One of the most recognizable and exciting game day entrances: the “Go Blue M Club Supports You” banner
Letterwinners M Club
We exist to build a unified community of letterwinners serving each other
to sustain the excellence and leadership of Michigan Athletics
and to help stay connected to Michigan after sports.
The Letterwinners M Club is the official member-driven Club for Michigan Letterwinners. We are an organization run by letterwinners, for letterwinners. Since first awarded in 1866, a Varsity "M" earned at the University of Michigan has been recognized as one of the most prestigious honors in Collegiate Athletics.
The Letterwinners M Club recognizes, connects, and celebrates athletes across sports, across decades, and across the globe. We have participated with the National Letterwinners Association (NLWA), founded by the National W-Club at the University of Wisconsin in 1996.
At inception, the NLWA was geared towards the Big Ten Conference institutions and many early attendees were solely from Big Ten Schools.
The NLWA eventually expanded and is open to all NCAA colleges and universities. We at Letterwinners M Club are very proud to celebrate our athletes across the globe.
Deep Roots
Since the Letterwinners M Club was formed in 1913 it has been run by an all-volunteer board of former varsity student-athletes who donate both time and talent. The first president, Homer Heath, 1906 Big Ten champion in the long jump, was appointed in 1913. There have been dozens of Presidents across sports that have served the M Club since its inception.
We connect and give back through regional events, online events and events held at the University of Michigan. We proudly offer scholarships to athletes and sponsor events and organizations that are near and dear to our hearts.
The Future is Bright
We celebrate decades of letterwinners by displaying their names in Crisler Area on the newly constructed Letterwinners Wall.
A Unified Community of Letterwinners
Across Sports, Decades and the Globe
It is one of the most recognizable and exciting game day entrances in sports: The pregame tradition of Michigan football players racing out of the tunnel onto the field in Michigan Stadium and leaping into the air to touch the “Go Blue M Club Supports You” banner while the Marching Band plays The Victors. The Banner -- as it has come to be known -- measures 30’ x 4’ and has been at the center of this tradition at Michigan football games since 1962, when the then 1-5 Wolverines decided to shake things up.
To show support for the struggling team, on the Friday practice before the 1962 homecoming game against Illinois, the "M" Club assembled a group of letterwinners from other sports to form two lines in a makeshift "flag tunnel" for the players to run through after practice, using a simple maize block M on a six-foot wide strip of fabric.
Head coach Bump Elliott liked how his players reacted and gave permission for the athletes to come back the next day and usher the players onto the field at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines won the game, and a tradition was born.
M Club in Action
Our Guiding Principles
INTEGRITY
Be responsible and ethical stewards of Michigan Athletics.
RESPECT
One team of global letterwinners embracing the commonalities that bind us.
CONNECTION
Committed to fostering a life-long connection to each other and our collective experiences.
COMMITMENT
Honoring the past, celebrating the present, and driving the future of the M Club.
Letterwinners M Club Membership Account
HAVE YOU UPDATED YOUR MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT & CONTACT INFORMATION?
- Go to www.LetterwinnersMClub.com/mclubmembers OR go to our homepage and select the "Membership" button in the upper righthand corner.
- Scroll down and:
- If you already have an active membership - select "Sign up" under the Membership Transfer: Free option
- If you do not have an active membership - select "Sign Up" for one of our paid options
- Join Membership Transfer box appears: enter first name, last name, email, a password & confirm that password & select "Create Account"
- Once you have created your account for the website, find your account settings and:
- Make sure to verify your email address
- Add your address to stay up to date with the club's regional activities
- Add a payment method for easy membership dues renewals and product orders
- Be on the lookout in the future for exclusive content on our site
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Letterwinners M Club Awards
Ufer Award
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.
Honorary M
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.
Post-Graduate Scholarship
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.
Raeder’s Raiders Spirit Award
College football in the 1950s was played much differently than it is today. There were two 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.
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. 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.
Bob Ufer
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For More Information
Address: 1000 S. State St, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109
Email: letterwinnersmclub@umich.edu
Resources
• Letterwinners M Club Homepage
• Members Page
