Michigan Traditions

In the next year you will probably learn more about this University than all the student lead tours in the world will teach you. Here is a little guide to Michigan's rich traditions. Sports: First off, get football tickets. Football is everything on Saturdays here. We are also used to having a winning football team (fingers crossed there). To be honest, athletics are a big deal here. Whether it is football, hockey, or basketball, Michigan is known for winning teams and rowdy fans. Join in the cheers, wear maize and blue and enjoy. If they don't win, get indignant. If Rich Rod loses to State and OSU again, get pitchforks and torches. If football season totally doesn't live up to your expectations, get either hockey or basketball tickets. While Michigan's hockey team is consistently good (and the student section consistently profane), last year's basketball team went farther than usual. Maybe there's a Final Four berth in our future? Michigan Men: You will probably hear this a lot, and it represents those men, who best represent the tradition of excellence in any field that we aspire to. They are scientists and lawyers, coaches and players, activists and alumni who have given the university the reputation and prestige that it enjoys today. Much of this praise, however, will fall upon athletics especially the trinity of Michigan football: Fielding Yost, Fritz Crisler, and Bo Schembechler. These three men made Michigan football the "winningest" (which I'm pretty sure isn't a word) program in college football, which is why we love them so much. Diversity: We rip on the University a lot over pushing the idea of diversity on campus, before it was official policy, Michigan opened its doors to women and minorities at a very early period. The first African American student was admitted in 1853, the first woman in 1872. Student Activism: For the better part of the last half century, Michigan students have been actively campaigning for causes they believe in. Especially during the 1960s, student protests have been commonplace here at the University. The problem is that no matter what they're protesting, no one cares. They end up being just another group handing out fliers on the Diag to avoid. Pro tip: If you put on headphones, no one will ever bother you or try to give you a flier. No music necessary. Arrogance: Many people think that Michigan students have an undeserved arrogance about them, but they fail to see either how good Michigan is or how much their school isn't. Yes, it's not Harvard or Yale, but I'm pretty sure you have to sell your soul, kill someone, or buy your way into any of the Ivies anyway. At Michigan, we are the leaders and best because we choose the best people, not based on class standing, money or influence. We choose the most dynamic people for the university with arguably the most dynamic experience. We combine Ivy League academics with the ability to interact with the real world and get into the thick of it with more clubs, internships and opportunities than any stuffy Ivy. So go ahead, tell your friend who goes to Harvard that he goes to the second best university in America, and know you are right.

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