Pistons honor Isiah Thomas; who should be next? B7 B1
T H E G R A N D R A PI DS P RES S
SU N DAY, F EB RUA RY 1 2 , 2 017
GOODBYE, MR. I
Before Detroit was in vogue, iconic Mike Ilitch, who died Friday at 87, dug in
Mike Ilitch, Detroit Red Wings and Tigers owner, Little Caesars founder and entrepreneur, died Friday. He was 87. Above, Ilitch reaches out to fans on June 10, 1997, during the Detroit Red Wings’ Stanley Cup championship parade in downtown Detroit. Right, Ilitch and Detroit Tigers president Dave Dombrowski lift the William Harridge Trophy after winning the American League Championship Series and earning a berth to the World Series on Oct. 18, 2012. MLive.com files (top), AP files (right)
David Mayo
dmayo@mlive.com
It was the dispiriting 1980s in Detroit, when the city’s roads led one way, out. Investment in the city deteriorated. The population dwindled and the tax base shriveled. Buildings were crumbling. That’s when Mike Ilitch came back. The Detroit native bought and revamped Fox Theatre, then moved his burgeoning Little Caesars empire from Farmington Hills into the building. Detroit wasn’t the place to be, it was the place to be from. It was 1988 and no one was doing what Ilitch, who then owned the Detroit Red Wings, and soon would turn them into the National Hockey League’s dominant force, was doing. Ilitch moving his business holdings into downtown Detroit was held up for its symbolism, though it was more than just symbolic. Ilitch was of Detroit, and ultimately wanted to be in Detroit. The city and the businessman forged a mutually beneficial relationship and Ilitch got a lot of tax incentives along
the way, but the role he played in revitalizing downtown Detroit, creating one of the most vibrant sports and entertainment sectors of any city in the nation, and becoming one of the great team owners in sports history, were undeniable. Ilitch, the owner of the Red Wings and Detroit Tigers, who took over as custodian of those franchises when they were rudderless and drawing little fan interest and turned both into powerhouses with new home facilities, died Friday at 87. The man of working-class roots who opened a pizza shop in 1959 in Garden City,
More Inside For more coverage of the death of Red Wings and Tigers owner, Little Caesars founder and entrepreneur Mike Ilitch, pick up Tuesday’s paper and go to mlive.com/sports.
› Ilitch always had a passion for sports, B4
and grew it into the international Little Caesars chain, made a tremendous impact on the restaurant industry and his hometown, where he stayed and invested. As an owner, Ilitch was beloved like none other in Detroit history, not for his boisterousness or candor — he seldom said much about his clubs — but because he delivered. He restored luster to two franchises and oversaw construction of new playing facilities for both. Ilitch bought the Red Wings in 1982, when they were non-contenders and fans largely SEE ILITCH, B4
SPARTANS
TIGERS
Sexual assault probe could wrap up in days
McClendon ready to go
Three players, one staffer at center of investigation Kyle Austin kyleaustin2@mlive.com E A S T L A N S I N G — The sexual assault
investigation into three Michigan State football players could be turned over to the Ingham County prosecutor within the next week, and an attorney representing the
accuser expects arrests to be made when that happens. Lisa McCormick, the county’s chief assistant prosecutor, said Friday that the office has yet to receive a report from the MSU Police department, but could see one in the next week. An MSU Police spokesman on Friday would say only that the investigation is still open. Once the prosecutor’s office receives the report, it will review the findings of the investigation and determine whether or not
to file charges. Karen Truszkowski, an attorney for the accuser, said Friday that she and her client have been working with the criminal investigation and the school’s Title IX investigation, and that the MSU Police are in the process of wrapping up their investigation. “My expectation is there will likely be some arrests,” Truszkowski said. She declined to comment further on the case until the investigation is complete. Michigan State announced Thursday SEE MSU, B4
Lloyd McClendon is ready to embark on his second stint as hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers. More, B5 RED WINGS
Trade deadline looms Veteran forward Thomas Vanek headlines a group of Detroit Red Wings that could be placed on the trade block as the NHL’s March 1 trade deadline approaches. Detroit is in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 1989-90 season. More, B6