The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/641955
2016 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE National Reaction: Signing Of The Stars Love it or hate it … that's how most of the reaction to Michigan's National Sign- ing Day event, Signing of the Stars, at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor went, and it was generally split along party lines among fans. The event drew mixed reviews nationally, as well. Here's what they're saying: Matt Swartz, FOXSports.com: "It was a pep rally, a USO special and the NFL Draft all rolled into one. It was unique and entertaining, and sometimes strange. It was Michigan's 'Signing of the Stars' National Signing Day spectacular on Wednesday, and like everything else coach Jim Harbaugh has done since taking over at his alma mater about 13 months ago, it was bigger and better and more ridiculous than anything that's been done before. "For the TMZ fan, it was spectacular. For the football fan, it was … something. Entertaining, for sure. Over the top, too. But as a 'celebration' [Harbaugh's word] of Michigan's signees, it certainly succeeded." Associated Press: "College football's recruiting circus has found its ringmaster in Michigan's coach. "Harbaugh was the real star of the Wolverines' 'Signing With the Stars' spectacle that former coach Lou Holtz predicted will be copied in years to come by other schools. Teams have been turning signing day into an event in recent years, engaging their fans, getting alumni involved and trying to come up with flashy ways to welcome their newest players. Social media, billboards, live streaming online and signing day parties have become fairly common. "But Michigan's signing day set a new standard. And as it was winding down, the top recruit in the country, defensive tackle Rashan Gary of New Jersey, an- nounced he was going to Michigan. "It was quite a day in Ann Arbor." can promise you others will be doing it next year." Harbaugh didn't seem to mind the thought of it, nor did he bite on criti- cism that it was over the top. "We wanted to do something dif- ferent," Harbaugh said in the af- termath of the Signing of the Stars event. "Wanted to do something awesome. "How can we do something fun and a celebration? I've been watch- ing this process how they pull out a fax machine and a coach stands up and talks about them and usually says the same thing. I just wanted to do something different … I wanted to do something awesome. "I was really pleased. I think today did that." Setting himself and his program apart from the field once again. ❏