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DETROIT (9/21/12) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team opened its Legends & Traditions Weekend Friday night at Calihan Hall with more than 40 former student-athletes and coaches joining over 150 longtime donors, alumni and fans at the Titan Legends & Traditions Dinner to benefit the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Fund.

Those in attendance were also honored with the opportunity to see the ring ceremony for the 2011-12 Horizon League Champion Detroit Titans.

“It was just a terrific event,” said Associate Vice President & Director of Athletics Keri Gaither. “There was so much excitement leading up to the event. I can't tell you over the last couple of weeks how great it has been with all the former players reaching out and talking about the excitement of being back in Calihan Hall and not just for reunion purposes, but to support the current team. It was important for them to share the history with the current players.”

While the evening was about Titan history, it was also about honoring one of the greatest Detroit athletes of all time as Peter DeBusschere – son of Titan great Dave DeBusschere – was on hand to thank all of those for their generosity in supporting the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Fund. A silent auction was also held with the proceeds benefitting the scholarship.

“I would like to thank the University for having this scholarship in honor of my father,” said Peter. “It means a lot to us and to the University. Detroit is a special place. My sister and I were born here. The University is really starting to embrace the past and I am just honored to be a part of it.”

The night began with a tour of the new men's basketball suite, followed by the Boone Conference Room and Willie Green locker room, before Tom Leyden, Sports Director at WXYZ (Channel 7 locally and ABC affiliate), who served as the emcee welcomed everyone back.

Leyden then introduced Gaither, who welcomed and thanked everyone for coming back to Calihan Hall, while mentioning the importance of this event to former players and coaches. Gaither was followed by Sr. Beth Finster, the University Minister for Athletics, to give a blessing before dinner.

Following the meal, served by Sodexo, Leyden introduced Dr. Antoine Garibaldi, President of the University of Detroit Mercy, who gave a nice speech about how important and strong the Titan basketball tradition is and how much it means to the university moving forward. The president was then followed by a touching video of the history of Titan basketball, which will be aired on FSD during this season's first Titan Court Report.

This was a special night,” said head men's basketball coach Ray McCallum. “It was a very emotional night. Looking at the video going through the different eras and talking about the great players and great teams and their pride in Detroit was great for our players.”

Following that video, the presentation of the championship rings to the Titans began with a highlight video of last season's run to the championship and NCAA Tournament. All of the members of that team – including support staff – were then given their jewelry to commemorate the Titans first NCAA appearance since 1999.

Throughout the night, there were great memories shared from fans and former student-athletes all around, all of whom came to remember how much they love the University and how much they appreciate what it means to be a Titan.

“I just love this University and all the memories it brings back,” said Titan Hall-of-Famer Joe Kopicki.

“The University means a lot to me. I had a great experience when I was here. I just met a lot of great people and had a lot of great experiences here. Now my two boys who love basketball and love to come down to Calihan Hall and watch the Titans and cheer them on,” said former Titan standout Greg Wendt.

The weekend celebration will continue tomorrow with the Titan Legends holding a youth clinic and Legends basketball game. The youth clinic will take place beginning at noon with current Titan basketball players and the Legends conducting drills to prepare Detroit for more future legends. The clinic is FREE to youth.

On Dick Vitale Court at Calihan Hall, former Titan men's basketball players will then take the court to see who can still shoot, drive, and dunk with the Legends game beginning at 1:00 p.m. Fans will want to arrive early to grab their seats courtside to witness all of the skills of the Titans!