5 Days to Football and Reasons #18, #17, and #16 to Love Ann Arbor

There are just 5 Days Left Till Kick-off, but we're running a little behind on the Countdown. So with 5 Days Left, you’re gonna get three reasons a post to Love Ann Arbor! So, here's #18 in our continuing Series of 100 Days to Football and 100 Reasons to Love Ann Arbor.

#18 – M Den

via www.mainstreetannarbor.org

Michigan’s official merchandise outlet. They’ve got all the cool stuff you want/need/must have. Whether it’s a custom hockey jersey or a grill cover, they’ve got what you’re looking for. That’s why it's #18 in our Countdown and Reason #18 to Love Ann Arbor.

#17 – Mitchell's Fields (the IM Field on North Campus)

via www.recsports.umich.edu

It may not look like much but if you played IM sports at Michigan you know exactly where this is. All the best afternoon softball and late night flag football games were played here. Just a big, ole’ open space with lights bright enough to send Morse Code into space. And for every organized game there were 50 pick up games or tackle football games between friends. It’s one of those places you love and hate at the same time. You can tell your kids that’s where you played, but also where you broke your collar bone, fractured that femur, or won/lost that great flag football/soccer/softball championship game. Memories. Every one of them is golden. Yet another reason why it's #17 in our Countdown and Reason #17 to Love Ann Arbor.

#16 – The Bell Tower

via farm1.static.flickr.com

Until Mary Sue Coleman opened up the Michigan coin purse to fund "Space, Bitches, Space!" most people knew the Bell Tower as the last thing you saw on Michigan’s horrifically 1970’s-esque television commercial that aired twice a game on ABC. The 70’s theme made things seem worse than they really were, because the ad was produced in 1993. Despite the Tower’s less than glorious television debut, it remains a favorite of students and alumni alike. Graceful, yet Art Deco reminiscent, the Tower stands a steady watch over the students and the University. From its clean lines, to gorgeous bells, it is a place that is uniquely Michigan, and that’s why it's #16 in our Countdown and Reason #16 to Love Ann Arbor.

If you've got suggestions on places you'd like to see, email me with a photo or a description and we'll get your favorite hangouts in the countdown as well. I'll also try to get a link on the sidebar in the coming days that allows you to see all 100 Reasons to Love Ann Arbor.