Minutes before his round started at the University of Michigan Golf Course this morning, the football program’s all-time leading rusher Mike Hart ducked into
the pro shop to buy a golf shirt, which he pulled over his T-shirt. Outside, former Michigan center and ultra-casual dresser Steve Everitt walked around in sandals and declared that the only clubs he’d need were a 7-wood and a putter. Clearly, for Hart, Everitt and the 50 or so former Michigan football players who gathered for the Brian Griese/Steve Hutchinson “Champions for Children’s Hearts” celebrity tournament, the golf itself was secondary. At the forefront was the cause – raising money for the new, under construction C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Women’s Hospital and the school’s Congenital Heart Center. And between a gala dinner Saturday night at Crisler Arena that was attended by more than 450 people, and the golf outing Sunday, a record $650,000 was raised. Through three years, the event has now raised roughly $1.3 million. “To have raised over a million dollars is pretty cool,” said Griese, a veteran NFL quarterback. “I’m not surprised because the Michigan family is so big and the athletes that come back are so committed. I think that we are gonna try to expand this and continue to grow.” “The first time calling the athletes and getting them here was a little difficult,” said development officer Tammi Carr. “Now, I don’t want to turn people away. We have to find ways to include more of them.”
Among the other former Michigan players and coaches who participated Sunday were Corwin Brown, Elvis Grbac, Jeff Backus, Jon Runyan, Tyrone Wheatley, Anthony Thomas, Chad Henne and Jake Long. Along with Lloyd Carr, current Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez was on hand.