The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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12 THE WOLVERINE MAY 2022 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS JIM AND JACK HARBAUGH ARE AMONG THE FEATURED SPEAKERS AT MAY 18 AUTISM AWARENESS EVENT Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and his father, former U-M assistant and Western Michigan and Western Kentucky head coach Jack Harbaugh, will be featured speakers at the Xavier DeGroat Autism Awareness func- tion to be held Wed., May 18 at the Michigan Union in Ann Arbor from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Jim Brand- statter will emcee. Former Michigan greats Billy Taylor, Thom Darden and Fritz Seyferth, along with many oth- ers, will be in attendance in the support of autism awareness and acceptance. DeGroat, an autistic man, started his foundation to create and pro- mote opportunities for people with autism through advocacy, education, economic opportu- nities, and humanitarian efforts. He's taken his mission national and has received support from a wide array of elected officials at the local, state and national level who were impressed with his drive and mission. "I started the foundation because I want to help others with similar challenges I faced being told what I can and cannot do," he said. "But more importantly, to make sure families and chil- dren with autism can have enjoyment and feel connected to society rather than being separated because of their differences." His mission hit home for the Harbaugh family, Jack Harbaugh noted. Assistant coach Jay Harbaugh's son, Jacob — Jim's grand- son and Jack's great-grandson — was diagnosed with autism about six months ago. The Harbaughs had already committed to the cause two years earlier before the pandemic canceled DeGroat's first attempt at the event, but now it's even closer to their hearts. "After we met Xavier and then had a chance to experience this, our passion grew, and this became one of our main goals — to bring recognition to autism and the things that can be done to make it better for people with autism," said Jack Harbaugh. DeGroat has done plenty of that already. He opened an autism museum in the Meridian Mall in Lansing in February, highlight- ing people who have done incredible things while on the spec- trum, and continues to raise awareness for the cause. That he's a Michigan fan who grew up near East Lansing isn't lost on him. He went to Grand Ledge High School, too, home of former Michigan basketball player Jon Horford. "My dad is a natural Michigan fan. He'll get grumpy if Michigan loses," DeGroat said. "He used to watch Lloyd Carr's teams, and I used to remember watching them when I was a kid. Tom Brady and Mike Hart were our heroes. "But more importantly, I thought I'd better go on to the Uni- versity of Michigan and break down the boundary as an autistic that I can have capabilities to increase awareness of autism by having some profound names participate in it." Tickets for the event include VIP opportunities with a meet and greet and photos with Jim Harbaugh and the other U-M greats. Those go for $300 and can be ordered at XavierDeGroat- Foundation.org. General admission tickets are $150 and $50 for Michigan students. The Harbaughs are honored to be a part of DeGroat's mission. "What an impressive young man he is, I'll tell you that," Jack Harbaugh said of DeGroat. "I'm in awe of his energy, work ethic and passion." —Chris Balas U-M'S ACADEMIC SUCCESS PROGRAM RECEIVES BIG DONATION U-M athletics announced on March 31 a $1 million gift to its Academic Success Program (ASP) from the family of Clayton Wilhite. The gift will be used to begin the Clayton E. Wilhite Academic Success Program Fund, which will provide support to student-athletes and their academic endeavors. Wilhite, who passed away in April 2021, played football at U-M from 1964-66 under head coach Bump Elliott. He helped beat Ohio State his senior year, catching a 35-yard touchdown pass in the rivalry showdown. He was a recipient of the Maulbetsch, Robinson, Yost and Phi Beta Kappa awards for his academic and athletic achievements at Michigan. "We are honored that a charitable gift has been donated to the Clayton E. Wilhite Academic Success Pro- gram Fund," Wilhite's sister Mary Post said. "Through this generous gift, we hope that numerous student-athletes will uti- lize this program to achieve academic success." "Clayton Wilhite exemplifies our core values here at the University of Michigan," athletics director Warde Manuel said. "His passion for athletics and academics will continue to motivate and inspire the next generation of student-athletes, and his generous contributions to our program will help carry on his legacy here at the university." Michigan's ASP helps nearly 1,000 student-athletes with coun- seling, tutoring and mentoring needs. "At Michigan, our mission is to ensure our students are champi- ons not only in their competitive fields, but in the classroom, and most especially in life," said senior assistant AD Steve Connelly, director of the Academic Success Program. — Anthony Broome ACADEMIC ALL-BIG TEN HONORS ANNOUNCED The Big Ten released its academic all-conference team March 23 with a record 116 U-M winter student-athletes honored. The Academic All-Big Ten list for U-M's winter sports included five from men's basketball, 10 from women's basketball, 17 from men's gymnastics, 10 from women's gymnastics, 16 from ice hockey, 21 from men's swimming and diving, 21 from women's swimming and diving and 16 from wrestling. Michigan had 171 honorees during the fall, which brings the total up to 287 so far for the 2021-22 school year. Criteria for making Academic All-Big Ten include being at least a second-year student and maintaining a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. — Anthony Broome MAIZE AND BLUE NOTEBOOK CLAYTON WILHITE Coach Jim Harbaugh (above) and his father, Jack, both w i l l b e s p e a k i n g a t t h e Xavier DeGroat (left) Autism Awareness event in Ann Arbor May 18. PHOTO COURTESY XAVIER DEGROAT