8E - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition 2006
ALEX DZIA[
Aside from his official season T-shirt, block 'M' necklace and Michigan flag fashioned into a cape, one
passionate football fan remembered appropriate headgear: a foam Wolverine head.
'Maize Rage'
Men's Hoops
By Dan Feldman
Daily Sports Writer
It was a key, late-season Big Ten basketball matchup, not to
mention a huge rivalry game: Michigan vs. Michigan State.
As the national anthem wrapped up shortly before tipoff,
members of the student section held up color-coordinated cards
that spelled out "GO BLUE" when looked at from afar
But there were a few problems with this scenario.
The game was taking place at the Breslin Center in East Lan-
sing, home of the Michigan State Spartans.
The student section in question was the Izzone - the devot-
ed men's basketball fan section named after Spartan head coach
Tom Izzo.
Izzoners were led to believe that green and white cards they
held would spell out "GO STATE" and that the stunt was set up
by officials from the Big Ten conference.
Instead, they were hoodwinked by members of the Maize Rage.
Disguised as Big Ten interns, a few Maize Rage members
snuck into the Breslin Center hours before the game and, with the
help of Izzone section leaders, set up the card stunt.
Despite the eventual Michigan loss that Febraury afternoon, the
prank served as one of the Maize Rage's biggest achievements in
recent memory.
The Maize Rage is Michigan's student section at men's basket-
ball games. Anyone who purchases season tickets is considered a
member of the Maize Rage.
As one of the few students sections in the country to offer seat-
ing directly behind the team benches, Maize Ragers are rewarded
with a great view of the game.
But that's not all the unique seating opportunity offers.
All members receive the official Maize Rage t-shirt and are pro-
vided with Full Court Press newsletters before each game that give
dirt on opposing players.
Maize Ragers who arrive early to games can watch Brent
Petway's NBA All-Star Saturday Night-caliber dunk show 40
minutes before tipoff. And those who stay after big victories
have the opportunity to rush the court, much like Maize Ragers
did after last year's surprise win over Michigan State earlier in
the season.
But the Maize Rage's presence even extends further than the
state of Michigan. With the help of the athletic department, the
Maize Rage sends busloads of fans to a few road games each year.
Last year, for instance, Maize Ragers traveled to South Bend and
West Lafayette to cheer on the cagers as they faced Notre Dame
and Purdue.
With nearly 2,000 members, the Maize Rage is one of the largest
student sections on campus.
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