Profiles in Fandom: Section 306, Row 1, Seats 11-12
11/20/2014 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.
* Pictured with nephew Nicholas Treacher
College: Michigan, '92
About Michael: Michael DiPonio entered the University of Michigan in the fall of 1987. He chose Michigan because he says he was a big fan of both the school and the athletic tradition. Since then, he has been a very loyal fan of the Maize and Blue -- trekking to many bowl games, including every Rose Bowl Michigan has played in dating back to 1990. Although DiPonio started going to games as a student, football Saturdays are now a family affair as he gets to enjoy spending time with his two nephews, Nicholas and Michael.
Q. What was the first game you attended at Michigan Stadium?
A. The first game I ever went to was when I was a freshman in 1987 against Notre Dame, and we lost. I think it was 26-7. That was my first game ever.
Q. What is your favorite memory of coming to Michigan Stadium?
A. I would say when we beat Ohio State in 1997. It was the season in which we went undefeated and went to the Rose Bowl to win the national championship, which I went and saw. My dad wasn't a big Michigan fan or really a sports fan in general. But he would watch Michigan because I went there, and he happened to pass away that summer. I felt something special about that season.
Q. What are your game day traditions?
A. I go to games with my nephews, who are 22 now and are also twins. One goes one week, and the other goes the next week. They've been coming to games since they were 12. Our favorite place to eat is Mr. Spots. We'll go early around 12 and then head to a 3:30 game. Also, I always wear my jersey until they lose, then I won't wear it for the rest of the year because I figure it is bad luck. I have two football jerseys, along with a basketball one and a hockey one too.
DiPonio (left) with nephew Michael Treacher
Q. Who has been your favorite Michigan player over the years?
A. Even though he wasn't a player, I would say Bo Schembechler (was my favorite). Other than that, I would probably say Desmond Howard because he was (in school) when I was there. He and I had the same communications advisor and we were both waiting outside our advisor's office. Obviously, I knew that it was Desmond Howard sitting there. The advisor came out and there were only two of us sitting there, and he asked for Desmond Howard, as if he didn't know who he was. I thought that was funny.
Q. What is the worst weather that you have sat through at a game?
A. The 5-0 game against Purdue in 1994. It was snowing, sleeting, raining, and just terrible overall. It was probably like 30 degrees in November.
Q. Why do you attend Michigan football games?
A. I love my school and have always loved it. I go to football, basketball, hockey, I love it all. I always stick by them even when they have down years. It's a whole fun day on Saturday. One of the things I love to do nowadays is I'll stay after the football game and head to the volleyball game afterwards. I've become a pretty big fan of that now as well.
• Big House, Big Thanks: Fan Appreciation Day Set for Nov. 22
• Profiles in Fandom: Section 415, Row 1, Seats 7-8
• Profiles in Fandom: Section 44, Row 30, Seats 7-10
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