By Noah Resnicow
From birth, Ann Arbor natives sport clothes with a big, blue, block “M,” and dream of attending the University of Michigan. However quite often, due to the high level of prestige of the school, Ann Arbor students are not accepted into Michigan. These students have to chose another school to attend.. For many Ann Arbor seniors, the answer is 65 miles away in East Lansing. Michigan State University is a prestigious school, however many Ann Arbor students who grew up fans of the Wolverines are hesitant to don the green and white.
This illustrates the influence that sports fandom has on a community. Michigan State, in the meantime, is a top tier institution that attracts many students. “[I] chose Michigan state because it’s close to home but still somewhere a little different and new,” said Brendan O’Rielly, a freshman at MSU who graduated from Community High School and played baseball for Pioneer, “there is also a wide variety of programs and courses offered that interest me.”
O’Rielly’s father attended Michigan State, but Brendan he grew up cheering for both the Spartans and Wolverines, so unlike some students, putting on the green and white wasn’t too difficult. “I always cheered for both schools in football, really depends on the yearly circumstances who I root for in head to head so there really was no big change of alliance, I still watch both teams on Saturday,” he said.
While O’Rielly isn't afraid to watch the Wolverines on Saturday, however he doesn't plan on sporting maize and blue. “[I] probably won’t wear Michigan gear,” he said.
Many Pioneer students are choosing to apply to Michigan State, but mostly because it is a safety school or to benefit from in-state tuition. “I’m applying (to MSU), but that's just my backup school. I’m a die hard Michigan fan but it's the next best option,” said senior Yeajoon Lee.
Some students don't envision themselves changing their sports rooting interests. “I could never be a State fan,” said Lee.
With college applications approaching for Pioneer seniors, many question whether or not they plan on applying to rival Michigan State. The impact that sports has on our culture is reflected in something like the college applications process. Many students who grew up Wolverines would prefer leaving the state than attending that school in East Lansing. While some students bravely leave Ann Arbor to become Spartans, Pioneer will always be a school filled with Michigan fans.
This illustrates the influence that sports fandom has on a community. Michigan State, in the meantime, is a top tier institution that attracts many students. “[I] chose Michigan state because it’s close to home but still somewhere a little different and new,” said Brendan O’Rielly, a freshman at MSU who graduated from Community High School and played baseball for Pioneer, “there is also a wide variety of programs and courses offered that interest me.”
O’Rielly’s father attended Michigan State, but Brendan he grew up cheering for both the Spartans and Wolverines, so unlike some students, putting on the green and white wasn’t too difficult. “I always cheered for both schools in football, really depends on the yearly circumstances who I root for in head to head so there really was no big change of alliance, I still watch both teams on Saturday,” he said.
While O’Rielly isn't afraid to watch the Wolverines on Saturday, however he doesn't plan on sporting maize and blue. “[I] probably won’t wear Michigan gear,” he said.
Many Pioneer students are choosing to apply to Michigan State, but mostly because it is a safety school or to benefit from in-state tuition. “I’m applying (to MSU), but that's just my backup school. I’m a die hard Michigan fan but it's the next best option,” said senior Yeajoon Lee.
Some students don't envision themselves changing their sports rooting interests. “I could never be a State fan,” said Lee.
With college applications approaching for Pioneer seniors, many question whether or not they plan on applying to rival Michigan State. The impact that sports has on our culture is reflected in something like the college applications process. Many students who grew up Wolverines would prefer leaving the state than attending that school in East Lansing. While some students bravely leave Ann Arbor to become Spartans, Pioneer will always be a school filled with Michigan fans.