Michigan football scrimmage will not be open to the public
4/7/2008The Michigan Wolverines intrasquad football scrimmage scheduled for Saturday will not be open to the public, a university spokesman said.
The scrimmage, which will signify the end of spring practice under new coach Rich Rodriguez, will be held at Saline High School, about 10 miles from Ann Arbor. UM spokesman Dave Ablauf said the decision was made to close the scrimmage to the public because Saline s stadium seating capacity about 8,000 - was too small to accommodate an expected large crowd.
Ablauf said players and coaches families, high school coaches, recruits, and media members will be able to view the scrimmage.
Earlier this spring Rodriguez announced the Wolverines would finish spring practice with a controlled scrimmage, rather than an actual game, because of the team s small roster size. He speculated at the time that the scrimmage could be open to the public.
Michigan Stadium and the school s outdoor practice fields are under construction and not available to hold a public scrimmage.
The Wolverines open the 2008 season at home against Utah on Aug. 30.
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