The reason University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman's voice sounded slurred during her halftime remarks at the Michigan v. Nebraska game Saturday is because of microphone feedback, not because of an alcohol- or health-related issue, said university spokesman Rick Fitzgerald.

University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman speaks during a press conference to announce the "Victors for Michigan" fundraising campaign at Hill Auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, in Ann Arbor, Mich. The campaign, with an ambitious fundraising goal of $4 billion, is the sixth such effort undertaken by the university since 1948.

Fitzgerald said Coleman had not been drinking before addressing a crowd of 112,000 at Michigan Stadium, but instead had been attending alumni and fundraising events where alcohol was not served. There was also no alcohol served in her luxury box at the stadium.

"She was on the the top of her game all weekend," Fitzgerald said. "She was the Mary Sue Coleman we know and love entirely. There's no health issue. There was absolutely no drinking."



Coleman was recognized during halftime for her 12 years of service to the Ann Arbor school and presented with a football jersey emblazoned with No. 12.

Fitzgerald said the recognition was unexpected and that during her remarks she used a wireless microphone with which she was not experienced.

"We rarely use live wireless microphones at Michigan Stadium because of the way that sound is distributed; it travels from the north scoreboard across the field to the south," U-M athletic director Dave Brandon said in a statement. "There was significant wind that caused the sound to be delayed and distorted and created feedback during President Coleman’s speech."

Added Fitzgerald: "She struggled with the feedback and tried to adjust to the sound delay and the reverberation by slowing down her words."

After watching her remarks, hundreds of people began wondering on Twitter and other Internet forums why Coleman's voice sounded distorted— some considered drinking and others proposed a medical issue. Deadspin wrote an article speculating as to whether or not Coleman had been drinking.

Brandon underscored that speculation regarding a health issue and drinking were false.

"I was with President Mary Sue Coleman and the current social media speculation is without merit and 100 percent inaccurate," he said. "We were together at multiple campus events throughout the day and I walked with her from the suites to the field prior to the halftime recognition.



I have sincerely apologized to President Coleman for the failures in our sound system and the difficult situation this has caused for her."

Coleman is traveling to India today to begin a weeklong trip there.

Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for the Ann Arbor News. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@mlive.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.