Car wash benefits 'M' wrestler memorial scholarship fund

A little bit of rain did not dampen the spirits of student athletes who helped wash cars yesterday to raise money to help fund a scholarship in memory of Michigan wrestler Jefferey Reese, who died this past December.

"We wanted to do something special to make sure his name is remembered," said Dwayne Fuqua, Student Athlete Advisory Committee president, who organized the event.

The car wash, sponsored by the SAAC, is one of several events designed to raise money for the Jefferey Reese scholarship, Fuqua said. No fundraising goal was set for the car wash, but it was not planned to be one of the primary sources to fund the scholarship, Fuqua said.

"A lot of people have been giving us donations," Fuqua said. "We just wanted a good start."

ADRIANA YUGOVICH/Daily Kinesiology sophomore Shaunetta Smith works yesterday at a car wash fundraiser for the Jefferey Reese scholarship.

Fuqua said the event was well received by many student athletes, including the majority of wrestling team members.

"The moment we announced it over our e-mail network, students e-mailed and contacted me to put their name down," Fuqua said.

Engineering senior Michelle Wolbert said the event helps bring different members of the Athletic Department together.

"It's almost like a team activity for the Athletic Department to come together for a cause we support," Wolbert said. "It's a good way for us to remember Jeff by handing out a scholarship every year."

Michigan wrestler Corey Grant, who participated in the car wash, said the scholarship is a good way for members of the University community to remember Reese.

"Jeff was my best friend. I felt it was my place to come" to the car wash, Grant said. "I'm a firm believer in things happening for a reason."

Ann Arbor residents Jack and Eileen Chisholm said they heard about the car wash through members of the Michigan women's field hockey team.

"They told us to come today," Jack Chisholm said. "It's a great idea."

Other fundraising events for the Reese scholarship will include a student athlete T-shirt sale that will be held Wednesday through Friday organized by the Athletic Department. Printed on the shirts, along with Reese's name and date of birth and death, is the slogan "The Unbreakable chain of Family, Friendship and Success Equals the Michigan Wolverines."

"Everybody (in the Athletic Department) has adopted that slogan as a way of life," Fuqua said.

An auction will also be held before the beginning of the wrestling season next January, during which athletic gear will be sold, Fuqua said.

The SAAC will sponsor another car wash next Sunday in the Yost Ice Arena parking lot from 12-6 p.m.

04-20-98