8A - The Michigan Daily - Monday, November 24, 1997 THE VicToRs! Spirited fans elated after victory FANS Continued from Page IA During the on-field melee, Plumb turned to his fellow band members and said, "I love you guys" Outside the stadium gates, thousands of students rushed down South University Avenue and crowded onto University President Lee Bollinger's lawn. "I came to meet the big guy," said LSA senior Safdar Bandukwala. "I came to congratulate him." Bollinger didn't greet the crowd nor did he invite students into his house as he did after the Penn State victory, but thou- sands of fans continued to crowd the street and lawn, shouting "We want Lee." Exuberant Wolverines surfed through the crowds, climbed trees, jumped on moving cars and videotaped the mnoment. One student fell 40 feet from a tree outside the president's house and was rushed to the hospital, where he remained yesterday in fair condition. Partiers celebrated on South University, which became so crowded that people couldn't move at times. One car carried nine screaming fans on its hood and roof as the crowd sur- rounded it, chanting "Go Blue" as they pounded on the car. A person driving a jeep honked its horn and allowed strangers to jump into the car. Five excited Michigan fans doused a Buckeye flag with lighter fluid while stu- dents cheered as they watched it burn. Along South University, indignant Ohio State fans and rowdy Michigan fans exchanged insults and victory cheers, while firefighters and police stood by to monitor the situation. Another large crowd of more than 100 students and fans gathered at the corner of South University and East University avenues, one side shouting "Go" while the other responded with "Blue." LSA junior Kevin Fogelberg, who screamed from atop a circular bench, said he felt "amazing" with so many students gathered in one location. "I've never seen this much energy and this much life in this school since I've been here. It's like (your) birthday and Christmas all in one," Fogelberg said. More daring students, however, climbed to high branches of a tree outside the president's house to show their school spirit. Students stood under the tree-climbers, waiting for them to jump from the branches and shouting insults. The celebration came to a sudden halt when a student fell 40 feet from a that we could get down there on time' said stadium usher Marsha Kraycir. But students said the crammed stands strengthened the camaraderie between fans. "We're packed in like sardines," LSA senior J.B. Baranowski said. "I love it." The density of the crowd made it eas- ier for students to surf atop the fans. "It was amazing," said Engineering sophomore Jon Weinert, who was passed around the crowd at Michigan Stadium. "It was the best rush. It wasn't scary because everybody was just hold- ing (me) up, and I knew they weren't going to drop me." Supported by the arms of friends, Baranowski did a push-up for every point the Wolverines had after each new touchdown. "I fire up sec- yd ca m tion 25," B a ran ow ski screamed. "I'm - Joey English the lifeblood, the nta, Mich. resident artery of section 25." His cheers included "Who, tree outside the house. The crowd of about 1,000 stood into a chill- ing hush. But the celebration picked up "We've got a namse for Liq Lord Carr.ff Atlar KELLY MCKINNELL/Daily A Michigan football player signs a football for young Wolverine fan Justin Jansen following Michigan's triumphant victory over the Buckeyes. again later that evening, as students crowded cam- pus bars, generating long lines down the street. During the post-game celebration, University alumnus Dave Speirs called the day unbelievable. "I've been a fan since 1965. I've expe- rienced disappointment and I'm ready to celebrate," said Speirs, who was heading home to watch replays of the game. "I'm going home to watch the game again, and a third time tomorrow." The celebration began long before the clock ran out. The record-breaking crowd of 106,982 jammed some sec- tions so tightly that fans could not walk through the aisles. "There's no way if someone got hurt who, who let the dogs out," and "It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine." Maize and blue dotted the crowd, through painted bodies, clothing and Wolverine paraphernalia. LSA first- year student Jared Cardon, who covered his chest in Michigan colors and came without a shirt, said his painted chest convinced stadium ushers to let him into different sections during the game. "Obviously, there's tons of support for the painted guys," said Cardon, who started off the afternoon running through fraternity houses to get stu- dents fired up. LSA senior Cameron Taylor and Music senior John Hobart designed their own silkscreen T-shirts that said "OSU fuckeyes lick nutz." Even before the game started, the two seniors were confident of a Michigan victory that would allow them to relive a celebration from the Wolverines' vic- tory over the Buckeyes two years ago when the students ripped Ohio State flags off cars and urinated on them. "We're gonna overdo that today," said Taylor, who got out of bed to begin drinking at 6 a.m. Also confident of a Michigan win was Ann Arbor resident Robert Margraves, who brought 26 dozen roses into the stadium to sell to fans. "1 think if Michigan wins, they're going to Pasadena, you should buy a rose," Margraves said. Fans came to the game from across the country to witness the Wolverines earn an invitation to Pasadena. "We left last night," said Joey English, of Atlanta, Mich., who drove more than 200 miles to see the game. "We've got a new word for Lloyd Carr now (up north). We call him Lord Carr." Former Michigan player Sean LaFountaine, who played on the tri- umphant 1989 Rose Bowl team, said yesterday's win brought back a legacy accomplished by previous teams. "I feel good that they're going to be able to taste Big Ten championship again," LaFountaine said. "I feel it's about time that Michigan proves that they're back in contention again." Bars opened as early as 9 a.m. to accommodate game watchers, but lines still stretched out the doors hours before kickoff. But, not to be outdone, OSU fans boasted that Columbus bars open at 6 a.m. on game days. In Ohio, fraternities also hold "kegs and eggs" parties, where students wake up with a hot breakfast and a cold beer. Although some Ann Arbor bar- crawlers were not at the stadium, they were enthused by the game. Chants ridiculing the Buckeyes filled the air in Scorekeepers on Maynard Street, along with the favorite, "Hail to the Victors." After the failed last-minute fourth- down attempt by Ohio State, the bar crowds went into hysterics. "It was awesome. We kicked ass. Michigan is No. I," said Dejah Marinkovski, a Business junior. OSU fans who watched the game in Ann Arbor faced the agony of defeat. "The sun shines on every dog's ass," said Eric Kaufman, who hails from Ohio. "It should have been a closer game." Michigan's victory made Ohio State fans rethink their team devotions. "My heart is with Ohio, but since we lost, my dedication is with Michigan to win the national champi- onship," said John Guardodo, an Ohio native. "We need to see a Big Ten championship." Other Ohio State fans said they are not tremendously disappointed by the loss. "It was a good game overall," said Buckeye fan Terry Bogan. "I'm glad to see them come back at the end so it wasn't a total blowout. They are both very good teams." Some Wolverine fans used the victo- ry as a way to raise money for charity, including the fraternity Beta Theta Pi, which charged $1 for people to use a sledgehammer to smash a van with Ohio State written on it. The proceeds went to the Special Olympics. Many fans said they plan to follow the Wolverines to Pasadena, including LSA first-year student Kari Kristan. "It's awesome. It's amazing," Kristan said. "We go to the best school in the country." University alumni Mark Grueber and Dave Gamin said they plan to take their undefeated lucky signs with them to Pasadena. The signs, which they've brought to every Wolverine home game, consist of a capital letter "D" and a cardboard fence to spell "defense." "We owe it to the team to take them," Gamm said. Other students said that while they will not make the trip to Pasadena, they plan to watch from home. "I'm going to be in New York, but I'll be with them in spirit," said Business School junior Sara Cady. "This is just so excellent" - Reported by Daily Staff Reporters Megan Exley, Heather Kamins, Chris Metinko, Katie Plona, Alice Robinson and Peter Romer-Friedman. Fall from, tree quiets celebration By Jeffrey Kosseff and Chris Metinko Daily Staff Reporters The celebration of Michigan's vi tory over Ohio State was brought to a shocking halt when a 23-year-old man fell about 40 feet from a tre in front of University President Lee Bollinger's house. Thousands of students on South University blocked traffic as they cele- brated the Wolverines' invitation to the Rose Bowl. They cheered on tree- climbers as they climbed trees ai swung on branches. The person who fell was the one who climbed the highest; he made his way to the top branch. "His goal was to get to the top," said LSA student Nathan Robbe. "He was holding little branches like he was a monkey. I knew from the beginning that he would fall. He must have been drunk." When he reached the top of t tree, he began to dance and mo around, while crowd members sur- rounding the tree shouted, "fucking moron." "He went right on top, shaking the tree, then he lost his footing," said Engineering senior Amit Advani. After being on top of the tree for a few minutes, the climber slipped from the tree. As he fell, his back hit a branch, causing the branch to break; he landed face down on the grass-covere part of the sidewalk, "He was flipping as he fell," said LSA first-year student Ronjit Das. When he fell, the students in the crowd moved onto the sidewalk to allow the Department of Public Safety and Huron Valley Ambulance officials to care for the injured per- son. One crowd member attempted to take photographs of the man, but oth people in the crowd yelled at hirm and physically prevented him from getting closer to the victim. Even after the ambulance brought the injured man to University Hospitals, silence blanketed the once bois tus crowd on South University Avenue. "It was surreal watching him i4l," said LSA and Art sophomore Emily Linn. "Then, it was just completely. silent." Over the weekend, the victim's statu moved from serious to fair condition, and he is currently at the Univesity's Trauma and Burn Center, said University Hospitals spokesperson Mike Harrison. Harrison said the victim's name and injuries are not available to the p tc. MARGARET MYERS/Dadly Michigan fans storm the field near the 20-yard line after Saturday's game. Thousands of fans made the seven-foot jump from the stands onto the field. Students rise early to prepare for game. Dora t Fair.c!! If you think you're pregnant.. CaaI u$-we listen, we . PROBLEM PREGN.ANCYH.EL.P 975-4357 Any thne, any day, 24 hours, Fully coofldewitWa SrvIn~g Stpdents s1ie 1970, ® Avid fans without tickets gain admittance by distributing pom-pons to student sections By Stephanie Hepburn and Alice Robinson Daily Staff Reporters Students shivered outside Gate 9 of Michigan Stadium at 8 a.m. Saturday morning as a TV news helicopter hovered above to document the day's events. About 100 student volunteers, dressed from head-to-toe in Michigan garb, tore themselves out of bed to distribute 45,000 maize- and blue- striped pom-pons on bleachers in the student sec- tions. In return, each student received a free tick- et in either section 27, 28, 29 or 30 of the student section. The pom-pon distribution was just one example of the Michigan pride displayed all over campus prior to the kickoff of the Michigan-Ohio State game. At 503 Hill street, Architecture senior Mike Krug and LSA sophomore Tom Littlefield beat the "Go Blue" cowbell melody, usually played at home games in student sections, on a drum from their open window, Two hours before the game started, 500 students gathered for free roses, frappaccino and live music at the first-ever student tailgate party at Elbel Field, between East Hoover and Hill streets. The early morning pom-pon distribution team displayed temporary 'M' tatoos, painted faces, Michigan baseball hats, skull caps and sweat- shirts. Some members of the University swim team stood with wet hair after their Saturday morning practice. The students distributing pom-pons were very excited about the upcoming events of the day. LSA junior Jill Schmidt said that it was rewarding to see a dedicated group of students at the stadium -- even at 8 a.m. "It's a nice way for everyone to come together and show school spirit," Schmidt said. Schmidt said that when she saw arriving fans react to the pom-pons, it made her feel like she contributed to the exciting atmosphere. "It was a great day. It was one of the best days of my life," Schmidt said. "It was cool to see people using the pom-pons to cheer on our team and won- dering who put them there. Then I thought 'yeah I did it.' People were excited to have some way to express their school spirit." The participating students learned about the volun- teer effort, which would earn them a ticket to the game, through an e-mail from the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, which often coordinates special events such as the pom-pom crew. University Athletic Director Tom Goss saidthe idea for a pom-pon crew came from a student sug- gestion. "I finally had them produce the pom-pons for $16,000,' Goss said. "It was a student who recOmn mended it. We don't come up with all the ideas, ju@ most of them." Students from the group Spiritchange, which orga- nized the tailgate party, said the idea for the tailgate sprung from their Organizational Behavior 314 class, where they were asked to design a class project that inspired change. The tailgate party was their effort at increasing school spirit. Whereas many private tailgate parties are held by individual student groups or groups of friends, Spiritchange organizers emphasized that all mem^- bers of the University community were welcorr* to attend the Elbel Field event. "I think people are willing to tailgate together, but they just need a place to do it," said LSA senior Jon Newsom, a member of Spiritchange. Newsom said he hopes the tailgate party will become an annual-tradi- tion. -Daily staff reporter Peter Romer-Friedman contributed to this rport. MARGARET MYERS/paily Public Health second-year graduate student Jeff Holtzhausen, known at Michigan sporting events as Superfan, enters the empty stadium before Saturday's game.