June 5, 2006

First U-M Men's Fantasy Football Experience to benefit the University of Michigan Prostate Cancer Research

ANN ARBOR, MI – The U-M Men’s Fantasy Football Experience, a new two-day event championed by Michigan Football Coach Lloyd Carr, will benefit the “Men of Michigan” Prostate Cancer Research Fund. This first annual fundraiser, on August 3-4, 2006, will help to advance awareness, research and treatment of prostate cancer while giving participants a truly unique, insider’s perspective on Michigan Wolverine football.

The growth of prostate cancer cases is staggering. Today, prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in American men and the second leading cause of cancer death, after lung cancer. Through education, screening and early detection, most cases are curable when found before the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

At the same time that prostate cancer cases are increasing, funding for prostate cancer research is lagging. “With the help of the University of Michigan’s Athletic Department, this unique event will raise prostate cancer research funds and promote awareness of this devastating disease,” said Dave Brandon, U-M Regent and former U-M football player who helped plan the benefit.

Dr. Kenneth Pienta, Director of the U-M Prostate Cancer Program at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center adds, “Proceeds generated from this event will be used to provide seed grants for prostate cancer research. NIH does not support high-risk new research with grant funding until scientific projects are well underway. This event will help to ensure that funding is available for medical advancement.”

The Men’s Fantasy Football Experience is open to Michigan fans from across the country. Only 116 select “players” will be allowed to register for the “team,” which is exactly the number of lockers at Michigan Stadium. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for maize and blue fans to get inside of Michigan football like never before possible,” said Scott Draper, Assistant Athletic Director. Each “player” will get his own personalized locker in the U-M team locker room and wear authentic practice and game apparel.

U-M coaches, players and former players will provide a special opportunity to gain insight on the requirements of successfully competing at the national level in Division I college football. Participants will dine with the coaches and players at the “recruitment” dinner, review and analyze game films and learn insider Michigan football coaching tips including weight training and conditioning, defensive and offensive plays and effective winning strategies.

There will be roundtable discussions on leadership, player recruitment and game strategy. Participants will attend a typical team meeting, review an actual scouting report, and suit  up in the U-M team locker room. After taking the field in Michigan Stadium, the hallowed Big House, participants will experience a pre-game warm-up, run patterns from the Michigan offensive and defensive playbooks, catch a touchdown pass and kick the extra point after scoring a touchdown!

The cost for the two-day experience is $2,500 per person and includes meals and overnight accommodations. For more details, registration information and sponsorship opportunities, please call Steffanie Samuels at 734-615-9843, send e-mail to ssamuels@umich.edu, or go to the Web site at www.med.umich.edu/urolog. Corporate partners to date include NIKE and Ufer & CO. Insurance.

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