Ann Arbor – Do you want to hit it like the top slugger in the big leagues? Always wanted to grab the home run stealing catch before it goes over the fence? Looking to slide into home and avoid the tag?
The Michigan Softball Academy is the perfect place to fine tune all your softball skills.
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The 17th annual event sponsored by the University of Michigan women’s softball team is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, on Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium (The Hutch). The fundraiser benefits the American Cancer Society (ACS), and funds breast cancer treatments and research in Ann Arbor and throughout Southeast Michigan.
Click here to learn more about the event, to sign up, and/or to donate.
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.
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 led 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 sixth time in the event’s 17-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.
In 2025, Michigan Wolverines head basketball coach Dusty May highlighted the event. Back in 2023 Local 4 morning news anchor & FlashPoint host Jason Colthorp was one of the celebrity sluggers and 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.
Each year, the event is spearheaded by an honorary chairwoman -- and this year, Hutch and the academy committee selected:
Bev Plocki retired in 2025 after 36 seasons as head coach of Michigan women’s gymnastics, completing one of the most successful tenures in collegiate athletics. She built the Wolverines into a national powerhouse, highlighted by the programs first NCAA championship in 2021, while capturing a record 26 Big Ten titles and leading 26 NCAA Championship appearances and 10 Super Six berths. An 11-time Big Ten Coach of the Year and two-time National Coach of the Year, she developed generations of All-Americans and champions while elevating both competitive and academic standards. She is honored to serve as honorary co-chair, a role that holds deep personal meaning as cancer has touched her family.
Dr. Susan Hull Grasso an environmental engineer and University of Michigan alumna, holds a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Delaware and has built a career spanning private practice, government, and nonprofit advocacy. As the wife of University of Michigan President Domenico Grasso, she maintains a strong connection to the university community. She is honored to serve as honorary co-chair of the 2026 Michigan Softball Academy event supporting the American Cancer Society, a cause close to her heart due to the impact of cancer on her family and loved ones.
Past chairwomen include Local 4 4Warn Meteorologist Ashlee Baracy, Emmy Award-winning TV personality and NBC TODAY contributor Jill Martin, Lorraine Wangler the wife of former Michigan Football player John Wangler and founder of Sol Stitch Designs, Holly Rowe (sideline reporter for ESPN), Chrislan Manuel (wife of University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel), Kelli Moore (wife of former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore), Wendy Yip (wife of former University of Michigan President Santa Ono), Sarah Harbaugh (wife of former 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, 19 teams and more than 158 participants have registered for this year’s event -- and right now the fundraising total is $76,000 which is $124,000 shy of this year’s $200,000 fundraising goal.