From behind enemy lines, here’s a photo from Saturday’s for the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes held on the MSU Campus. Spartan coach Mark Dantonio was the honorary chair, here speaking to the crowd of over 1200 that gathered for the event. He and some MSU players greeted, signed and took some pics with the fans. During his speech passed along a few words of encouragement to the supporters, JDRF donors and even took a shot or two at those that lean Blue. The JDRF also holds a walk an Ann Arbor walk each year, this year it’ll be held September 14 at Hudson Mills Metro Park in Dexter. More info here. I know that Coach Bo walked in previous years. Here he is at the 2005 Walk: Perhaps Coach Rod will get out there once he settles into his new digs? Word is that the EL Walk raised nearly $300,000 for JDRF (wow!).
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JDRF Detroit Golf Outing a Huge Success
MVictors once again was a distinguished beverage sponsor at this year’s Golf Classic benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). The event, held at the incredible Franklin Hills Country Club, raised a bunch of money that will be used to cure this disease. Channel 7’s sports director Don Shane was the celebrity chair, here he is with JDRF Detroit president Ron Dooley about to kick-off the event: Quick take on Shane: outstanding guy and he did a great job as MC before and after the event. You can learn more about JDRF and Type 1 diabetes here. Thanks for all the readers who support this site and its sponsors.
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Football team Takes Over, Raise big bucks for Mott (audio)
Today marked the next installment of Michigan football radio takeover on WTKA 1050AM and several other Michigan-based stations. The 12-hour radio-a-thon raised nearly $90,000 for the new C.S. Mott Children’s hospital as they were going off the air. Most of the current coaching staff was in studio with a bunch of current players, and several former M men in the NFL dialed in including Steve Hutchinson, Jeff Backus and Jake Long. Rodriguez was in studio from around 5pm to the end of the auction at 7pm and did a great job. Here’s a great segment during drive time hosted by Bill ‘Huge’ Simonson, with Coach Rodriguez, Mike Hart and Morgan Trent: [display_podcast] I’m sure they will still take your donations! Support C.S. Mott
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eBay Watch: The 1954 Bust
There’s a bevy of legendary former coaches and players descending on Ann Arbor for the 2008 Griese/Hutchinson Champions for Children’s Hearts Celebrity Golf Tournament (Sunday) as well as the Swing to Cure Diabetes (Monday) both at the M Course. This provides a nice opportunity to take a look at another item in the eBay Watch series, this time a signed program from the 1954 post-season football Bust autographed by the team and many of the greatest names in Michigan football history. Check it out: Coach Bennie Oosterbaan’s ’54 Wolverines finished just 6-3, certainly nothing too special but there were some notable wins. Anchored by All Big Ten quarterback Ron Kramer and All American tackle Art Walker, Michigan upset #4 Iowa and #8 Minnesota at home but fell 21-7 in the season finale to Woody Hayes and his #1 Buckeyes. The AP slotted the Wolverines at #15 in the final poll and Dr. StrangeHayes and the Bucks ended up sharing the national title after downing Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl. The 1954 season holds a special place in Buckeye lore. Obviously the national championship cements this distinction but this is in essence the year Woody Hayes deflected his critics and became a legend. I could go on about the ’54 version of ‘The Game’ but since my team lost, I…
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Big Blue Chopper to be auctioned Sunday
The Maize and Blue chopper will be auctioned off this Sunday at the 2008 Griese/Hutchinson Champions for Children’s Hearts Celebrity Golf Tournament at the M Course. P.S. And perhaps we’ll get some closure on the #1 jersey issue…check out the list of celebrities that are scheduled to appear: Several celebrity guests have committed to this year’s event, including Charles Woodson, Braylon Edwards, Jeff Backus, Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriguez, Dan Dierdorf, and Anthony Carter.
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M Nerdiverse done good
Looks like the Michigan bloggers and readers stepped up big in the FanBlogs-sponsored fundraising effort. This all went down whilst I was out so I’ll only feel a little bit good about it. If you’re still in the mood to help a great cause the Swing to Cure Diabetes is on for May 19, 2008 and they’re always interested in your support. I don’t know if they have any golfing slots remaining. Cathy Schembechler is the honorary chair of the event which will go down at the Old Man MacKenzie’s M Course on Monday. I’ve been trying to line up an interview with former Michigan QB and co-chair Rich Hewlett, but he’s pretty tied up. MVictors.com is in with a hole sponsorship. Get some!
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Chuck Woodson: Enter Michigan’s Valhalla
Yes, if you crush Ohio State, win the Heisman and then the national championship you’ve secured your place in Michigan football lore. But to no one’s criticism he left school early to pursue the NFL and that took something away from his standing amongst Michigan’s all-time greats. Now we learn that Woodson decided set up a scholarship for students needing financial assistance. Providing these scholarships puts #2 back up a notch in my book. What’s $150,000 to a guy who’s had a long career in the NFL? A lot. How many other guys have stepped up? To care enough to set this up is a huge move and just like Jalen, he’s showing the traits of a true role model.
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University right for honoring Jalen
Glad to here that former Fab Fiver and current NBA analyst Jalen Rose will be honored later this month during the Illinois game. I’d love to make it out there on February 23 to see the ceremony, which is focusing on celebrating Rose’s charity work through his Jalen Rose Foundation which has given over $1M to Detroit area children. Major props to Jalen for all of this. He’s true role model for the kids and maybe more importantly, for the Detroit area athletes. Although his astranged father played in the NBA Jalen grew up in humble surroundings in the city. My buddy Rosey tells a great story from a class he had at Michigan with Jalen. When the class was asked to give their TV show, Jalen offered his was “Good Times, because I lived it.” For the university to look past the Ed Martin crap to honor him is a good move. While Jalen was never directly included in the names of players to which Martin gave money I believe he’s made it clear that folks like Martin helped him out from time to time when he was growing up.