[Mick]

Wayne Lyons might have also decided to cash in on the Michigan experience and play in front of amazing crowds, both home and away, and play against an entirely new conference of storied teams (though if Michigan played Notre Dame, he got a retread there).  Also, iirc, his mom landed a job at Michigan at the same time, so he would have been closer to family (and she might have gotten to see him play whatever few minutes he played).  Stanford was certainly a far enough journey from Fort Lauderdale. 

More so now than maybe when Lyons was a student-athlete -- the kids these days are very aware of the difference college athletics experiences their peers get at different colleges.  Maybe there's a bit of FOMO going on when Stanford recruits see the enormous student bodies turn out for games or when nationally-adulated teams get regular air time.  Stanford's always battled uphill for recognition and respect...maybe the kids want to dip their toes in that pool after getting a Stanford degree.  As long as they remember Stanford in their donations and think of themselves as primarily Stanford alumni, I guess I'm okay with that ;)

Having been to 1/2 dozen home UM games at the Big House, I can tell you it's a very different experience.  Reminds me a little bit of the 85k Stanford football attracted in the 1970s and 1980s against SC and C.al.  My Beaver brother came out for UM's home opener against Oregon State, which was the first UM game I attended.  Amazing experience.  Great tailgating, superb fans (Michigan State and Ohio State are another story).  And I'd say there were around 5,000 Oregon State fans at the game.  It's quite an experience.

[Mick]

Wayne Lyons might have also decided to cash in on the Michigan experience and play in front of amazing crowds, both home and away, and play against an entirely new conference of storied teams (though if Michigan played Notre Dame, he got a retread there).  Also, iirc, his mom landed a job at Michigan at the same time, so he would have been closer to family (and she might have gotten to see him play whatever few minutes he played).  Stanford was certainly a far enough journey from Fort Lauderdale. 

More so now than maybe when Lyons was a student-athlete -- the kids these days are very aware of the difference college athletics experiences their peers get at different colleges.  Maybe there's a bit of FOMO going on when Stanford recruits see the enormous student bodies turn out for games or when nationally-adulated teams get regular air time.  Stanford's always battled uphill for recognition and respect...maybe the kids want to dip their toes in that pool after getting a Stanford degree.  As long as they remember Stanford in their donations and think of themselves as primarily Stanford alumni, I guess I'm okay with that ;)

Having been to 1/2 dozen home UM games at the Big House, I can tell you it's a very different experience.  Reminds me a little bit of the 85k Stanford football attracted in the 1970s and 1980s against SC and C.al.  My Beaver brother came out for UM's home opener against Oregon State, which was the first UM game I attended.  Amazing experience.  Great tailgating, superb fans (Michigan State and Ohio State are another story).  And I'd say there were around 5,000 Oregon State fans at the game.  It's quite an experience.