Pigskin Classic Takes Its Act to Michigan

The Pigskin Classic, held in Anaheim Stadium the past five years before Disneyland dropped its $1-million-a-year sponsorship, will be played in August at the University of Michigan, with the Wolverines as one of the two competing teams.

Michigan’s opponent for the Aug. 26 game has not been selected. “We feel that an on-campus site will bring the pageantry normally associated with a collegiate football game, and what better venue to host it than the largest college-owned stadium in the United States?” said Mike Cleary, executive director of the National Assn. of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, a sponsor of the game.

Michigan Stadium seats 102,501, and the Wolverines regularly play in front of 100,000-plus crowds.

No decision has been made about where the game will be held in 1996. “The decision was based only on this year,” said Laurie Garrison, public relations director for the athletic directors group. “It’s a one-year contract with Michigan. Whether it will be there in the future hasn’t been determined. Michigan could only compete in the game once every four years, so it would be two neutral teams playing if it were held there the following year.”

The Pigskin Classic was troubled by lagging attendance in Anaheim. The final game at Anaheim Stadium, between Ohio State and Fresno State in August, drew 28,513, the lowest attendance in the five years.