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Posted on Fri, May 18, 2012 : 7:07 p.m.

WTKA raises nearly $80,000 for Mott Children's Hospital during Michigan football radio 'takeover'

By Nick Baumgardner

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Dozens of former Michigan football players returned to Ann Arbor on Friday for a good cause, and C.S. Mott Children's Hospital will reap plenty of benefit because of it.

Ex-Wolverines Charles Woodson, Steve Hutchinson and Brian Griese are hosting their annual Champions for Children's Heart weekend in Ann Arbor, an event that kicked off Friday with WTKA-AM's day-long radiothon in support of the hospital.

The 11-hour radio telethon netted $78,117 for the hospital by 6 p.m., when the program went off the air.

"Mott Children's Hospital means community service and gathering," former Michigan linebacker Dhani Jones said earlier Friday. "It means conversation about our experience and time here at the University of Michigan and really how Mott changed our life and how we helped change the lives of those that are, unfortunately, in Mott."

Among the other former players taking part were Marlin Jackson, Tim Massaquoi, Adrian Arrington, Drew Henson, Steve Everitt, Jake Long andMike Hart .

Additionally, former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, current Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges and current defensive coordinator Greg Mattison took part in the event, lending their hand for a worthy cause.

For Mattison, the hospital hits close to home, as his granddaughter received care at the hospital for a heart issue.

"We had just come here and (Michigan athletic director) Dave Brandon, and I'll always be indebted to him for this, he immediately got us together with maybe the best doctor in the world on this operation," Mattison said during the program. "And now my granddaughter is healthy as can be, and (Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins) better get ready.

"Because she's going to be the next great softball player to come out of that family. ... It's something I don't know if I can ever put into the words the appreciation."

The day-long radio event concluded with Brandon and Michigan football coach Brady Hoke joining WTKA host Sam Webb for the final hour.

The weekend continues Saturday morning when more than 45 former Michigan players and coaches are scheduled to tour Mott Children's Hospital to visit with patients and their families.

From there, players, coaches and supporters will gather at Al Glick Fieldhouse at 5 p.m. Saturday for a gala dinner in support of the cause.

The event concludes Sunday when more than 75 former Michigan athletes and coaches gather at the University of Michigan golf course for a round together.

Donations for the radiothon ended Friday, but anyone wishing to still donate to the cause may do so at www.givetomott.org.

Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.

Comments

heartbreakM

Sat, May 19, 2012 : 12:40 a.m.

Oops. Not Kyle but Nick. Pushed enter key too quickly.

Nick Baumgardner

Sat, May 19, 2012 : 1:10 a.m.

Good question, Heartbreak. I'm sure other schools have similar events, but probably not of this magnitude. Having a unique place like Mott nearby isn't common either. Either way, pretty special stuff from everyone involved. Nick

heartbreakM

Sat, May 19, 2012 : 12:39 a.m.

Hey Kyle. Do you know if any other school does anything like this? I haven't heard of it if anyone else does.

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