Following the Michigan Wolverines’ recent win against the Western Michigan Broncos, I think virtually every University of Michigan student, myself included, felt struck with a wave of relief. Western Michigan is a Mid Atlantic Conference (MAC) team, not a Big 10 “powerhouse.” This game was supposed to be a blowout, and yet we only won by a single point. I remember seeing the final score online since I wasn’t at the game, and feeling, admittedly, a little embarrassed. Across campus, however, there was a shared notion that, although our victory was unimpressive, at least we didn’t lose. Little did we know, the same win we were celebrating would turn out to be equally, if not more, detrimental to our school’s image.
The infamous “Michigan vs. Western” game caught the attention of college sports fans nationwide. Social media was flooded with disputes over Michigan’s last-minute Hail-Mary. Many believed that when quarterback Bryce Underwood threw an incomplete pass into the end zone, the game should have been called. However, referees claimed that there was still a second on the clock, allowing for one final attempt and Michigan’s controversial win. Essentially, critics believe that we were given an unfair advantage. The legitimacy of these claims is debatable, but regardless, the overnight outrage painted our institution in a rather unfavourable light.Â
While the controversial outcome of a single game may not typically spark discourse on such a large scale, the University of Michigan is a historically polarising school. While Michigan fans band together to form one of the strongest alumni networks in the country and maintain a sense of unwavering love for the Wolverines, there seems to be an equally forceful collective that is determined to root against us.Â
Why is Michigan so divisive? Well, this would not be the first time the Wolverines have been involved in a large-scale athletic dispute. Just three years ago, our National Football Championship was subject to scrutiny following claims that coaches were scouting other teams’ plays and strategically constructing their 2021-2023 team with “an immense amount of NFL talent,” as Sports Illustrated called it. These allegations launched investigations and lawsuits that ended up costing the school around 30 million dollars. But beyond that, our victories and reputation became tainted.
Last December, our head coach Sheronne Moore was fired for inappropriate relations with a subordinate, once again bringing Michigan Athletics to the forefront of national sports news and further reinforcing the stereotype of corruption and greed that now haunts our legacy.Â
But it doesn’t end at athletics. Along with cheating, as a student, I’ve seen that there seems to be an idea that when you commit to the University of Michigan, you adopt a uniquely insufferable superiority complex. It is commonly accepted that Michigan students and alumni are pretentious, entitled snobs. Where this comes from is a question I often ask when scrolling through online hate directed towards the school I love. While I’m sure anyone who has attended this institution can admit that a touch of academic elitism is unavoidable at an academically rigorous school, the villainization we receive is a bit harsh. Regardless, it plays a critical role in amplifying the hate we are subjected to.
Ironically, I do find myself agreeing with a lot of the takes I see online, and I am not alone. Many students here believe Western was robbed, and most do not claim the poor choices made by our the Wolverine’s leadership. If I ignored the maize and blue that runs through my veins, maybe I too would see our student body as a tad bit elitist. I think I speak for all Michigan students when I say that I hope to one day fall back into America’s good graces—but to do so requires holding our programs more accountable. Until then, understanding where the hostility we receive is coming from makes it much easier to face. If you, as a Michigan student, find yourself wondering why it feels, at times, like it really is “Michigan vs. Everybody”, perhaps this brief history of our school’s most questionable moments can give you some much needed insight.