Why am I such a big Michigan fan? 

It started in the early 90's when Michigan and Notre Dame played some great games as rivals. I always watched those games, mostly for love of football. In 1990, Notre Dame came from behind to win 28-21 with 1:40 left in the game to cap a 4th quarter rally. In 1991, Elvis Grbac and Rick Mirer went at it again, this time resulting in a 24-14 Michigan win.

I decided that I needed to align myself with one of these teams, and Michigan became my team. I love their steep tradition, powerful history, and maize and blue uniforms. Not that Notre Dame is missing any of these qualities- ok they don't have the maize and blue!

Does it help that I married into a HUGE Notre Dame family?! Are you kidding? It makes these games even better.

Sort of as a gag, I place my name on the season ticket list each year. In 2000, I happened to note the date that tickets went on sale to the general public. I called the ticket office that day, and after about 20 minutes, someone answered!

"How many tickets do I want? How about 107, 501!"

I couldn't believe I was 3 getting tickets (Courtney can now say that she has seen a Michigan game at Michigan Stadium). Forget the fact that I now had to arrange a trip 600 miles away- my family was going to see a Michigan home football game!

So, during Labor Day weekend, 2000, we made our way out to the Midwest. A nice stopover in Akron, Ohio left us close enough to spend the day at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. What a place!

Saturday September 2, 2002 was a beautiful day (in more ways than one!). We got on a shuttle bus from our hotel which dropped us off right at the Stadium. I've never seen so many fans proud of their school. I would estimate that 90% of the people there were wearing Michigan gear of some kind.

Our seats were incredible. We were around midfield, 11 rows back! Someone was watching over us that day! Bowling Green didn't prove much of an opponent, but Michigan needed the home opener to stretch its legs and get off to a good start. (They won.)

I've seen a lot of sports in my life, but this weekend was the best one ever!

Our seats

UM Stadium

Why is Rich Eisen of ESPN such a big Michigan fan?

Well, for one, he went to school there. Click here to find out more.

And what's the story with David Parry?

Click here to read a letter I sent to David Parry, Coordinator of Officials for Football in the Big Ten Conference, after a terribly-officiated game, in which Michigan lost to Northwestern in 2000. (For you football fans, this is the man that does the "You make the call" commercials). He called me personally to discuss this and his comments are included