Vandalism of block 'M' at Michigan Stadium being investigated
University officials continue to investigate a vandalism incident at Michigan Stadium, in which part of the block "M" at the 50-yard line was removed.
Officials are unsure of how the vandalism took place, but believe it occurred sometime late Saturday or during the day Sunday, according to Diane Brown, spokeswoman for the university's department of public safety.
Investigators do not know how someone got into the stadium, which remains under construction as part of an ongoing $226 million renovation project.
Facility manager Chris Ehman said a 6-foot by 8-inch chunk of field turf near one of the edges of the Block M was removed, causing $1,500 to $2,000 in damage between the replacement turf and the man hours to complete the work. The vandalism was first noticed by a stadium construction worker Monday.
Associate athletic director Bruce Madej said the repairs would be made by Michigan's spring football game April 17.
AnnArbor.com staffer Erica Hobbs contributed to this report. Jeff Arnold covers sports for AnnArbor.com and can be reached at (734) 623-2554 or by e-mail at jeffarnold@annarbor.com.
Comments
Terry Star21
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 : 8:46 p.m.
AAbob43... that is a very valid point, athletes from UM and Pioneer, and even some of us (although I never quite made it to the top on a run) used this during daylight hours... that might not be possible again. One of the highlights of a trip to Ann Arbor from out of towner's was to stop by and walk inside... to many first time visitors, this was like walking up to the edge of the Grand Canyon! Big House Grand Canyon - what a site......... Turf Thief's Stadium - Crater Dump
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 : 5:15 p.m.
I bet all it would take is about $200 of beer money as a reward for whoever turns in the jerks who did this.
15crown00
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 : 11:30 a.m.
suppose it's some people that Richy Roddy cheated in a business deal.Or maybe RR did it himself to draw attention to his WORLD CLASS PROGRAM at least the one that USED TO BE.
AAbob43
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 : 9:48 a.m.
Prior to the most recent "big box" construction on the stadium, the facility was routinely open during the day. It was a treat to come in and run stadium stairs. I hope that tradition continues.
OSUbeBeter
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 : 8:04 a.m.
I am against this outrageous act!! Michigan is the best, as is our king and the best turf in all of footballdom.
bluemax79
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 : 7:19 a.m.
Stefanie Murray AnnArbor.com Staff (Flag this Post) Posted 9 hours ago that was either a very large piece of turf or a very overpriced piece of turf seriously? you DID read the story right? it said $1,000 damage, not a $1,000 pc of turf. do you think they just cut off a pc. from somewhere else and plop it down? it is a CARPET and needs to be FIXED and you have to pay someone to fix it. really surprising that the stadium was left unlocked by the construction crew over the weekend and disturbing. someone needs to get fired over this.
aes
Wed, Mar 31, 2010 : 6:32 a.m.
There are security cameras all over the Stadium. They should have been turned on!
Terry Star21
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 10:46 p.m.
Yes, as our Spring Practice Game, Mott's and the barbeque approach there is a tenseness in the air... someone wants to disrupt this game. There are UM fans that, yes do try to get a piece of history from America's favorite team. My little brother did something like this once, stole a semi truck in Ohio and drove it back home to East Lansing. He got caught though, trying to sell it, kind of doubt we will catch this thief. I don't think the King's men want to blame others, but looking at some commenters here.......hmmmmmm! UM FB Spring Game - 112,000 50 Yard Sod Piece - replaced
UM-Chris-13
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 10:41 p.m.
I walked by on Saturday morning and the gates were wide open. I would have considered getting closer to the Big House, but I was in a hurry. There were construction workers there, so it's not like no one was home, but they were doing work on the facade that borders Main, so it's entirely possible no one was paying much attention to the inside of the Stadium... What a shame.
mgobluegold
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 9:26 p.m.
This is a very horrible thing, remember when OSU players tore down our Victor's banner years ago. Terry Star21, you sir are tops.. I like your comments with a touch of humor. Forget about the fake guy, using your picture and 'Terey Star21' fake name... it'd happened before and the sportswriter pulled it. The guys IQ was -00003, same guy no doubt, real loser.
icegoalie
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 9:17 p.m.
I second the comment by "Heresmine"... I went for a run Saturday am by the stadium and both the North and South gates were wide open for anyone to enter.
pithesis95
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 8:42 p.m.
This cracks me up. People making up profiles to try to ruin others names. That is why I love reading these. It's like a soap opera. Rock On you commenting nuts. Seriously though this year will be better. Based on no fact at all. Just my opinion. Trolls are annoying. I never give my opinion in their articles. I would think the same courtesy is in order for grown adults. Hope no one makes a fake profile of me now. Man, should I hit submit or no, I mean I just like reading, don't want somebody hijacking my name. hahahahahahahahha runon. GO BLUE FOREVER NO MATTER WHO THE COACH IS.
leathercouch
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 8:05 p.m.
hmmm oh well...not a big deal. i bet it was one of the "unnamed sources" in the "practices were too hard" case just trying to throw 1 more jab at michigan.
OSUbeBetter
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 6:49 p.m.
Maybe it was an idoit who wanted some michigan stadium "Grass" in their own front lawn, haha, in that case it should be an easy crime to solve. just drive around and look for the lawn with a chunk of green yellow and blue field turf in the middle.
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 6:12 p.m.
Personally, I blame the militias.
trigg7
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 5:18 p.m.
Maybe thet were trying to add a V under it.
aareader
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 4:50 p.m.
There are signs all over the place stating the stadium is under camera surveillance. Why not take a look the video files. It may give a clue who was in the area... or are those signs fake?
breadman
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 4:49 p.m.
Did it say "Go Blue"
Yelmonian
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 4:27 p.m.
We know it wasn't MSU fans... they were busy watching MSU go to another final four!
krc
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 4:22 p.m.
And the point of the vandalism was what? Did they turn the M into something recognizable? Idiots.
heresmine
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 4:11 p.m.
Umm, "...do not know how someone got into the stadium,..." I drove by there on Sunday and the stadium gate that you would drive through was wide open.
Mumbambu, Esq.
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 3:48 p.m.
The above comment is very relevant to the story!
NoBowl4Blue
Tue, Mar 30, 2010 : 3:45 p.m.
Could be those who call RR king and then they will blame MSU or OSU for it. Ah yes the"king" brings out the best in people. His record speaks for itself.