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Post by uofdfan1983 on Nov 20, 2020 9:59:43 GMT -5
Long private zoom meeting last night hosted by Pres Garabaldi, VP Advancement D'Ambrosio, AD Vowels plus Davis and new womens coach Gilbert. Haywood was a special guest and he kept talking and talking and you can tell the school still means a lot to him. Wore his letter jacket from 1967 and was very animated, very pro-U-D. Talked about how the Governor, the mayor, DeBusschere and others all helped recruit him to U-D, and that we need that united effort again to arise from our abyss. There were various other former Titans on the call including Earl the Twirl, McCormick, Laval Perry and more. D'Ambrosio briefly reviewed the areas of Calihan that are part of the $5M campaign, including strength & conditioning/physical therapy, private dining room/food prep for athletes, new basketball court (again, wonder if Dickie V will put up some money and if they will keep it named after him if he does not), updated entranceway to Calihan, updated Titan Club Room and more. Davis spelled out how parents want nice dorms, nice training facilities, top-grade dietary program and more to coddle the recruits of today. He spelled out how Texas Southern has better support structure for basketball players than we do. He also said he has put a considerable portion himself (let's just say it's 6 figures) and he sounds like he's committed to the long run and believes in this program.
Garibaldi mentioned teardown of Reno Hall and replacement with new upperclassmen apartments but that'll take a few years. The stuff inside Calihan can be done more immediately. There are alums with the $$ to make this happen. Garibaldi talked to Willie Green earlier in the day and he is "honorary director" of this campaign so I presume he will be giving more $$.
There was also a moment of silence for Sweet Due.
If you can donate anything, do it now while Antoine is still on the team. Let's make some gradual improvements in Calihan that will make a difference NOW.
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Post by ptctitan on Nov 21, 2020 8:29:45 GMT -5
I'm glad that uofdfan1983 brought this up because I have been alluding to this plan for the past year.
The university is serious about significantly upgrading things in Calihan Hall. And this is going to happen with ground being broken in 2022. The base budget is $5 million. It will be spent as follows:
A. $1 million on a new state of the art sports medicine department with major changes to the exterior of Calihan Hall that will make the facility visible to the outside - most likely on the west side of Calihan Hall. This will be for all sports.
B. $500,000 on a new dining and nutrition facility adjacent to the sports medicine area for all sports.
C. $1 million on a new entrance to Calihan Hall that will contain a highly visible Hall of Fame atrium showcasing all our great players throughout our history.
D. $500,000 for a new and modern basketball court.
E. $550,000 for a new Titan Club room including new rest rooms, new TV's, new furnishings, and making it more easily accessible for the disabled.
F. $500,000 to create an interim practice facility for basketball in the basement plus endow the needed support staff and equipment.
G. $200,000 for modern multimedia rooms including state of the art equipment.
H. $300,000 for basketball team housing that may include the purchase and renovation of adjacent housing on Fairfield.
I. $200,000 for coaches offices.
J. $2 million added, if feasible, to install air conditioning.
Already, there have been some cosmetic improvements made to the arena. The Board of Trustees has approved this plan. The President is 100% behind it because it will drive enrollment.
If you wonder about his continuing commitment to this school, Coach Davis has already donated $200,000 towards these improvements.
uofdfan listed some of the players who are on board. Others have also joined the effort but were unable to be on the Zoom call. This effort will be chaired by Terry Page with Willie Green as the honorary co-chair. Lots of former players from all eras are involved this time in a concerted effort to make a significant step forward.
The Jalen Rose Academy, through its co-founder and UD alum Michael Carter, is on board. The former players spoke of creating their own efforts to help Coach Davis attract back the local players who now leave and go elsewhere. And they spoke of developing a marketing plan in conjunction with this Road to a Championship plan.
As an aside, our new women's coach, Anne-Marie Gilbert is a most impressive speaker. She has already established and expanded ties with Edison which is the #2 high school womens' team in the nation.
So, if everyone pitches in to the best of their abilities, we will make this happen by 2022-23.
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Post by Commissioner on Nov 21, 2020 12:35:03 GMT -5
Thanks for relying this. It sounds great.
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Post by ptctitan on Mar 21, 2021 6:02:10 GMT -5
We can't change the past; but we can change the future.
In last week's virtual roundball bruncheon event on Zoom, Coach Davis stated very clearly that his goal was to make us a Big East caliber team. That gives us options. To that end, the university has launched its Road to a Championship campaign (RTC) intended to bring our mid-century modern arena and facilities into the 21st century. This effort is led by former players, Terry Page, Dan Kennedy, and Willie Green. Former players, Wilbert McCormick, Laval Perry, and Earl Cureton are also on this committee. In fact, 50% of this committee consists of former players. This effort is being supported directly by the university President because he understands that the publicity from a strong flagship men's basketball program can significantly increase applications for admissions and add to the social amenities on campus.
As alumni or fans, we now each have a choice. We can live in the past and continue to bemoan the mistakes of the past. Or we can move towards a solution over the next 12 months. With a Big East caliber men's BB team, we can choose the best route: 1) the Gonzaga route of dominating our existing conference; or, 2) the Butler-Dayton-Xavier route of moving up to a stronger conference. RTC is the first step towards a real solution that will give us options in college athletics and that will enhance the university's ability to increase its total enrollment. Hopefully, you will join this effort to implement a real solution.
NB - three posters on this Board also are serving on this committee.
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Post by Commissioner on Mar 21, 2021 7:51:58 GMT -5
We can't change the past; but we can change the future. In last week's virtual roundball bruncheon event on Zoom, Coach Davis stated very clearly that his goal was to make us a Big East caliber team. That gives us options. To that end, the university has launched its Road to a Championship campaign (RTC) intended to bring our mid-century modern arena and facilities into the 21st century. This effort is led by former players, Terry Page, Dan Kennedy, and Willie Green. Former players, Wilbert McCormick, Laval Perry, and Earl Cureton are also on this committee. In fact, 50% of this committee consists of former players. This effort is being supported directly by the university President because he understands that the publicity from a strong flagship men's basketball program can significantly increase applications for admissions and add to the social amenities on campus. As alumni or fans, we now each have a choice. We can live in the past and continue to bemoan the mistakes of the past. Or we can move towards a solution over the next 12 months. With a Big East caliber men's BB team, we can choose the best route: 1) the Gonzaga route of dominating our existing conference; or, 2) the Butler-Dayton-Xavier route of moving up to a stronger conference. RTC is the first step towards a real solution that will give us options in college athletics and that will enhance the university's ability to increase its total enrollment. Hopefully, you will join this effort to implement a real solution. NB - three posters on this Board also are serving on this committee. Here's the link for those who wish to donate: www.udmercy.edu/giving/campaign/athletics.phpI gave this morning. And I'm not an alum. |
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Post by fan on Mar 21, 2021 9:47:21 GMT -5
We can't change the past; but we can change the future. In last week's virtual roundball bruncheon event on Zoom, Coach Davis stated very clearly that his goal was to make us a Big East caliber team. That gives us options. To that end, the university has launched its Road to a Championship campaign (RTC) intended to bring our mid-century modern arena and facilities into the 21st century. This effort is led by former players, Terry Page, Dan Kennedy, and Willie Green. Former players, Wilbert McCormick, Laval Perry, and Earl Cureton are also on this committee. In fact, 50% of this committee consists of former players. This effort is being supported directly by the university President because he understands that the publicity from a strong flagship men's basketball program can significantly increase applications for admissions and add to the social amenities on campus. As alumni or fans, we now each have a choice. We can live in the past and continue to bemoan the mistakes of the past. Or we can move towards a solution over the next 12 months. With a Big East caliber men's BB team, we can choose the best route: 1) the Gonzaga route of dominating our existing conference; or, 2) the Butler-Dayton-Xavier route of moving up to a stronger conference. RTC is the first step towards a real solution that will give us options in college athletics and that will enhance the university's ability to increase its total enrollment. Hopefully, you will join this effort to implement a real solution. NB - three posters on this Board also are serving on this committee. |
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Post by fan on Mar 21, 2021 9:51:12 GMT -5
This is a great start and great path, I've always thought the schools great basketball strength is it's basketball tradition. Using the people whom built this tradition is the right direction. I for one am
not a alum but will donate. This is good news.
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Post by titantarheel on Mar 21, 2021 13:25:51 GMT -5
As Loyola goes to 26-4 on the season, knocks off #1 Illinois and advanced to sweet 16 yet again...their name will soon be added to the butler/Xavier/Dayton grouping. And gosh willing the Titans are added on there in 5-10 yrs time.
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Post by Commissioner on Mar 21, 2021 15:42:32 GMT -5
As Loyola goes to 26-4 on the season, knocks off #1 Illinois and advanced to sweet 16 yet again...their name will soon be added to the butler/Xavier/Dayton grouping. And gosh willing the Titans are added on there in 5-10 yrs time. Notice, too that Loyola went really fast. Butler started a serious, long-term plan and commitment in the late 80s, and it took them nearly 25 years to wind up in the Big East. Xavier took even longer to move into the top echelons. Dayton never fell as far as UD, Butler, or Xavier. These schools also got some luck--the right coaching hires, a break or two here or there in a big game, to get national recognition. Loyola had certain advantages we lack--mainly, a lot more money, and a city that the MVC really wanted. But that doesn't mean writing off the ambition. The question is, what advantages can we call on? And are we willing to put up what we do have? The rapidity of Loyola's assent should really be encouraging to us. Everybody should give to this effort. |
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Post by larrytitan on Mar 22, 2021 11:44:35 GMT -5
I hit the wrong button. I made a donation today and I am a proud alumnus Class of 1969.
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Post by ptctitan on Mar 25, 2021 10:23:17 GMT -5
If a Penguin can do this, we Titans can do better.
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Post by Rogobob77 on Mar 25, 2021 10:55:57 GMT -5
One specific thing I saw in the RTC plan is that Detroit Mercy would like to replace the current bleacher seating by upgrading to chairbacks. I think that would provide a much more polished and modern look, although I know there is some nostalgia for keeping the bleachers. I assume the newly configured sections could be a premium reserved-seats area, it surely would better accommodate older fans who have trouble navigating the steep stairs in the upper bowl section of Calihan. Not sure, but I think maybe the end zones would remain bleachers for student sections. At the various peaks of Titans basketball popularity, pretty much the entire bleacher section could be filled by students, but I don’t see those days returning.
Back in 2011, Loyola gutted the interior of Gentile Arena and the facility was given state-of-the-art upgrades during a six-month transformation that radically changed the look around the basketball court. Those changes included the installation of nearly 2,000 chairback seats.
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Post by Rogobob77 on Feb 10, 2022 19:52:41 GMT -5
A Titan Golf Outing is being planned for Friday, August 5, 2022, at Fox Hills. Former Titans MBB player Dan Kennedy has taken the lead in coordinating the event. Proceeds from the golf outing will go to the “Road to a Championship” campaign largely dedicated to Calihan Hall improvements. Over the coming months the organizing committee will be be initiating action to recruit 4-somes, sponsors, etc. Dan indicated he is looking forward to getting this event back on track and improving upon every year so that it is a known staple of positive activities for the extended Titan family. Please save the date if you would be potentially interested in participating in the outing.
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Post by rc on Feb 10, 2022 20:01:49 GMT -5
If just 1,000 former University of Detroit/Mercy scholarship-athletes contributed $1,000 each on average, UDM could raise $1M for the student athlete training center. I can’t believe over the last 60 - 70 years, given all those scholarship-athletes in the 10 - 15 sports teams we have (including football and baseball), that we can’t accomplish that? We just need someone to lead the effort and try!
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Post by ptctitan on Mar 20, 2022 10:23:57 GMT -5
This is why we should invest in athletics, especially men's basketball. Treat the other sports fairly - but not always equally - because this is the potential return on investment for a men's basketball Sweet 16 appearance. The university cannot get this leverage on any other investment it would make. 40% increase in applications. 25% increase in new full-time student enrollment. 25-30% increase in tuition revenue. A full-time undergrad enrollment above 3,000 for the first time in 10 or more years. Something to do on campus. Something to bolster the neighborhood and the new businesses trying to get started there. Something to restore alumni and student pride in the Detroit Titans.
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