Way Back When-sday Thinks the First Luau Tailgate Might Have Been 20 Years Ago Today

September 1, 2001: Captain Michigan becomes the first inductee into the UMTailgate.com Hall of Fame before the Wolverines defeated redshirt freshman quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s Miami of Ohio 31-13. Of note, I was wearing a Hawaiian-ish shirt so this may have been the first Luau tailgate. The rest of the game pictures from that day are here. Some interesting quotes from the postgame write up of a 25 year old:

Bubba and Stephan W attended their 50th straight Michigan game on Saturday, enduring what may have been the most boring Michigan victory ever. The Godfather presented several of us with commemorative champagne with personalized labels marking the boys place in history.

The streak lives on dammit. Covid doesn’t count.

About half way into the tailgate, our friend Larry dissappeared. Minutes later, Captain Michigan appeared with a duffel bag full of yellow socks and passed them out to the tailgaters. He announced that he was ready to leg wrestle again...right now. He quickly disposed of Goody, Tuba, and Brian. I warned you all...don't ever count out the Captain. He'll be leg wrestling until he’s 6 feet under...and then he'll wrestle God.

I feel sorry for those of you that never had a chance to see Captain Michigan wrestle. And drink.

I want to thank everyone for attending the first real tailgate since the creation of UMTailgate.com. People know us, people know this website, and the support and thanks I received throughout the day (especially that which came from people I have never met) is enough motivation for me to keep this thing running forever.

And wow, forever? I think we’ve crossed forever. Forever is a mighty long time when your last Big Ten title was in 2004.

Looking forward to starting it all over again in 3 days.

GO BLUE!

The Themes, The Themes, The Themes: 2021

September 4, 2021 - Western Michigan: The Luau, kickoff noon

• We welcome everybody back with pork. Sausage and smoked spam sliders, pork belly burnt ends, and pictures of The Godfather from college.

September 11, 2021 - Washington: The Joe Beef, kickoff 8pm

• Night game. Long day. Food will be an ode to this Montreal French-ish homestyle food and bacchanalia paradise

September 18, 2021 - Northern Illinois: The Fleetwood, kickoff noon

• I had a meal at the Fleetwood once at 3am at the counter and my water glass was sitting next to another glass that was catching rainwater from the ceiling. We'll do our best to recreate this atmosphere with all-night diner fare representative of the establishment known for "24-hours of Unreality." Meaty hippy hash, etc, etc

September 25, 2021 - Rutgers (Homecoming): The Jersey Shore, kickoff 3:30

• Excited to get the family together and best that beat up all day. Italian hash in the AM, chicken cutlets, sausage and peppers, meatballs, and Snooki at lunch

October 2, 2021 - At Wisconsin: TBD

October 9, 2021 - At Nebraska: TBD

October 16, 2021 - BYE WEEK

October 23, 2021 - Northwestern: The Godfather, kickoff TBD

• We honor our founder with catfish, fried pickles, sausage and cheese chowder. 

October 30, 2021 - At Michigan State, TBD

November 6, 2021 - Indiana: The Smokehouse

• Smoked meat extravaganza. 

November 13, 2021 - At Penn State TBD

November 20, 2021 - At Maryland TBD

November 27, 2021 - Ohio State

• Surf and turf finale 

Way Back When-sday is VERY MUCH ALIVE AND READY TO TAILGATE

August 31, 2019 - The last time we kicked off a season together. Our newest member brought a guest. That guest was over-served. This is the result. On the field, Shea threw for 3 TDs in a 40-21 victory over the 15-seeded MTSU. Sloppy.