Memorial Service
Virginia Calihan
Monday, March 21,Noon
A. J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel)
32515 Woodward (btwn. 13-14 Mile)

Virginia Calihan, wife of former University of Detroit basketball coach and athletic director Bob Calihan, died Feb. 17, 2011.  Mrs. Calihan, a devout Titan fan, was said to have missed only one basketball game during her husband's tenure-- for the birth of one of their daughters.

Mother of Colleen A. , Susan J. and the late Robert J. Jr. and grandmother of Kaitlin and Jake Calihan and Aruanda Yowell and sister of Frances Wilson, Virginia Calihan was the former director of volunteers at Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital.  

"Bob and Virginia Calihan played an integral role in the history and tradition of Titan Athletics," Detroit Director of Athletics Keri Gaither said.  The Calihans touched the lives of many student-athletes, many of whom became life-long friends. After Bob's death, Virginia continued to represent the University and Athletic Department with grace as the former first lady of Titans Athletics.  She was a wonderful caring person who will be missed."

Bob Calihan played for U of D from 1937-40, leading the Titans in scoring in all three seasons.  He holds the distinction of being the first Titan All-American, earning accolades in 1939 and 1940.  Following graduation in 1940 and a professional career in the National Basketball League — with stops in Detroit, Chicago and Rochester — he was instilled as head coach in 1948-49 and continued in that role for 21 seasons. Over that span, Calihan guided his teams to 306 wins--most of any Titan coach-- and advanced to the NIT three times (1960, '61, '65) and the school's first NCAA tournament bid in 1962.

Calihan Hall, as its now known, was constructed in 1952 and was officially dedicated on May 25 of that year as the Memorial Building.  Upon Calihan's retirement from the University in 1977, the building was named in his honor.

Memorial service Monday, March 21, 12 Noon at A. J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward (btwn. 13-14 Mile).

Memorial tributes to:
University of Detroit Mercy Athletic Department
4001 W. McNichols, Detroit, MI 48221

or Michigan Humane Society
3300 Telegraph Rd., Ste 220
Bingham Farms, MI 48025