Reunited

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​An otherwise subdued afternoon at Fraser's Pub turned raucous as the UMTailgate.com crew arrived in droves to eat, drink, and reminisce. The winter meetings were held, and after inebriated deliberation, the 2007 themes were decided. A brief recap follows... 

  • Captain Michigan told Frank (The Webmaster) to "kiss his ass"

  • Shep will organize the first annual UMTailgate.com golf outing. It will be held in Coldwater, Michigan. Details to follow.

  • Dennis "The Godfather" Moore failed to bring his mug to a UMTailgate.com event for the first time in history.

  • Captain Michigan requested that Lisa choke on her nacho so that he may administer mouth-to-mouth.

  • Captain Michigan will turn 60 at this year's Ohio State game.

  • Gar from Garsworld has issued an RV challenge for the @ Illinois tailgate and game.

Themes will be as follows:

  • 9/1 Appalachian State: The Luau

  • 9/8 Oregon : Flip the Bird - A tailgate filled with middle fingers and culinary delights from the world of poultry. Fried turkeys may be a possibility.

  • 9/15 Notre Dame : Irish Fayre - Corned beef, cabbage, Sheppard's Pie, and the like

  • 9/22 Penn State : The UMTailgate.com Carnival - Elephant ears, corn dogs, popcorn, dogs, nachos, cheesesteaks, and maybe a couple of midgets

  • 9/29 At Northwestern : TBD

  • 10/6 Eastern Michigan : The Urban Tailgate - A classic theme filled with soul food and 40's

  • 10/13 Purdue : The Mardi Gras theme reappears for the Webmaster's 100th game.

  • 10/20 At Illinois : The dueling Winnebagos

  • 10/27 Minnesota : Soups and Stews precludes the possible year end banquet date

  • 11/3 At Michigan State : TBD

  • 11/10 At Wisconsin : TBD

  • 11/17 Ohio State : "South of the Border" theme with bloody marys. In honor of Captain Michigan's birthday, it has been requested that we all dress like Rubly.

Detailed minutes will be available soon.

Thanks to all that came out. It was no doubt our largest reunion ever!

Get Together

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​We're just a little over 5 months fromASU...no, not that ASU...and just under three months removed from bowing once again to USC. So, it's time to bring the whole tailgating team together for the annual reunion, where we catch up on any big news (like news the Godfather didn't call me about), make theme plans for the upcoming season, and drink ourselves blind while watching the Final Four. Sound good to you? Then we'll see you Saturday at 2:00pm as we take over Fraser's Pub for the day...and perhaps night. And if you like the place, apparentlyit's for sale.

See you there.

That Patrick Is No Saint

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​Once again, a rouge group of UMTailgaters made their way to Conor Oneill's for a full day of festivities. A 7:05am arrival left us table-less, but after throwing around some cash, we invaded the table of a few youngsters that had gotten in line at 4:30am. We almost felt guilty that we had sauntered in the back door with our passes avoiding the two-block long line out front...almost.

It wasn't, for me at least, the same level of debauchery as the previous year, but some members of our group did make it through the entire 19 hour marathon. Let me tell you, the elusive 7am to 2am bar run is quite the accomplishment, and it leaves you swearing you'll never do it again. But, a year passes between St. Patrick's Days, and sometimes you forget. Thankfully, I did not, checking out at the 13 hour mark with my pair of bloodshot eyes.

The constant flow of Guinness bordered on the embarrassing, and the Irish culinary delights seemed to arrive plate after plate. While the food was great, it didn't quite keep me from my urge to move to Sauget, Illinois. Somebody get FryDaddy on the horn.

Of course, the groundbreaking news that we were all waiting for was passed to me in the men's room, and that made the day so much sweeter.

Thanks to all that made their way out. I will never do it can't wait to do it again next year.

Pictures are available here.

And just to keep you grounded, don't miss this important Spring Practice Report from our first foe in the fall. Reunion in 11 days...March 31...mark your calendar!

The Sweet Sixteen

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​Typically by Thursday evening on the first day of the NCAA Tournament some genius (sometimes several) have already lost their champion. It took until Saturday this year, easily the longest I've had to wait to poke fun at the tournament pool's first casualty. So here's to you, guy that picked Maryland...we appreciate you and your donation.

Sunday claimed 8 more prognosticators through the elimination of Texas and Wisconsin. In the future, refrain from picking teams that have lost to Michigan State (like Texas). Yes, the same Michigan State that is considered some kind of basketball powerhouse and yet is 1-2 in the NCAA tournament in the last 2 years, and has just one National Championship in the last 27 years. As for Wisconsin, well, they're in the Big Ten, a conference that managed to keep just one team in the tournament through the first weekend.

With the field dwindling, it may be best to look at both the "current standings" and the "projected standings" to get a better idea of where you sit in the pool.

It's a Celebration Bitches: Tommy Amaker Fired

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​Unexpected. Unbelievable. Spectacular.

With the funk and feeling of a disappointing season still palpable, and a stinging lack of hope for the future looming, athletic director Bill Martin sacked up and pulled the trigger, firing men's basketball coach Tommy Amaker today. Bill said:

"This is the toughest decision I've had to make since I've been athletic director."

Considering his previous difficult decisions were deciding to continue to have Lloyd Carr as the football coach, Red Berenson as the hockey coach, and picking which home football games will be given "Maize Out" status, that's not really saying much. Joking aside, kudos to Billy for doing what we all knew was necessary, if not overdue. Now just get the facilities in order Mr. Martin, and we'll be all set for a true rebuilding year.

Oh, and now that he's gone, I never trusted that Duke-loving, mock-turtle-neck-wearing, no-talent-developing dork.

Roundup here: