UM pep rally brings Big House vibes to Houston

Houston — Flooded with thousands of maize and blue-clad fans for a pep rally Sunday, Rice University's Tudor Fieldhouse could have passed for Ann Arbor on Sunday evening as fans chanted and sang the Michigan fight song, pushing for a victory in Monday's national championship.

"Who's got it better than us?" asked Michigan Alumni Association CEO and President Ayanna McConnell, to which the crowd screamed back, "Nobody!"

Nearly 6,000 Michigan alumni and fans from across the country packed into the auditorium for the pep rally, which was hosted by the Michigan Alumni Association. With the help of the University of Michigan Marching Band, cheerleaders, and the comedy duo Jason and Randy Sklar, fans were treated to performances, games and lessons in classic Big House student section traditions including the famous Blues Brothers dance and a singalong of "Mr. Brightside."

Several famous alumni including actor Darren Criss treated the crowd to virtual messages of support for the Wolverines, encouraging fans to out-cheer the Washington sections on Monday. Former Michigan football stars Jon Jansen, Jason Avant and Jack Miller, along with radio host Doug Karsch, gave a review of last week's victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl and shared predictions of victory for Monday's game.

Sisters Karen and Kim Kitchen, who graduated from UM in 1977 and 1980 respectively, have been Michigan fans their entire lives, a trait inherited from their father. They always knew they were destined to go to UM and felt similarly compelled to travel from their homes in Jackson and Durango, Colorado to see the championship.

"This might be our last chance to see them win again, and we didn't want to miss it," said Karen Kitchen, 68, after Sunday's pep rally. "My four years at Michigan changed who I was, and it did for all of us. ... It's a very special place."

Daisy Sklar, daughter of UM alumnus and comedian Randy Sklar, helped her father and uncle host the pep rally. Sklar is a freshman at UM and loved getting to share last Monday's Rose Bowl victory with her father. Being the daughter of alumni, she would always have appreciated the win, but being a student makes it all the more special.

"Now I'm so a part of the community and I really love all of the Michigan fans so much," Sklar said. "Genuinely being in the stadium with everyone really feels like I know every person surrounding me, even if I don't, it's that special."

Sophomore Lucy Sugawa is from Austin, just a three-hour drive from Houston, and attended Sunday's pep rally as well. As a student season ticket holder, Sugawa had the opportunity to buy student tickets to the championship, which were sold for a base price of $400 each.

"I think it's really cool to get to know that my peers and the school I go to are extraordinary in all aspects," Sugawa, 19, said. "It's just cool to get to go to a school that like, cares so much about this. ... It feels so connected and so supportive, and it's the best energy ever."

Alumni, students and fans have descended on Houston from all over the country to watch Michigan take on the Washington Huskies in the college football national championship. The Michigan Marching Band made another appearance at College Football Playoff Fan Central earlier Sunday afternoon, an ongoing fan activities fair held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston.

Plenty of Michigan students, such as senior Jake Skulnik, arrived in Houston Sunday and were enjoying the fan experience ahead of the game.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Skulnik, who is also president of the Maize Rage student spirit organization. "Obviously it'd be great to be in Ann Arbor right now if we do win to celebrate up there. But I think being at the game, having that lifelong memory is something that's going to last forever."

Michigan classes don't start until Wednesday and Junior Tommy Grace, also a member of the Maize Rage spirit club, agreed that while it may be hard to get down to Houston, being here in person is worth the layovers and sleeping on couches.

"You never know when it's gonna happen again," Grace said. "Especially as students, this might be the last time we could be able to do it as a student."

Both paid $400 for their student tickets and agreed the experience was well worth the high price tag. Skulnik said he wouldn't sell for anything, despite the high demand. Classes don't start until Wednesday, which allows students to attend the game without worrying about missing school.

"I don't think people could really put a price on the experience for sure. And I think that if some people weren't willing to pay it, there are others that are willing to," Skulnik said. "So I think there's going to be max student turnout and student spirit here."

hmackay@detroitnews.com