More than two years after MSU student Andrew Singler was stabbed to death at his apartment by Okemos resident Connor McCowan, for which McCowan was sentenced to 20 to 60 years, the family plans to remember Singler’s life at the second annual Andrew Singler Memorial Cup in Ann Arbor.
The event will take place Aug. 1 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube, and will feature University of Michigan alumnus, Olympic silver medalist and NHL player Jack Johnson playing a game of ice hockey to raise money for the Andrew Singler Stay Strong Foundation, a scholarship fund begun by Singler’s family, which gives money to economically disadvantaged students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend MSU. Recipients are chosen by MSU.
MSU alumnus Justin Spiro, who organizes the event, said the atmosphere is happy, although at last year’s event he gave brief background information of the events surrounding Singler’s murder, for those who only had a limited idea of what happened. Many Singler family members attend the event.
“It’s just a way to honor him and keep his name sort of up there at all times,” Spiro said.
Last year’s cup raised about $1,400 for the foundation, and organizers are hoping for about $2,000 this time around. Spiro covers the cost of renting out the ice for the day himself, and 100 percent of the profits from tickets sold at $20 a person, plus raffle tickets, go toward the foundation.
Players of all ages and skills are welcome, but they must RSVP to Spiro by July 31.
“The draw for us is ... it’s a chance to play with or against a guy that plays in the NHL and was a top draft pick in his sport,” Spiro said.
The gruesome events surrounding Singler’s death, a mere three months before he would have walked at graduation and the subsequent trial, were covered closely by The State News. Details emerging during the trial revealed the events of the night. Singler had been close friends with Connor McCowan and in a relationship with McCowan’s sister, Shay, for two years. After a night spent at local bars, they argued about a lost set of keys and parted. Later that evening, Shay McCowan texted her brother, claiming Singler had broken her back and ribs.
After an exchange of heated text messages, Connor McCowan then went to Singler’s apartment armed with a pocket knife. The confrontation immediately turned violent after Singler punched Connor McCowan and was subsequently stabbed twice in retaliation. Singler was pronounced dead at 5:15 a.m. after his roommate drove him to Sparrow Hospital.
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