Griese-Hutchinson-Woodson Charity Event Wrap Up and Its Future
In A2.com, Mike Rothstein recaps the wildly successful fourth edition of the Brian Griese, Steve Hutchinson, Charles Woodson Champions for Children's Hearts weekend. The weekend's events raised more than $1.9M (not counting the $3M donated by Al Glick and his foundation to name the seventh floor of the new hospital after Lloyd Carr).
But Hutchinson and Woodson are not satisfied. They want to expand the event and will likely move to add other purposes for the donated funds:
Hutchinson and Charles Woodson said they are going to try and make the bigger next year. With the $75 million for the new hospital almost fully raised, Hutchinson said they will shift where the donated money goes. But the tournament will go on — and potentially expand.
Former Michigan basketball player and current Wolverines’ director of basketball operations Travis Conlan was a fixture at the event’s festivities this year and Jalen Rose showed up this year for Saturday's dinner.
Hutchinson said he’s also spoken to Juwan Howard about getting involved. And he’s holding out hope the biggest Michigan name from the past three decades, Tom Brady, might eventually make an appearance.
“You get guys, the Fab Five back, you keep getting people like that back, maybe one of these times we’ll get Tom Brady back, if his schedule works,” said Hutchinson. “Just a huge draw if people know they are coming and are beating on the door to come down. As long as that happens, you’re selling yourself short if you don’t grow with it.”
“It’s as good as it’s been,” Woodson said. “But I think we can get bigger. We’ll try to think of ways to make that happen next year, but this year was absolutely incredible.”
I don't put anything past these guys, especially if they can get more of the most popular former Wolverines players (Tom Brady, Desmond Howard, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose) to lend their names and time to the event.
[Within five posts is my bet, BTW.]
But related to Woodson, I thought it was good to hear he's ready and fine for next season-
http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/former-michigan-cornerback-c…
“It feels good,” Woodson said. “It’s what you play the game for, what I always played the game for on any level, to try and win the championship. Finally, this year I was on a team that was able to get it done. “It’s a thing where from now on, for the rest of history, I’ll be a champion, always looked at as a champion. That says it all.”
...to make this an even bigger event is that this year's NFL labor strife and the Hoke hiring probably led to an even bigger draw of former players. Voluntary OTAs may preclude some of the bigger names from participating in future events. Still, if guys like this Griese, Hutchinson and Woodson say they're looking for ways to go bigger, I don't doubt them.
But Woodson's name is on it, so I'm not sure trying to get bigger players is the idea. (Hard other than Brady currently). Probably more. and Getting more probably involves getting guys who AREN'T in the League anymore. What I thought during their radio day, though I loved it, was that the next step would be to start getting some old time players involved, pre-Lloyd. They had some coaches, but not many players. Though I don't love always what they have to say, Leach and Taylor have been active voices lately. See if you can get guys like AC, Dierdorf, heck, Butch Woolfolk, whoever. Because it's easier networking-wise to do the guys you went to school with, and have contact, but to really expand, you need to mine the history, and get guys who already made their money, in the NFL, or business, or whatever, and covers more eras, and inspires more people to donate.
And of course, being an active program, there's a built in way to expand, with players graduating every year. I like the basketball expansion ideas too. Move to other sports.
Edit: I don't want to post anymore here, because I want to see what happens within 5 posts...
This is the first year I knew about the fundraising weekend and I think it is a great idea. I'm also surprised to see how many former players are already behind it.
I look forward to contributing more in the coming years.
I would hope that Michigan men would promote, lobby for, and contribute to such events in any way that they can. The cool thing about today's technology is that even if these guys aren't able to attend these events in the flesh, they can still make an impact from afar. If any of these men have prior obligations they could skype in, make a youtube video, tweet about it, etc.
Dear people - you know who you are.
These are Michigan Men.
Personally, if Hutchinson says he wants it to be bigger or better, I am not going to argue with him.
...from Saturday night's gala event.
- MSC looks tiny next to Hutchinson and Woodson.
- Mrs. Griese, Hutchinson and Feely are sporting some nice jerseys. I don't doubt that Mrs. Brady would look pretty good in one as well.
- The desire for a return to normality is palpable.
- Lloyd Carr looks happy (which is nice to see).
You see that about as often as this guy...
I don't believe in Happy Lloyd Carr. The photos must be a hoax.
Freddy with a nice collection: Tyrone Wheatley, Chris Perry, Anthony Thomas and Mike Hart. Can't help wondering if one might be replacement-in-waiting if Fred ever decides to retire....
Might just be me, but I just don't get the feeling that Tom really has much love for Michigan.