Homecoming 2010 brought countless alumni back to UDM over the weekend to take part in special activities all over campus but, for a select group, it meant even more. That's because 10 new members were inducted into the Titan Sports Hall of Fame at halftime of the men's basketball game against Wright State.
The group included four former basketball players – Joe Kopicki, Jermaine Jackson, Rashad Phillips and, from the women's team, Cassandra Pack – as well as former stars from baseball (Pat Adams and Mike Pesci), cross country/track and field (Ken Dubois and Kim Jess), golf (Adam Walicki) and tennis (Maria Pandele).
UDM established its Sports Hall of Fame in 1977 in order to honor those student-athletes, coaches and administrators who have helped develop the successful tradition of Titan Athletics. Together, the new inductees brought the number of greats in the Hall of Fame to 112.
The 2010 induction class and their families gathered in Calihan Hall late Saturday morning and was honored during a pre-game tail gate party in the Engineering Building prior to being formally inducted before an appreciative basketball crowd in Calihan Hall. They later joined a large group of former student-athletes for a post-game reception. Phillips is currently playing professionally in Germany and Jackson in Mexico, but both were represented by family members during the festivities and sent their regards.
Kopicki was also featured in a halftime segment on the FOX Sports Detroit telecast of the basketball game – one in which another Titan Hall of Famer, Earl Cureton, served as the color analyst – and he later sat in as a guest commentator during the second half on the Horizon League Network webcast.
“It was a very special day, recognizing the University's rich tradition of tremendous student-athletes and their accomplishments. We were honored to welcome into the Hall of Fame this elite group of athletes who shaped the Detroit Titans athletics history,” UDM athletic director Keri Gaither said.
Here are comments from members of the induction class:
Pat Adams: “It's a great honor. It really validates all the experiences, successes and tough times I went through as a student here. I owe a lot to Coach (Bob) Miller, who was very influential at an important time of my life, and this is in a lot of ways a credit to him. When I was playing here, we were the guys that U of M and Michigan State didn't want; we were good players on the sand lots and could play with the guys that went to those schools, but we weren't seen as D-1 players. So I think we really took it upon ourselves to represent Detroit, and it served as a rallying point for all of us. I think the success we had playing against your U of M's, Michigan States and Central Michigans was because we had that mind set.”
Ken Dubois: “I am honored to be inducted into the Titan Hall of Fame. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to compete at the collegiate level in a great sport that I love, while pursuing a great education. I am thankful to Coach (Earl) Clark for the opportunity, and to my teammates and classmates for the camaraderie and many valuable experiences. I have many fond memories of my time as a student and athlete at U of D.”
Kim Jess: “I was quite shocked when Keri told me the Hall of Fame news and at the same time very honored. I enjoyed my five years as a Titan, except that injury plagued year, of course. I will always remember the great teammates and coaches as well as other athletes and professors that each had a part in making me who I am. I hope the Titans of today cherish the time they have there as you can't go back, but you will always have those experiences to remember going forward.”
Joe Kopicki: “I have a lot of emotions about this day. I'm happy and proud to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I know a lot of time has passed but it seems like yesterday that Dick Vitale and Smokey Gaines were calling our house and recruiting me when I was a junior at Fitzgerald. I was pretty quiet, so they talked to my Dad a lot more than me. I'm a Detroiter and I'm glad I went to school and played here. I never dreamed it would lead to this. I'm happy and proud at the same moment.”
Jermaine Jackson: “All my four years on the team, I had the support of a great staff and guys who pushed me to be better. When I was a freshman, there were teammates like Perry Robinson and Carl Pickett, and then there were others who came along like EJ Haralson, Brian Alexander, Rashad Phillips, Desmond Ferguson… then Bacari Alexander the summer of my junior year. They kept me working harder and harder every day. So when we beat St. John's and UCLA and Michigan State, those games were really won in the summer time. Hard work in the off-season helped us to be prepared. I've always used this saying: 'Those that are prepared are always invited.' I thought of that when Keri said I was going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I loved it, because I was prepared. Every year, I put in the work to get better and better as a basketball player. When you put the work in, you're rewarded. Not just the events, but it's the moments I'll always remember during my career. When we won the conference championship and (former UDM President) Sr. Fay was in the middle of the court celebrating with us, that's a moment you remember. I always worked hard for moments like those, to put smiles on people's faces.”
Maria Pandele: “It's everything that I could ask for and more. It's just now finally sinking in, and it's a great reward for all the fun and hard work that I had. I feel very unique to be a member of this group and to be the only tennis player in the Hall of Fame and the feeling is quite amazing. I've heard these kind of speeches before, and it's true what they say, I cannot find the words to describe this.”
Mike Pesci: “I'm very honored, still shocked somewhat, that I was induced into the Hall of Fame. I'm very excited. It's not something you plan on when you're playing. There couldn't be anything better than that type of day. It was great to see Coach Miller and some of the other players. I think the University did a great job to make it so special and so exciting for all of us.”
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Rashad Phillips: “I greatly appreciate this recognition. Being inducted to the University of Detroit Mercy's Hall of Fame is an honor. I would like to thank my family, former teammates and the University's athletic department for supporting me through my years as a Titan. Some of my fondest memories as a Titan were playing in the NIT at Madison Square Garden and our win against UConn in 2001. Although some of our greatest wins were on the road, Titan fans are a big part of the reason we went 52-1 at Calihan Hall. UDM alumni and fans have been extremely supportive of me since my departure from UDM. I wish I could have been there in person to show my appreciation.”
Adam Walicki: “I definitely look back at my time at UDM with very positive memories. Although I wasn't as happy as I would have liked to be with my scoring averages I left with, I know I gave it my best and had a great time doing so. I was fortunate enough to be a part of two championship teams and developing the relationships with the guys were the top two moments and memories for me. Getting inducted into the Hall of Fame is right there with those and definitely the best icing on the cake I could hope for. Although, the championship we should've won is the moment that I regret the most (my first year at UDM), I think it only helped us get that much more focused for the next two (or at least it was for me). Golf is as much of an individual sport as it gets, but once you're a part of a team you feel proud of, you can really appreciate why superstars will frequently say the highlights of their careers and the most nerve racking moments both occurred at Ryder, Presidents, Walker Cups and during their collegiate events. Overall, other than giving away the championship in 2000 (three in a row would've been so nice; four for the school), I don't think I could've asked for better time spent than mine at UDM, and I'm more than grateful to be a part of the Hall of Fame.”
-Detroit Titans
