Michigan Football received a $6 million gift from longtime supporters Matthew and Nicole Lester. The contribution will honor the national championship team and help fund key upgrades inside Schembechler Hall:
Michigan football continues to reap the rewards of its 2023 national championship run. This time, it’s in the form of a transformational $6 million gift from longtime program supporters Matthew and Nicole Lester.
Announced Thursday , the donation will support the capital costs of the newly renovated and expanded locker room inside Schembechler Hall, with 10 percent set aside for long-term maintenance and infrastructure needs.
The Lesters, who have made numerous contributions to Michigan Athletics over the years, are making the gesture in honor of Team 144 —the squad that finished 15-0 and delivered Michigan its first national title since 1997. Also as part of the parameters of their donation, the newly developed players’ lounge will be named the Team 144 Players Lounge.
“Team 144 personified selflessness and brotherhood beyond any measure,” Matt Lester said in the press release. “I believe these traits were integral to the undefeated success they achieved on the field. Once the meetings, film sessions, workouts and practices at Schembechler Hall are over, it is my hope that the players lounge will provide a space for future teams to relax and for the players to develop the connection and camaraderie necessary to win championships.”
The Lester’s gift also includes the naming of Mike’s Barbershop, a state-of-the-art grooming space inside the facility that pays homage to 2023 captain and All-American defensive back Mike Sainristil. Lester described Sainristil as a perfect embodiment of style, leadership, and professionalism both on and off the field.
“There is nothing more relaxing than a shave and a haircut,” Lester said. “And there was no one on Team 144 who was more clean-shaven, stylish or well-groomed than the two-time captain Mike Sainristil. I know the young men who play football for the University of Michigan will value the convenience and the service of a barbershop, and it is a way to honor MikeSainristil’s legacy of leadership, commitment and care that he delivered every day as a Michigan Wolverine, both on and off the field.”
For Sainristil, the tribute carries deep meaning.
“The Lester family holds a special place in the hearts of myself and many of my teammates,” Sainristil said. “I’m deeply humbled and honored that the Lesters valued my efforts and daily dedication to the team as well as my sense of style enough to name the barbershop in the locker room after me.”
The Lesters’ latest donation is just one piece of their extensive history of giving to the University of Michigan. They also endowed the defensive coordinator position in 2017, contributed to the Stephen M. Ross Athletic Campus project, and are founding members of the Champions Circle NIL collective. Princeton Management, Matt Lester’s company, also offers internship opportunities for football players, helping prepare them for life beyond the game.
In a statement of his own, Warde Manuel praised the Lesters for their continued impact at U-M.
“Matt and Nicole Lester have been nothing short of extraordinary in their unwavering support of our student-athletes, and our gratitude for their generosity knows no bounds,” Manuel said. “Their profound understanding of the transformative power of unique experiences and the indelible impact they can have on a young person’s life is truly inspiring.”
With their contribution, the Lesters have once again left an indelible mark on the program, ensuring the legacy of Team 144 continues to shape future generations of Wolverines.