Don & Pat Roof

FOR DON AND PAT ROOF, what began as a simple inquiry for better football seats turned into a long-standing relationship with Michigan Athletics, particularly with the softball program. The Roofs have since become an integral part of the support system that drives Michigan softball's success and have become a regular at Carol Hutchins Stadium where they can often be found cheering the team on to victory.

As natives of Dundee, Michigan, Don and Pat were initially encouraged to purchase football season tickets by Pat's mother, who at the time worked along with Jerry May in general development on Ann Arbor's main campus. Although neither Don nor Pat are alumni of the University of Michigan (Don is an Eastern Michigan graduate), they enjoyed attending games and cheering on the Maize and Blue. After holding season tickets for decades, Pat decided it was time to upgrade their seats to ones that were covered, with chair backs and a cup holder, so they could more comfortably support the team through all of Michigan's unpredictable weather conditions.

The Roofs soon learned that accumulating points through contributions to the athletic department was key to securing better seats, as explained by Kurt Gulbrand, one of the first development officers they connected with at Michigan. Their first gift supported an old football tradition where the offensive and defensive coordinators treated the entire coaching staff to a steak dinner the night before bowl games.

To better understand the Roofs and their interests in supporting the athletic department, Gulbrand asked the ultimate question: “What sport are you interested in?” Their reply was softball. The Roofs quickly shared their love for the sport by establishing a partial scholarship in Pat's name.

“We picked softball since it was a sport we love and it was an Olympic sport,” said Don. “One benefit of supporting them is you can get to know the coaches, the players, [and] the parents.”

Don and Pat had been longtime fans of softball due to their three daughters' involvement with the sport. They noted that while their daughters competed at different levels, another reason they were drawn to softball was that at the time they were looking to upgrade their football seating, the University of Michigan softball team was enjoying great success led by one of the legends of the game, Carol Hutchins.

The Roofs proved to have the “Golden Touch” in the first few years as their scholarship recipients, Nikki Nemitz and then Bree Evans, became All-Americans. However, after reaching this status, their recipients were then transferred to none other than Lloyd Carr, who held a full scholarship in his name. After these instances in which the Roof's former scholarship recipients became matched to Carr's scholarship, the Roofs approached Coach Hutchins and jokingly asked, “Why does Lloyd Carr keep stealing our scholarship recipients?”

Soon after this conversation, the Roofs began a full scholarship fund of their own and continued their reputation of having the “Golden Touch.” Sierra Romero was an early recipient, however, their first encounter with Romero occurred even before this distinction.

While attending the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, California, to support the team, a small but big-spirited eighth-grader wandered into the stands with her family. She was wearing a Michigan Softball t-shirt, and sat in front of the Roofs when Don asked, “You like Michigan, huh young lady?” To which Romero replied, “I'm gonna play softball for Michigan!”

Romero would soon not only play for Michigan but go on to become one of the best to ever wear the Maize and Blue. She was a four-time All-American and unanimous All-Big Ten pick, set countless Michigan and NCAA records, and was even selected as the Honda Sports Award winner for softball.

While the Roofs find great joy in watching softball athletes like Romero who achieve great success on the field, they take even greater pride in the student-athletes' accomplishments in the classroom and professionally beyond college. Don mentioned that the first question he asks incoming freshmen is not what position they play but what they are majoring in. The Roofs strongly believe in the importance of a good education and encourage all the athletes they encounter to pursue their dreams and use their gifts to find success in the professional world.

Pat also joked that Don has a habit of encouraging players to consider the Ross School of Business, as this was his area of work. But Don's message, regardless of what the student-athletes major in, seems to be the same: Be successful in the classroom, in your professional life, and give back to do good in the world.

Over the years, the Roofs have become much more than generous donors to solely the softball program. Yes, they have made significant contributions, including funding for the hospitality suite, helping with expendable purchases, and supporting coaching and program positions. Their dedication has created a lasting impact, enriching the program and the lives of its student-athletes, but beyond their financial contributions, they have become recognizable friends in the stands, mentors to student- athletes, and a helping hand for the team when needed. Their presence is a constant source of encouragement, truly making them integral members of the Michigan softball community.

With so much changing in the world of college athletics, one thing remains true: programs rely greatly on the generosity of people like the Roofs. When asked if they had any advice for those considering making a gift, Don said, “Go back to the question, 'What are you interested in?' Either it's the sport that you're interested in or the type of support you're interested in ... and little things matter too. Those are the smaller ways that you can help that don't show up as far as a name on a plaque, or a name on a door, or a scholarship with your name on it. It's those smaller things that can really help a program.”