Green vs. Maize n' Blue

I've been going through a "sports interest" rennaisance of sorts this year. When I moved to Cali back in '95 I more or less lost all interest. It's only fitting given the state of sports tradition and interest out west, which could be described as fickle at best (with a few notable exceptions such as USC & The Giants). These last few years in Chattanooga, in the bosom of the SEC, my old loyalties have found new life and sustenance.

Now, I'm not meaning to confess that I have any kindof active relationship with sports, like actually playing them. The most effort you'll see outta me is my incredible double shuffle to the outside wingman scoop shot in foozeball. But the old staples of my youth are back like an old friend long gone, nearly forgotten but still desperately missed. None of them though, from the Redwings making a run for the cup or the Tigers barely making .500 (not this year of course), compare to the thrill of the Michigan / Michigan State game.

I could spend my time talking about their storied and glorious rivalry, how 'round this time every year the state of Michigan paints itself, right down the middle, in the eerie division of rich green on one side, and the maize n' blue on the other. Maybe I'll leave it right there though.

'Cause maybe their colors say it all.

Whenever the Spartan take the field or court I feel like I'm watching the athletic avatars of the midwest; simple, straightforward, utilitarian, effective, pure. Here's our answer to the Hoosiers. They don't want glory, they just want to work and win.

But I'm a Wolverines fan. Not really sure why. My father's a fan, though I don't know why he is either. The only reason I ever got from my dad was that "wolverines are persistent, fearly creatures that attack animals 10 times their size." Looking back, I think it's important to note my father is 5' 5".

But my first distinctive memory of that soaring maize n' blue was when Michigan won their only NCAA tournament championship in 1989, lead by Glen Rice. I was nine. I remember sitting in my living room with my father, drinking cool-aid and eating ruffled sour-cream and onion potato chips. When they won both my father and I lept around our shag carpeted living room like a buncha hooligans. I still don't like Seton Hall. Years later I wept twice when the fab five freshman and sophmores lost the championship game, twice. I suppose it was only fitting that in 95' I followed Chris Webber out to Sacramento. He may have made what is now one of the most infamous and heartbreaking mistakes in college basketball history, but hey, he was just a kid, and I still wanted to be him.

But I'm off the subject. This Saturday, at noon, the Wolverine Maize n' Blue meets Spartan Green for the 94th time. I'll be at Taco Mac, third bar seat from the right. The local networks will undoubtably be playing SEC games (and rightly so), or the Oklahoma State upset of Oklahoma (pray). Look for the big guy, with the shaggy curly hair and the bright gold vest. I'll probably have a diet coke. Do showup. It'll be a great, great game regardless of the outcome.

Josiah Q. Roe | By Josiah Roe | 12:39 PM

Comments

Posted by: mesh at October 30, 2003 12:54 PM

Posted by: steele at October 30, 2003 08:09 PM

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