By M. Jayne Kelly

               Adapted from Twas the Night Before Christmas

                          By Clement Clarke Moore

        Twas the night before Rose Bowl, and all through the state,
            Not a creature was sleeping; the fans were up late.
             The car flags were hung on the windows with care,
                   And "Go Blue" banners flew everywhere.

            The children were giggling all tucked in their beds,
               While visions of roses danced in their heads.
                 And Mamma in her maize, and I in my blue,
              Were busy in the kitchen, we had so much to do.

               When all of a sudden, I heard such a clatter,
             I sprang from my seat to see what was the matter.
                  I ran to the window and opened the sash,
               And saw thousands of people in a 50-yard dash.

        They were fans-all decked out in their blue and their maize,
               It was some sort of Rose Bowl pre-game craze.
               In the front of the crowd was a merry old man,
              And I knew in a moment, he was one special fan.

           The crowd came to a halt and they all gathered round,
                 The leader in front with a belly so round.
              His proud twinkling eyes showed a hint of a tear
                As he guided the crowd in a Wolverine cheer.

                         "Now Woodson! Now Griese!
                       Now Howard, Mayes and Vinson!
                            On Marcus! On Tuman!
                            On Dhani and Jansen!

            To the end of the field, just keep moving that ball!
                         Now push away! Push away!
                              Push away all!"

              He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old guy,
            And I laughed when I saw him, then I let out a sigh.
                 A wink in his eye and the twist of his head,
              Assured me that he knew we had nothing to dread.

         Then he spoke not a word, as he passed through the crowd,
            Giving blue and gold trinkets to the fans so proud.
            And tucked deep in his sack, where no one could see,
             Was a special gift for Chuck, the Heisman Trophy.

                His cheeks were the color of a victory rose,
             As he placed his finger aside his cherry red nose.
        Then he raised his other hand and he looked toward the West,
                        And he shouted to our team,
                     "You're the Victors and the BEST"