DETROIT—  The University of Detroit Mercy will honor former head coach and athletic director Dick Vitale on Dec. 5, naming its newly-constructed playing surface “Dick Vitale Court at Calihan Hall” during a special pre-game ceremony against St. John's.  The game, aired nationally on ESPN2, will feature commemorative “throwback” jerseys for the current Titan players that reflect the uniform likeness from the 70s teams that Vitale coached.

The jerseys will be worn for the Dec. 5 game only and then will be sold at auction.  A portion of the proceeds from the auction and the evening's ticket sales will benefit the “V Foundation”, in support of Dick Vitale's long-time friend and colleague, Jim Valvano, who lost his battle with cancer in 1993.  The V Foundation has awarded more than $90 million to more than 100 facilities nationwide and proudly awards 100% of direct donations and net event proceeds to cancer research.

“It is our pleasure to be able to outfit my former university with throwback uniforms for this special game” said former Titan great and Michigan-based Moneyball Sportswear's President and CEO Desmond Ferguson. “I look forward to being a part of this event and congratulations to Dick Vitale on the court dedication!”

“It is extremely rewarding to see our former Detroit Titan student-athletes reach their goals, whether it is playing their sport at the next level or in some other area of professional interest,” said UDM Associate Vice President and Athletic Director Keri Gaither.  “With Desmond, he was able to achieve both by playing basketball professionally and now by running his own company, Moneyball Sportswear.  So it is most gratifying today that he is showing his appreciation for both his educational opportunities at UDM as well as his time in a Detroit uniform by donating the throwback jerseys worn by the Titans on this special occasion.”

The first 1,000 fans in the lower seating of the arena will receive a free shirt featuring the “Titan Territory” logo. The moniker was part of a theme the trailblazing Vitale embraced during his time in the Motor City, getting fans excited and filling Calihan Hall in the mid-to-late 70s.  The shirt will also be for sale at the Titan Gift Shop.

Tickets are going fast for this event.  Contact the Titan ticket office at 313-993-1700 for ticket information or purchase tickets online at www.detroittitans.com/tix, or through any TicketMaster outlet.