Former Michigan running back Harlan Huckleby does not understand the opposition to the university’s plan to build luxury suites at Michigan Stadium.
He compares it to the ill-fated “Save Tiger Stadium” movement.
“This is progress, man,” said Huckelby, who hosts a radio call-in show after Michigan games.
“Look, Michigan is in the bottom half of the Big Ten in facilities. And to attract the best recruits, you want the best-looking facilities. You can raise money to pay for them with the luxury boxes.
“Ohio State just built a new facility down there. You have to keep up with the Joneses. All those fans who are complaining, they still expect (coach) Lloyd Carr to have a winning season and compete with the Notre Dames and the Ohio States. You can’t have it both ways.”
The Ohio Stadium renovation, completed in 2001 at a cost of $194 million, added about 13,000 seats plus 81 luxury suites and 2,623 club seats.
The sale of the suites and club seats financed 80 percent of the project.
Randy Rose, a Wolverines fan from Fenton, Mich., said he understands the need for revenue but opposes the plan to add luxury suites at the Big House.
“I think they ought to leave it just like it is,” Rose said from his seat in Section 9.
“This is football and fans; it’s a pure thing. You get behind the glass and it’s more of a party than a football-type of deal.”
