Michigan football fans wishing to watch the season-opener away game versus Notre Dame next fall may not need to switch on their television sets or grab a suitcase and head to South Bend.
In fact, all they will likely need to do is walk to the Big House.
Plans are underway to use the four new instant replay boards to show away games, beginning with September 5's rivalry with the Fighting Irish.
"The plan spawned from the idea that the scoreboards are a huge investment," said Dennis Brown, the assistant director of marketing and communications. Brown added that the new boards utilize the latest technology available.
"We knew there had to be more ways to utilize this technology," Brown said.
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"A lot of people can't get into the home games," Brown said. "This plan gives them a second chance to sit in the stadium."
The University sent surveys to current ticket-holders in an attempt to determine if the new plans for the video boards would be appreciated.
And if the surveys are any indication, the away-game tickets may be in demand as much as home- game tickets.
"Surprisingly enough, a very big percentage of survey returns said they would come to the stadium for the away games," Brown said.
He added that the plans include making tickets affordable and utilizing Crisler arena's new video screens for the football games when temperatures fall.
The ticket prices "won't be the scope of a regular game," Brown said. "It will be scaled down. We want to make it doable."
Brown said the ability to show the games in Michigan Stadium stems from the new production facility at the University.
"We'll be able to put things on from in-house," Brown said. "It will allow coaches - Carr and Ellerbe - to do shows from on campus."
The major marketing advancement mirrors "JoeVision," showings of the Red Wings' away games at Joe Louis Arena.
But Brown said he thinks Michigan's football showings will nevertheless be new and unique.
"I don't think this has ever been done before," Brown said.
Brown said while there are many unknowns in the planning process, there are already "many irons in the fire."
Although he did not say which plans had been finalized, Brown said the planning committee had spoken with Michigan Marching Band Director Kevin Sedatole and with central campus coordinators of "Welcome to Michigan."
Brown said the planning committee is attempting to make the away-game showings as real as an actual home football game.
"We would like to have as many people in that stadium as we can for the away games," Brown said. "We'll give them a real experience."
University alumnus Mark Gmazel, who went to several games during his time at the University, said the away-game showings would be exciting if the atmosphere mirrored one of a home game.
"It would be a draw to have the band there," Gmazel said. "They could get a couple thousand (fans) out there, and make it like a regular Saturday."
Despite complaints earlier in the year that the new video boards would take away the tradition of the University, Brown said the plans to utilize the new equipment are well-received.
"We want every football fan to know we are taking into consideration the long-standing tradition and integrity with everything we do," Brown said.
University alumnus and season ticketholder Stu Sandler said the idea of using the video scoreboards to broadcast the games was "cool."
He added that the showings would enhance the Michigan football spirit during away games.
"It would give people the chance to watch the game in the real stadium atmosphere," Sandler said.
He added that because the Red Wings' "JoeVision" has been a success, Michigan's version should also win the favor of the fans.
Sandler said that adding concessions or other elements of home games would make it something people would want to experience.
"You could turn it into a real social time," Sandler said.
Brown said he does not think it will take much to draw Michigan fans to the Big House for the away games, especially the Notre Dame matchup in early September.
"Michigan football on Saturdays is almost a ritual," Brown said. "It's like getting up and going to church. Saturday is set aside for football."
06-15-98
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