Profiles in Fandom: Section 316, Row 8, Seats 1-4
11/21/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 21, 2014
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 son Jaipaul and daughter Maya
About Bajwa: Dr. Harpaul Bajwa attended medical school in India. He had never seen football until arriving in Ann Arbor in 1990 for his cardiology training. He stayed in Ann Arbor for five years and grew to love the sport and the pageantry of Saturdays around Michigan Stadium. Upon moving to Lincoln, Nebraska, he would return every so often with his wife Stacie to see his beloved Maize and Blue play. Ten years ago, he and Stacie bought season tickets for the first time and since then have happily returned to Ann Arbor for nearly every game of the past decade. For the past six years, their children Maya (11) and Jaipaul (9) have been attending games with them.
Q. What was the first game you attended at Michigan Stadium?
A. Outside of America, everyone plays soccer. So I didn't know what college football was. I came to Ann Arbor and had to learn what "first and 10" meant and why it was called "football" when players carry the ball in their arms!
I remember my first game very well. It was in 1991, the Homecoming game, and we played Iowa. We were expected to win and we lost. It was a really bad feeling. I went to a couple of games around that time -- I went to a Notre Dame game and we lost that one -- so I started thinking that if I went to a game, we would lose. I would go to the "easy" games for a while after that.
The biggest thing that struck me at my first game was the size of the players. When they came out of the tunnel, I had never seen people that big in my life. And it was a beautiful October day. It was a little chilly but with blue skies. Then the sun came out and made it nice and warm. I think about that scene when I'm having a rough day: I picture being in that stadium with a blue sky and some crisp weather.
Q. What is your favorite memory of coming to Michigan Stadium?
A. I think my favorite moment was the 2005 Penn State game. That was just an unbelievable game. I had just started my season tickets that year. I was sitting next to this guy and was so excited, I just gave him a big bear hug! I had no idea who he was. He's a Michigan alum and a big fan, and we've become really great friends. We go to some road games together now. His name is Scott Snyder.
Going to the games, I've made some really close friends over the past 10 years. I've had some of them out here to Nebraska to stay with us.
My wife is from Kansas but went to Nebraska. She learned pretty early on that I'm crazy about Michigan so she became a Michigan fan, too. She talked me into coming back for a few games (after 1995). I came once in 1999 for the Purdue game, and then I came back for the 2002 Washington game. It was the first time I felt we could go back for a big game and we could win!
Q. Where do you tailgate?
A. We tailgate near the media parking near Crisler. There are two buses there, and we're always with two of the buses. Those guys have seats right near ours, and that's how we became friends. The first year they insisted that we tailgate with them, but I didn't want to impose. Then the second year, one of the guys saw us after the game, started pushing my wife's wheelchair. He said, 'Paul, I'm taking your wife and kids to the tailgate, you can join us if you want to.' We had such a good time and have been going to that tailgate ever since.
Stacie and Harpaul Bajwa. Stacie is wearing Marcus Ray's 1997 national championship ring.
Q. What are your game day traditions?
A. We come to every home game, we haven't missed one in many years. After the kids get done at school, I pick them up and we go to the airport and fly in. We stay at the airport, get a rental car on Saturday morning and come to the game. We've been doing it so long, the guys at the hotel know us and the rental car guys know us. For the home games, all four of us go. We also make it to many road games.
When we first started coming to the games, that stadium was not as handicapped friendly. In the last three to four years, the staff has been so great in how they care for Stacie. The athletic department has been really accommodating and made it really easy for us to come to home games.
My kids are 11 and nine years old now, and they started coming to games when they were five and three. In Nebraska, there is only one school that people root for -- and it is red. On Fridays, their entire schools are wearing red, but there are two kids wearing maize! They are such big fans -- they won't let me miss a game!
Q. Who has been your favorite Michigan player over the years?
A. Desmond Howard is someone that I really like. I loved him as a player, but he is a great guy, too. At the Final Four, we ended up sitting right near him. My wife Stacie has had a stroke, and it really affected her thinking. When you have a stroke like she did, in some ways you become like a child. She talked to Desmond -- he was so generous with his time. They talked for like 20 minutes. He was such a patient, good guy. So I loved him as a player, but I love him even more now. He was the nicest, down-to-earth guy.
My first exposure to college football was when Desmond was playing. He was the king of the town. But he is so down-to-earth, and I absolutely love the guy.
Q. Why do you attend Michigan football games?
A. I've thought about it -- human beings try to identify with something, like sports. I was taught football when I first came to Ann Arbor, and then I began to read a lot of Bo's books. I've always been pleased with how these young men come here to play and then go on to succeed in life. Our coaches over the years help these kids grow up and be successful outside of football. It makes you feel good about something that you are associated with.
• Big House, Big Thanks: Fan Appreciation Day Set for Nov. 22
• Profiles in Fandom: Section 306, Row 1, Seats 11-12
• Profiles in Fandom: Section 415, Row 1, Seats 7-8
• Profiles in Fandom: Section 44, Row 30, Seats 7-10
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