Derrick Hayes '98 Bestowed With 2026 John Conti Letterman of Distinction Award

Former Titan Student-Athletes 02.24.26

Derrick Hayes '98 Bestowed With 2026 John Conti Letterman of Distinction Award

Members of the John Conti family honor Derrick Hayes with the Letterman of Distinction Award.

DETROIT (2/23/2026) -- The University of Detroit Mercy celebrated Hall Of Fame Weekend in grand style, and one of those honorees took home a special award as former men's basketball standout Derrick Hayes '98 was named this year's John Conti Lettermen Of Distinction Award winner.

The award was handed out during the men's basketball game against Green Bay on Feb. 22.

Hayes was a two-time First Team All-MCC performer and the 1997 MCC Newcomer of the Year. He averaged 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 steals in his two years with the Titans, leading the team in scoring in both seasons. He helped the team tie a school record with 25 wins, a share of the league title, and a berth in the NCAA Tournament as a senior in 1998, when he led Detroit Mercy to a first-round win over St. John's, scoring 27 points.

After graduation, he went on to serve his community as a police officer, where he survived being shot six times during an armed robbery. He became a chaplain with the Detroit Police Department and is now the Dean of Students at Erie Mason Consolidated Schools.

The John Conti Letterman of Distinction Award was established by Anheuser-Busch to honor its long-time employee upon his induction into the Titan Sports Hall of Fame in 1984. Conti was the captain of the 1949 Detroit football team that won the Missouri Valley Conference Championship. At 6-foot-1 and 300 pounds, he was an Honorable Mention All-American and the biggest man in college football. His spirit and charitable enthusiasm have always seemed to be even larger. In tribute to that spirit, the John Conti Letterman of Distinction Award is presented to former Titan varsity athletes who go above and beyond at work and in the community.

John Conti Award Winners Since 2009
2026 - Derrick Hayes
2025 - Greg Marzec
2024 - Andrew Hayner
2023 - William Giovan
2022 - Lori Caloia
2020 - Katie Rohrhoff
2019 – Tom Ryan
2018 – Abby McCollum
2017 – 1976-77 MBB Team
2016 – Terry Duerod
2015 – Jermaine Jackson
2014 – Earl Cureton
2013 – Reggie Hall
2012 – Tyrone Simmons
2011 – Bob Miller
2010 – Dennis Flynn
2009 – Bob Kovall

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