Longtime Michigan booster Al Glick dies

Al Glick, a longtime contributor to Michigan Athletics, has passed away, the university announced Tuesday. He was 95 years old.

Glick was the chairman and CEO of Alro Steel and spent decades donating to the Michigan football program and athletic department. He’s the namesake of the Al Glick Field House and the Glick Family Performance Center, and donated toward the renovations to Michigan Stadium.

“The loss of Al Glick is a solemn moment for the University of Michigan and our state,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. “Al is widely known for the success of his business, Alro, but his life’s work was about making a positive impact on people and our local communities. He is a legend in improving children’s health, helping the underprivileged and supporting the development of young people through his philanthropy.

“In addition, Al’s love affair with U-M sports had a lot to do with his love of people and his understanding of the educational benefits of team participation. His memory and impact on Michigan Athletics will last forever in our history.”

Glick founded Alro Steel in 1948, which was just after World War II ended. There were steel shortages at the time, and Alro Steel helped with that and grew from there.

As a Michigan Athletics donor, Glick built relationships with the last six Michigan football coaches, from Bo Schembechler to Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh also released a statement reflecting on Glick’s life and their bond.

“My thoughts are with the Glick Family and those who have been touched by the gentleness, the kindness, the goodness and the greatness of our dear friend, Al Glick,” Harbaugh said. “In this moment, I thank God for bringing Al into my life. His enthusiasm for life, his treating others as he would be treated, his leaving our world a better place, motivates me to be better tomorrow, to make him proud.

“Al has provided much support for his beloved University of Michigan and the football program. He has provided much more in giving us a road map for living our lives humbly and happily. Go Blue, my beloved friend.”