Michigan Students Raise $310K Through Broomball Tournament

Students at the University of Michigan just proved that a hockey stick and a frozen backyard can change thousands of lives.

The annual Winterfest broomball tournament, hosted by Sigma Nu fraternity, brought together Greek organizations across campus to compete and fundraise for three Michigan charities. This year's event raised over $310,000 for Autism Alliance of Michigan, Fisher House Michigan, and The Women's Center of Southeastern Michigan.

The concept is simple but powerful. Fraternities and sororities compete to raise money, with the top eight fundraisers earning automatic spots in the final tournament bracket. Teams play broomball, a hockey-like game that doesn't require skating, making it accessible to everyone.

Business sophomore Will Guichard, who co-chairs philanthropy for Sigma Nu, says the work starts months before the first game. "We start building the rink in our backyard back in the fall semester and work on it all the way up until the event," he said.

The fundraising reaches far beyond campus through peer-to-peer outreach. Students contact friends, family members, and community supporters across the country, spreading awareness about the chosen charities while collecting donations.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of student fundraising reaches families throughout Michigan in tangible ways. Marc Berke, chief development officer at Autism Alliance, says Winterfest donations have allowed his organization to rehire previously laid-off staff members and continue their MiNavigator program, which helps families find autism resources and therapy options.

Fisher House Michigan has received over $230,000 from Winterfest since 2022. Executive Director Kate Melcher says that funding helped build the Fisher House in Detroit, where military and veteran families can stay for free while their loved ones receive hospital care.

The Women's Center of Southeastern Michigan will use this year's donations to provide hundreds of free counseling appointments for people without insurance. Executive Director Hannah Reischl says the funds support groups for Black women's empowerment, divorce recovery, and new mothers.

Engineering sophomore Aidan Shemper, philanthropy co-chair, says speaking directly with charity representatives deepened his pride in the event. "The stories that they can tell based on where the money goes and what the money does just makes me excited to be able to do this," he said.

Winterfest has now contributed nearly $400,000 to Autism Alliance over its history. The tournament continues growing each year, with students dedicating months of planning to an event that takes only days but creates lasting change.

One frozen rink, hundreds of students, and $310,000 worth of hope for Michigan families.