DETROIT (2/10/2016) -- The University of Detroit Mercy Department of Athletics has announced that former All-American and NBA player Terry Duerod will receive this year's John Conti Letterman of Distinction Award.

He will be honored with the award at the first media timeout of the men's basketball game against Green Bay on Thursday, Feb. 11. Opening tip is set for 7 p.m. 

"Terry is one of the best players to play for Detroit," said Director of Athletics Robert C. Vowels, Jr.. "When you take a look at his playing career and now as a professional serving the community as a firefighter, he exemplifies what this award is all about."
 
A 1993 inductee into the Titan Hall of Fame, Duerod is one of the best shooters to ever wear the red, white and blue as he ended his career sixth all-time in scoring with 1,690 points. In 111 career games, he averaged 15.2 points and is among the top 10 career leaders in field goals (third with 790) and field goal attempts (fourth with 1,542). 

As a senior in 1979, "Sweet Doo" set a school record with 303 field goals, while his 23.3 points rank eighth in the school record book. His 47-point outburst against CCNY on Feb. 10, 1979, is still the second-best single game performance of any Titan. 

Following his senior year, he was named an All-American. During his time, he helped lead the Titans to one of their best runs in school history from 1975-79 as Detroit went 91-22 with three trips to the postseason under head coach Dick Vitale. The Titans made the NCAA Tournament in 1977 and 1979 and the NIT in 1978. In 1977, Detroit won its first-round game in the NCAA Tournament, 93-76, over Middle Tennessee State before falling to Michigan, 86-81. 

He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the third round (48th overall) in 1979 and played in 143 career games in the NBA over four seasons. He averaged 9.3 points per game and shot 47.2 percent from the field during his rookie campaign for the Pistons. He later played for the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors, winning a NBA championship with Boston in 1981. 

The pride of Highland Park High School, Duerod now puts his life on the line every day serving as a firefighter in the Motor City. 

The John Conti Letterman of Distinction Award was established by Anheuser-Busch to honor its long-time employee upon his induction into the Titan Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. Conti was the captain of the 1949 Detroit football team that won the Missouri Valley Conference Championship. At 6-1 and 300 pounds, he was an Honorable Mention All-American and the biggest man in college football. His spirit and charitable enthusiasm have always seemed to be even larger. In tribute to that spirit, the John Conti Letterman of Distinction Award is presented to former Titan varsity athletes who go above and beyond at work and in the community. Duerod is a reflection of those characteristics, much like the Award's first recipient, legendary Titans basketball coach Bob Calihan, and the honorees that have followed him.
 
Fans, to purchase tickets or for more information, contact the Titans' Ticket Office at (313) 993-1700. The Titans' Ticket Office is located in Calihan Hall and is open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased at any time online at DetroitTitans.com/tix.