An Honorary M is presented to those who have not earned a varsity letter but have demonstrated outstanding service to the University of Michigan and/or its Athletic Department. This award grants honorees the opportunity to join the Letterwinners M Club.
honorary m
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2023 Award Recipient
Fred ‘bud’ stein
The Honorary “M” is given to an individual for exceptional service to the University of Michigan, the Athletic Department, and the Ann Arbor community. Fred "Bud" Stein spent his entire life in service to the Athletic Department at the University of Michigan.
In 1927, at the age of 6, Stein began helping his father hang the pennants around Michigan Stadium. He continued to raise the pennants for every home football game at Michigan for the next 60 years until 1989.
Stein attended the University of Michigan and played on the basketball team for three years (‘39, ‘40, ‘41). He was on track to earn his varsity Letter, but in his senior year he was sent to World War II before the season began. Bud returned to Ann Arbor after the war and completed his degree in economics.
Stein’s professional career began by working with his father in supporting the Michigan equipment staff with football equipment and repair at Stein Cleaners from 1939-1953. Seeing another opportunity to serve Michigan athletics, he joined his cousin, Ward Goetz, to establish Stein & Goetz Sporting Goods (now M Den). In 1976, they sold the business, but Stein stayed on as the business contact for Michigan athletics, working until his retirement in 1984. “I cannot help but think of Bud without thinking of his lifetime of service to the university,” said Scott Hirth, President of The M Den. “That service in all its facets surely is worthy of the great honor of an honorary letter.”
His life, besides his distinguished career as a businessman, is a litany of service to Michigan. Stein was a Director-at -Large of the Michigan Alumni Board of Directors for 6 years. In 1981 he received the Distinguished alumni service award. He was a Victors Club member and Presidents Club member.
For 34 years he served as the superintendent of Michigan Football and Basketball Ushers/Crowd control. Stein also served Ann Arbor as a community leader. He was the Director of the Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, and the Downtown Business Association, to name a few. He was extremely active in the YM and YWCA, and his passion was the Downtown Ann Arbor Kiwanis Club, where he served at its President, and had perfect attendance at meetings for 57 years.
“I know he always wanted to earn a varsity letter and be an ‘M Man’, as he would say,” said granddaughter Julie Ziesemer. “His love for Michigan Athletics is part of his legacy and I am hopeful that a new generation of Michigan Athletic faithful can enjoy a few of his lasting contributions.” This award of a posthumous Honorary M is the fulfillment of his lifetime dedication to the University of Michigan.
Past Winners
2021
Dave Linebaugh
2020
Kim Eagle
2019
Ronni Bernstein
Dana Jacobson
Marc Weiser
2018
Steve Lambright
Mark Rosen
Mike Bottom
2017
John Beilin
Barb Cossman
Doug Barnett
Jon Lockard
2016
Marsha Pankartz
John Rotchee
Carey Larabee
2015
Steve Burns
Dale Bahr
2014
David Heleniak
2013
Bill and Karen Davidson
Phil Bromley
2012
Shari Acho
Sandy Vong
2011
Percy Bates
Lisa Hass
2010
Mary Sue Coleman
John Junge
2009
John U. Bacon
Jerry Green
Ian Hume
Stephen Ross
Bud Vandewege
2008
Early M Women
Greg Harden
Jack Janveja
Fred Wilpon
2007
Mary Passink
Bonney Brandt
Pam Stevens
2006
Ed and Leann Bouillion
Steve Grafton
Dr. Hazel “Doc” Losh
Pam St. John
2005
Bob Bland
Jim Plocki
Robert A. Rosiek
2004
Carl Isaacson
Fred Jackson
Ted Spencer
Lois Isaacson Simmons
Dick Katcher
2003
Frank Beckmann
Shelly Kovacs
Harry McLaughlin
2002
Tom Moss Sr.
Charlie Green
2001
Beverly Plocki
Bruce Madej
Jim Schneider
Howard King
Al Burdi
2000
Robert E. Kalmbach
Joyce I. Linderman
Paul W. Schmidt
1999
Lynn Koch
1998
Kalvin M. Grove
Marie Hartwig
Anne Monterio
Melvin K. Pearson
John J.H. Schwarz
1997
J. Michael Gittleson
Warren Lockette
Elizabeth (Bitsy) Ritt
1996
Carol S. Hutchins
1995
Alex A. Agase
Alvin L. Glick
Francie Kraker Goodridge
C. Corydon Randall
Donald R. Shepherd
1994
Robert W. Browne
Phyllis M. Ocker
Micki King
1993
Bob Chmiel
Jon Falk
Michael J. Stevenson
1992
Lloyd Carr Jr.
James W. Carras
Gary S. Sandall
1991
James J. Duderstadt
William C. Parkinson
Terry N. Smith
1990
Leo Calhoun
James C. Richardson
1989
Gregory M. Barton
Gary O. Moeller
1988
Thomas G. Whittingham
1987
Thomas Hemmingway
Russell E. Miller
G.W. Stover II
1986
Warren C. Crouch
Ronald Warhurst
1969 – 1985
Gregory F. Bevis
Tirrel Burton
George E. Cavender
Frank S. Day
John L. Denniston
Brian W. Eisner
Les F. Etter
Steve Filipiak
Robben W. Fleming
William Flemming
Robert G. Forman
William S. Frieder
Stephen J. GalletiRalph M. Gibson
Jerry F. Hanlon
Joseph P. Hayden Jr.
Merle Henry
Dorin L. Hinerman
Nilus W. Hubble
E. Richard Hurst
Robert G. Hurst
D. Bruce Laing
Donald H. Lintz
Frederick C. Matthaei Jr.
J. Lindsy McLean
Arthur B. McWood Jr.
Gerald A. O’Connor
Johnny Orr
William J. Perigo
Harold Phelps
Ronald L. Pulliam
Ward L. Quaal
William R. Reed
Glenn E. Schembechler
Harold T. Shapiro
Ernest T. Sigler
Kennth “Red” Simmons
Allan F. Smith
John P. Weidenbach
Samuel Weiss
1953 – 1968
Carl E. Badgley
Nathan Chestnut
Alfred W. Coxon
Harlan H. Hatcher
John D. Hibbard
James E. Hunt
Louis B. Hyde
Albert Katzenmeyer
Newton C. Loken
Frank M. Mackey Sr.
William M. Mazer Sr.
William E. Murphy
Lenwood Paddock
Hugh H. Rader Jr.
William B. Revelli
Branch Rickey
Earl N. Riskey
Murray D. Van Wagoner
Frederick J. Vogt
Donald A. Weir
1913 – 1952
Ralph W. Aigler
Charles Baird
Lon H. Barringer
Thorne J. Brown
William B. Crawford
Herbert O. Crisler
Philip Diamond
J. Kenneth Doherty
Louis Elbel
Stephen J. Farrell
Ray L. Fisher
Keene Fitzpatrick
W. Henry Hatch
Charles B. Hoyt
Clifford P. Keen
J. Fred Lawton
Matthew Mann II
Frederick C. Matthaei Sr.
George A. May
James A. Murfin
Arthur D. Robinson
Alexander G. Ruthven
Thomas C. Trueblood
Fielding H. Yost