Youth Basketball Clinic Gives Detroit Kids Opportunity To Learn From Michigan Basketball Players
Some University of Michigan basketball players took the court Saturday on the north side of Detroit for a youth basketball clinic.
Michigan basketball players mentor Detroit youths at SAY Detroit’s first basketball camp
Convincing a young child to get out of bed on a Saturday morning isn’t easy, and on a cold winter morning the weekend of New Year’s Eve nonetheless. But when 12-year-old Try Childs woke up to his parents talking about a basketball camp hosted by the University of Michigan Wolverines, he couldn’t get ready fast enough.
Childs is one of nearly 40 young boys ages 8 to 14 who arrived at SAY Detroit in Detroit’s North End neighborhood Saturday morning eager to meet the group of men’s basketball players taking part in the camp hosted by Stadium and Main Foundation, the University of Michigan nonprofit dedicated to student-athletes, and community organization SAY Detroit.
U-M sophomore forward Tarris Reed Jr., one of five Michigan players participating in the event, said he remembers going to youth sports camps as a kid and is excited about the opportunity to give back.
University of Michigan basketball player Olivier Nkamhoua plays one-on-one with Jamil Smith, 12, of Westland, before the start of the Next Level Basketball Camp at the Say Detroit Play Center in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.
Eric Reed, executive director for the SAY Detroit Play Center, said this camp is one of 15 planned for the community, with a youth all-girls basketball camp coming in January.
“I woke up so energized this morning, you know the kids really look forward to this,” Reed said, “it’s an opportunity for skill-building, team (building) skills and really just learning how to have fun.”
Dressed in matching yellow T-shirts, it took less than five minutes for the groggy-eyed kids to fill with energy and excitement.
Starting with a group huddle, the boys were introduced to Wolverine players Reed, Olivier Nkamhoua, Dug McDaniel, Harrison Hochberg and Jackson Selvala and given words of motivation to kick off the event.
Grandmother Iketer Adams said she attended a similar SAY Detroit event last summer with her family and it has since become an inspiring activity.
Matthew Williams, 8, of West Bloomfield, concentrates as he tries to make a basket from the side of the rim during the Next Level Basketball Camp at the Say Detroit Play Center in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.
“(It’s more than) just learning how to interact with each other and their peers,” Adams said. “I’m trying to keep them grounded in something that they love (and teach them) how to be a gentleman coming up.”
Neighborhood resident Timothy Beerry, 63, said he’s never been to SAY Detroit before Saturday’s camp but when he saw it on the morning news he knew he had to bring his grandnephews.
“They’ve never done nothing like this, never met people like this,” he said. “This is a great start.”
Founded in 2006 by author and Detroit Free Press sports columnist Mitch Albom, SAY Detroit provides essential services for Detroiters in need and its Play Center location at 19320 Van Dyke Ave. offers everything from sports and dance camps to a drone program. Earlier this month, Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores pledged $350,000 to the organization with a $100,000 designation to the Van Dyke Play Center.
Michigan basketball player Tarris Reed Jr. and some of the kids he was coaching huddle up after drills during the Next Level Basketball Camp at the Say Detroit Play Center in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.
How the new funding is distributed throughout the Play Center will be up to the kids, Gores said. The youths will develop an execution plan and then pitch their ideas for approval.
“The things we’ve done together the last few years involved giving and philanthropy, and business and entrepreneurship, and then creative storytelling,” said Gores. “Now I’d love for the kids to use all these skills that they’ve learned, and in a way that is both fun and educational, which is part of the mission at SAY Play that’s always impressed me.”
Michigan NIL collective adding new names to advisory board
Stadium and Main, a NIL collective that works with Univ. of Michigan, is adding some firepower to its leadership team. Former Michigan men’s basketball F Duncan Robinson and CBS Sports’s Tracy Wolfson will join the collective’s advisory board, Stadium and Main co-founders Jackie Harris and Jamie Morris told SBJ.
“The advisory board is a further message to our student athletes that Michigan alumni and former athletes support them and want to help them in this journey,” Harris said. “… We’ve compiled a very diverse group of Michigan supporters. We will look to them to guide us and to help us brainstorm ideas and help us network out in the community for opportunities for the student-athletes, but also for guidance on the best way to do this for the student-athletes within the framework of what Michigan means and doing it the right way.”
Robinson played at Michigan from 2015-18 after starting his career at D-III Williams College. He helped guide UM to the 2018 national title game before falling to Villanova. Robinson is entering his sixth season in the NBA with the Heat. Wolfson, a 1997 Michigan grad, has spent more than two decades in television. She has been with CBS for almost 20 years following stops at WZBN in Trenton, N.J., MSG Network and ESPN.
In addition to Robinson and Wolfson, the advisory board includes the following:
- John “Jumbo” Elliott: All-American offensive tackle, 2020 College Football HOF inductee
- Carol Hutchins: Winningest coach in Michigan and NCAA D-I softball history
- Pamela Crockett: Michigan Law alumni, sports and entertainment advisor and track and field coach
- Gerry Mason: Michigan alumni and Chair of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly
- Jeff Rubin: CEO and founder of Premier Merchant Capital
- Eric Nederlander: President of Nederlander Studios and theatrical producer
- Perry Porikos: Michigan soccer alumni and owner of The Brown Jug restaurant
- Niko Porikos: Michigan Hockey alumni and e-commerce entrepreneur
- Jordan Gehrke: Political Consultant
- Matt Spaulding: Former General Market Manager for Ann Arbor Cumulus radio
Stadium and Main was founded in 2022 with the goal of supporting Wolverine student-athletes from Michigan’s 29 varsity sports. “We have female athletes that are great, we have non-revenue sports and Olympic sports that are very good,” said Morris, a former All-Big Ten football player under Bo Schembechler. “…We looked at trying to help all 29 sports (with this collective), not just one or two sports and trying to make money. We want to help everybody — that’s the way, the direction we look at it.”
Sportico Transactions: Moves and Mergers Roundup for Octover 20
Michigan NIL Collective Taps Duncan Robinson, Tracy Wolfson to Advisory Board
Stadium and Main Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit NIL collective dedicated to the University of Michigan, introduced the collective’s official advisory board headlined by NBA player Duncan Robinson and lead CBS Sports sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. The Michigan alumni, supporters and stakeholders will guide NIL efforts for athletes at the school. The advisory board was confirmed by the collective’s leadership team. The collective is led by Jamie Morris, Jackie Harris, Cabot Marks, Mike Amine and Barry Klarberg.
Stadium and Main Foundation Appoints NIL Collective Advisory Board
Stadium and Main Foundation Appoints Duncan Robinson, Tracy Wolfson, Carol Hutchins & More to NIL Collective Advisory Board
Installation of prominent and dedicated alumni and key stakeholders reaffirms Stadium and Main’s support for all University of Michigan student-athletes and leaving a positive impact on the communities that support them.
ANN ARBOR, MI – October 17, 2023 – Stadium and Main Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit NIL collective dedicated to the University of Michigan, introduced today the collective’s official Advisory Board headlined by NBA star Duncan Robinson, and lead CBS Sports sideline reporter, Tracy Wolfson. The proud Michigan alumni, supporters, and stakeholders will strategically guide NIL efforts for student-athletes at the University of Michigan.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Stadium and Main team as an advisor on their board,” said Miami Heat forward and University of Michigan Men’s Basketball alum Duncan Robinson. “Together we will work to change the NIL landscape at the University of Michigan by prioritizing both the student-athletes and the community as a whole!”
The advisory board includes:
- Duncan Robinson: Miami Heat forward and 2018 Big Ten Conference Sixth Man of the Year
- Tracy Wolfson: Lead sideline reporter at CBS, covering the NFL and College Basketball
- John “Jumbo” Elliott: All-American offensive tackle, 14-year NFL player, and 2020 College Football Hall of Fame inductee
- Carol Hutchins: Winningest coach in the University of Michigan and NCAA Division I Softball history
- Pamela Crockett: University of Michigan Law alumni, sports and entertainment advisor, and track and field coach
- Gerry Mason: University of Michigan alumni and Chair of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly
- Jeff Rubin: CEO and Founder of Premier Merchant Capital
- Eric Nederlander: President of Nederlander Studios and theatrical producer
- Perry Porikos: University of Michigan soccer alumni and owner of The Brown Jug, an iconic Ann Arbor restaurant
- Niko Porikos: 2018 University of Michigan Hockey alumni and e-commerce entrepreneur
- Jordan Gehrke: Political Consultant
- Matt Spaulding: Former General Market Manager for Ann Arbor Cumulus radio
“Today’s student-athletes have been given great opportunities to capitalize on their hard-earned success and it’s our hope that they will use their platform to give back to the community that supports their continued success,” said Tracy Wolfson.
“My time at Michigan meant a lot to me, so I take great pride in being an advisor to student-athletes who want to stay connected and involved with the greater Michigan community.”
The Stadium and Main Advisory Board was confirmed by the collective’s leadership team, a dedicated group of industry leaders with legal, accounting, and player engagement backgrounds who will use their experiences to guide Michigan’s student-athletes in best practices for NIL.
The collective is led by Jamie Morris, Jackie Harris, Cabot Marks, Mike Amine, and Barry Klarberg.
Together with Stadium and Main leadership, members of the Advisory Board will work to educate and empower students to maximize their NIL income opportunities, while using them to assist charitable organizations and social responsibility campaigns both in the greater Michigan community and in the communities in which the athletes live.
“With the introduction of the Stadium and Main Advisory Board, we renew our promise to connect student-athletes across every sport at the University of Michigan with NIL opportunities, and a purpose to give back to the Ann Arbor community,” said Stadium and Main Foundation Founder, Jamie Morris.
“Our Advisory Board is already at work creating the game plan for each student-athlete to become the true ‘Michigan Man’ or ‘Michigan Woman’ we know they can be on and off the field, and looking forward to connecting with the student-athlete body as a whole around the endless possibilities in the NIL realm today.”
Founded in 2022 as a 501(c)(3), Stadium and Main operates as a charitable foundation with a goal of supporting Wolverine student-athletes from all 29 sports, emphasizing the importance of leaving an impact beyond campus and within the Michigan community, and focusing on the social responsibility to create and participate in community initiatives.
About Stadium and Main Foundation, Inc.
Founded by a dedicated group of University of Michigan former athletes and alumni, Stadium and Main is an independent NIL collective. Spearheaded by University of Michigan football and NFL alum Jamie Morris, Stadium and Main was founded in 2022 with the goal of supporting Wolverine student-athletes from 29 varsity sports in their pursuit of excellence, by empowering them to maximize their NIL income opportunities and prioritize giving back to the communities that support them. For more information on Stadium and Main, visit www.stadiumandmainfoundation.org.
Jamie Morris discusses Stadium And Main collective
Jamie Morris discusses Stadium And Main collective, NIL at Michigan, expectations for football season
Michigan football legend Jamie Morris, a two-time All-Big Ten and many-time program record holder running back from 1984-87, runs the Stadium And Main collective. This weekend, the NIL organization is hosting a slew of Michigan athletes from across several different sports at the Ann Arbor Art Fair in front of the Brown Jug Restaurant. The Wolverines are meeting with fans and raising awareness for organ and bone marrow donation.
TheWolverine.com caught up with Morris Friday to discuss the event, his collective, NIL at Michigan and the upcoming football season. Read our Q&A below.
Q&A with Jamie Morris
The Wolverine: What is the purpose of this event with Michigan student athletes at the Ann Arbor Art Fair?
Morris: We’re an NIL collective — nonprofit NIL — and we’re out here helping all the student athletes in bringing them out here. They’re working to make people aware of the NIL collectives that are around in the Ann Arbor area. We’ve got all the sports — we’ve got football, both women’s and men’s basketball, we’ve got soccer, hockey, wrestling. We’ve got an eclectic of all sports right now, which shows you we’re trying to pierce the market and bring reality to the NIL situation. Most people get put off — ’you’re just trying to pay the athletes.’ No, we’re not. Meet our athletes, get the opportunity to have a conversation with them.
The Wolverine: I just overheard one fan telling one of your Michigan athletes that it’s easier to root for people you know. Is that one of the main goals, to connect them with the fans?
Morris: Exactly. Letting them be out in a public setting like this, it’s an opportunity for them to be face-to-face with fans. The student athletes get to meet the neighbors and the people that come and see them perform each and every game.
The Wolverine: And the Ann Arbor Art Fair was a perfect venue?
Morris: It’s been great. We even get Ohio State fans and Michigan State fans and different people like that, so it’s been great.
The Wolverine: How much do you love the Brown Jug, and why did you choose this as the place to post up?
Morris: I love the Brown Jug. We’re outside the Brown Jug because it’s a place a lot of the student athletes are familiar with. A lot of the student athletes come here and eat at the Brown Jug. It’s familiar. It’s a perfect place to have it in front, and it’s a focal point, right there at the crossroads.
The Wolverine: From our view, it seems as if Stadium And Main is focused on working with Michigan athletes from many sports. Is that accurate?
Morris: Yes, our main focus is to make sure everybody participates in the NIL collective. That’s what it’s made for. It’s not just for two sports. It’s made for all the sports. The one thing that we’re trying to do is bring awareness. That’s why we’re out here today. We’ll be out here Saturday, we were out here yesterday, barring the tropical storm that we had. But it was awesome, and the kids came right back — the football players and basketball players came right back. So it was great in getting everybody a chance to talk to everyone. It was awesome.
The Wolverine: How would you describe where your collective is at right now as you push forward?
Morris: We’re still pushing forward, we’re still creating awareness, making everybody aware and different things like that. I think the best thing for us is that we’re still building.
The Wolverine: What has the support been like from the Michigan athletic department?
Morris: They have endorsed us. They’re very friendly. When we ask questions, they’re always making sure that we’re having enough access to the student athletes and stuff like that. So I can’t complain about what’s going on at the university. I feel like the athletic department is doing their job, as far as they see it. As far as they see it, they’re doing their job.
The Wolverine: I have to ask, what are your expectations for the Michigan football season?
Morris: I agree with most pundits — this is the most talented team Jim Harbaugh has had. I agree with what he said, I agree with what the pundits have said. They should do well, barring injuries and things that happen, acts of God. Look, they should do what they did a year ago, even better.
This article was originally published on TheWolverine.com
Stadium and Main Foundation Partners With SAY Detroit — NIL News
Stadium and Main partners with Detroit-area nonprofit SAY Detroit to showcase its commitment to leaving a positive impact on the University of Michigan’s surrounding communities with mentorship opportunities for student-athletes
ANN ARBOR, MI – August 10, 2023 – Stadium and Main Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit NIL collective dedicated to the University of Michigan, today announced their partnership with SAY Detroit, the nonprofit organization founded by renowned author Mitch Albom, providing pathways to success for Detroiters in need. The partnership between Stadium and Main and SAY Detroit will involve collaboration on summer camps, after-school volunteer activities, community service projects and additional opportunities for University of Michigan student-athletes to mentor underserved youth in the Detroit community at the SAY Detroit Play Center.
“Our partnership with SAY Detroit reinforces Stadium and Main’s commitment to empowering University of Michigan student-athletes with the purpose of giving back to the community through NIL income opportunities,” said Jamie Morris, co-founder of the Stadium and Main Foundation. “Stadium and Main is honored to be associated with role models for the children involved with SAY Detroit both on and off the field through these mentorship and tutoring sessions.”
Stadium and Main’s partnership with SAY Detroit will allow student-athletes participating with the NIL collective the chance to volunteer with the SAY Detroit Play Center where they will mentor Detroit-area students aged 8-18 years old. The partnership will provide the opportunity for all of SAY Detroit’s programs to benefit from the student athletes’ time and talents based on what the individual is interested in, some of which include the performing arts, social justice, coding and STEM initiatives within the organization. This partnership brings together the two organizations’ shared goal of investing its time and resources in the development of the University of Michigan student-athletes and children benefiting from the growth opportunities provided by SAY Play.
“SAY Detroit is thrilled to partner with the Stadium and Main Foundation. This partnership will allow us to grow the volunteer efforts that provide support to our students’ educational needs while also acting as mentors.” said Richard Kelley, executive director at SAY Detroit. “Teaching our young people what it means to be community leaders and guiding them toward successful futures is at the core of what we are trying to accomplish.”
This announcement comes on the heels of the Stadium and Main activation at the 2023 Ann Arbor Art Fair, Midwest’s event of the summer, where the collective hosted a meet & greet with student-athletes to raise awareness for organ and bone marrow donation in partnership with the University of Michigan Transplant Center. Stadium and Main has also been involved with the inaugural Will Johnson Youth Camp at Wayne State’s Tom Adams Field as well as its recent sponsorship of the Semaj J. Morgan Foundation’s Juneteenth Football Camp at West Bloomfield High School. As a 501(c)(3) accredited nonprofit, Stadium and Main operates as a charitable foundation dedicated to the student athletes of the University of Michigan, emphasizing the importance of leaving an impact beyond campus and within the Michigan community. Additional Stadium and Main activations have included youth clinics, reading camps and anti-bullying workshops.
For more information on Stadium and Main, visit www.stadiumandmainfoundation.org.
About Stadium and Main
Founded by a dedicated group of University of Michigan former athletes and alumni, Stadium and Main is an independent NIL collective. Spearheaded by University of Michigan football and NFL alum Jamie Morris, Stadium and Main was founded in 2022 with the goal of supporting Wolverine student-athletes from 29 varsity sports in their pursuit of excellence, by empowering them to maximize their NIL income opportunities and prioritize giving back to the communities that support them. For more information on Stadium and Main, visit www.stadiumandmainfoundation.org.
About SAY Detroit and the SAY Detroit Play Center
A 501(c)(3) charity founded in 2006, SAY Detroit provides pathways to success for Detroiters in need. This is achieved by direct efforts, with civic and community partners and through programs such as a free family medical clinic; a housing program for working families; and other learning, health care and housing initiatives for Detroit’s most vulnerable populations. One of its proudest initiatives is the SAY Detroit Play Center, a premier learning center for youth (8-18) featuring first-rate academic, athletics and arts programs in partnership with Detroit’s major sports teams to inspire educational success in school and beyond. All services, including transportation and meals, are free. SAY Detroit also supports local partner charities with funds raised at a live annual Radiothon held in December on WJR (760 AM). For more information on SAY Detroit and the SAY Detroit Play Center, visit www.saydetroit.org.
Will Johnson provides injury update
Will Johnson provides injury update, Colston Loveland details TE room as fall camp approaches
Sophomore cornerback Will Johnson and sophomore tight end Colston Loveland were among more than a dozen Michigan student-athletes talking to fans outside the Brown Jug Friday night as part of an NIL meet and greet event put on by the Stadium and Main Foundation collective.
Both are sure bet starters for the 2023 season, but question marks still surround Johnson’s availability to be ready for week one as he recovers from offseason knee surgery. He told Maize n Brew he’ll be back to 100 percent soon.
“I’m getting closer. I don’t know exactly what day or when I’ll be fully going, but it’s coming soon,” Johnson said. “I’m just taking it one day at a time to see where I’m at when fall camp comes, and to see where I’m at when the first game comes.”
Johnson also showed confidence he’ll be ready to go against East Carolina.
“My goal is to be game one, be 100 percent and feel like I can lock down any receiver, so I just got to get back to that feeling and get there as soon as I can,” Johnson said.
The knee scope recovery is the only thing holding Johnson back from starting week one, and it’s still unclear who will be starting on the other side. He provided an idea of who he sees as top contenders to pair with him in Michigan’s secondary.
“There’s a few people. Josh [Wallace], Amorion [Walker], Keshaun [Harris], some of the freshmen — you never know. We’ll just have to see how fall camp goes,” he said.
Jack Springgate
On the other side of the ball, Loveland gave some insights into how the tight end room is shaping up this offseason.
“As a unit I think we’re stacked, we’re just inclining. Keep getting better. Like you said, we lost some key pieces, but the new guys came in and they fit right in. [AJ] Barner and all the young guys came in and they knew what it was about and they fit right into it,” Loveland said.
The Wolverines’ identity on how they use tight ends in the run game has been evident under head coach Jim Harbaugh, but Loveland will look to be the most impactful through the air out of anyone in the group. Loveland is using the offseason to sharpen his all-around game.
“I’ve tried to develop my game as a whole. In the run game, obviously, getting in and out of my breaks, releases. Working on my top speed and getting my strength in-line. All aspects,” he said.
The Stadium and Main Foundation brought Loveland and Johnson out to the Ann Arbor Art Fair to help raise awareness for organ and bone marrow donations through the University of Michigan Transplant Center and Wolverines for Life.
Jack Springgate
More Wolverine student-athletes are scheduled to be at the same location outside the Brown Jug between noon and 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Cam Calhoun ready to start leaving his mark during freshman year at Michigan
The Cincinnati native went from high school to Michigan football, where he joined the program for the College Football Playoff. Then came spring practice and academics and preparing for his freshman season with the Wolverines.
“The experience has been good. It’s been very fast,” Calhoun told The Michigan Insider this week. “Coming out of high school, going straight into college schoolwork, getting to know the playbook — everything is way different and it’s way faster. Adapting to all that was a little hard, but now everything is good, it’s smooth.”
The playbook in particular is a significant adjustment for the former four-star prospect. Defensive assignments change based on offensive motion and other factors, and DBs have to understand and execute those nuances at game speed.
But Calhoun has teammates who have helped mentor him through the college transition. Will Johnson, who joined him Friday night at the Art Fair for an NIL function arranged by Stadium and Main, is among those defensive leaders. So are Rod Moore and Mike Sainristil — a player who Calhoun says can provide depth anywhere in the secondary if needed.
Like teammate Jyaire Hill, Calhoun says he wants to emulate what Will Johnson accomplished last fall. A former five-star prospect, Johnson didn’t start until the second half of the 2022 season but got his first interception that night. Then he helped shut down Ohio State’s prolific offense and added two INTs against Purdue to secure a Big Ten title.
Calhoun made an impression during spring practices, with a pick-six one of his highlights during the first 15 practices. Realistically, Calhoun expects he’s more likely to make an early impact on special teams, where he expects to play on coverage. But he’ll also push for a role as a returner, because “people think I’m not fast” and he wants to prove otherwise.
“He just always seems to be around the football,” Jim Harbaugh said of Calhoun as a prospect.
The nature of Michigan’s non-conference schedule, plus Will Johnson’s offseason surgery and the Wolverines’ ongoing search for a second starting cornerback, also presents an opportunity for Calhoun and others.
One of those CB2 possibilities is newcomer Josh Wallace, who transferred into the program in June from Massachusetts. The grad transfer has impressed Calhoun.
“I thought he would be an average transfer, but he’s different,” Calhoun said, explaining Wallace’s physical traits and his quick mastery of the playbook mean he’ll contribute a lot this fall.
As for Calhoun? He’s counting down the days until fall camp while working with Michigan’s strength and conditioning staff to hone what he called a “killer instinct.”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s raining or anything else — you’ve got to get the job done,” Calhoun said. “The little things are what wins or loses games.”
This article was published on 247sports.com
Stadium and Main Foundation Hosts UM Student Athlete Meet & Greet at the Ann Arbor Art Fair to Raise Awareness for Organ and Bone Marrow Donation
Stadium and Main Foundation Hosts UM Student Athlete Meet & Greet at the Ann Arbor Art Fair to Raise Awareness for Organ and Bone Marrow Donation
Art Fair attendees will have the chance to meet the incredible young men and women behind the teams they know and love, while also supporting a great cause.
Stadium and Main Foundation, the only 501(c)(3) NIL collective supporting the University of Michigan’s student athletes, will be on the ground at the Ann Arbor Art Fair hosting free meet & greets with some of the University’s most exciting student athletes. Art Fair attendees will have the chance to meet the incredible young men and women behind the teams they know and love, while also supporting a great cause.
Stadium and Main, working with The University of Michigan Transplant Center, is raising awareness for organ donation and bone marrow registration.
Founder of Stadium and Main, Jamie Morris, and student athletes from various sports will be available for interviews about the great work the Stadium and Main Foundation is doing to support student athletes’ NIL efforts and help them give back to the communities that support them – this time spotlighting the University of Michigan Transplant Center.
Notable attendees include:
- Jamie Morris, University of Michigan Football/NFL alum and a Founder of Stadium and Main; Host of The M Zone, Morris will conduct his weekday radio show and speaking to student athletes live from the Blue Leprechaun Restaurant from 3-6pm ET on Sports Talk 1050am WTKA, The Ticket
- Laila Phelia, University of Michigan Women’s Basketball guard, returning from representing Team USA at the 2023 AmeriCup
- Tray Jackson, University of Michigan’s Men’s Basketball forward, Detroit native
- Dug McDaniel, University of Michigan Men’s Basketball guard
- George Washington III, University of Michigan Basketball guard
- Whitney Sollom, University of Michigan Women’s Basketball forward
- Cameron Williams, University of Michigan Women’s Basketball forward
- Colston Loveland, University of Michigan Football Tight End
- Will Johnson, University of Michigan Football Cornerback
When:
- Thursday, July 20: 12-1:30 PM, 3-4:30 PM, 6-7:30 PM ET
- Friday, July 21: 12-1:30 PM, 3-4:30 PM, 6-7:30 PM ET
- Saturday, July 22: 12-1:30 PM, 3-4:30 PM, 6-7:30 PM ET
WHERE:
BROWN JUG RESTAURANT and the BLUE LEPRECHAUN
1204 S. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
The Brown Jug Restaurant
1204 S. University Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Dug McDaniel expects a ‘huge jump’ in Year 2 after offseason in Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Dug McDaniel endured a trial by fire during his freshman season with the Michigan men’s basketball team.
After Jaelin Llewellyn suffered a season-ending ACL injury, McDaniel started 26 games for the Wolverines. He averaged 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, and he featured in 86.5% of available minutes during Big Ten play as U-M’s point guard.
That means McDaniel enters 2023-24 with a wealth of experience and bigger expectations on his shoulders. On Thursday, he interviewed with The Michigan Insider to preview his sophomore year.
McDaniel spoke to The Michigan Insider at a meet-and-greet hosted by Stadium and Main, an NIL collective that helps support Michigan Athletics. On Thursday afternoon, players from the men’s and women’s basketball teams distributed Coca-Cola products to patrons of the Ann Arbor Art Fair and raised awareness for organ and bone marrow donation.
Select athletes from the basketball, hockey and football programs will continue participating in the meet-and-greet on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, weather permitting, in front of the Brown Jug restaurant.
Here’s what Dug McDaniel said:
Alejandro Zúñiga: How has your summer been?
Dug McDaniel: It’s been good. Just been working — trying to lock in. I’ve been here all year round.
I gained a few pounds. I’m up to 170 now. I’m trying to gain five more by the first practice. So just really locking on that so when I get in the game, I can take those bumps and just really physically adapt to the league.
AZ: How excited are you to enter a season with a defined role and experience under your belt?
DM: I’m definitely excited. Year Two, I’m expecting to make a huge jump. Me personally, I have a lot of big goals in mind. So this year is definitely important in my journey.
AZ: Is the pick-and-roll game with Olivier Nkamhoua and Tarris Reed where you expect to make those big jumps?
DM: Definitely. That has always been a strong suit of mine and I got my primary scoring from there. But just working with the bigs hand-and-hand, working on those lob passes, those dump-offs — just really sharpening that up. I feel like yeah, that’s gonna play a huge role in my development and all of our development this season.
AZ: I know it’s early, but who are the guys who have impressed you so far?
DM: George definitely opened some eyes. His shot-making ability is the best I’ve seen so far. Tray and Olivier, they they surprised me as well. I knew how good Olivier was coming in, but to see it firsthand — seeing his athleticism and his leadership — definitely was very inspiring. And then Tray, he actually played Michigan in recent years. They actually beat Michigan. Seeing a lot of guys firsthand really surprised me. That work ethic and their willingness to buy in and how they all just want to be better for the team.
AZ: As a returning starter, you’re a leader on this program. What’s the identity of this Michigan basketball team going to be?
TMI: We’re going to be a very defensive, gritty team. All our weaknesses from last year, we’re going to hone those into our strengths. We were a very weak defensive team last year, so this year we’re gonna try to make that a focal point. We’ve got interior shot blocking now; we didn’t really have that last year. So just defense — picking up 94 feet — and we’re going to outwork our opponent every night.
George Washington III, Tray Jackson, Harrison Hochberg, Dug McDaniel, Laila Phelia and Whitney Sollom of the Michigan men’s and women’s
basketball teams. (Photo: Alejandro Zúñiga , 247Sports)
This article was published on 247Sports
Call him ‘The General’: George Washington III on his first month at Michigan
Call him ‘The General’: George Washington III on his first month at Michigan, what he brings to the Wolverines
A name like George Washington III invites nicknames, and the Michigan men’s basketball team’s lone scholarship freshman has heard many. He’s partial to “The General.”
“‘The General’ is kind of nice,” Washington III said. “I like it.”
The lone freshman in the Wolverines’ 2023 class, Washington III has already impressed his teammates. Fellow guard Dug McDaniel said his shot-making ability “is the best I’ve seen so far.” Washington III expects to provide depth at the ‘1’ and the ‘2’ for a Michigan team that replaces its top three scorers from a year ago.
On Thursday, Washington III spoke to reporters at a meet-and-greet hosted by Stadium and Main, an NIL collective that helps support Michigan Athletics. Players from the men’s and women’s basketball teams distributed cold drinks to patrons of the Ann Arbor Art Fair while raising awareness for organ and bone marrow donation.
“This is the first time I’ve had a chance to really be out here and do something like this,” Washington III said. “Any other time, I’ve normally been locked up in the dorm room doing homework or locked up in the gym working out. It’s good to kind of have this chance to get out and be around people in the Ann Arbor community.”
Select athletes from the basketball, hockey and football programs will continue participating in the meet-and-greet on Friday and Saturday, weather permitting.
Here’s what Washington III said:
How long have you been in Ann Arbor? And how acclimated do you feel?
I got up here about June 24. I’ve been here for getting close to a month now. It’s been going really well. Right now, still in the stage of balancing work, school load, workouts, and social life — some friends I’ve made here. But it’s going really great. It’s been a really natural blend into college life that I’m really grateful for and it’s been going really smooth.
Is it strange to show up as the only incoming freshman?
It is a little weird. I think this is the perfect team to be in that situation, though. I don’t feel like a freshman here at all around the guys. We all blend in; we click really well together. I feel like all of us are similar enough and different enough to where we just all play off of each other and have fun. It’s been a really good situation where I don’t really feel like an outlier at all.
In terms of work, I’m a hard worker. I do everything I can to work my way, to keep up with everyone. I think it’s a really good situation to push myself, to be honest.
Who are the teammates who have taken you under your wing?
I’d say a little bit of everyone. Will, Tray, Dug — all them over there. Olivier, Cooper, Harrison, Jace. I can honestly go through every single name on the team that I’ve literally spent time with and have hung out with in one way or another since I’ve been up here.
I think that’s probably one of the best things about this team. We’re not a cliquey group of guys, all of us hang out with each other. We’re all looking out for each other. Anyone wants to go somewhere, someone doesn’t have a ride, someone is swinging to pick the other one up. It’s just a great environment.
What do you think your role could be as a freshman on this Michigan team?
I feel like there is there is that room and that space for me to be able to step in and get meaningful time and make do on some opportunities I’m gonna have. The biggest thing with that for me is just taking advantage of the opportunities I have: Staying in the gym, being sharp, catching up to all the terminology, all the plays, everything as quickly as possible, and just being locked in on that to take advantage of those things when they do come my way.
How would you describe your own game?
Anyone who watches me can probably say I know how to score the ball. I can shoot the ball pretty well, handle the ball pretty well. If I get that open lane, I can get my head up there with the rim. My biggest thing is I play a pretty exciting way of basketball, explosive on the scoring side. And really this year, I think defensively I’m trying to turn some heads.
Who is turning heads for you on the team?
All of our transfers. I think our transfers are about to step in and make a big, big shift. Duggie, this is gonna be a second year. Last year, he was a freshman being thrown into this. Being a freshman right now and seeing how much new stuff that is being thrown at you and how he handled last year, you could see how progressively, each game, he started making those big steps. So I think this year is huge for him.
Will and Terrance, I think they’re stepping into it this year and really be big. Same with big T-Reed, too. This is a team that has a lot of guys on it that are going to really have increased roles and are really going to take advantage of them. I’m excited.
Do you get some flak for flipping from Ohio State to Michigan?
I have for sure. I like to say, when I’m asked about it, I’m just glad I got a little smarter as I got older.
That’s not going to make things better!
No, it’s not, but in all seriousness, I’m really happy to be here. I feel like this was 100% the right place for me to be, and being here on campus, it only makes me double down on those feelings and the way the I feel about it.
George Washington III, Tray Jackson, Harrison Hochberg, Dug McDaniel, Laila Phelia, and Whitney Sollom of the Michigan men’s and women’s basketball teams. (Photo: Alejandro Zúñiga , 247Sports)
The Post was first time published on 247sports.com
What to do in Saline this weekend: Art Fair, and More
What to do in Saline this weekend: Jazz in the Park, Outlaw Country, Barbie Exhibit, Art Fair, and More
Lots to do in Saline this weekend. OK. And Ann Arbor, too. Post your events on our calendar by noon Sunday to get in on Monday’s feature.
8 things to do this weekend: Friday, Jul 21 – Sunday, Jul 23
FEATURED EVENTS
Jazz in the Park – Sat Jul 22 4:00 pm
Mill Pond Park
Saline Arts & Culture Committee presents our Inaugural Jazz in the Park, a free community concert at Mill Pond Park on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Hosted by WRJC 90.9 Linda Yohn. Featuring 4 performances by Jonathon Muir-Cotton and Expressions (www.jonathonmuircotton.com), vocalist Olivia Van Goor (www.oliviavangoor.com), Rick Roe Trio and Cole Oswalt and the Community Collective. We will have food trucks and giveaways. Bring your lawn chairs and join us for a night of world class Jazz!
[more details]
Other Events
Family Fun Storytime – Fri Jul 21 10:30 am
Saline District Library
Fun with stories, rhymes, songs, and more, developing early literacy skills with our friends and their caregivers. This program may take place outdoors during nice weather.
Ages 0-7. No registration is required.
Stadium and Main Foundation Hosts UM Student Athlete Meet & Greet at the Ann Arbor Art Fair to Raise Awareness for Organ and Bone Marrow Donation – Fri Jul 21 12:00 pm
The Brown Jug Restaurant
Stadium and Main Foundation, the only 501(c)(3) NIL collective supporting the University of Michigan’s student athletes, will be on the ground at the Ann Arbor Art Fair hosting free meet & greets with some of the University’s most exciting student athletes. Art Fair attendees will have the chance to meet the incredible young men and women behind the teams they know and love, while also supporting a great cause.Stadium and Main, working with The University of Michigan Transplant Center, is… [more details]
Theatrica Gladiatoria – Fri Jul 21 2:00 pm
Saline District Library
Do you like action sequences and sword fights on the big screen? Do you ever wonder how they make it look good onstage? Join Theatrica Gladiatoria for a hands-on introduction to the wonderful world of stage combat. Ages 8 – 12. Click here to register.
Family Fun Storytime – Fri Jul 21 10:30 pm
Saline District Library
Fun with stories, rhymes, songs, and more, developing early literacy skills with our friends and their caregivers. This program may take place outdoors during nice weather.
Ages 0-7. No registration is required.
“Barbie: Six Decades of Inspiration” exhibit – Sat Jul 22 10:30 am
Emagine Theater
10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Exhibit is a Barbie retrospective: her history, her impact and the controversies that have swirled around her over the past 64 years. Presented by the Ann Arbor Doll Collectors. Timed to coincide with the opening weekend of the Barbie movie. Located in the Emagine Theater lobby.
Stadium and Main Foundation Hosts UM Student Athlete Meet & Greet at the Ann Arbor Art Fair to Raise Awareness for Organ and Bone Marrow Donation – Sat Jul 22 12:00 pm
The Brown Jug Restaurant & The Blue Leprechaun
Stadium and Main Foundation, the only 501(c)(3) NIL collective supporting the University of Michigan’s student athletes, will be on the ground at the Ann Arbor Art Fair hosting free meet & greets with some of the University’s most exciting student athletes. Art Fair attendees will have the chance to meet the incredible young men and women behind the teams they know and love, while also supporting a great cause.Stadium and Main, working with The University of Michigan Transplant Center, is… [more details]
Outlaw Country Night with The Bootstrap Boys – Sat Jul 22 8:00 pm
Stony Lake Brewing Co.
The Bootstrap Boys exist in the same world that Waylon Jennings inhabited: unfiltered country rock that has attitude yet keeps your foot tapping.
Hailing from Grand Rapids, the band is made up of lead singer and songwriter Jake Stilson (“Big Jake Bootstrap”), guitarist Nick Alexander (“Nicky Bootstrap”), bassist Jonny Bruha (“Jonny ‘Bubba’ Bootstrap”) and drummer Jeff Knol (“Jeff Bootstrap”).
Listen to any of their original songs and you’ll hear the influence of Willie Nelson, Waylon… [more details]
This post was previously published on The Saline Post
Ann Arbor Art Fair 2023 is under way: Here’s what to expect
After long hours of set up and travel, the annual Ann Arbor Art Fair is set up and ready to go, though as tradition would have it, some summer storms may rain on the parade.
The city announced Thursday that it may briefly close the art fair between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. due to severe weather warnings. The festivities are otherwise scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10.a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday
Evelyn Chavez rolls down the tent cover at artist Dane Shue’s tent on State Street before the coming storm which temporarily closes the annual Ann Arbor Art Fair from 3-5 p.m. in Ann Arbor on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press
The fair was started in the summer of 1960, when a group of Michigan artists hung their work from rope and wire between parking meters, and set their pots and sculptures down in the middle of the street.
The first Ann Arbor Art Fair hosted 125 artists, 92 of which were Ann Arbor residents.
Since then, it has grown into a nationally known event and the largest juried art fair in the country, showcasing approximately 1,000 artists and attracting about 400,000 visitors annually. Part of its size is due to the fact that the Ann Arbor Art Fair is actually one event made up of three different fairs: The Original, the Guild’s Summer Art Fair, and the State Street District Art Fair.
The Original is organized by the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, a nonprofit arts organization, and is located solely on the University of Michigan’s property. According to mixed media artist Karin Wagner Coron, this means there is no connection to stores and merchants who use the fair’s foot traffic to their advantage.
Karin Wagner Coron, of Ann Arbor, prepares her booth at the Ann Arbor Art Fair in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. The 3-day fair features almost 1,000 artists and draws in close to half a million attendees each year. Wagner Coron is a mixed-media artist and has been coming to the Ann Arbor Art Fair since 1992. Audrey Richardson, Detroit Free Press
“The main focus of the organization is the artists,” Coron said. “The Original is solely a place for artists to showcase their art.”
Others, however, prefer to be among the shops. The Summer Art Fair is run by the Guild of Artists & Artisans, another nonprofit organization. They are located along Main Street as well as down Liberty, State, and South University streets and they have a year-round gallery, the Gutman Gallery, in downtown Ann Arbor.
Photographer Paul James works on the board of directors for the Guild and mentions that it is the only show at the Ann Arbor Art Fair that is run “by and for the artists.”
Paul James, 70, sets up his booth at the Ann Arbor Art Fair in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. The 3-day fair features almost 1,000 artists and draws in close to half a million attendees each year. James is a photographer and travels the world taking scenic landscapes to sell. Audrey Richardson, Detroit Free Press
Finally, the State Street District Art Fair showcases artists along with the local shops they stand in front of. They organize fine art booths as well as the MarketPlace which showcases over 60 different vendors.
In addition to generating sales for both artists and shopkeepers, the fair’s massive audience provides an opportunity for the University of Michigan football and basketball athletes to raise awareness for organ donation and bone marrow registration with the Stadium and Main Foundation and UM Transplant Center.
Getting ready for the massive event is no joke. Artists in all three must apply far in advance with pictures of their work, be accepted into the fair, carefully pack up their works, and hit the road. Out of towners have the extra burden of booking hotels, and organizing transit.
Visitors walk by booths on North University Avenue during the annual Ann Arbor Art Fair at U-M’s central campus in Ann Arbor on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press
In the days leading up to the show, artists from around the country call on supportive family, friends, and spouses for assistance as they unload their trucks and set up their booths in 84 degree heat.
Julio Garcia, 64, and his wife, Cecilia, have driven from San Diego, California, to show Garcia’s work at the fair for over 20 years, stuffing their van with “whatever fits” and hauling it across the country. When asked why they keep coming back he mentions the prestige of the art fair.
“People expect good art here, artistic genius.”
Julio Garcia, 64, of San Diego, California, hands pieces of artwork to his wife, Cecilia Garcia, 64, to prepare his booth at the Ann Arbor Art Fair in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. The 3-day fair features almost 1,000 artists and draws in close to half a million attendees each year. Audrey Richardson, Detroit Free Press
While expectations are high, the Ann Arbor Art Fair boasts a wide range of artistic experience and mediums.
Troy Anderson, 46, is accompanied by his 15-year-old son, Ryker. Anderson is a metal sculptor who learned the trade from his father and hopes to continue that tradition with his son. When asked if he contributes to the art being sold, Ryker smiles and points to a collection of colorful metal sculptures.
“I make the smaller ones,” he said.
Her second year at the Ann Arbor fair, and fourth year showing her art, 31-year-old pen and ink artist Shelby Elizbeth drove in with her husband from Austin, Texas. Her booth is filled with black and white ink-ings of animals.
A few booths down is John Galbo, an 80-year-old photographer and teacher from Boca Raton, Florida, who has been showing his work for over 30 years at the fair. His photographs display sights from around Europe and are blown up so that two cover an entire wall of his booth.
John Galbo, 80, of Boca Raton, Florida prepares his booth at the Ann Arbor Art Fair in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. The 3-day fair features almost 1,000 artists and draws in close to half a million attendees each year. Galbo is a photographer and painter but prides himself on his painterly landscape photographs. Audrey Richardson, Detroit Free Press
No matter how long they have been coming, artists across the fair point to Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan’s appreciation and support of artists as incredibly special, and a large part of why they keep coming back all these years.
Ann Arbor Art Fair – Official Press Release
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
THE STADIUM AND MAIN FOUNDATION, A NON-PROFIT SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY AND NIL EFFORTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN STUDENT-ATHLETES, HOSTS A MEET & GREET AT THE ANN ARBOR ART FAIR TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR ORGAN AND BONE MARROW DONATION
STADIUM AND MAIN TEAMS UP WITH COCA-COLA, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN TRANSPLANT CENTER, WOLVERINES FOR LIFE AND THE BROWN JUG RESTAURANT
Who
Stadium and Main Foundation, the only 501(c)(3) NIL collective supporting the University of Michigan’s student-athletes, will be on the ground at the Ann Arbor Art Fair hosting free meet & greets with some of the University’s most exciting student-athletes. Art Fair attendees will have the chance to meet the incredible young men and women behind the teams they know and love, while also supporting a great cause.
Stadium and Main, working with The University of Michigan Transplant Center, is raising awareness for organ donation and bone marrow registration.
Founder of Stadium and Main, Jamie Morris, and student-athletes from various sports will be available for interviews about the great work the Stadium and Main
The foundation is doing this to support student athletes’ NIL efforts and help them give back to the communities that support them – this time spotlighting the University of Michigan Transplant Center.
WHEN
Thursday, July 20: 12-1:30 PM, 3-4:30 PM, 6-7:30 PM ET
Friday, July 21: 12-1:30 PM, 3-4:30 PM, 6-7:30 PM ET
Saturday, July 22: 12-1:30 PM, 3-4:30 PM, 6-7:30 PM ET
About the Stadium and Main Foundation
Founded by a dedicated group of University of Michigan former athletes and alumni, Stadium and Main is an independent NIL collective. Spearheaded by University of Michigan football and NFL alum, Jamie Morris, Stadium and Main was founded in 2022 with the goal of supporting Wolverine student-athletes from all 29 varsity sports in their pursuit of excellence, by empowering them to prioritize giving back to the communities that support them while empowering their NIL income opportunities.
THE STADIUM AND MAIN FOUNDATION, A NON-PROFIT SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY AND NIL EFFORTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN STUDENT-ATHLETES, HOSTS A MEET & GREET AT THE ANN ARBOR ART FAIR TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR ORGAN AND BONE MARROW DONATION
STADIUM AND MAIN TEAMS UP WITH COCA-COLA, THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN TRANSPLANT CENTER, WOLVERINES FOR LIFE AND THE BROWN JUG RESTAURANT
EVENT GALLERY
Teaming up with University Transplant Center
Teaming up with University Transplant Center to raise awareness for organ and bone marrow donation
The Stadium and Main Foundation, a Non-Profit supporting the community and the NIL efforts of the University of Michigan Student-Athletes, hosts a meet & greet at the Ann Arbor Art Festival to raise awareness for organ and bone marrow donation.
Stadium and Main teams up with Coca-Cola, The University of Michigan Transplant Center, Wolverines for Life, and The Brown Jug Restaurant at the Annual Ann Arbor Arts Festival.
WHO
Stadium and Main Foundation Inc., the only 501(c)(3) not-for-profit NIL collective supporting the University of Michigan’s student-athletes
Notable attendees include
- Jamie Morris, University of Michigan Football/NFL alum and a Founder of Stadium and Main
- Host of The M Zone, Morris will conduct his weekday radio show live from the Blue Leprechaun Restaurant from 3-6 pm ET on Sports Talk 1050am WTKA, The Ticket
- Laila Phelia, University of Michigan Women’s Basketball guard, returning from representing Team USA at the 2023 AmeriCup
- Tray Jackson, University of Michigan’s Men’s Basketball forward, Detroit native
- Dug McDaniel, University of Michigan Men’s Basketball guard
- George Washington III, University of Michigan Basketball guard
- Whitney Sollom, University of Michigan Women’s Basketball forward
- Cameron Williams, University of Michigan Women’s Basketball forward
What
Stadium and Main Foundation, the only 501(c)(3) NIL collective supporting the University of Michigan’s student-athletes, will be on the ground at the Ann Arbor Art Fair hosting free meet & greets with some of the University’s most exciting student-athletes. Art Fair attendees will have the chance to meet the incredible young men and women behind the teams they know and love, while also supporting a great cause.
Stadium and Main, working with The University of Michigan Transplant Center, is raising awareness for organ donation and bone marrow registration.
Founder of Stadium and Main, Jamie Morris, and student-athletes from various sports will be available for interviews about the great work the Stadium and Main Foundation is doing to support student athletes’ NIL efforts and help them give back to the communities that support them – this time spotlighting the University of Michigan Transplant Center.
When
Thursday, July 20: 12-1:30 PM, 3-4:30 PM, 6-7:30 PM ET
Friday, July 21: 12-1:30 PM, 3-4:30 PM, 6-7:30 PM ET
Saturday, July 22: 12-1:30 PM, 3-4:30 PM, 6-7:30 PM ET
Where
Brown Jug Restaurant and the Blue Leprechaun
1204 S University Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Contact:
DKC News (for Stadium and Main) / goblue@dkcnews.com
About the Stadium and Main Foundation
Founded by a dedicated group of University of Michigan former athletes and alumni, Stadium and Main is an independent NIL collective. Spearheaded by University of Michigan football and NFL alum, Jamie Morris, Stadium and Main was founded in 2022 with the goal of supporting Wolverine student-athletes from all 29 varsity sports in their pursuit of excellence, by empowering them to prioritize giving back to the communities that support them while empowering their NIL income opportunities.
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