May 05, 2010 Media contact: Amy Garber
E-mail: amyg@umich.edu
Phone: 734.763.0177

Join U-M football celebrities at Swing to Cure Diabetes fundraiser May 17

Golf outing with former U-M football quarterback Rich Hewlett inspired by father's fight to find a cure for son's diabetes

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Former University of Michigan football quarterback Rich Hewlett is the father of two boys: one with type 1, sometimes called juvenile, diabetes and one without.

Jeffrey Hewlett was just four years old when he had to start taking insulin shots daily, which he needs to survive. His parents made a promise to him that they would do everything they could to find a cure for — and even a reversal of — his disease.

To aid the research effort towards a cure for type 1 diabetes, Rich and his wife, Chris, are hosting their second golf tournament fundraiser. Some of Rich’s former Wolverine football teammates will be there to play. Anyone who enjoys golf, would like to meet U-M football celebrities, and wishes to support the cause of type 1 diabetes research is invited to sign up!

The 2010 "Swing to Cure" Golf Outing will be held May 17, at the University of Michigan Golf Course, 500 Stadium Blvd. in Ann Arbor. The all-day event begins with an 11 a.m. shotgun start.

Activities for the day will include a silent and live auction, competitions, prizes, and more. Golfer gift bags, a boxed lunch, beverages and a buffet-style dinner courtesy of Outback Steakhouse also will be provided.

Proceeds will jointly benefit the University of Michigan Comprehensive Diabetes Center and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Individuals, departments, and companies are still being sought to donate auction items or become sponsors of the event. There are still openings for golfers, but space is limited to 140 players.

Lloyd Carr and Cathy Schembechler will attend the event, as well as former Michigan football players and other surprise guests.

Former U-M Wolverines head coach Carr, the third-winningest coach in Michigan football history, retired in 2007 after 12-plus seasons. Cathy Schembechler is the widow of former coach Glenn “Bo” Schembechler, who coached the University of Michigan college football team from 1969-1989 and is widely considered one of the greatest college football coaches of all time. Cathy Schembechler will donate a personal item of Bo’s for the auction.

Rich Hewlett was a back-up quarterback on the 1980 team that won the Big Ten Championship and the 1981 Rose Bowl game, which was Schembechler's first Rose Bowl victory. However, he is probably best remembered for being the starting quarterback in the 1979 Michigan-Ohio State game when he was just a freshman.

To register, become a sponsor, or to make a donation to the cause, visit the Swing to Cure Diabetes website at www.swingtocurediabetes.com or contact Rich Hewlett at 248-642-8439 or rhewlett@dmms.com.