Michigan football cancels spring game over weather concerns

Michigan football wasn’t going to have a formal spring game this year. 

Now, it’ll have nothing at all. 

The annual spring event has been cancelled, the athletic department announced Wednesday, because of weather concerns. The game, originally scheduled for Saturday, will not be rescheduled. 

Trending U-M football news:

Donovan Peoples-Jones: ‘We’ve got to get open’

Recruiting: Is Cade McNamara a potential star QB?

“We are disappointed for our fans and players’ families that this opportunity to see our team compete at Michigan Stadium will not be possible due to weather concerns,” coach Jim Harbaugh said in a statement. “We made a decision that was in the best interest of our fans, student-athletes and volunteer staff needed to organize this event.”

Michigan planned to have a situational scrimmage, without drafted teams, beginning at 5:45 p.m. The plan was to air a portion of the event from Michigan Stadium, beginning at 7 p.m., on the Big Ten Network .

As of Wednesday, the Ann Arbor weather forecast called for rain with possible thunderstorms in the evening on Saturday. The chance of rain is 100 percent.

“We want to ensure the safety of our fans as well as the student-athletes and staff,” U-M athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. “We also wanted to provide as much notice in advance for fans and the families of our players that were considering attending.”

Michigan, like all schools, gets 15 spring practice dates. The spring game counts for one of those dates. Michigan plans to finish spring drills next week before the start of finals week. 

The Wolverines are planning a trip to Paris at the end of the month, though there will be no practices overseas this year. 

Michigan last canceled a spring game back in 2003 due to weather concerns. The school called off spring public events, per an old release, in 1990 and 1991. And the spring game in 1996 also was wiped out. 

Harbaugh’s first three years at Michigan featured formal spring games, with the team being split into two squads via a draft. They kept score, referees were used. There was a winner and a loser. 

This year’s event was going to be different, as Michigan planned to put the team through a situational scrimmage/practice atmosphere in front of fans. 

“(We) cancelled because of the weather,” Harbaugh said Wednesday during a Big Ten coaches teleconference. “There’s a 100 percent chance of thunderstorms, is what they’re saying, as the evening goes. So in the best interest of everybody: The fans, the players, the staff that’s working the game … felt that was the best and right thing to do.” 

Contact Nick Baumgardner: [email protected] Follow him on Twitter:  @nickbaumgardner.

Download our Wolverines Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!