Greg Haapala will immediately transition into his new role as Director of Ticket Sales & Fan Experience. Haapala has served as the Titans' Director of Ticket Operations & Sales for three years, and he was part of the UDM staff for the 2006-07 campaign as an administrative intern.

Emily Vannice will now serve as Director of Ticket Operations & Special Events. Vannice has been a member of the Titan staff for two seasons, completing consecutive internships in administration, development and special events. 

Brandon Longmeier will remain in his role as Director of Marketing & Promotions, with an increased focus on external revenue streams in areas of sales and corporate partnership. 

Additionally, a search is underway for a full-time Director of Concessions & Merchandising, a newly-created position which will oversee the concessions operations for all home events, as well as the Titan Club Room operations. The position will also oversee the Calihan Hall Gift Shop, DetroitTitans.com online gear sales as well as the licensed apparel program.  

“This is an exciting time for Titan Athletics. Our men's and women's basketball teams are back on the map,” Gaither said. “We gave a lot of thought to the best way for Titan Athletics to serve its many constituents, and this restructuring plan will position us to give the best possible service to not only our student-athletes, but to everyone who invests in the Titan program. Fans at all Titan home events, not just men's and women's basketball, are deserving of a first-class 'experience.' That is our goal.”

As Director of Ticket Operations & Special Events, Vannice, 24, will oversee all Athletic Department ticket operations, while providing development and gift processing support. She will also play a key role in special events and continue to serve as liaison for the Friends of Titan Athletics initiative. Vannice, who currently lives in Troy, earned a degree in Health & Sports Studies/American Studies in 2008 from the University of Iowa. Vannice will also serve as the coach for the “Titans in Motion” Dance Team. 

In addition to managing all aspects of the Detroit Titan "Fan Experience," Haapala's new role will allow him to oversee ticket sales for men's and women's basketball, with an emphasis on increasing UDM's season ticket base. He will also coordinate group ticket sales and develop a community outreach effort focused on youth basketball teams.  The 25-year-old Haapala lives in Royal Oak and graduated from the University of Michigan in 2006 with a degree in Sport Management and Communication.

"Titan fans can expect a new-and-improved experience at home basketball games next season," Gaither noted. "Our goal is for these staff changes, in addition to the valuable feedback we received from our recent Titan fan survey responses, to result in a wonderful experience for all who visit Calihan Hall in 2010-11."

-Detroit Titans-