This February, a number of Ford School students participated in the 2016 Social Impact Challenge, which asked teams to envision redevelopment solutions for the former stadium of the Detroit Tigers, which will be converted into a youth sports center and headquarters for the Detroit Police Athletic League.
The winning team, Team Eye of the Tiger, was comprised of Michelle Rubin (MPP/MUP ’18), Aaron Ledbetter (MPP/MHSA '18), Karen Yocky (MPP ’17) and Andrew Kelley (MBA ’17). The team's research-based proposal suggested how to utilize the field and generate revenue while preserving the historic site. Their recommendations included corporate and alumni sponsorships, social media awareness campaigns, athletic partnerships, enhanced sports leagues for both boys and girls, and co-hosted community events.
The challenge, hosted by U-M's Center for Social Impact, is a campus-wide competition that presents opportunities for students to develop real-world solutions to social issues.
“We are very grateful for the challenge, which has brought forth several fundraising and community engagement ideas for our redevelopment plans of historic Tiger Stadium,” said Tim Richey, CEO of the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL). “All of the talented students who competed are truly deserving of recognition, but we’re especially thrilled to begin working with Team Eye of the Tiger, whose ideas impressed our board of directors and Detroit PAL staff.”
Over the next several months, the students will work directly with Detroit PAL and its partners to execute their project plan.