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U-D Jesuit to play its final three home games at Calihan Hall
Detroit – U-D Jesuit played its last home game this past Friday against Catholic League Central Division foe Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in front a sold-out crowd.
Officially U-D has three more home games left before entering the league playoffs and those three games will be played at Calihan Hall.
The reason for the switch is the ongoing construction at U-D which has greatly limited parking. As an example, for a game against Detroit King, a game in December that attracted fans that filled perhaps half of the seating capacity, many fans had to park a block or more away from the school.
“Against St. Mary’s we had to turn away people, including family members,” U-D coach Pat Donnelly said. “Catholic League games are a big deal here and we want to accommodate as many fans as possible.”
The seating capacity at Calihan Hall, on the campus of Detroit Mercy, is just under 9,000.
U-D is 8-0 and ranked No. 1 in the State Champs! Super 10. The Cubs feature guard Cassius Winston, the leading candidate for the Mr. Basketball award who signed with Michigan State.
Donnelly said school administrators contacted Vic Michaels, the director of athletics for the Catholic League, before considering the move.
Donnelly also said the cost of using Calihan Hall is minimal. Both U-D and Detroit Mercy are Jesuit schools and it is likely the university will help cover costs by running the concession stands and, possibly, charge for parking.
Some contend the move will be an advantage for Donnelly and his team due to the fact that the league finals are held at Calihan Hall.
Donnelly said his team won’t have the advantage of playing the three games at their gym, thus relinquishing home-court advantage in that respect.
