25 best college football fan atmospheres
By Nick Villano
4. Michigan Wolverines
Say what you will about Michigan on the field over the last decade, off the field they are a championship-level college experience. Ann Arbor is a college town in the traditional sense. The entire city is built around the Wolverines. Most of the residents work for the university, and Saturdays are all about the Maize and Blue.
There are so many great traditions tied to Michigan football. The marching band’s iconic song “The Victors” might be the most famous fight song in college sports. It’s played a lot on game days. They play pregame, halftime, and even put on a postgame show for the crowd. The band is working overtime for the love of the game.
How’s tailgating on a golf course sound? Michigan’s best tailgating spot for those who haven’t been is the UM golf course or The Ann Arbor Golf & Outing Club, both sit just south of the stadium. It’s a unique experience that is a must for visitors to the campus.
The Big House might be an architectural anomaly. It seats more than 107,000 people, but the views of the field are great in just about every seat. The builders were able to put the stadium together without any pillars, so there are no blocked sightlines. There is plenty of handicapped-accessible seating, and the stands are friendly to just about every possible Michigan fan.
Fans of the Wolverines remain hopeful despite years of devastating losses. Under Jim Harbaugh, Michigan has been a top-10 team multiple times, but they’ve never made it all the way. Despite that, the fans cheer for every score and beguile every miscue like the entire season is on the line. That passion comes through for each and every Ann Arbor game day.