RAEDER’S RAIDERS SPIRIT AWARD

College football in the 1950s was played much differently than it is today.  There were 2 units that played - offense and defense - comprised exclusively of upperclassmen.  During the 1959 Michigan football season, Coach Bump Elliot created a third unit of sophomores led by J. Paul Raeder and collectively known as "Raeder's Raiders".  They quickly became favorites of fans, teammates, and coaches because of their hard-nosed, inspired play.  Time and time again, the Raiders provided a valuable spark to the entire team while coming off the bench.  Their philosophy was Be Prepared, Have a Great Attitude, Have Fun and Seize your Moment, and decades later that still resonates in college sports.

The Raeder's Raiders Spirit Award was established in 2005 by the Raeder family to commemorate J. Paul Raeder (Football, 1957-1961), who passed away in 2004. This award is presented annually by the Letterwinners M Club to a University of Michigan student-athlete who demonstrates character, teamwork, dedication, perseverance, and intensity in athletic performance, all while coming "off thee bench". Student-athletes from all sports who have earned a varsity letter are eligible to be nominated for the Raeder's Raiders Spirit Award by their head coach or appointed representative of the program. The nominees are voted on by the board of directors of the Letterwinners M Club. The Program of the selected winner will receive a $500 donation from the Letterwinners M Club.