Since 1962
The GO BLUE Banner
Before every game at the Big House, the team runs from the tunnel and leaps to touch the banner reading GO BLUE · M CLUB SUPPORTS YOU.
T
BLUE PRINT
Traditions
147 years of what makes Michigan, Michigan.
Michigan Stadium
The Big House
Coined “The Big House” by legendary ABC Sports broadcaster Keith Jackson, Michigan Stadium opened in 1927. Its current capacity of 107,601 makes it the largest stadium in North America and the third largest in the world.
Michigan has drawn more than 100,000 fans for 329 straight home football games. The last time it did not was Oct. 25, 1975 vs. Indiana.
Honoring Fritz Crisler
The Extra Seat: “01”
The capacity of Michigan Stadium began ending with the digits “01” in 1956, following a renovation and addition of a new press box. The extra seat was created in honor of Fritz Crisler, the athletic director at the time and the former football coach (1938-47), regarded as the father of two-platoon football.
101,001 (1956) · 101,701 (1973) · 102,501 (1992) · 107,501 (1998) · 102,601 (2008) · 109,901 (2010) · 107,601 (2015)
Since 1938
The Winged Helmet
College football’s most well-known helmet dates to 1938 when head coach Fritz Crisler arrived from Princeton University with a penchant for detail and style.
“Michigan had a plain black helmet and we wanted to dress it up a little. We added some color (maize and blue) and used the same basic helmet I had designed at Princeton.” — Fritz Crisler
Crisler thought this unique design would help his passers spot their receivers down field. He was right on target: during the 1937 to 1938 seasons, Michigan nearly doubled its passing yards, cut its interceptions almost in half, and improved its completion percentage.
Game Day
Every Saturday in Ann Arbor
Since 1898
The Victors
Written by music student Louis Elbel after a 12-11 win over Chicago. John Philip Sousa called it the “best college march ever written.”
Since 1896
Michigan Marching Band
By fall 1898, the band’s presence at football games had become integral to Michigan tradition.
Rivalry Trophies
Played For, Not Given
Minnesota · 1909
Little Brown Jug
The oldest trophy game in FBS college football, born from a 30-cent water jug left behind in 1903. Michigan leads the Jug series 74-23-2.
Michigan State · 1953
Paul Bunyan Trophy
A four-foot wooden statue donated by Governor G. Mennen Williams. Michigan leads 42-29-2 and dresses Paul in a Block M hat and maize pants.
Northwestern · 2021
George Jewett Trophy
The first FBS rivalry trophy named for an African American player. Michigan is 3-0 in Jewett Trophy games.
Ohio State · 1897
“The Game”
The greatest rivalry in all of sports. Michigan leads the all-time series 62-53-6.