Wolverines to Host Charity Exhibition With Oakland to Benefit Forgotten Harvest
8/20/2024 10:01:00 AM | Men's Basketball
DETROIT, Mich. -- In conjunction with 313 Presents, the University of Michigan basketball team announced Tuesday (Aug. 20) a charity exhibition game against Oakland in downtown Detroit on Sunday (Oct. 20) at Little Caesars Arena benefiting Forgotten Harvest. The charity exhibition is scheduled for a 5 p.m. tipoff and will be streamed live on B1G+.
Forgotten Harvest is a non-profit food insecurity organization whose vision is to work with communities to end hunger and create individual, neighborhood, economic and environmental health. Food insecurity is one's inability to obtain sufficient food for their household's needs.
Metro Detroit's largest food rescue operation, Forgotten Harvest rescues surplus food produced, or ordered, in amounts greater than what can be sold from over 560 food donors and delivers it for free to over 220 community agency partners. Last fiscal year (2022-23) Forgotten Harvest distributed over 40 million pounds of food, or 33 million meals.
The exhibition not only marks the debut of U-M's new head coach Dusty May, but Oakland's legendary head coach Greg Kampe begins his 41st campaign with the Golden Grizzlies.
Michigan has had nine regular season matchups with Oakland, including the last in 2020 at Crisler Center. The charity exhibition marks the third time the Wolverines and Golden Grizzlies will have played at the home of the Detroit Pistons -- Little Caesars Arena (2024) and the Palace of Auburn Hills (2008 and 2011).
U-M makes its third appearance playing in Little Caesars Arena. U-M faced Detroit Mercy (W, 90-58) in the first collegiate basketball game (Dec. 16, 2017) in the new downtown arena. The Maize and Blue then hosted Eastern Michigan in a Battle of Washtenaw Country on Nov. 11, 2022 -- a thrilling 88-83 victory over the Eagles.
Oakland has made six trips to Little Caesars Arena, playing Michigan State on three mid-December occasions (2017, 2019 and 2021), while adding three games in the Horizon League Tournament (2018 and 2019). The Golden Grizzlies are 1-5 in downtown contests.
Tickets go on sale Friday (Aug. 23) at 10 a.m. at 313Presents.com, Ticketmaster.com and the Xfinity Box Office at Little Caesars Arena. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling the Group Sales Department at (313) 471-3099.
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Dusty May, David and Meredith Kaplan Men's Basketball Head Coach
"Creating unique experiences for our players and fans is something we strive to do. This exhibition creates a great matchup for two great in-state programs and helps the Detroit community as we've partnered with Forgotten Harvest. We want to make sure we draw the attention needed to their cause and help their goal of providing everyone a meal, every day."
Greg Kampe, Oakland University Head Coach
"We're really excited for this exhibition game and for Oakland to be Dusty's first opponent as Michigan's head coach. Our team is looking forward to it, but more importantly, we're honored to contribute to the fight against hunger in our community and we're proud to support an organization like Forgotten Harvest that does so much for those in need."
Adrian Lewis, CEO of Forgotten Harvest
"Forgotten Harvest is so proud to be the benefactor of this exhibition, these two great universities, coaches and teams coming together to bring awareness to the ongoing hunger problem here in our community is really an inspiration for all of us to get involved today and make a difference in the lives of a neighbor in need."
Howard Handler, President of 313 Presents
"I am excited to partner with Forgotten Harvest to host two great institutions, the University of Michigan and Oakland University, at Little Caesars Arena. Forgotten Harvest works tirelessly to relieve hunger and prevent food waste, and I couldn't be happier to see these two schools come together to help support the dedicated metro Detroit-based organization and their community. We look forward to providing an exceptional game-night experience for the student-athletes, coaches and fans."
