Michigan Wolverines' recent Rome trip to cost up to $800K

The Michigan football team's recent trip to Rome will end up costing between $750,000 and $800,000.

Wolverines athletic director Warde Manuel said Tuesday he is still waiting for the final numbers to come in from the late April trip, which the school previously said was paid for by a private, anonymous donor who put no restrictions on the cost.

"It's going to come in around $750,000, $800,000," Manuel told the Detroit News at Egypt Valley Country Club, where he participated in the Meijer LPGA Classic celebrity Pro-Am. "Waiting on a few numbers, so we don't have it final, final. ...

"It will be about $5,000 to $6,000 a person, so it was a great investment. It was just terrific. We pay them through an educational experience like Michigan does all the time. I don't think about it in terms of paying our athletes but if people want to say we should give something to our students of value, I can't think of a better way to invest in them for their lifetime and their experience."

Head coach Jim Harbaugh took the Wolverines to Rome after finals for a week of sightseeing and team bonding, in addition to three spring practices.

"Still got a glow about it," Harbaugh said recently of the trip.

Harbaugh, who got to meet the Pope, said he was thrilled with the entire trip for his players.

"It was an incredible trip," Harbaugh said Monday on the Rich Eisen radio show. "The best thing I've ever been a part of on a football team."

Harbaugh said 25-28 players did a study abroad program after the trip, five did overseas internships and 10 traveled abroad.