I did not graduate from the University of Michigan. All of you Michigan fans that did not attend the school, you’ve undoubtedly had that argument thrown in your face at one point in time so you can most definitely relate to why I chose to acknowledge that.
Okay, now that that’s out there I will tell you I have deep ties from my childhood that made me a fan of not only the University, but especially the greatest football program in the country. My dad and mom moved here from Auburn Alabama when I was 2 years old. They moved to Ann Arbor to start a church (a campus ministry) solely because of the University. (Thank God for that or I probably would have ended up a fan of that conference down there which I despise). My dad, Michael Caulk, would go out every day, for ten years, to the Diag and open air preach to the students as they passed through during the day. Through the years I have repeatedly met people that are astonished that I’m “Preacher Mike’s” daughter as this was a tradition that became part of the University’s campus culture. Every day my brother and I would go with dad and play on campus, listen, talk to the students and made friends with the staff in the library located directly across from the Diag. It was a very large part of who I was and also helped mold me into what I am today….I am many things, but for the purpose of this blog, I am one hell of a Michigan fan. It was embedded in me from the time I was a little girl.
Having come from the South it would take a while for my parents to catch the bug, but I was hooked right away. Mom and Dad swore to their families on the way out of the South (especially Mom who attended an SEC school) that they wouldn’t become fans of “the team with the ugliest helmets in college football”………but that promise was soon vanquished.
After attending my first game in “The Big House” I knew I wanted to know all that I could about this game of football. My father would line up vitamins every morning at breakfast to teach me plays, offensive and defensive positions and how to predict what was coming next. The more I learned, the more I loved. He was a football coach and my 3 brother’s were also football players so it was a very integrated part of our home life. However, Dad never could have predicted his little girl would become as enamored with the game as I did. If you would have told him that I would be the most rabid of my siblings as an adult, I don’t know if he would have believed you.
It’s easy to see why that became the case though…..
Bo, Woody, Big 10 titles, Rose Bowls…every season before the opener it was as exciting to me if not more so, than Christmas morning. I remember asking my dad “Why do you yell at the television for Bo to not run the prevent defense”. “Because Christa, it prevents the win”. More often than not, he was right (or at least that’s how I remember it). I would go to bed heartbroken and literally in tears if Michigan lost. The next morning, I would be excited again waiting for our next game to avenge the previous one.
I was in the end zone when Kordell Stewart threw the Hail Mary. I, as so many others, remember the feeling of utter disbelief when all I could hear over the PA was “I cannot believe it”. I’ll never forget the sheer excitement as Desmond Howard ran a punt return back against that school down south (we will never say their name here), in 1991 then struck “the pose” or when Woodson repeated in 1996. Remember the electricity in the stadium when we all witnessed “the catch” against those damn Irish? How about one second left on the clock vs. an unbeaten Penn State when Chad Henne hit “Super Mario Manningham” with a bullet making his freshman debut. Let’s not forget the triple overtime Braylon Edwards comeback vs. Michigan State (and for shits and giggles let’s also recall the following year when Sir. Manningham pulled the same stunt reminding Michigan State that they will forever be the little brother). From the heartbreaking loss to App State that set a title wave off through the college football world to a Grand Finale win against Florida in Coach Carr’s last game that (95% of this country said was not possible), I remember and have watched it all. As you Michigan fans know, being one of us can be one hell of a ride.
Some people have blatantly said “Christa you’re such an arrogant Michigan fan”. (I’m sure you’ve heard this also). To those of you who say we Michigan fans are arrogant I respond simply with “We should be!”
I walk with my head held high, proud that we have the biggest stadium in the country, proud that we own the greatest fight song in the country, proud that we wear those winged helmets with the dazzling colors of Maize and Blue, so that every eye on Saturday knows who’s on the field. I’m proud of the tradition, the philosophy, and the standard of excellence and proud to be a fan of the Winningest Program in College Football History. (I don’t care if spell check says winningest is not a word……we have to make up words to explain our excellence)
I have wanted to write my thoughts down for years to share with other fans alike. (I don’t care if you went there or not, you are free to voice and share all opinions here with no judgment from me). As we embark upon a new era with a new head coach in Brady Hoke who envelopes all that Michigan stands for as laid down by the great Bo Schembechler; I thought it would be a good time to share my passion with friends and fans alike.
“Those who Stay Will Be Champions”
Welcome to my blog, and always and forever….Go Blue!
