ANN ARBOR – No matter if you’re a softball pro or looking to fine tune a few skills the Michigan Softball Academy is the perfect event for you.
The event sponsored by the University of Michigan women’s softball team is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, on Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium (The Hutch). The 16th annual fundraiser benefits the American Cancer Society (ACS), and funds breast cancer treatments and research in Ann Arbor and throughout Southeast Michigan.
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In 2024, the Softball Academy raised more than $235,000 under the leadership of legendary Michigan Head Coach Carol Hutchins aka Hutch to surpass $2 million raised since the event began in 2010. It’s the largest amount raised by an NCAA Division I program for ACS.
In 2018, the Wolverines became the first NCAA women’s team, in any sport, to raise $1 million for the American Cancer Society.
The academy, going virtual in 2020 and 2021 amid the pandemic, raised a combined $200,000.
The evening will conclude with a social mixer inside the Jack Roth Stadium Club located atop Michigan Stadium. The event will feature food, drinks, and a guest panel moderated by Ira Weintraub, co-host of “The Michigan Insider” on “The Ticket.”
The spirit of the academy is carried on yearly by the volunteer team captains, many of whom have been involved since the first event in 2010. They make it their goal each year to energize their teams to fundraise to help the American Cancer Society achieve its goal of defeating breast cancer.
This year, for the fifth time in the event’s 16-year history, a home run derby will be held at the conclusion of the on-field portion of the event. It will feature local celebrities and anyone who raises $5,000 on their individual fundraising page. Click here to learn more about the Home Run Derby.
In 2016, former Michigan player and Michigan Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh squared off with former Wolverine Rick Leach. Harbaugh failed to hit a home run during 15 attempts, while Leach -- who played 10 seasons of Major League Baseball -- hit one home run to claim victory. In 2023, Local 4 morning anchor Jason Colthorp was one of the celebrity sluggers.
Each year, the event is spearheaded by an honorary chairwoman -- and this year, Hutch and the academy committee selected Emmy Award-winning TV personality, NBC TODAY contributor Jill Martin and Lorraine Wangler the wife of former Michigan Football player John Wangler and founder of Sol Stitch Designs, a women and minority owned decoration company in Michigan to serve as honorary co-chairs of the Softball Academy.
Past chairwomen include Local 4 4Warn Meteorologist Ashlee Baracy, Holly Rowe (sideline reporter for ESPN), Chrislan Manuel (wife of University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel), Kelli Moore (wife of University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore), Wendy Yip (wife of University of Michigan President Santa Ono), Sarah Harbaugh (wife of University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh), University of Michigan women’s basketball coach Kim Barnes Arico, Kathleen Beilein (wife of former University of Michigan men’s basketball coach John Beilein), Sue Snyder (wife of former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder), Jennie Ritter (former Wolverines softball player, 2005 National Champion, 2005 Player of the Year, and 2-time All-American) and University of Michigan athletics beat writer Angelique Chengelis of “The Detroit News.
So far, 26 teams and more than 192 participants have registered for this year’s event -- and right now the fundraising tally is $78,000 which is $122,000 shy of this year’s $200,000 fundraising goal.
Click here to learn more about the event, to sign up, and/or to donate.
