how about running this longer than 2-3:30? It hardly seems a burden to run this from say 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. At this point I'd say just cancel the event. But this is not about fans. This is about marketing, creating scarcity, and a buzz. Sad Brandon, very very sad. If this were about a "fan day" you'd be looking to increase exposure, make autographs more available, and recognize that your job is to prepare for more than the 25.000 fans who showed up last year.
annarboral
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 1:32 p.m.
You want the players and coaches to sign autographs for six hours? If you don't like the "free" format then please do not attend.
Paco12054
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 9:16 p.m.
Maybe we should ask the OSU Athletic Department. They have a lot of experience in this area. I like the idea of one autograph per person and maybe we could set it up so that kids under 15 go first for a given time period, only after that will adults be allowed.
ChelseaBob
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.
Haven't been to one of these since the Hoke era began, but when my son was little he always felt muscled out by the grown men. Maybe they should make the autograph lines 15 and under. That will cut down on ebay sales and improve overall happiness.
15crown00
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.
that would b 11 year ago
Ghost of Tom Joad
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 5:21 p.m.
note to the creepers of the world. This event is mainly for little kids who are still young enough to look up to 18-22 year-olds. How about we not see a run of signed memorabilia suddenly show up for sale online immediately after the event this year?
Corrington
Wed, Aug 1, 2012 : 12:29 p.m.
Couldn't agree more. This should be a children's event and not something marketed towards creepy middle-aged men in need of eBay profits or decor for their basement walls.
Ghost of Tom Joad
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.
that's terrible smokeblwr. Aside from it being just rude (who doesn't let little kids have cuts in these situations? it's like fighting for a foul ball in the stands with a kid), one has to wonder about the mental development of these "adults" who idolize kids young enough to be their children (or, even sometimes grandchildren). something is not right in their head.
smokeblwr
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 7:06 p.m.
Second dat. My kid couldn't get an autograph last year because of all the weird middle-aged men crowding him out at every turn.
smokeblwr
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 5:10 p.m.
Why don't they just let us get personal tweets from the players and coaches, then we wouldn't have to wait in line.
smokeblwr
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 7:05 p.m.
I'll never tell!
Nick Baumgardner
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 : 5:37 p.m.
Ha, clever, smokeblwr! I'd almost bet some fans out there would value that as much as an actual autograph. Great outside the box thinking. And if you're being sarcastic, then well done there also! Nick