Whether you think you’re a pro on the ballfield or you’re looking to learn a few softball skills the Michigan Softball Academy is the event for you, and it will leave you saying, “Go Blue!” and “Go Pink!”
The event sponsored by the University of Michigan women’s softball team is scheduled for Thursday, May 2, on Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium. The 15th annual fundraiser benefits the American Cancer Society (ACS), and funds breast cancer treatments and research in Ann Arbor and throughout Southeast Michigan.
In 2023, the Softball Academy raised more than $193,000 under the leadership of legendary Michigan Head Coach Carol Hutchins aka Hutch. The academy, going virtual in 2020 and 2021 amid the pandemic, raised a combined $200,000.
In 2018, the Wolverines became the first NCAA women’s team, in any sport, to raise $1 million for the American Cancer Society. Since 2010, the annual event has raised more than $1.9 million for the ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative and during this year’s event the Wolverines are poised to surpass $2 million raised, the most ever of any NCAA program, a goal which they are currently $40,000 away from achieving.
During the event, volunteer team captains and their registered team members will participate in a fantasy camp of sorts on Alumni Field. Participants will spend the evening interacting with Wolverines softball student athletes, who will teach them the tips and tricks on how to successfully throw, hit, pitch, catch, run the bases, and slide.
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 fourth time in the event’s 15-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, Hutchins and the academy committee selected Wendy Yip the wife of University of Michigan President Santa Ono and Kelli Moore the wife of Michigan Head Football Coach Sherrone Moore 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), 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, 24 teams and more than 170 participants have registered for this year’s event -- and right now the fundraising tally is $1.96 million about $40,000 shy of the $2 million fundraising goal.
Click here to learn more about the event, to sign up, and/or to donate.
Hear legendary Coach Hutchins talk about the annual event in the video player up above.