The Detroit Historical Museum's "Fabulous 5" series of exhibits turned its focus this week to some of the area's best-known sports coaches, including former Titans basketball coach Dick Vitale.
Fabulous 5: Detroit's Beloved Sports Coaches features outstanding Detroit sports history as represented by five exemplary men. Each became a successful team leader, but also stood out as human beings, respected for their honesty, integrity, and dedication to sportsmanship. To be certain, these are larger-than-life personalities – not a shrinking violet in the bunch. Because of their skills as coaches, teachers and community leaders, each won a spot in the hearts of the Metro Detroit community.
The five featured coaches include:
• Sparky Anderson, who managed the Detroit Tigers for 16 seasons, winning the World Series in 1984
• Scotty Bowman, the most successful coach in National Hockey League history, who led the Detroit Red Wings to three Stanley Cup Championships between 1993 and 2002
• Chuck Daly, who spent 14 seasons with the Detroit Pistons, guiding his “Bad Boys” to championships in 1989 and 1990
• Will Robinson, a legend in Detroit Public School basketball, first at Miller High School and later at Pershing High School, led his team to a state title in 1967. He later became the first black coach at an NCAA Division I university and closed his career as a valued scout for the Detroit Pistons
• Dick Vitale, who was hired in 1973 as head coach of the University of Detroit basketball team, reaching the NCAA Tournament in his final season, and tallying a 78-30 record through 1977. In addition to serving as head coach of the Detroit Pistons for one season, Vitale is much revered for his flamboyant announcing career with ESPN and ABC.
According to Bob Sadler, Director of External and Public Relations for the Detroit Historical Society, the exhibit attempts to capture some of that larger-than-life spirit the coaches possessed. Each of the five has his own display, which includes a large panel, a biography, photos and an assortment of artifacts and collectibles, ranging from uniforms to bobblehead dolls. The exhibit will be on display through the Labor Day weekend.
The Detroit Historical Museum is located at 5401 Woodward Ave. (NW corner of Kirby) in Detroit's Cultural Center. Regular hours are Wednesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m. On Mondays and Tuesdays, the Museum is not open to the public but available for group tours by calling (313) 833-7979. Adult admission is $6. Seniors (60+), college students with valid college ID, and youth ages 5-18 pay $4. Admission for children ages four and under is free. Parking in the Museum's lot is $4 at all times. For more information, call the Museum at (313) 833-1805 or check out their website at www.detroithistorical.org.
