CHESTERFIELD, MICH. (3/26/18) – The Board of Directors for the rapidly-growing Austin Catholic High School on Thursday announced the tip-off of a $6.5 million fund-raising campaign to expand the school's gymnasium, build a permanent chapel and renovate and upgrade science labs. 

The gymnasium project as part of an overall $12 million Together We Can fund raising initiative will be the Dave DeBusschere Center for Athletics named in honor of the late Austin Catholic High School two-sport student-athlete. Born in Detroit, DeBusschere gained early fame by leading his prep team to the 1958 MHSAA State Boys' Basketball Championship 60 years ago Thursday, then excelled in baseball and basketball at the University of Detroit, pitched for the Chicago White Sox, was a player-coach for the Detroit Pistons and later won two NBA Championships with the New York Knicks all while wearing uniform number 22.

"Our family is truly honored that Austin Catholic High School chose to name the new athletic facility after our father Dave DeBusschere. The core principles that our father embodied and passed down to his children are rooted in the exceptional education, sportsmanship, community and morals that he received from Austin." -  Peter, Michelle and Dennis DeBusschere.

From an inaugural class of seven students in 2011 in a rented, temporary building to a current enrollment of nearly 100 in a permanent location, the co-ed Austin Catholic High School has filled an important need for families seeking an educational experience centered on faith for their children in Northern Macomb County. Austin boasts a 100% graduation rate and all students have been accepted at various college and universities and have been awarded more than $1 million in academic scholarships. Austin students contribute more than 2,000 hours of local community service annually.

"Austin Catholic High School has experienced rapid growth in student enrollment and 81% participation in athletics, so this school expansion is of the utmost importance for our current students and families and future generations of families who value a Catholic-centered educational experience," said Lisa Upton, Director of Advancement. 

Campus Enhancements
The campus enhancements including the DeBusschere Center for Athletics are the second phase of the school's Together We Can Capital Campaign.

The athletic center will feature a renovated weight room, multi-purpose fitness and sport training rooms and locker rooms, concessions area, staff offices for the Business, Admissions and Advancement departments and seating for more than 300. External athletic expansion will include improved softball facilities and soccer field enhancements and an area for future tennis courts.

The new Chapel will continue the Austin Catholic tradition of offering Mass three times a week and will feature a prominent, central campus location with seating for 200 expandable to 400 with a dedicated campus drive, parking and a new façade. The new Fine Arts and S.T.E.M. labs will offer two full science labs and a general science room.

"To remain competitive with other high schools, a growing and vital Austin Catholic requires science labs and a fully functional gymnasium; and to continue offering daily prayer and Mass three times a week we need a new Chapel," said Janel Coppens, Principal/Head of School.  "The Board of Directors' decision comes at an integral time to support growing enrollment, athletic and academic momentum."

The Austin Catholic athletic program recently committed to fielding boys (co-ed) golf this spring bringing the total programs to 12 varsity sports and one junior varsity sport.

"Building a sports program is challenging, but our students and families have worked extremely hard over the last seven years to create positive energy for athletics at Austin Catholic. The gym expansion as the Dave DeBusschere Center for Athletics is going to benefit current and future students," said Mike Miller, Director of Athletics.

Ground-breaking for the Austin Catholic expansions is expected in Spring of 2018 followed by construction with a stated goal of all expanded facilities including the DeBusschere Center for Athletics to conclude in the Fall of the 2018-2019 academic year. Austin Catholic previously raised $3.8 million during a silent phase of the Together We Can campaign to fund the move into the current school building and adjacent land.

Opportunities to support the Austin Catholic expansion project include a range of naming opportunities from fitness rooms and galleries to showcases and individual lockers.  For those interested in supporting Catholic education or learning more about the project visit www.austincatholicacademy.org or call/email Lisa Upton, Director of Advancement at 586-200-0143.
 
About Dave DeBusschere
DeBusschere is a member of the Detroit Mercy Athletic Hall of Fame as well as the NBA Hall Of Fame. In 80 career games on the U-D basketball team, his career scoring average (24.8 per game) and career rebounds (1,552) rank first in school history. He sits third in total points with 1,985 and he grabbed a Titan single-game record 39 boards against Central Michigan (Jan. 30, 1960).

On the baseball team as a pitcher, he is fourth on the all time ERA list with a 2.20 mark. DeBusschere was signed by MLB's Chicago White Sox as a free agent in 1962 pitching in 36 games in the 1962 and 1963 seasons. On Aug. 13, 1963, he pitched a six-hit shutout to lead the White Sox over Cleveland.

He was also drafted in the 1962 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons and played in 875 games with the Pistons and Knicks. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team six times and won two championships with New York. He was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1983 and in 1996, he was picked as one of the 50 greatest players in the league's first half-century. He became the general manager of the New York Knicks from 1982-1986 and was in that role when they drafted Patrick Ewing first overall in the 1985 draft.

DeBusschere was a rare athlete to have played both professional baseball and basketball.