17
MICHIGAN VS. OHIO STATE AT THE BIG HOUSE
Where?
Michigan Stadium, a.k.a. “The Big House”
South Main Street and East Stadium
Boulevard
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
When?
Every other year at Michigan.
Significance:
From 1897 to 1919, the University of Michigan dominated Ohio State University in their annual matchup, planting the seeds for a century-long college football rivalry. The two college powerhouses choose the last game of the regular college football season to compete. Many times, the Big Ten championship and an invitation to the Rose Bowl are on the line, but winning is also about pride and bragging rights for the Wolverine and Buckeye faithful. While the feud is considered one of the greatest of all time (ESPN ranks it first), “Ohio State/Michigan Week” takes a charitable turn with blood donations to the Red Cross and collections for local food banks. Since 1927, Michigan Stadium, nicknamed “The Big House,” has hosted the big game and consistent sellout every other year. Well over 100,000 Wolverine and Buckeye students, alums, and fans are in attendance. Many times, the size of the crowd matches the population of Ann Arbor.
Who attends?
This one is all Wolverine and Buckeye fans as it’s hard to find any of them giving up their tickets.
Tickets:
For secondary ticket access, consider:
GoTickets, Inc.
2345 Waukegan Road, Suite 140
Bannockburn, IL 60015-1552
Toll-Free: 1-800-775-1617
Fax: (919) 481-9101
E-mail: sales@gotickets.com
www.gotickets.com
Note: If tickets are bought from students, those students need to make sure they are validated at the ticket office before 5:00 P.M. on the Friday before the game. A Student ID is needed to enter with an unvalidated student ticket. Your best bet is the secondary market, as this game is always sold out.
Accommodations:
The Bell Tower
Note: Located on campus near State Street. A ten-minute walk to “The Big House.”
The Campus Inn
Note: This is the hotel where the football team is known to stay before games, so it may be a challenge to get a room on the weekend of the event. Roughly a ten-minute walk to the stadium.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
Note: Five-minute drive to the campus and stadium, not accounting for the heavy traffic on game day.
Travel Packages:
If you are going to travel to this event, I would recommend using a reliable company to work with you on making the necessary arrangements. The suppliers listed in this book have solid references and are by far the most trusted in the business. Below are some of the organizations to try for this Top 100 Must See Sporting Event.
Premiere Corporate Events
14 Penn Plaza, Suite 925
New York, NY 10122
Phone: (212) 695-9480
Fax: (212) 564-8098
Toll-Free: 1-877-621-5243
E-mail: requests@tseworld.com
www.tseworld.comwww.pcevents.com
Premiere Sports Travel
201 Shannon Oaks Circle, Suite 205
Cary, NC 27511
Phone: (919) 481-9511
Fax: (919) 481-1337
Toll-Free: 1-800-924-9993
E-mail: sales@sportstravel.com
www.sportstravel.com
Premiere College Sports (Powered by Dodd’s Athletic Tours), official travel partner for Ohio State University
Dining:
The West End Grill
120 West Liberty
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: (734) 747-6260
Note: Make reservations in advance to dine at this very small, locally-run restaurant. The cost for entrées are on the high side, but worth the extra money.
Zingerman’s Delicatessen
Note: Long lines will greet you, but massive sandwiches await those who are patient. You’ll also have the time to choose a sandwich out of the sixty-seven combinations offered.
Afternoon Delight
Note: Homemade muffins (warmed and topped with soft-serve yogurt) and omelets are but two of the many breakfast offerings.
The Gandy Dancer
401 Depot Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: (734) 769-0592
Note: This local favorite of former Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr provides excellent seafood, steaks, and pasta along with the biggest and best Sunday brunch in town.
Pizza Bobs
Note: Yes, you can get pizza, but those who have a sweet tooth can enjoy extra thick milk-shakes. Over ten flavors to choose from.
Airports:
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Willow Run Airport (for corporate and private jet use)
Sports Travel Insider’s Edge:
Best way to watch the action:
For a fully immersive experience, sit in the student section. Actually, sitting is not an option as they tend to stand for the entire game. The top row will provide a great view of the game. If you sit too low you will most likely be staring at the back of someone’s head instead of the game.
Best place to get up close:
A chilly walk up and down State Street or attending a team pep rally the night before the game allows you to see the players and coaches gearing up for “the game.”
Best travel tip:
Parking in Ann Arbor comes at a premium, so scope out a willing college student on State Street for the cheapest spot. You can park in the main athletic campus parking lot, but good luck getting out after the game.
Notable Quotes:
“The Ohio State-Michigan game is always the biggest game. It doesn’t matter what the records are or what’s on the table for the outcome. The fact that it’s 1 vs. 2, we think that’s the way it should be.”—JIM TRESSEL, Ohio State football coach
“When Ohio Stadium opened in 1922, Michigan spoiled the party with a 22-0 victory. The rivalry was heated in the early days as both have been long-time college football powers. But it got even hotter in 1969, when Bo Schembechler took over as Michigan’s coach and upset Woody Hayes’ No. 1-ranked, undefeated Buckeyes. Four times in the next six years, both teams were ranked in the top five when they met. In 1970 and 1973, both were undefeated (they tied 10-10 in ’73). From 1970 through 1975, Michigan entered without a loss every year. The Wolverines won just once. Ohio State was 9-0-1 in 1993, 11-0 in 1995, and 10-0 in 1996. The Buckeyes lost each time.
That is rivalry.”—
ESPN.com
“The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry can be traced back to the earliest days of college football. A simple look at the rotunda at Ohio Stadium reveals the age of the rivalry. In 1922, the doors to Ohio Field opened, but it was not until the third game, against Michigan, that the stadium was dedicated.”—MIKE FURLAN, Author of The Five Greatest Traditions of Ohio State
“As the story goes, the flowers adorning the top of the rotunda were to be painted in the colors of the school that won the dedication game. To this day the flowers bear the very same urine color as a Michigan helmet, for the Buckeyes fell in defeat to Michigan 19-0.”—MIKE FURLAN
“(Woody) Hayes supposedly could not bring himself to speak the name of “that school up north” and (Bo) Schembechler, who played for Hayes at Miami of Ohio and was an Ohio State assistant coach, savored nothing more than putting it to his old mentor.”—Excerpt from bentley.
umich.edu
Relevant Websites: