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The strange superstition this diehard U-Michigan family says is getting team to championship

Some people say the U-M Rose Bowl victory is due to the stellar defense, or a crafty quarterback. One Ludington family thinks it's because of their Christmas tree.

SCOTTVILLE, Michigan — Right now, the mitten seems to be woven with Maize and Blue.

Some say the victory is thanks to the coaches. Some say it was the stacked team. Nora and Bill Clark say it’s an evergreen.

“Last year, I decided, I’m going to put a Michigan tree up," Nora said. “We had so much stuff I didn’t need to buy anything. Well, then I took it down, and we lost that last game last year. And I got blamed for it!”

"I put it up again this year. The kids say ‘You’re not taking it down!’" she laughed.

The tree's new addition this year is a spot of red among the blue and yellow ornaments.

Credit: Provided
The Clark's U-Michigan Christmas tree.

“There’s one thing missing from that tree," Bill said. "We went to the Rose Bowl, we need some roses."

The Clarks have been married for 58 years.

“It was a blind date… he had a cool Mustang," she said. “I thought, 'You know, this might be the one.'"

But both of their hearts belong to Michigan football.

"It was not a choice. It was Michigan or nothing," Nora said. “Don't wear green ever, ever, ever.”

Their love turned into a livelihood. Both the Clarks work in a little booth at the Big House.

“We work at will call," Nora said. “If they have any items on them that's prohibited, I will confiscate that."

"We kind of warn the people before they get down to her… If you got any alcohol then you better get rid of it right here because she finds out about it, you may not get in the game," Bill said.

They've made the four-hour trek to Ann Arbor every game day for 50 years. 

"I had open heart surgery in January 2021," Bill said. "It's the only game I missed all these years that I've been working there.”

But for them, it's not about the paycheck.

“That money we just use for Christmas. So I mean, it pays well for our Christmas for the kids," Nora said.

Nor is it about the star encounters.

“I got some pictures of some great people, like Blake Corum's dad, got a picture with him,"  Nora said.

Credit: Provided
James Corum and Nora Clark.

Nora once turned away a couple who didn't have a wristband at the entrance. The man pulled out his ID and revealed they were Jim Harbaugh's parents. 

"They shook my hand and said I'm doing my job," Nora smiled.

"My son hollered once out to us, 'Hey, Mark Consuelos is coming!'” Bill said.

“He didn't have anything on him. Unfortunately, I didn't get to check him," laughed Nora. 

Credit: Provided
Nora Clark and Mark Consuelos.

It’s about the family in the football.

“Nora’s there with me, our son’s with me. Her sister also works with us. So it's kind of like a family affair," Bill said.

“It's just a time that we get just to be together and have fun. I mean, it's not really work. It's just a lot of fun," she agreed.

Their family tree may be rooted in superstition.

“We got friends at Michigan State that's not a problem. It's just on game day. You know, don't even talk to us," Nora said. “It's just in fun. Unless you're from Ohio. And it's like no, not even in fun.”

But on game day in the Clark household, all is merry and maize.

“It's our life. I mean, that's that's all we know," smiled Nora.

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