Getting to know Michigan football and basketball fan, Jodi Geczi
With sports on hold right now, we decided to get to know some of our Michigan football and basketball fans, starting with Wolverine fan Jodi Geczi. This is the first of a series touching base with Michigan sports fans.
Fans of Michigan football and basketball, as well as all sports really, are all over the United States. In this case, the first interview of a fan comes to us from just outside our nation’s capital in Maryland: Meet Jodi Geczi.
Q: Tell me a little about yourself.
A: I graduated from University of Michigan in 1995. I am an Occupational therapist currently applying to Physician’s Assistant school. I have a 20-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old son both in college. I won’t leave my house during Michigan football and basketball games unless I am going to the game. My friends know not to text or call me and my kids stay away from me during the games. And don’t try to flip the channel during a commercial. I can name all the Michigan players on each NFL team and NBA team and I quiz my dates on the Fab 5. Brady is always my Fantasy Football quarterback and I am devastated that he and Winovich are breaking up and I used to hate the Steelers until they picked Devin Bush and Zach Gentry. I run marathons and other races in a Michigan shirt/headband/hat. I always pick Michigan to win it all in my Brackets. My day is perfect when a Michigan player likes one of my tweets or starts to follow me on Twitter. And I have pics with Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson, and Jimmy King from graduation.
Q: What does the University of Michigan mean to you?
A: Greatest school on the planet. Made me the driven person and sports fanatic that I am today and my facebook posts look like an advertisement for the school.
Q: What was your first memory as a Michigan fan?
My first Michigan football game in the Big House was against Notre Dame. We were leading by 3 and Grbac threw a TD pass to Desmond Howard and the student section went wild. It was an incredible catch. We beat Notre Dame and Howard would go on to win the Heisman trophy.
Michigan Wolverines
Q: What’s your favorite Michigan sports experience?
A: The Big Ten tournament at the Verizon Center in DC. I wasn’t sure if the team would show up due to the plane crash. They came late, wore mismatched practice uniforms, Derrick Walton had stitches in his leg and we won the game. We then went on to win the tournament. I was at every game. My friend said that if we made it to the final game I had to wear my Michigan cheerleading uniform Halloween costume. Challenge accepted so I wore the top with jeans due to the cold weather. The Big Ten photographer and the cheerleaders saw my top and grabbed me and took pics at the pep rally outside the Arena. We then went on to win the tournament. Greatest few days of my life. I wear the top to every Michigan basketball game now.
Q: What’s your least favorite Michigan sports experience?
A: Too many Michigan Ohio State losses. We lived in Columbus, Ohio for 10 years and win or lose …….. the OSU fans will hate you. Fans in the Big House are much nicer.
Q: How’s life near our nation’s capital? Is it tough being a Michigan fan from so far away?
A: We now have Moe Wagner on the Wizards which is super exciting for me. I love that I can go to Michigan Maryland football and basketball games. I never miss Michigan when they are in town. We have a huge fan base here. I always get stopped whenever I have a Michigan hat or shirt on or I get a “Go Blue”! I am probably the only person in the DMV with a Michigan flag on my car during football and basketball season. I am no longer a Skins fan because they have Haskins and Terry McLaurin. I won’t be able to cope if they get Chase Young.
Q: Do you come to the games often? Or do you try and catch them when UM is in town?
A: I catch Michigan when they are in town and I have been going religiously to the Michigan Ohio State football game every year. I did catch Michigan at Penn State this year. I ended up having to have emergency abdominal hernia surgery a few days after the game because I was jumping and yelling so much. My first question when I woke up after the surgery was if I would be able to attend the Michigan Maryland football game. At least the PSU fans are much nicer than the OSU fans. Win or lose I am the happiest person at the game. Just so excited to be there.
Q: Favorite sport and why.
A: It’s a tie ….. Football and Basketball. I can’t choose one over the other. Baseball is not far behind. Last year’s run was amazing! Go Blue!!!
Q: Favorite tailgating memory.
A: I lived in Columbus, Ohio for 10 years. The greatest tailgating is always at that game. Never knew what cornhole was until I tailgated at a Michigan football game. I could almost win a tournament now.
Q: If you were Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel for a day, what would you change at UM?
A: More football games under the lights. I would also sign Harbaugh and Howard to lifetime contracts. I would give me the best tickets to every football and basketball game. I would push the Big Ten to stop dividing the league into the East and West.