When the gates of the renovated Michigan Stadium open (Sept. 4), Michigan fans will have new landmarks within the gigantic bowl in which to meet up with their chums.
Former Michigan Athletic Director Bill Martin came up with an idea to add a feature to the renovation that embraced the entire state of Michigan. The university installed individual engraved plaques along the perimeter of the stadium’s concourse that carry the names of all 83 Michigan counties. Yes, even Jackson County, home to the Wolverines’ rival Michigan State Spartans.
“We wanted to express our appreciation to the people of the state of Michigan for founding the university, for the many years of state support, and to recognize the 83 counties because we get students from all 83 counties,” said Martin. “We also realized that they’ll be nice places to meet with your friends and relatives.”
The 83 plaques are situated alphabetically around the stadium concourse from Alcona to Wexford.
“Students from all over the state have attended the university and our alumni are well represented from the northern counties of the Upper Peninsula to the counties that border Ohio and Indiana.”
The names of Michigan’s 83 counties reflect the state’s Native American, French, British and early American heritage. In 1829, the legislature set off 12 new counties, naming eight of them for President Andrew Jackson and members of his cabinet: Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Eaton, Ingham and Van Buren.
In 1840, the legislature changed the names of 16 counties and gave five counties names from Ireland: Antrim, Clare, Emmet, Roscommon and Wexford.
The university will honor all Michigan counties with a “Tribute to Michigan Day” in Michigan Stadium during the Michigan-Bowling Green game. Invitations have been extended to all county governments inviting a representative to attend the special tribute day.
For more information about the stadium renovation, please visit here