Celebrating letterwinners
Letterwinners M Club proudly offers scholarships to athletes and former athletes. The club sponsors events and organizations that are near and dear to our hearts. Stay connected and support the generations of Letterwinners to come. Your membership and donations support these efforts.
AWARDS
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The Ufer Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by the Board of Directors. Since 1981, the Ufer Award has been presented each year to a Letterwinner M Club member in recognition of their exceptional enthusiasm for, and commitment to, the University of Michigan and the Letterwinners M Club.
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The Letterwinners M Club established its Postgraduate Scholarship in 2012 (with the cooperation of the University of Michigan Athletic Department), for continued support of student-athletes and alumni in their career and personal development.
Through this annual program, Michigan Varsity Letterwinners may qualify for all or a portion of a Letterwinners M Club $10,000 scholarship. Scholarships are one-time, nonrenewable grants to cover the cost of tuition. They are paid by the Letterwinners M Club directly to the institution in which the recipient is enrolled for graduate study.
Applicants must have applied to or been accepted to an accredited institution for the purpose of pursuing an advanced degree. The Letterwinners M Club scholarship may not be deferred. The selection committee will consider all applicants and choose winners based on academic merit, history of service to the University of Michigan and community, and career potential.
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An Honorary M is presented to those who have not earned a varsity letter but have demonstrated outstanding service to the University of Michigan and/or its Athletic Department. This award grants honorees the opportunity to join the Letterwinners M Club.
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College football in the 1950s was played much differently than it is today. There were 2 units that played - offense and defense - comprised exclusively of upperclassmen. During the 1959 Michigan football season, Coach Bump Elliot created a third unit of sophomores led by J. Paul Raeder and collectively known as "Raeder's Raiders". They quickly became favorites of fans, teammates, and coaches because of their hard-nosed, inspired play. Time and time again, the Raiders provided a valuable spark to the entire team while coming off the bench. Their philosophy was Be Prepared, Have a Great Attitude, Have Fun and Seize your Moment, and decades later that still resonates in college sports.
The Raeder's Raiders Spirit Award was established in 2005 by the Raeder family to commemorate J. Paul Raeder (Football, 1957-1961), who passed away in 2004. This award is presented annually by the Letterwinners M Club to a University of Michigan student-athlete who demonstrates character, teamwork, dedication, perseverance, and intensity in athletic performance, all while coming "off thee bench". Student-athletes from all sports who have earned a varsity letter are eligible to be nominated for the Raeder's Raiders Spirit Award by their head coach or appointed representative of the program. The nominees are voted on by the board of directors of the Letterwinners M Club. The Program of the selected winner will receive a $500 donation from the Letterwinners M Club.
2023 Award Winners
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Honorary M - Fred 'Bud' Stein
Fred ‘Bud’ Stein spent his entire life in service to the Athletic Department at the University of Michigan. He raised pennants for every home football game for 60 years, starting at the age of 6. He played baskertball for the University ‘39-’41, on track to earn his varsity letter until he was sent to World War II before his senior year.
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ufer award - amy mccormick stevens
Our 2023 Honoree, Amy McCormick Stevens, has exemplified “outstanding service” and was instrumental in the success of the club during her time on the board, serving multiple different roles on the executive committee before being elected president.
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Raeder's Raiders Spirit award - anika dy
Our 2023 recipient of the Rader’s Raiders Spirit Award is Anika Dy. In addition to being her team’s own biggest supproter, Anika pushed through the difficulties of COVID-19 shutting down much of her early college golf career. Her perseverance and resilience were instrumental in leading the Wolverines in the Big Ten Championships and their selection to the 2023 NCAA Postseason during her senior year.
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postgraduate scholar - louis grodman
We are excited to share our 2023 Postgraduate Scholarship recipient - Louis Grodman. Louis was named an Academic All-Big Ten Athlete all three years he played for Michigan football, and was also named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in his last two year. Louis plans to spend a year at the University of San Diego pursuing a Masters degree in Engineering, after which he will return to Ann Arbor to medical school.
HALL OF HONOR
Located within Crisler Arena, the University of Michigan Hall of Honor was established in 1978 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions as athletes, coaches and administrators to the tradition of Wolverine athletics and, in doing so, have enhanced the image and reputation of the University of Michigan. The Letterwinners M Club holds a seat on the selection committee for future inductees into the Hall of Honor.
Those inducted into the Hall of Honor have earned All-America recognition in a team or individual sport or, as individuals have established an NCAA, American or World record; won an NCAA title, or made significant contributions to the Michigan Athletic Department as a coach or administrator.