Honoring a Legend: The Carol S. Hutchins Endowed Scholarship
9/19/2023 2:00:00 PM | General, Softball, Athletic News
The September 15-17 weekend was a big one for the University of Michigan softball program. The Wolverines welcomed over 100 alumnae back to Ann Arbor for a three-day reunion filled with activities; from golf and networking with the 2024 team, to celebrating Carol Hutchin's retirement and Sunday morning practice at Alumni Field, the group also joined in formally dedicating Carol Hutchins Stadium before attending the football game against Bowling Green. But there was one more surprise that would be revealed at the stadium dedication on Saturday (Sept. 16).
On a picture-perfect fall afternoon, softball alumnae gathered in Oosterbaan Fieldhouse for a pre-game tailgate. They then headed over to "The Hutch" and Alumni Field for the formal dedication event. Second-year head coach and U-M softball alumna Bonnie Tholl and Mary Petrovich -- Hutch's first team captain -- offered brief remarks followed by Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics Warde Manuel and University President Santa Ono.
"I will always call it Alumni Field," Hutch said to the crowd of alumnae and supporters. "It's for all of you. You have built the legacy of Michigan softball - they just couldn't fit all your names up there! I couldn't love you more. YOU ARE Michigan softball, not me. You. This is for you!"
Unbeknownst to Hutch though, Manuel had an announcement that nearly rendered her speechless.
"Today, we are announcing the launch of the Hutchins Endowed Softball Scholarship,' Manuel told the crowd, and a shocked Hutch. "Through the generosity of donors, we are already halfway to our fundraising goal."
With $500,000 already committed, the Carol S. Hutchins Endowed Scholarship meets the criteria to be matched to a softball student-athlete beginning with the 2024-25 academic year. The goal is for the fund to reach $1 million to become fully endowed.
"They keep trying to see how they can surprise me more," Hutch joked afterwards. "What a wonderful gesture from the athletic department and our donors. The stadium, the scholarship - I'm incredibly honored. I have no other words to describe it."
Endowed scholarships fuel the athletic department's core mission of supporting student-athlete education. With annual costs exceeding $32 million to the University for tuition, room and board for all 29 teams, scholarship endowments help offset Michigan Athletics' ever-growing scholarship budget by funding them in perpetuity.
Softball alone invests over $1 million in financial aid costs annually, funding the maximum number of scholarships allowed by the NCAA. Endowments like Hutch's provide donors the opportunity to directly impact student-athletes, and allows the athletic department to support its student-athletes in an all-encompassing way.
Hutch has profoundly impacted the lives of countless student-athletes. The quintessential leader, she is revered across the softball world and college athletics in general. Her accomplishments are too numerous to list. Support of the Carol S. Hutchins Endowed Softball Scholarship Fund helps maintain that impact to future generations of Michigan softball student-athletes. If you are interested in donating to the Carol S. Hutchins Endowed Scholarship Fund, please Give Today.
