Michigan Alumni Softball

The Capital Alumni Network (CAN) softball season is kicking off.  We play against other local alumni clubs.  Games are various weeknights and weekends from April through August on the mall.  Please contact Coach Joe Friedman at friedman_joe@hotmail.com for additional information.

Be the Twelfth Man As Wolverine Men's Soccer Competes This Saturday in an NCAA Quarterfinal in College Park

This past weekend the UM Men's soccer team defeated 7th seed South Carolina in South Carolina by 3 - 1 to advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament for only the second time in the program's history. Next Saturday, Dec. 4, at 1 pm the Wolverines face 2nd seed Maryland at Ludwig Field in College Park, with a chance to advance to the national Final Four for the first time.

Maryland is formidable but this Michigan team has repeatedly beaten nationally-ranked teams on their own turf. Freshman Soony Saad has the second-most goals in the country (19) this season and he will probably have the most before the tournament ends. This is a rare opportunity to see a Michigan team play in the DC area, and fan support could make the difference. Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased online at

http://ev9.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3AUMD%3AS10%3AN4%3A&linkID=umd&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=

The match is certain to be packed and seating is general admission, so order your tickets soon, arrive early, and wear blue to support the Wolverines on their way to the Final Four. If you would like to meet up and sit with other U-M alumni/fans please look for the UMDC Michigan tent in the parking lot well ahead of the game.

Umich-DC POC: Dave Burgett, DWBurgett@comcast.net

Big Ten Kayaking and Beer Tasting

UMDC has organized with other Big Ten alumni and Cal-Berkeley a kayaking and beer-tasting event. Get ready for a fun day on the Shenandoah followed by a delicious (and filling) private dinner and beer tasting!

This trip is for ALL alumni (and guests) who are in good physical condition for 3 hours on the river. Space on the bus is limited, so don't wait until the last minute!

Proceeds from this activity will benefit the UMDC scholarship fund.

TO SIGN UP:
1. Visit http://dc.urbanescapesusa.com/index.php/trips/detail/big_10_kayak_and_beer_extravaganza
2. Once you have added the trip to your cart, click "Add a coupon" and enter GOBLUE-10 before checking out.

Please note that there are a few personal items that you should bring—including some Michigan gear—so come prepared (for a great time)!

Deets:
Date: Sunday, September 26th
Time: Noon – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Shenandoah (Virginia)
Cost: $89/person (all-inclusive: transport, kayaking, dinner, beer)

2010 Commencement to Air on Big Ten Network

Big Ten Network to Televise President Obama’s Commencement Address

at the University of Michigan

Special edition of University Showcase at 10:30 a.m. ET on May 1

CHICAGO & ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Big Ten Network will offer live television coverage of President Barack Obama’s commencement address at the University of Michigan. Live coverage of the commencement from Michigan Stadium will begin at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, May 1, as a special edition of the network’s University Showcase programming.

President Obama’s speech will be the first televised commencement address for the three-year-old network, a partnership between the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Networks. The entire commencement ceremony will also be streamed live at www.BigTenNetwork.com.

Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said such a major national event taking place on a Big Ten campus was a natural fit for the network. “The Big Ten Conference is about more than just athletic excellence. Our universities also represent the very best in higher education. President Obama’s Commencement address at the University of Michigan is undoubtedly a newsworthy occasion, and we’re pleased to be able to carry it live to a national audience.”

In addition to airing more than 350 live sporting events, studio shows, original programming, coaches’ shows and classic games, the network also provides universities the ability to produce programming focused on campus activities unrelated to sports through University Showcase. This year, the network will air over 100 hours of University Showcase.

President Obama will become the fourth sitting American president to visit the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, following George H.W. Bush in 1991; Gerald R. Ford, who launched his re-election campaign there in 1976; and Lyndon B. Johnson, who announced the Great Society Program at the campus in 1964. This will be Obama’s first visit to the university as president.

2010 U of M Congressional Breakfast Online Auction - NOW OPEN

Please be sure to visit our online auction, as we have many new items listed at: http://auctions.readysetauction.com/michigan Deadline to bid online is March 8, 2010 (at NOON). To bid online, you will need to sign up with ReadySetAuction — the process is very simple, and you do not need to provide your credit card to bid — we will contact you if you win an item!

59th Annual Congressional Breakfast and Silent Auction

Join fellow U-M alumni and friends at the annual Congressional Breakfast and Silent Auction of the U of M Club of Washington, DC. Our keynote speaker this year is Senator Carl Levin, and we will also hear from U-M President Mary Sue Coleman, Alumni Association President Steve Grafton, and other University officials.

Our silent auction at the breakfast will once again benefit the club’s scholarship commitments to DC area students attending the University. As in past years, we will offer many items in several categories ranging from sporting event tickets, vacation venues, restaurant offerings, Michigan and University items and more. Check the club’s Web site at http://www.umdc.org before Tuesday, March 9, for our online portion of the silent auction by Ready, Set, Auction to preview and make initial bids on items.

All proceeds benefit our club’s scholarship program and donated items are tax-deductible.

Cost:
$38 UM grads classes 2006-2009
$45 all other UM alumni and friends

Please make your reservation at: http://www.umdc.org

If you have questions, please contact Cindy Bank of the Michigan Washington Office at bankc@umich.edu, or 202-554-0578. Questions about the silent auction may be directed to Jeff Schoenherr at schoenherrja@yahoo.com or Emily Singer at emilyksinger@gmail.com.

Needed: Scholarship Committee Volunteers

Every year the U-M Alumni Club of Greater Washington, D.C. offers one $25,000 ($6,250 per year) scholarship to a promising high school senior from the Greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area who will attend the University of Michigan. Each year a Committee of about 10 active and committed alums participates in the application review process and selection.

Responsibilities include:
- reviewing all the applications in the March-April time frame
- objective scoring based on defined criteria
- and possibly interviewing the candidates over a weekend in April

We are looking for a few committed, interested alums to participate on the Committee. Please send an e-mail to Peter Brown at peterqbrown@gmail.com if you are interested in participating in this year's D.C. Club Scholarship program.