Alex Powell was a lifelong Michigan State fan growing up.

He grew up bleeding green thanks to where he lived and ended up attending Lansing Catholic High School. As a senior, Powell was diagnosed with cancer. He ended up going to Michigan State, though, which is exactly what he wanted to do.

Before completing his freshman year, however, Powell died in 2011. In the wake of his death, his family created a tradition. Alex’s Great State Race now takes place each year and helps raise money to help students with disabilities help fulfill their dreams by attending either Michigan or Michigan State.

“The race is a 64-mile run from the Diag on the UM campus in Ann Arbor to the ‘Sparty’ statue on MSU’s campus in East Lansing,” wrote Martin Slagter of mlive.com. “The game ball for each school is carried from one campus to the other by ROTC cadets from both schools.”

This isn’t just a cool tradition that brings game balls for both Michigan and Michigan State football. It goes beyond sports. It helps those in need achieve their dreams.

Both schools also end up competing against each other each year before the run by raising money for Michigan State’s Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities and Michigan’s Office of Services for Students with Disabilities.

“I don’t know if (Alex) would have been excited about me including Michigan in this, but at the end of his disease he appreciated the University of Michigan for what they provided for him,” said his mother, Juliana Powell.

Once diagnosed with Cancer, Alex went to the University of Michigan hospital for treatment.

“That’s what makes this really special for me is that he understood that,” Powell said. “That didn’t mean he didn’t walk (into treatment) with his green and white on, but he understood it.”