Welcome to The Wolverine Lounge.
There are around a million different “Michigan this,” & “Michigan that,” blogs about Wolverine athletics on the internet in 2017. Some of them are really good (mgoblog, Maize ‘n Brew, MGoFish) & some are really bad (I am not going to fit all of them between these parentheses).
In a market that’s severely saturated, starting a website and being successful – especially about Michigan athletics – is a tough gig. It’s not easy; most get a huge spark on their initial release, then gradually fizzle away after their content gets buried due to the habit of being the same as everyone else’s. Once they fizzle, they eventually fold, and *poof* – it’s gone.
With all of that in mind, I know the questions that are going to be asked after reading those first two grafs.
What makes you different?
Why should I think you won’t eventually fold, just like the rest?
Why do you smell like French fries & ranch?
So instead of waiting for you to ask the appropriate questions, I figured it’s best to just take this time to post about the site, its direction and what we’re going to be about.
Let’s dive in.
The Wolverine Lounge is different because …
We’re some like-minded folk who have common goals to make this a fun place for fans to hangout at and read about their Wolverines. That’s right, we want you to hangout here.
I probably could have bought some space in Ann Arbor, opened up some sports-themed coffee shop and named it The Wolverine Lounge. Instead, I created a website – or blog, I couldn’t tell ya – that I want people to feel is a fun place to visit for more than just news. I want you to read our forthcoming stories, and then want to read another … and another … and then go on our (coming soon) discussion board and talk about it some more.
It’s more than a site – it’s a place to hangout.
I’m here for this 〽️ https://t.co/TkoWH0KZcK
— Jeremiah 〽️ (@Reetsy21) October 31, 2017
Knowing our role in the beginning stages …
Will we get more inside info than the Lords of this beat in Steve & Sam? Nah, not for now at least. We won’t give you their information, either. They have a business, and we respect that.
Now, that’s not saying we won’t be getting information of our own to break. We will 100-percent strive for that, otherwise, why would be here? That’s the biggest thrill in this occupation.
Regardless, we know our role until we prove ourselves. We know a lot of people will doubt us and won’t give us the time of day at first, until we prove ourselves worthy of a read from them.
Plot twist: I love that. I love that this fan base can pick apart the real from the fake, and make each writer on this beat earn respect. That’s the way it should be.
So I know that you guys know me, but I want you guys to know The Wolverine Lounge – and I want you to love it. That will take time, we’re fully aware of it.
Great news: Our message board “The Lounge” has launched and is ready for you to post whatever you want (there are *some* rules). Come join us in The Lounge now! https://t.co/Ms6rSWlzjD pic.twitter.com/gNWgAey0j4
— Brandon Justice (@BrandonBJustice) October 31, 2017
What we’re going to have for you guys …
Ah, the part that’s important!
Here’s a quick breakdown of the content we’ll have:
Today in Michigan Football: A daily post recapping the day in Michigan Football. Sometimes this will be serious, sometimes it’ll be a Harbaugh-ism, and sometimes we’ll talk about that one freshman everyone thinks should player over that senior. Although, we’re a little late on that train this season *wink wink*.
Football coverage: To address my contractual obligations, I cannot cover any Michigan football until December. So be patient with my coverage. When that time comes, I’ll handle the abundance of the football stuff. Until then, it’ll be a collective effort from the team, with a lot of behind-the-scenes work to give you guys 10/10 content.
Basketball coverage: All of our basketball stuff will be handled by Landon Dillon. He’s a student at Central Michigan and knows his stuff when it comes to hoops. He wrote me a sample and it was some seriously good stuff, you’ll enjoy his fresh takes on a team that he thinks is underrated headed into 2017-18.
Wait, there’s more …
A whole lot more!
Hockey coverage: Obviously, this won’t get as much coverage as the two big ones, but puck will still get a lot of content on TWL – especially with new head man Mel Pearson at the helm.
Recruiting coverage: YES! YES! YES! I’ll be back with recruiting stuff all the time, once December comes. Obviously, this is my background so it will be a huge deal for us from Day One. The 2018 class isn’t working out to be too special, but it will birdman.gif time for the 2019 class that is already a special collection of talents.
LG’s column: That’s right, the legend himself will be writing his thoughts in long-form now. No longer will he be limited to 140 characters, he’ll be given an unlimited amount in his weekly column.
MESSAGE BOARD: For freeeee-eeeee? Yep, we’re going to have a free message board for you guys (coming soon) to argue and complain about everything on Earth. In all seriousness, I’m really excited about the board that will be simply titled “The Lounge,” for all of us to discuss Michigan athletics.
A more advanced design: Bare with us, as the design is, well, pretty not-that-cool. We’re in the works in getting things looking fresh as the kids say, so be on the look out for that. You come for the content, not the design, right?
Let’s get to it …
So with all of that information in mind, I welcome you all to The Wolverine Lounge.
We’re happy you came!
Brandon Justice covered Michigan athletics for 3 years. He launched The Wolverine Lounge in hopes of creating a new space for Michigan fans to hangout online. Follow him on Twitter @BrandonBJustice.
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