Michigan Announces Alumni Football Game Roster
4/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan Athletic Department announced today (Tuesday, April 7) the tentative roster of alumni players for the flag football game to be played prior to the spring game on Saturday, April 11, at Michigan Stadium. The alumni contest will begin at approximately 10 a.m. and precedes the 130th team's annual spring scrimmage that is slated to begin at noon. The game is free and open to the public.
The 38-player alumni game roster (see below for complete list) includes six members of the 1997 national championship team, including that season's Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the 2001 NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year, tailback Anthony Thomas. Fourteen of the participants played in the NFL, while All-America quarterback Rick Leach chose a career in Major League Baseball. Former U-M assistant coaches Tirrel Burton will coach the maize squad and Jerry Hanlon will coach the blue team. The teams will be announced during WTKA's broadcast from Michigan football practice this Thursday, April 9 (3-6 p.m.).
Michigan will also honor some special guests in attendance at the game. Members of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl XLIII winning team, including linebackers Larry Foote and LaMarr Woodley, safety Ryan Mundy and assistant offensive line coach Harold Goodwin, will be recognized during the game.
In addition, three U-M national champions from this season, Tyler Clary (men's swimming and diving), Steve Luke (wrestling) and Tiffany Ofili (women's track & field), will be honored for their achievements.
The Michigan Marching Band, the cheerleaders and the dance team will also participate in the spring game.
Following is a list of all the activities surrounding the annual spring game:
Parking: The lots around Michigan Stadium owned and operated by the University of Michigan are free and open to the public. The U-M Golf Course Lot (Green) will be restricted to golfers only. Pioneer High School will be charging $5 for cars and $10 for RV's on Saturday.
Gates, Restrooms and Concessions: The Michigan Stadium gates (1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 10) will open 30 minutes prior to the alumni game at 9:30 a.m. Certain restrooms and concessions will be open to the public, but a final determination will be made at a later date based on the construction schedule.
Locker Room Tours: Fans can tour and take photos in the Michigan team locker room from 8-10 a.m. Each locker will be set up with player uniforms and will look exactly the way that it does on game day. Fans will exit the locker room at the top of the tunnel where the Go Blue' sign resides.
Kick for Books and Gear: The athletic department will randomly select two U-M students to attempt field goals with the chance to win adidas gear and/or a $500 gift card to purchase books for next semester. Students will have the opportunity to kick from three different spots, the 10-, 15- or 20-yard lines, with varying prizes for each of the three distances.
Super Bowl Participants Honored: Members of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals that played in Super Bowl XLII will be honored prior to the scrimmage.
Student Section Blocked Off: U-M will block off the first 20 rows of seats in sections 24 and 25 for student seating at the spring game.
Go Blue Banner Held by Students: Forty (40) randomly selected U-M students will have the opportunity to hold the historic Go Blue' Banner for the team to run under upon entering the field prior to the scrimmage.
Radio Broadcast: WTKA will have the exclusive broadcast of Michigan's spring football weekend activities. The station will begin broadcasting Saturday at 10 a.m. and carry the former player's flag football game and the final spring practice in its entirety on its airwaves.
Michigan Rewind: The athletic department's online football recap show anchored by Doug Karsch will have a complete highlight package and interviews with Rich Rodriguez and players available on MGoBlue.com following the conclusion of the final practice.
Big Ten Tonight Features Wolverines: Saturday night at 10 p.m. EDT, the Big Ten Network will show highlights and provide in-depth coverage of Michigan's spring game on Big Ten Tonight. BTN reporter Shireen Saski will be on site to cover the final spring drill and get interviews with the players and coach Rich Rodriguez. Dave Revsine, Gerry DiNardo and Howard Griffith will anchor the show from Chicago.
Alumni Flag Football Game Roster
| Player, Position, Year(s) Lettered | Player, Position, Year(s) Lettered |
| Derek Bell, OL, 2004 | Allen Jefferson, RB, 1987-90 |
| Ron Bellamy, WR, 1999-2002 | Dan Jokisch, TE, 1988-90 |
| Jim Betts, S, 1968-70 | Ankit Kachhal, P, 2007 |
| Mark Bihl, C, 2003-06 | Brian Lafer, WR, 2003 |
| Chris Bohn, LB, 1988-90 | Rick Leach, QB, 1975-78 |
| Chris Calloway, WR, 1987-89 | Mike Leoni, OT, 1978-79 |
| Jason Carr, QB, 1993-95 | Roy Manning, LB, 2001-04 |
| Zia Combs, CB, 2001-02 | Alex Marshall, LB/DE, 1988-91 |
| Clint Copenhaver, LB, 1995-98 | Andy Mignery, TE, 2001-03 |
| Markus Curry, CB, 2002-04 | Kirk Moundros, RB, 1999-2002 |
| Carl Diggs, LB, 2000-03 | Aaron Richards, WR, 2000 |
| Scott Dreisbach, QB, 1995-98 | Todd Richards, WR, 1993-95 |
| Bill Dufek, OT, 1974-78 | Jay Riemersma, TE, 1992-95 |
| Brandent Englemon, S, 2004-07 | Aaron Shea, TE, 1996-99 |
| Mike Evans, DT, 1988-91 | Michael Taylor, QB, 1987-89 |
| Thomas Guynes, OL, 1993-96 | Anthony Thomas, RB, 1997-2000 |
| Ali Haji-Sheikh, PK, 1979-82 | Phil Webb, RB, 1985-87 |
| James Hall, DE, 1996-99 (GUEST REFEREE) | Thomas Wilcher, RB, 1985-86 |
| Kenneth Jackson, CB, 1996-98 | Brandon Williams, CB, 1999-2002 |
In addition, some of the current NFL players that are scheduled to be in attendance are: Steve Breaston (Arizona Cardinals), Larry Foote (Pittsburgh Steelers), James Hall (St. Louis Rams), Mike Hart (Indianapolis Colts), Jon Jansen (Washington Redskins), Ryan Mundy (Pittsburgh Steelers), LaMarr Woodley (Pittsburgh Steelers).
Media Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423
