Spartans, Wolverines unite to benefit students with disabilities
Alex’s Great State Race — the annual 64-mile race between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University that honors former Spartan Alex Powell — ends in success for the 12th year.
The race, which precedes the annual Battle for Paul Bunyan football game each year, is a friendly rivalry between MSU and U-M, raising money in memory of Powell, who passed away in 2011 from cancer while attending MSU.
A team of Army ROTC cadets from both universities runs the game day ball from one campus to the university hosting the game. This year, Alex’s Great State Race began in the early hours of Oct. 24 at the Diag on U-M’s campus and ended around noon at Demonstration Hall on MSU’s campus.
MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., and MSU Director of Athletics J Batt joined the ROTC cadets in running the last mile of the race.
“It is an honor to partake in this annual tradition and run alongside fellow Spartans and Wolverines alike, all in the name of Alex and supporting students with disabilities,” Guskiewicz said. “It’s moments like this we are reminded of Alex’s enduring legacy and the collective power we hold to make a difference in the lives of one another.”
Powell, who battled a rare and aggressive cancer, received his cancer treatments at the University of Michigan. He also had a dream of attending MSU. With the support of University Health and Wellbeing’s Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, or RCPD, he achieved his goal. RCPD strives to remove barriers for students with disabilities, and they guided Powell through his Spartan experience. His journey embodies strength and tenacity, and his legacy continues through Alex’s Great State Race.
“As a mother, I am deeply grateful for the continued love and support surrounding Alex’s Great State Race,” said Juliana Powell, Alex’s mother. “For more than a decade, this event has honored my son Alex’s spirit and united two incredible universities, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, for a greater purpose. Seeing both universities and our community come together, year after year, to support students who face unique challenges is truly inspiring. The theme ‘Great Race, Greater Purpose’ beautifully captures what this day means, a celebration of compassion, unity and opportunity.”
Logging 768 miles over the course of 12 successful years and counting, runners lace up their shoes the day before the MSU vs. U-M football game to promote RCPD and raise funds for MSU’s Alex Powell Spartan Experience Leadership Endowment and U-M’s. These funds support students with disabilities, including those with mobility, learning, visual and auditory disabilities, brain injuries and various chronic health conditions.
Throughout the month of October, students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to participate virtually by running, walking or rolling miles from anywhere, anytime. Participants can make a donation to either university to support students with disabilities.
“Alex’s Great State Race is more than a tradition — it’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we come together for a greater purpose. This event honors Alex’s legacy by championing inclusion and ensuring students with disabilities have the support they need to thrive academically,” said Alexis Travis, assistant vice president/assistant provost of University Health and Wellbeing. “Every mile run and every dollar raised helps create a more accessible, equitable future for all Spartans.”
Since the first race in 2014, the annual run has helped raise more than $172,000 in support of the Alex Powell Spartan Experience Leadership Endowment.
For more information about Alex’s Great State Race, visit its official website.