DETROIT – 14,416 combined wins, 71 combined seasons and two matching Grinch sweaters.

That’s what longtime friends Oakland head coach Greg Kampe and Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo brought to the December 17 College Basketball in The D matchup in front of 12,011 fans at Little Caesars Arena.

In the end, Michigan State defeated Oakland, 77-58, but Kampe, in his 41st season as Oakland’s coach, said the final score was the least important aspect of the night.

“For me, it’s the most important game (of the season). And it’s not because I want to win,” Kampe said to more than 30 media members after the game. “I tell (my players) I don’t care about the results. This is all for them. We get to play, in my opinion, the best college basketball coach maybe ever. It’s our state, and we get to play at Little Caesars Arena, the mecca of basketball in the state against a blue blood team. We’re on that stage for one night every year. And that’s for them. It’s a memory for a lifetime.”

The matchup was the fourth between Oakland and Michigan State all-time at Little Caesars Arena and it marked the 13th straight season the two in-state, intraconference teams have faced each other.

The loss dropped Oakland (3-6 record this season, 1-1 Horizon League) to 0-23 all-time against Michigan State, but Kampe said despite the losing streak, he wants to keep MSU on the schedule every season because of the special atmosphere of each matchup and the bond he shares with Izzo.

“This is what basketball is supposed to be,” Kampe said. “We like Michigan State players, they like us. That (postgame) handshake line was like brothers going through. We all cheer for each other. It’s the two longest-tenured coaches in the country from the same state that love their state. That’s why I do it.”

With the win, Michigan State improved to 9-2 (1-1 Big Ten) this season, and Izzo said he was thrilled with the Spartans’ crowd support in Detroit.

“I can’t thank our crowd enough,” Izzo said after the game. “The number of people from Michigan State that showed up, that’s why I play (this game). So, people that never see us can see us. A lot of times, those people don’t get to get into Breslin (Center), and I greatly appreciate (the support). The crowd was awesome.”

Izzo, 69, said the matching Grinch sweaters were Kampe’s idea and said Kampe purchased the sweaters before the game. Kampe crashed the end of Izzo’s postgame press conference, and the 69-year-old Oakland coach asked the assembled media a question.

“Have you ever seen the coaches wear the exact same shirt at a game before? It’s a first, right here at Little Caesars Arena,” Kampe said. "And they think we’re old, right? They think we can’t relate to these young kids.”

Izzo summed up the coaches’ special relationship with a simple sentence.

“Me and Kamp, boy,” Izzo said. “Brothers for life.”

The next scheduled college basketball action at Little Caesars Arena is the 2028 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament and the 2028 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Regional, both set for March 2028. But if Izzo and Kampe have anything to do with it, a sooner Oakland and Michigan State matchup in Detroit is inevitable.

“As long as, for the state of Michigan, we can do this, I’m going to be involved,” Kampe said. “To play at the mecca of basketball, Little Caesars Arena, to play Michigan State, to be on this stage, it’s something the (players) are going to remember for the rest of their lives, and that’s why I want this game every year.”

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GAME STATS & NOTES:

• Michigan State sophomore forward Xavier Booker led all scorers with a career-high 18 points.
• Oakland senior guard and Pontiac, Mich., native DQ Cole led Oakland with 17 points, including 15 in the first half.
• Michigan State’s stifling defense held Oakland scoreless for the first 3:35 of the game and held the Golden Grizzlies to just 10 points for the first 10:02 of game action.
• MSU led by only one point, 31-30, at halftime, and Oakland held a brief 19-18 lead in the first half.
• Eight players from the state of Michigan played in the game, and both rosters have 11 combined players from Michigan.
• Michigan State went on a 13-3 run with just under eight minutes remaining to put the game away.

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(Photos Courtesy of Clarence Round, Oakland University)

For the 10th consecutive year, colleagues from the Ilitch Companies Foundation, the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers served as “elves” for The Children’s Center’s Holiday Shop.

Each year, Midtown Detroit’s The Children’s Center offers a Holiday Shop for families who participate in the center’s programs, providing an opportunity for parents and guardians to select a few gifts for their children. The Children’s Center’s mission is to lead the way in working with children who struggle with behavioral, emotional, educational, intellectual and developmental challenges or may have experienced trauma.

December 9 was the “kickoff” of the annual Holiday Shop, where 500 families are signed up to shop for children within their household. Those 500 guardians usually end up shopping for holiday gifts for 1500-plus children.

“We cannot in our own strength put on an event like this, so we are grateful to the Ilitch Companies who volunteer support and provide donations,” said Wanda Burke, Enrichment Project Specialist at The Children’s Center. “I think it’s very special that the Ilitch Companies identify The Children’s Center as a specific priority that they want to engage in every year.”

For the second straight year, Tigers right-handed pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long and his family also volunteered at the kickoff event for the Holiday Shop and donated 25 winter coats.

“I brought my mom, Lili, her wife, Teresa, and my girlfriend, Carly,” Gipson-Long said. “This is our idea of Christmas. We like to give back; it is the season of giving and this is how we celebrate the holiday.”

Gipson-Long and his family have a tradition of giving back for the holidays, and he is an example of how the Ilitch Companies Foundation aims to connect Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers players with the local community.

Volunteers at the Holiday Shop assisted guardians with selecting, wrapping and carrying their gifts. Ilitch Sports + Entertainment colleagues donated the wrapping paper for guardians to use.

"Our partnership with The Children's Center is deeply meaningful to us, and we are honored to support their impactful initiatives year-round,” said Shannon Lapsley, Director of Foundations, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “We are proud to stand alongside The Children's Center, fostering a spirit of giving and community to ensure every child experiences the magic and happiness of the season."

Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announced today two promotions within the Detroit Tigers finance department. Bobby Hoekstra has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Business Operations, and Kate Haas has been promoted to Vice President, Finance.

Since joining the Tigers in 2021 as Vice President of Finance, Hoekstra has demonstrated clear vision, strategic leadership, and a collaborative approach, resulting in significant advancements to finance operations. He has fostered a culture of authenticity and alignment with our organizational values, earning respect across the team. Prior to joining the Tigers, Hoekstra was with the Cleveland Guardians for nine years. In his new role, Hoekstra is responsible for overseeing the overall business operations of the Detroit Tigers and Lakeland, including developing and implementing strategies to improve efficiency, profitability, and growth. Josh Bullock, Vice President of Operations, Lakeland will now report to Bobby.

Haas joined the Tigers in 2021 as Director of Finance and was promoted to Controller in 2023. She has consistently led by example, showcasing exceptional work ethic, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to improving processes. Haas is a dedicated mentor and a driving force behind the collaborative and positive culture within the finance team. Her previous experience includes roles with Flagstar Bank and the Chicago Cubs. In her new role, she is responsible for planning, implementing, managing and controlling all financial related activities of the company, as well as directing its financial vision to support successful operations, growth and profitability.

“These promotions are well-deserved for Bobby and Kate, talented leaders who provide a wealth of knowledge and well-versed experience to the Detroit Tigers organization,” Ilitch Sports + Entertainment President and CEO Ryan Gustafson said. “Their contributions have played a significant role in our alignment of business objectives and continued organizational progress.”

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2021 1st-Round Pick Won His NHL Debut on Dec. 9 at Buffalo

The Detroit Red Wings today assigned goaltender Sebastian Cossa to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Cossa, 22, won his NHL debut on Dec. 9 against the Buffalo Sabres, stopping 12-of-14 shots in relief before turning away 2-of-3 shootout attempts. The 6-foot-6, 222-pound goaltender became the first goaltender in NHL history to win his debut via shootout in relief. Cossa has also posted a 9-4-1 record with a 2.21 goals-against average, a 0.925 save percentage and one shutout in 14 appearances with the Griffins to begin the 2024-25 season. Cossa spent the entire 2023-24 campaign with the Griffins, logging a 22-9-9 record with a 2.41 goals-against average, a 0.913 save percentage and two shutouts in 40 regular-season games. Cossa also finished 5-4 with a 2.72 goals-against average and a 0.900 save percentage in nine Calder Cup Playoff games, helping the Griffins reach the Central Division Finals. Selected by the Red Wings in the first round (15th overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Cossa has compiled a 32-14-10 record with a 2.49 goals-against average, a 0.911 save percentage and three shutouts in 57 AHL games with the Griffins. He also showed a 26-16-4 record with a 2.56 goals-against average, a 0.913 save percentage and four shutouts in 46 appearances with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye in 2022-23, representing the Western Conference at the 2023 ECHL All-Star Game.  

Prior to turning professional, Cossa spent three seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Edmonton Oil Kings from 2019-22, posting a 71-16-7 record with a 2.12 goals-against average, a 0.921 save percentage and 14 shutouts in 98 appearances. Cossa backstopped the Oil Kings to a WHL championship in 2022, earning a place on the Central Division’s First All-Star Team. During the 2020-21 season, Cossa authored a 17-1-1 record and led the WHL in goals-against average (1.57) and save percentage (0.941), while tying for the league lead with four shutouts. Cossa also played three seasons with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers in the Alberta minor hockey ranks from 2016-19, earning a league championship in addition to Top Goaltender and Most Valuable Player honors in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League in 2016-17. On the international stage, Cossa won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, recording a victory in his only appearance at the tournament. The Hamilton, Ont., native also played in two games with Canada White at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

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In early December, representatives from the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Ilitch Companies Foundation and the group of Red Wings’ significant others called the Lady Wings spent the morning volunteering at Michigan Humane’s Mackey Center for Animal Care in Detroit.

Twenty-four volunteers helped with tasks throughout the shelter, including laundry and dishes, cleaning kennels and cat suites and packing pet food and supplies for distribution outside the shelter.

“Our mission at Michigan Humane is to improve and save lives through compassionate care, community engagement and advocacy for animals,” said Deb Scola, vice president for strategic relationships at Michigan Humane. “And we are so fortunate to have Ilitch Companies, the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings into our shelter today to help us take care of the animals.”

Anna Seidel, Tilde Widmark and Tyra Sundström of the Lady Wings were on site at the shelter, and Widmark said it was a great way to give back to the Detroit community that has made her feel like a local.

“Experiences like this are so great,” said Widmark. “We could come here and help and just fill out our day with doing something that actually is meaningful and I love to experience it together with them.”

Ilitch Companies Foundation sponsored Michigan Humane’s adoption center lobby and supports its volunteer programs.

“Ilitch Companies’ drive and passion for volunteerism is what supports Michigan Humane,” Scola said. “They specifically support our volunteer programs, and we have over 1,500 active volunteers who give 80,000 hours of their time to Michigan Humane. We couldn't do that without the support of Ilitch Companies.”

The Detroit Tigers Foundation partners with Michigan Humane for multiple Bark in the Park events at Comerica Park throughout the Tigers season, and the Detroit Red Wings Foundation partners with Tito’s Vodka in its Assists for a Cause program, which benefits Michigan Humane, as well.

“It's so important to volunteer in the community, and we're doing this on Giving Tuesday, which is also super special just to be able to give back on this day,” said Merideth Gokey, community impact manager for the Red Wings. “It builds camaraderie between our colleagues and truly allows us to give back.”

Rebel Nell, the celebrated Detroit-based social enterprise, is excited to unveil its latest collaboration with Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, honoring the iconic Fox Theatre. Just in time for the holiday season, this limited-edition jewelry collection repurposes the seats from the nearly century-old theatre where generations of Detroiters have enjoyed unforgettable shows, transforming its storied past into stunning, one-of-a-kind wearable art. As with all Rebel Nell collaborations, each piece is entirely unique, ensuring that no two items are the same. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Ilitch Companies Foundation, highlighting the shared dedication of both organizations to community support and preservation.

For nearly 100 years, the Fox Theatre has been a cornerstone of Detroit’s cultural scene, renowned for its breathtaking architecture and world-class performances. This collaboration merges the theatre’s rich legacy with Rebel Nell’s mission of creating employment and opportunity for women transitioning out of shelter living. The collection offers a rare opportunity for Detroiters and art enthusiasts to carry a piece of the city’s heritage in a truly special form.

Amy Peterson, co-founder of Rebel Nell, shared her excitement about the partnership: “We’re honored to create something truly special that celebrates the Fox Theatre, especially as the holidays approach. Each limited-edition piece from this collection carries the history of one of Detroit’s most beloved landmarks, making it a meaningful and one-of-a-kind gift for loved ones. We hope these pieces inspire and empower, just as our mission at Rebel Nell does.”

Joshua Sanborn, director of the Ilitch Companies Foundation, echoed this sentiment: “This collaboration allows us to connect people with the Fox Theatre’s rich history in an innovative way, while also supporting the community through the Ilitch Companies Foundation.”

The exclusive collection will launch on November 13 for early access for Rebel Rewards Members and November 14 for the general public at Rebel Nell retail stores and online at rebelnell.com just in time for the holidays, making it the perfect choice for unique, meaningful and impactful gifts.

Construction underway on world-class club area at Comerica Park, featuring heating and cooling climate control technology in 350 seats – unprecedented in a Major League Ballpark

Renovation is part of a multi-year investment in best-in-class fan and player experience

The Detroit Tigers today unveiled details surrounding the innovative, premium comfort seats to be located behind home plate for fans with tickets in Home Plate Club sections at Comerica Park.

These cutting-edge seats, specially designed for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment by Figueras in Barcelona, Spain, feature quick-touch heating and cooling climate control technology developed by Promethient in Traverse City, Michigan, allowing fans to experience enhanced comfortability while enjoying games and events at Comerica Park all year long.

The seats utilize THERMAVANCE^TM technology which pairs a thermoelectric device with graphene to efficiently cool or heat seat occupants, even in outdoor environments exposed to the elements. The upholstery is a marine-grade vinyl with special coating that reduces UV absorption, making the seat surface cooler on sunny days.

Home Plate Club seats, situated directly behind home plate for the best baseball vantage point in the ballpark, measure 23 inches from center of armrest to center of armrest, providing four more inches of pitch (21 percent more space) than standard ballpark seats. Combining innovation and functionality, the new seats also feature a high back and head rest, wider armrests with soft pads for additional comfort, cup holders, and up to one foot of additional legroom.

“From Opening Day 2025, fans will have maximum comfort enjoying games from seats with innovative heating and cooling features unprecedented in professional sports,” said Ryan Gustafson, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “As we move into the heart of construction for the Home Plate Club, we’re curating an authentic Detroit atmosphere and integrating innovative elements to give it a unique experience. We will continue sharing the exciting new aspects that will showcase it as one of the best premium clubs in the country.”

In addition to premium seating, the Home Plate Club features an exclusive space beneath the stands between the two clubhouses, with direct access to the new seats. Providing an unparalleled experience from the door to the diamond, Home Plate Club memberships include VIP parking, private entry and restrooms, all-inclusive food and beverage, in-seat service, curated amenities and more.

The Tigers initially unveiled the new Home Plate Club last June in advance of the team’s historic run to the 2024 Postseason.

The renovations are part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to provide a best-in-class experience for all fans and players at Comerica Park. The Tigers have listened to fan feedback and are in the process of a multi-year investment in a variety of fan-friendly amenities, including the second-largest videoboard in MLB, enhanced ballpark sound systems, new concourse TVs and more.

Home Plate Club construction is currently underway, with seating set for completion before 2025 Opening Day at Comerica Park on April 4. The club space will be completed during the season.

Several more Home Plate Club announcements will be made in the coming months. For more information, visit DetroitTigers.com/HomePlateClub.

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In addition to premium seating, the Home Plate Club features an exclusive space beneath the stands between the two clubhouses, with direct access to the new seats—providing an unparalleled experience from the door to the diamond. See below for construction progress as of February 2025.

The Hockey Hall of Fame’s newest inductee and 14-year member of the Detroit Red Wings, Pavel Datsyuk, was honored by the team at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, Nov. 21 prior to and during the Red Wings game against the New York Islanders.

Datsyuk, known as the “Magic Man”, played 14 seasons in the NHL, from 2001 - 2016, all with the Red Wings. His magnificent career was highlighted by two Stanley Cup championships (2002, 2008) and several individual honors, including four consecutive Lady Byng Trophies for sportsmanship and three straight Selke Trophies as the league's top defensive forward. He amassed 918 points (314 goals, 604 assists) in 953 regular-season games and earned a reputation as one of the most complete players in NHL history. Datsyuk was a four-time NHL All-Star, named one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 induction class on November 11 in Toronto.

From Major League Baseball:

Braves veteran Chris Sale can now add “Cy Young winner” to his potential Hall of Fame résumé and Tigers ace Tarik Skubal - who was voted for the honor unanimously - can do the same to his promising profile after the two were named the winners of the National League and American League Cy Young Awards presented by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America on Wednesday night on MLB Network.

This was an expected result for the two left-handed hurlers, each of whom claimed the pitching Triple Crown by leading his league in wins, ERA and strikeouts. This was only the fourth time in history – and the first since 2011 (Tigers’ Justin Verlander and Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw) – that both leagues had a pitching Triple Crown winner in the same season.

The Cy Young honor is a career first for Sale, who finished in the top six of the AL voting every year from 2012 through 2018 with the White Sox and Red Sox. After several injury-plagued years in Boston, Sale came to the Braves in a trade last winter and instantly reclaimed his elite status by going 18-3 (setting a career high in wins) with an MLB-best 2.38 ERA and 174 ERA+ and an NL-best 225 strikeouts in his 177 2/3 innings. He was an All-Star for the eighth time in his career and the first time since 2018, and an important linchpin for an Atlanta rotation that suffered the early-season loss of ace Spencer Strider to Tommy John surgery.

Sale had already been named NL Comeback Player of the Year at the All-MLB Awards Show last week.

While the 35-year-old Sale was adding some late-career credence to his Cooperstown case, Skubal was – much like Sale in the 2010s – up in the AL Central proving himself a top-of-the-rotation force to be reckoned with. The result is that Skubal celebrated his 28th birthday Wednesday with the game’s top pitching prize.

Skubal had demonstrated his potential in the past, but flexor tendon surgery prematurely ended his 2022 season and delayed the start of his 2023 campaign. Fully healthy in 2024, he made the leap, going 18-4 with an AL-best 2.39 ERA and 170 ERA+ and an MLB-best 228 strikeouts in his 192 innings. The ERA was the lowest by a qualified Detroit starter since Mark Fidrych’s rookie season of 1976 (2.34). He held opponents to two runs or fewer in 24 of his 31 starts.

On a Tigers team that traded Jack Flaherty midseason, Skubal was a constant atop a thin rotation. He was the reason manager A.J. Hinch was able to aggressively deploy his bullpen the other days of the week as Detroit surged to an unlikely postseason berth in the second half. And though it didn’t factor into the voting, Skubal became a true household name in October when he shut down the Astros in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, which the Tigers would go on to sweep.

Sale is the Braves’ first Cy Young winner since Tom Glavine in 1998 and the eighth overall. Skubal is the Tigers’ first winner since Max Scherzer in 2013 and their sixth overall.