At age 9, David Byrne separated himself from other kids. While most his age only worried about having fun, Byrne was helping provide for his single-parent household by working multiple jobs. The extra work helped him develop determination, he said. Byrne applied that determination to every aspect of his life, […]
Author: Joe MacLean
David Nantais: ‘Rock-a My Soul’
To Dave Nantais, rock 'n' roll can feed the soul. In his new book, "Rock-a My Soul," Nantais explores the connection between rock music and spiritual life. "Writing 'Rock-a My Soul' was my attempt to marry secular music and my faith," he said. Nantais, who plays drums, grew up listening […]
Evan Bruinsma enjoys keeping low profile
Evan Bruinsma expected it to be this way and he's perfectly fine with it."It's cool," the 6'7" freshman forward said. "It's OK if the attention isn't on me." When people think of the 2010-11 men's basketball recruiting class, they think of All-American guard Ray McCallum and the skill and ability […]
Drew Sharp’s confidence comes from challenges of youth
Some experiences in life are beyond our control. Drew Sharp's childhood is proof.The Sharp brothers and neighborhood kids would always play basketball on the Sharps' driveway, not far from the university campus. "Sharp Square Garden is what I called it," said the well-known Detroit Free Press columnist, who is one […]
From The VN Archives: Stars like Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt polished their talents at Chessmate coffeehouse blocks from campus
In chess, the depth of calculation rests on the ability of the player. For Morrie Widenbaum, calculations often led to success.Before his death in 1973, Widenbaum had been crowned Michigan chess champion (1963) and become owner of the Chessmate coffeehouse, once located near the university campus. While the former title […]
Good memories keep Titan fans coming back to Calihan
Scattered throughout the stands at Calihan Hall are fans who come to almost every men's basketball game – and have been doing so for years.Dan Bauman, usually with a book in hand, is among them. "I have been coming to the games since 1976," he said. "I went to school […]
December 2010: Vitale impacted former ball boy
When I first had the opportunity to meet Dick Vitale in the 1970s, I was a junior high school player at the University of Detroit High School. The university's men's basketball team was using our high school gym to hold practice sessions. After our practice was over, I would stay […]
A Calihan Hall Christmas story
With apologizes to Clement Clarke Moore, Henry Livingston, Jr. or whoever wrote the original. 'Twas the night before Christmas at Calihan Hall, but the Titans were all on the court with a ball. The team made layups off the glass with care, As they practiced for Butler, who soon would […]
November 2010: We have a new, capable leader
Ladies and gentlemen, we have leadership! University of Detroit Mercy, say hello to President Antoine M. Garibaldi. There's been extensive coverage on this event in The Varsity News, the school's website and local media, as well. I don't have many facts to add to the equation but luckily this is […]
November 2010: Gannon reacts to Garibaldi’s departure
An emotional Dr. Antoine Garibaldi, fresh off his plane ride back from Detroit, confirmed at an assembly Friday that he would be leaving Gannon."As you can imagine this is a day of mixed emotions for me," said Garibaldi, who has served as president for more than nine years. "Not only […]
