Beyond the Mud: Meeting the Little Victors Who Inspire Us
Student leaders from the 92nd Annual Michigan Mudbowl visit C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital on the Wednesday before Mudbowl Saturday.
On Wednesday, November 4, just three days before the 92nd Annual Michigan Mudbowl, student leaders from participating teams gathered at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital for an experience that has become one of the most meaningful traditions of Mudbowl week.
For generations, the Mudbowl has brought University of Michigan students together through competition, camaraderie, and philanthropy. But in recent years, a new tradition has begun to deepen that connection.
By visiting the hospital ahead of the annual event, student leaders have an opportunity to better understand the people and purpose behind their fundraising efforts.
It is a reminder that every donation, every hour of preparation, and every moment on the field contributes to a mission extending far beyond the Mudbowl itself.
These are the Little Victors who inspire the tradition—and the reason the Mudbowl community continues to come together year after year.
The Mudbowl is more than an annual athletic competition. It is a student-led philanthropic tradition in which competitive energy is transformed into meaningful support for children and families. The hospital tour makes that connection personal.
Student leaders representing the 92nd Annual Michigan Mudbowl display the #92 Mudbowl jersey on the accessible indoor play structure bridge during their Wednesday, November 4, 2026 visit to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
“It was a great tour! I think the game room and Sophie’s tour are both so meaningful, and it’s really cool to see how welcoming Mott tries to be in times that can be so scary for families and patients.”
Inside the November 4, 2026 Visit to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
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Student Leaders on the Mott Play Space Bridge with the #92 Mudbowl Jersey
Student leaders representing the 92nd Annual Michigan Mudbowl display the #92 Mudbowl jersey on the accessible indoor play structure bridge during their Wednesday, November 4, 2026 visit to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
Full-group photograph of ten student leaders wearing hospital visitor badges standing across the elevated blue-and-gold play bridge inside C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, holding a white #92 Michigan Mudbowl hockey jersey at center.
92nd Michigan Mudbowl Student Leaders at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Welcome Wall
Participating team leaders gather around the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Superman statue with the #92 Mudbowl jersey ahead of the 92nd Annual Michigan Mudbowl.
Wide group photograph of ten U-M student leaders standing on either side of the Superman statue in the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital lobby, with the white #92 Mudbowl jersey held in front of the statue and the Michigan Medicine Block M step-and-repeat wall behind them.
Experiencing the Play & Activity Spaces Designed for Little Victors
During the tour of the game room and play spaces, student leaders saw firsthand how C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital creates welcoming environments for children and families.
Alternate landscape framing of the ten U-M student leaders on the accessible maize-and-blue play structure bridge at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, displaying the #92 Mudbowl jersey.
Carrying the 92nd Mudbowl Tradition Forward for Michigan Medicine
Student leaders from competing chapters unite behind a shared mission at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital three days before kickoff on Mudbowl Saturday.
Second group portrait of the ten attending student leaders gathered beside the Superman statue and #92 Mudbowl jersey at the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital display wall.
Carrying the Tradition Forward for Our Little Victors
The Mudbowl may be played on one Saturday each November, but its impact is measured in something far more meaningful than a final score.
Through the generosity of donors, the dedication of student leaders, and the continued support of the Michigan Mudbowl community, this tradition carries forward with a purpose: helping make a difference for our Little Victors.
One tradition. Generations of students. A mission bigger than the game.
While the Wednesday hospital tour highlights the personal connection with C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and our Little Victors, 100% of net proceeds from the Michigan Mudbowl, after event expenses, benefit Michigan Medicine across two designated philanthropic pathways: Men’s Mud Football fundraising supports C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital via the Charles Woodson Clinical Research Fund, and Women’s Mud Volleyball fundraising supports the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center.
Beyond the Mud: The Mott Hospital Visit
About This Emerging Tradition
Ahead of Mudbowl Saturday, student leaders representing participating Michigan Mudbowl teams visit the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital to experience firsthand the people, care spaces, and purpose behind months of campus fundraising and preparation.
This tradition has emerged over the past few years and has become one of the most meaningful parts of the Mudbowl experience. No single official founding year is claimed where historical documentation is still being compiled.
Future annual visits are appended as distinct year-indexed entries without overwriting prior years. Historical entries from earlier tours may be added as dates, photographs, hospital clearances, and participating student leaders are verified.
Verified 2026 Leadership & Participating Groups
- Max Wiley — President, Michigan Mudbowl Club (2026)Confirmed 2026 Michigan Mudbowl Club Student Organization President and tour reflection contributor.
- Michigan Mudbowl Club Student LeadershipConfirmed student organization leadership led by Club President Max Wiley.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Indiana-Michigan / Iota-Beta)Confirmed participating chapter leadership (ΣΑΕ chapter insignia visibly represented among attending student leaders).
- Participating 92nd Michigan Mudbowl Fraternity & Sorority Team LeadersTen student leaders representing participating 92nd Annual Michigan Mudbowl teams attended the November 4, 2026 hospital tour.
Ten student leaders from participating 2026 Mudbowl teams attended the Wednesday, November 4, 2026 visit. Individual attendee names and chapter affiliations beyond verified Club leadership may be appended to this permanent archive record as each student’s formal attribution is confirmed.
2026) & Tradition (mott-hospital-visit)Explore Related Mudbowl History & Philanthropy
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View live 2026 chapter fundraising standings and Michigan Medicine impact.
See schedule details for the 92nd Annual Michigan Mudbowl Championship.
Learn how the Michigan Mudbowl Club partners with Michigan Medicine.