View 4 more
Basketball announcer Dick Vitale, right, is hugged by a former player after an unveiling of a court in his honor at Calihan Hall at Detroit Mercy in Detroit, Monday, Dec. 5, 2011. Vitale guided the Titans to 78 victories in five seasons at the University Carlos Osorio, Associated Press
View 4 more
Basketball announcer Dick Vitale is shown with some of his players during an unveiling of a basketball court in his honor at Calihan Hall at Detroit Mercy in Detroit, Monday, Dec. 5, 2011. Vitale guided the Titans to 78 victories in five seasons at the Un Carlos Osorio, Associated Press
View 4 more
Basketball announcer Dick Vitale addresses the fans during a court unveiling in his honor at Calihan Hall at Detroit Mercy in Detroit, Monday, Dec. 5, 2011. Vitale guided the Titans to 78 victories in five seasons at the University of Detroit, as it then Carlos Osorio, Associated Press
View 4 more
Basketball announcer Dick Vitale unveils a court in his honor at Calihan Hall at Detroit Mercy in Detroit, Monday, Dec. 5, 2011. Vitale guided the Titans to 78 victories in five seasons at the University of Detroit, as it then was called, when he coached Carlos Osorio, Associated Press
View 4 more
Basketball announcer Dick Vitale looks skyward during a court dedication in his honor at Detroit Mercy in Detroit, Monday, Dec. 5, 2011. Vitale guided the Titans to 78 victories in five seasons at the University of Detroit, as it then was called, when he Carlos Osorio, Associated Press
By Associated Press

DETROIT — The University of Detroit Mercy has honored a former coach and athletic director who turned into a college basketball icon.

The school unveiled Dick Vitale Court at Calihan Hall on Monday night before the Titans hosted St. John's. He was celebrated on the 32nd anniversary of being an analyst for ESPN.

Vitale led Detroit to the NCAA tournament in 1977 after earning a bid by beating eventual champion Marquette coached by Al McGuire in Milwaukee.

He was with the Titans from 1973-77 as their coach and was athletic director during the 1977-78 season. After leading the Detroit Pistons for a season and 12 games, he was fired.

View Comments

Vitale's passion for college basketball and platform on cable TV helped him get inducted into Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2008.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.