Detroit dedicates court to its former coach.
I remember interviewing the acknowledged college basketball ambassador, Dick Vitale at a Final Four a few years back, and, of course our conversation found its way to his University of Detroit days and Saint Cecilia.
Vitale told me then that his day in Detroit was the foundation that fueled his meteoric rise to the top of the college basketball as an announcer and pundit. He recalled how he would sit in Saint Cecilia’s gym and ingest and gobble up the basketball lexicon, which he later regurgitate as a passionate and animated color commentator.
So it came as no surprise to me that the University of Detroit Mercy’s athletic director, Keri Gaither, announced that the school would honor its former coach by dedicating the new state of the art Dick Vitale Court at Calihan Hall prior to the Titans recent victory over St John’s.
Gaither told reporters that it was a no-brainer to revisit Vitale’s years at Calihan Hall. “We are honored Dick not only for his accomplishments with Detroit and all the tremendous things he did for our school and the city of Detroit,” she told reporters. “He’s made a lasting impact on our program. But we also want to honor him for what he’s done for college basketball. He is a tremendous ambassador for the college game and we want to recognize him for it all.”
Said Vitale at the ceremony as tears started rolling down his face: “The city was so good to me. I’m really taken aback by this big time. It hit me more than any award I’ve ever received, because of what this university did for me. They gave me a wonderful opportunity. I don’t deserve to have that court named after me. I owe them”
Indeed, with the opportunity to coach the Titans, Vitale put together a noteworthy coaching record of 78-30 from 1973 to 1977, including an outstanding 25-4 season in 1977 that included a victory over that season’s NCAA champion Marquette.
Vitale parlayed his outstanding run as head coach of the U-D Titans into the head coaching job with the Detroit Pistons, becoming ESPN’s voice of college basketball and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
One of the things that made Vitale a very good coach was his ability to recruit some of Detroit’s best players. I remember seeing his at Saint Cecilia making himself known and feeling very much at home in the small, quaint legendary gymnasium. Slapping high fives with any and everyone and just talking basketball to all that would listen.
Vitale told reporters that the late, great Titan and New York Knicks basketball legend, put in the good word for that resulted in the interview with Bob Calihan, and, the rest is history.
Vitale also told me that in his travels people still mention John Long, Terry Tyler and what those teams accomplished. We also talked about his days as the Pistons coach which last only one season (1978-79) and 12 games into the 1979-80 campaign.
He said he was somewhat blinded by the bright lights and money of the pro games at the time. He said he made a big mistake leaving the college game. “My spirit, my enthusiasm belongs with the college kids,” he said.
Going into his 32 years at ESPN Vitale’s enthusiasm is still evident as his catchy phrases like “awesome with a capital A,” “diaper dandies,” “awesome baby” or “PTP’ers” (prime time players) are still delivered with his unique zeal.
Leland Stein can be reached atlelstein3@aol.com or at Twitter @lelandsteinIII
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