DETROIT -- When you think of Dick Vitale, the University of Detroit comes to mind… Vitale, ESPN's endearing analyst and one of college basketball's preeminent ambassadors, coached the men's basketball team from 1973-1977, and served as athletic director from 1977-78. Vitale is now internationally known for his decades on ESPN broadcasts.

Dick Vitale Court at Calihan Hall will be named in honor of Vitale on Monday, December 5, 2011, when the Detroit Titans host St. John's at 7:00 P.M. in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN2. Floor construction is nearing completion inside Calihan Hall in preparation for the upcoming season, and dedication.  

PRE-SALE TICKETS: Available through the Detroit Titan ticket office at 313-993-1700.  Reserved seats, (floor and upper) are available for $20 each, while general admission tickets are priced at $10. A portion of the ticket sales from this game will be donated to the V Foundation, founded in 1993 by ESPN and Vitale's late friend Jim Valvano, which helps to raise millions of dollars each year towards finding a cure for cancer. 

Thus far, $600,000 has been raised to fund the renovations. Dick Vitale Court at Calihan Hall will feature a brand new, state-of-the-art hardwood floor for the home of the Detroit Titans men's and women's basketball teams.  The projects will total $1.6 Million, including several other key improvements to the facility:  men's basketball "Phase II" renovations, which began with new offices and upgraded locker room accommodations, and will soon include video film/media work rooms. A center-hung video display scoreboard installation is planned for summer 2012.

To help with fundraising, Detroit Titan fans can also purchase 10 x 10 commemorative pieces of the old hardwood floor that are currently being sold for $25 plus shipping.