“Big Blue” makes its TV debut: U-M-inspired Orange County Chopper to benefit Mott

Watch the Orange County Chopper original be built, bid online to make it your own

Ann Arbor, MI – The “Big Blue” bike, the custom Orange County Chopper motorcycle built to benefit the new University of Michigan C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Women’s Hospital, will make its television debut on Jan. 31 and Feb. 7 on The Learning Channel (TLC) show “American Chopper.”

Big BlueViewers and fans alike will have the unique opportunity to make this special U-M-inspired chopper their own by being the highest bidder when “Big Blue” goes up for auction online. The online auction will be held from Feb. 7 - Feb. 21.

The show will feature the debut of the motorcycle by “American Chopper” stars Mikey and Paul Teutul, Jr. during half-time at the much-anticipated Ohio State University-U-M football match-up this past November.

Before the big game, Mikey Teutul made a special visit to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, and spent several hours meeting with young patients and their families. On the same day, he also sat down with former U-M head football coach Lloyd Carr, and even took in a football practice with the team. Cameras followed him throughout his U-M tour, and shots from these special visits will be featured on the show.

“Big Blue” will go up for auction after the Feb. 7 airing of the show. The highest bidder will not only win the bike, but a tailgate party sponsored by Domino’s Pizza for up to 20 people during the 2008 season at a U-M home game of their choice.

Proceeds from the auction will help fund the new $523 million C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Women’s Hospital facility. The new 1.1 million-square-foot-facility will provide a new and larger home for specialty services not offered anywhere else in Michigan for newborns, children and pregnant women. Already, U-M has raised more than $50 million for the facility. Money raised from the sale of the chopper will help the hospital reach its goal of $75 million.

Funding for the creation of the bike was made possible by The Ann and Robert H. Lurie Foundation.

To catch the show, check your local listings for show times in your area.

For online bidding and contest rules, visit: www.mottchildrenshospital.org/chopper.

For more information about the Orange County Choppers, visit: http://www.orangecountychoppers.com

Written by: Milly Dick