Profiles in Fandom: Section 415, Row 1, Seats 7-8
11/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
During Michigan football's final home game of the season on Nov. 22 against Maryland, Michigan Athletics will salute its football seniors during the annual Senior Day ceremony before the game. Fan Appreciation Day will coincide with Senior Day, as many parts of the gameday experience will be designed to thank fans for their continued support of Michigan Athletics. Leading up to Saturday's game, MGoBlue.com will recognize some of U-M's most passionate fans.
* Additional seats in section 416, row 1, seat 3 and in section 43, row 51, seats 19-20
College: Eastern Michigan, '81
About Gary: A lifelong Wolverine fan, Gary went to his first Michigan game with his father when he was a teenager. He attended Michigan's pharmacy school before ultimately earning his undergraduate degree in business from nearby Eastern Michigan. He first became a season ticket holder in the late 1970s before graduate school took him to Virginia. He renewed his tickets seven years ago and now travels to Ann Arbor every home weekend in the fall to meet up with family and friends -- in some instances brand-new friends.
Q. What was the first game you attended at Michigan Stadium?
A. My first game was Michigan vs. Navy in 1971. I was sitting in section 9 at the time with my dad. I was a teenager back then, and at the time I was thinking about joining the Navy -- and I actually did serve in the Navy for a number of years. I graduated high school in 1973 during the Vietnam War period. Although I had been a lifelong Michigan fan, I was excited to see Navy play, because they were close to my heart as well. I wasn't pulling for Navy, but I wanted to see a close game. I believe the final score was 46-0; Michigan won that game.
Q. What is your favorite memory of coming to Michigan Stadium?
A. I've been to a lot of games, but I'd say my favorite memory is 1979, Michigan playing Indiana. I was in section 9 again -- that's where I had my season tickets -- and Anthony Carter caught a pass in the last six seconds of the game. He had to get by two or three defenders to get to the end zone; he did and they won. That's my one outstanding moment. There are a lot of moments that I remember, but that's the one that I always go back to.
Penrose with wife Colleen and Charles Woodson
Q. Who is your favorite Michigan player from over the years?
A. I've got a lot of favorite players, but if I had to put one on top of the list, it'd have to be Charles Woodson. He's my favorite for a lot of different reasons, not only because he was a good player but he's always been a very good ambassador for Michigan. He gives back to Michigan and to Mott Children's Hospital, and I really respect that. So, he's my favorite player for not only what he did on the field but what he's done to give back.
Q. Who do you attend games with?
A. I have three club seats, so that includes me, my wife and my son, who is an attorney down in Cincinnati. He comes up for the games and sits in the other club seat. My brother lives in Dexter, and he sits up in the club seats as well. There are four of us. I also have two seats in the bowl, and what I do with those is put an ad in craigslist and give those tickets away to a deserving fan. To me, a deserving fan is someone that's a lifelong Michigan fan, independent of the record, they just enjoy watching and supporting Michigan. Perhaps they have a son or a daughter and can't afford to go to a game. I try to find people in need, and I give them my tickets. Generally speaking, each time I put my tickets up, I'll get anywhere from 10-50 responses. From that, I'll pick a response, and they'll enjoy the seats.
Q. Has that been a nice opportunity to connect with other Michigan fans?
A. It has been. This year, for instance, for the Appalachian State game, I gave my tickets to a gentleman who was about to get married. He was a big Michigan fan, she was a Notre Dame fan, and she had never been to the Big House. He had only ever been to one Michigan game and really wanted to bring her to one. So, it was my wedding gift to them. They thoroughly enjoyed the game. She liked the atmosphere and became a Michigan fan. I'm sure she's still pulling for Notre Dame as well.
Gary Penrose with (from left) wife Colleen, brother Craig and son Stuart at Michigan Stadium and with dad Ken Penrose in Dallas.
Q. Why do you attend Michigan football games?
A. I don't see my son nearly as much anymore, because I'm in Virginia and he's in Ohio. But I'll jump on a plane, and I'm in Michigan in two hours. He comes up and spends the weekend with us at our cottage in Pinckney. Those are about the only times I'll see him throughout the year except for certain holidays. It gives us an opportunity to spend time with each other, likewise with my brother. Michigan football is an opportunity to enjoy the sport, but really it's an excuse to spend a lot more time with my family.
Q. What is the worst weather you have sat through at a game?
A. It was back in the '80s. I can't remember the exact year. We were playing Ohio State, and the temperature was five degrees. It was awfully cold. I was in section 9, and everyone was huddled in there. You could see everyone's breath, including the players on the field. People stayed until the end, because it was a great game, but it was one of those where your toes were frozen by the end of the game. It didn't snow, but it was just ice cold.
• Big House, Big Thanks: Fan Appreciation Day Set for Nov. 22
• Profiles in Fandom: Section 44, Row 30, Seats 7-10
Athletics Communications: 734-763-4423
