Michigan Football: Football and Mott's teams up

Posted at 4:00pm -- 4/1/2010

from MGoBlue

Football, Mott Children's Hospital Partner for Spring Game Fundraiser

Beam Family of Brighton, Mich., Provides "Matching Gift" Incentive

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez announced today (Tuesday, March 23) a unique partnership between the Wolverines' program and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital for the annual spring game slated for Saturday, April 17, at 1 p.m. The spring game is a free public event, but U-M football and Mott are partnering in a fundraiser to assist in the building of the new C.S. Mott Children's Hospital scheduled to open in Fall 2012.

"Our players and staff, as well as Rita and the coaches' wives, feel a great connection with Mott Children's Hospital," said Rodriguez. "This partnership is an extension of our long-standing relationship with Mott and provides us with another avenue to assist with their cause of helping children."

"We are thrilled for the opportunity to partner with the U-M football team and Coach Rodriguez to benefit the patients at U-M Mott Children's Hospital," said Pat Warner, chief administrative officer for C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital. "The annual spring game is always a great way for U-M fans to come out and support the team, and we are truly grateful that the team has offered their support to Mott."

Fans can make a donation of choice to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital upon entering the gates of Michigan Stadium. Donations are accepted at any level but fans will receive giveaways for donating at the following four levels:

$5 donation receives an "All in for Michigan Towel"
$20 donation receives a spring game "All in for Michigan, All in for Mott" T-shirt
$250 donation receives four passes to a pre-season scrimmage
$500 donation receives 2 pre-game sideline passes (does not include game tickets) to ONE of the following four games: Bowling Green, Massachusetts, Iowa or Illinois (limited number of passes per game)

To encourage fans to participate in the fundraiser, the Beam Family of Brighton, Mich., will match dollar-for-dollar every donation that is made to Mott at the gates during the spring game.

"Because of the generosity of others in the past, Mott Children's Hospital has been there for our family when we needed professional, skilled and compassionate care for our daughters," said Jane Beam. "Now I would like to help make a difference in the lives of other children and their families. Hopefully my matching gift will spur more donations and many more children will benefit."

All of the money raised from the fundraising effort will benefit the Michigan Football Experience, an interactive play area for patients at Mott to experience what it is like to be a Wolverine football player. In addition, there will be a silent auction on the concourse during the spring game.

Mott patients and their families will spend the entire spring game with the Wolverine team and staff.

"This is a way for our program and the U-M football community to assist with a Michigan Football Experience Room at the new hospital," added Rodriguez. "Visiting the patients at Mott has been a tremendous experience for our student-athletes and staff. I have been fortunate enough to see first-hand the good that has come from the funds generated at the Griese-Hutchinson-Woodson Golf Outing and the WTKA Radio-a-thon. This spring game fundraiser provides another source of support from the football program and fan base. The relationship between the football program and Mott is extremely important to all of us."

The gates to Michigan Stadium will open at 10 a.m. EDT. The second annual alumni flag football game is scheduled to begin with introductions at 11 a.m. The 131st team in school history will take the field for warm-ups at approximately noon.

Check MGoBlue.com and follow the Wolverines on Twitter (michigan_fball) and Facebook (search Michigan Football) for special promotions and activities on the upcoming spring game festivities.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If I can't make it to the spring game, how can I still give to the Mott project?
If you are interested in donating to the Michigan Football Experience Play Area at the new hospital, you may do so be sending a check or money order to the following address:

UM C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
Attn: Stephanie Cloutier
300 N. Ingalls, Room 4D17
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5475
Re: Spring Game
Do you need to have a game ticket to obtain the pregame sideline pass?
Yes, the donors must have a ticket to the game that you choose your pregame sideline passes. The recipient will need to show their game tickets when picking up the pass on game day. The two passes are for PREGAME ONLY and prior to the start of the game the pass holders will need to go to their seats.

Can I donate $500 in advance of the game and still get the sideline passes? How?
Yes, you can purchase the pregame sideline passes and/or the fall camp scrimmage passes prior to the spring game by filling out the PDF form and returning it to Stephanie Cloutier at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. The address and phone number are located on the form.

If I'm not at the spring game and still want to donate to the Spring Game Fundraiser, am I eligible for the various giveaways announced in relation to this effort?
We will be sending out the certificates for those that wish to make donations for the fall camp scrimmage and the pregame sideline passes but we are unable to mail the towels or T-shirts.

Is the scrimmage referenced in the giveaways during spring or fall camp?
The scrimmage will take place during preseason camp on a Saturday to be determined.

Is the scrimmage on a weekday or weekend?
The scrimmage will be on a Saturday.

Would long-distance donations (from those not attending the spring game) be eligible for matching funds from the Beam family?
Yes, the Beam family has graciously stated that all donations to the fund earmarked for the Michigan Football Experience Play Area will be matching funds.

Will there be locker room tours?
A decision will be forthcoming in the next week or two.

Where will the tents be located where we can make our donation for the scrimmage and/or pregame sideline passes?
The tents will be located just inside Gates 2, 4, 8 and 10.