ROTC cadets run 64 miles in ‘Alex’s Great State Race’ ahead of U of M vs. MSU rivalry football game

EAST LANSING, Mich. – It’s become a cherished tradition before the big Michigan State Spartans vs. Michigan Wolverines rivalry football game.

For the 12th straight year, Army ROTC cadets from both schools completed “Alex’s Great State Race,” carrying the game ball 64 miles between campuses.

The mission is to deliver the game ball to East Lansing while carrying on the memory of Alex Powell, a Spartan who lost his battle with cancer in 2011.

This year’s race began early this morning at the Diag on the University of Michigan campus and ended around noon at Demonstration Hall at Michigan State University.

Since the first race in 2014, the annual run has helped raise more than $170,000 to support students with disabilities.