TROY, Mich.--   Former Detroit Titan standout Joe Kopicki was honored with the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame's "Matt Dobek Special Recognition Award" at the organization's annual banquet Thursday.  Kopicki, a 2010 inductee to the Detroit Titan Hall of Fame, remains the only Macomb County native ever to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Kopicki began his basketball career at Warren Fitzgerald High School, where he was named to the First Team Class A All-State squad and selected as Macomb County Player of the Year in 1978.  His number 34 has since been retied by his high school alma mater.

Kopicki was recruited to the University of Detroit by former coach Dick Vitale and played for Smokey Gaines on some very successful Titan teams.  He would leave the school with an impresive 1,410 points and 771 rebounds, both ranking in the school's top ten lists upon his graduation in 1982.

He was drafted in the third round of the 1982 NBA Draft, and went on to play three seasons with the Washington Bullets and Denver Nuggets, before opting for European pro ball, where he starred for four years in Italy, and another four years in Spain.  While playing in Euope, Joe was a seven-time All-Star and was named the Spanish League's Most Valuable Player in the 1986-87 season.

But Joe Kopicki earns this award not only for his athletic success, but for all he has done for the game following his retirement as a player.

Returning to his high school, Kopicki has spent the last four seasons as head basketball coach at Warren Fitzgerald High School, compiling a solid 57-32 win/loss record.  Joe's coaching philosophy comes down to one simple concept-- communication.

"You really have to pay attention to the kids, and give them the nourishment they need," he states.  "It's like putting water on a flower-- if you don't do it, they'll just wilt away."

Joe feels that many of his student-athletes are looking for discipline and many of them respond well when it is provided in a positive manner.  "Instead of being called coaches, we should probably be referred to as mentors, because that's what we really need to be, if we do our jobs well," he states.

Proof of Joe's coaching and mentoring success is found in a statistic that he finds more important than wins and losses.  Ten of Joe's student-athletes have gone on to play college basketball, and receive the benefits of a college education.

"I'm very proud to be back in Warren, and for having the opportunity to give back to the community that gave so much to me," Kopicki said.

Joe has been married to his wife Jennifer for 25 years, and has three adult children, Jessica, Joseph and Matthew.

The Special Recognition Award was recently renamed in honor of the late Matt Dobek, longtime public relations person for the Detroit Pistons.  The award is given annually to the individual who demonstrates extraordinary dedication, devotion and service to sports.


Portions of this release courtesy the NPASHOF