It's not often that a coach with 78 career wins and one NCAA tournament berth is worthy of having a university's basketball court named after him, but Detroit Mercy has found an exception to that rule.
The Titans announced Wednesday they will bestow that honor on Dick Vitale, the ESPN analyst who coached at Detroit Mercy from 1973 to 77 but is best known as the sport's most iconic broadcast voice. Detroit Mercy will hold a ceremony before the Titans play St. John's in a nationally televised game on Dec. 5, the same day Vitale will celebrate his 32nd anniversary calling games for ESPN.
"What Dick has done for the game of college basketball is nothing short of remarkable, and it is only fitting that we honor him in such a special way ? given his career started right here at U of D as a head coach," athletic director Keri Gaither said. "Dick Vitale Court at Calihan Hall will serve as a perpetual and lasting tribute to not only Dick's time at Detroit but also his significant contributions to the sport over several decades."
Vitale launched his head coaching career at Detroit Mercy, amassing a 78-30 record at the school and leading the Titans to the NCAA tournament in 1977. He left to become head coach of the Detroit Pistons before finding his true calling as a TV analyst.
As is obvious from the video above, Vitale was touched by the gesture from Detroit.
"When Keri called me and told me they were going to name the court after me at Calihan Hall, I was absolutely taken," Vitale said in a statement. "I can't tell you how much this means to me. It should be a special, special moment. It will probably move me to tears. To all the people that made this happen, you're awesome, baby!"
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