Michigan Football Tailgating

Michigan Football tailgating is a tradition among fans of the Wolverines program. Nothing beats gathering together with fellow U of M fans outside of Michigan Stadium hours before kickoff, sharing stories, having a few cold ones and grilling up some of the finest choice cuts of meat found in the state. Some fans toss the pigskin around, some crank up radio pregame shows or music, and some -- well, some just do their own thing. Regardless, a good time is had by all. Of course, Michigan tailgating isn't just about football, its about kinship and tradition as well, and there are many different stories on record of interesting events that occur during these pregame parties. According to Jennifer Yachnin, a reporter for The Michigan Daily who covered the topic in 1997, "Tailgating memories run the gamut: from wedding proposals to naked shenanigans to alumni reunions."

The Legends of Michigan Football Tailgating

Of course, Michigan football tailgating isn't limited just to the parking lot before a game. It can happen anywhere, even on golf courses, and Yachnin reported. And there are some wild and crazy stories that the Wolverine faithful can share -- some of which are appropriate for this website, some which certainly would not be; some of which they did, some of which they witnessed, and some of which was simply passed down from one person to another. Fraternities, sororities, alumni groups, fans, friends and family all get together on game day and celebrate the spectacle that is Michigan football. "Football at Michigan is not just a game that kicks off at 12:30 and ends at 3:30," Senior Associate Athletic Director Keith Molin told Yachnin back in 1997. "It's a Saturday in Ann Arbor, or a weekend. There are reunions and memories. We've been playing football since 1879. That's 118 years that traditions have been established. Each year adds to the lure of Michigan football. It is intricately linked to the University's history."