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WINNERS ALL: Detroit's pro coaches lend weight to fund-raiser February 9, 2005
BY KRISTA LATHAM
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
Put all five of Detroit's professional coaches in a room together, and what do they talk about?
"On the record?" Lions coach Steve Mariucci asked with a laugh. "We talked about coming over to watch (Pistons coach) Larry Brown's practice. We talked about our kids. We talked about (St. Louis manager) Tony La Russa, who used to be my neighbor. Not so much coach-talk."
But there was some, right?
"Little bit," he said with a twinkle in his eye.
For the first time, all five of Detroit's current professional sports coaches -- Mariucci, the Pistons' Brown, Red Wings coach Dave Lewis, Tigers manager Alan Trammell and Shock coach Bill Laimbeer -- mingled in the same room.
They gathered Tuesday night at the Palace -- with a long list of other bigwigs -- to help raise money for Jack's Place, a nonprofit organization founded by Tigers broadcaster Jim Price that helps families in the Detroit area cope with raisx ing autistic children. Jim and Lisa Price's 9-year-old son, Jackson, is autistic.
The event, which raised $200,000 last year, was in its second year and was moved from Comerica Park to the Palace. This year, 600 people -- including St. Louis Cardinals manager La Russa, Red Wings great Ted Lindsay, Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski, the Ilitch children of Wings and Tigers owner Mike Ilitch, and rock star singer Kid Rock -- bought $300 tickets to hobnob and bid on things such as ranging from Brett Hull's game-worn Red Wings uniform (including a pair of dingy-looking skates), to life experiences. Those included a chance to shag balls at the 2005 baseball All-Star Game, and to a ride on the Pistons' plane.
The crowd included St. Louis Cardinals manager La Russa, Red Wings great Ted Lindsay, Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski, the Ilitch children of Wings and Tigers owner Mike Ilitch, and rock star singer Kid Rock.
Each coach also auctioned off his own package.
"Dave was supposed to auction off a trip with the team this season," Mariucci said, laughing about Lewis' plight with the NHL lockout. "I don't know how they're going to handle that."
But before the auction, as the wait staff whisked away plates of swordfish and poured glasses of wine, the coaches chatted.
After dinner, Laimbeer sat at a table with Lewis and talked about salary caps. Earlier, during a VIP reception, Laimbeer and Trammell discussed the importance of building chemistry in the locker room.
"You saw what it did for us," Laimbeer said, referring to the Shock's 2003 WNBA title.
Trammell nodded. He said he sees the same progression happening in the Tigers' clubhouse. And although Laimbeer insisted he wasn't dolling doling out advice, Trammel probably didn't mind. The two, who both played in Detroit, go way back.
"We're from the same era," Trammell said. "And all us coaches have a lot in common. We all love sports. We all love the Detroit history and the sports that we've been a part of. And I think any chance you have time to reminisce a little bit and tell some war stories, it never gets old."
Meanwhile, Mariucci said one thing sure isn't old yet -- dishing out Super Bowl XL tickets to his coaching colleagues.
"They haven't hit me up for those yet," he said.
He just hopes his team is one of the two playing at Ford Field next February. "Larry and Bill and Dave have a head start," Mariucci said. "They already have championships. Now it's time for me and Tram to catch up."
Lewis said he wasn't worried about Super Bowl tickets -- he prefers to watch the Lions on TV. He has a good seat, too, at his bar, the Penalty Box in Fenton.
On Tuesday, Lewis took the chance to plug an upcoming "Ring Day," when Red Wing players and former Olympians will bring their Stanley Cup rings and gold medals to his restaurant.
It's just one thing he has been working on while the NHL takes its time through the lockout.
"I also go to Grand Rapids to see our AHL team," he said.
Meanwhile, Detroit sports lover Kid Rock, who is often goes to seen at Pistons games and took in a Motor City Mechanics game last week, couldn't pick his favorite coach in the room.
"Don't make me do that," said the Detroit native, who got hit up for more photos than all the coaches combined. "You're trying to start something."
Hey, someone had to ask.
Contact KRISTA LATHAM at 586-469-4923 or latham@freepress.com.
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