On cold weekend mornings, when the Michigan students are sleeping off a hangover or fighting to get out of bed, a growing number of dedicated Wolverine fans gather on the steps of the Michigan Union, painting themselves with school spirit.
The Extreme Wolverines, in its second year, is a group of the most intense Michigan faithful on campus. The group specializes in attending non-revenue sporting events on campus, giving every student a chance to live the life of Superfan.
Superfan himself, sophomore Reza Breakstone, is a prominent member of Extreme Wolverines.
"Mass hysteria builds spirit," Breakstone said. "We try to divert spirit to the under-represented sports and get a lot of people out there going crazy."
Extreme Wolverines was created by the Michigan Student Assembly's Superfan Task Force, which was set up to replace the original Superfan - Jeff Holzhausen - who graduated in 1997. After seeing all of the spirit on campus, task force chairperson Jennifer Zorko realized that there could be a team of Superfans.
"We've always had a great athletic department, but no one ever noticed," said Zorko of the numerous Michigan teams that contend for Big Ten and NCAA titles. Atheletes in under-represented sports "are just as talented and work just as hard as football players. We should all know about our great teams."
Breakstone has been a role model for the group since he assumed the role of Superfan last year.
"I think my spirit is unparalleled. I mean, I'm Superfan," he said.
Extreme Wolverine members hope that that spirit will be contagious, establishing Ann Arbor as an intimidating city for opposing teams to compete in.
"I hope a lot of people come out (for Michgan sporting events," Breakstone said. "I want the crowd to be a factor like the Cameron Crazies at Duke, or the 12th Man at Texas."
For the success that Michigan teams have achieved in the recent past, Wolverine fans have yet to be recognized as an intimidating force. With the exception of hockey fans at Yost Ice Arena, Michigan supporters haven't been able to create a significant home-team advantage compared to other college teams. As student fanatic groups such as Duke's Cameron Crazies and Michigan State's Izzone have garnered national attention, Michigan fans are beginning to realize that they have a lot to cheer about.
"I guess excellence breeds a blasé attitude," said Breakstone of Michigan fans.
Translation: Wolverine fans have become spoiled with success, and should appreciate the elite teams that they get to see on a regular basis.
Extreme Wolverines members are hoping to get more students involved. The group had a successful recruiting class at Festifall, and are constantly looking to add more members.
The group has received support from the Athletic Department, and details on upcoming events can be found from a link on the official Michigan sports Website - www.mgoblue.com.
"We're in the exploratory stages right now, but hopefully by next year, we'll be in full blown effect," Breakstone said.
Breakstone shrugged off comparisons to Michigan State's Johnny Spirit, a green-painted fan who has become a staple at Spartan sporting events. Amidst rumors of Spirit's inability to donate blood due to the many years of body paint infecting his system, Breakstone assured Michigan fans that he won't risk his own health in supporting his team.
"I guess Johnny is a good guy, but I wouldn't paint my body to that point," Breakstone said.
As for a head-to-head matchup with Johnny Spirit, Michigan's Superfan maintained that it would be no contest.
"I'd take him down in one round," Breakstone said.
10-21-99
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