It was more than 80 years ago that Detroit cemented its status as the storied “City of Champions,” taking the sports championship trifecta in baseball, football and hockey.  Still today, this special major sports teams record stands, with no U.S. city matching the feat across the generations since.

With the 2019-2020 Detroit Red Wings and Lions season well underway and the Detroit Tigers 2020 Spring Training around the corner, many Detroiters are fondly recalling the age-old feat.

It all began in 1935.  Not only did all three teams win in 1935-36, but each franchise saw its first championship win that season. It was the 1936 Red Wings’ Stanley Cup win, coupled with the Tigers’ 1935 World Series win and the Lions’ 1935 NFL championship win, that earned Detroit the name “City of Champions.”

Take a step back in time for a closer historical glimpse at those storied seasons.

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers, formally established in 1901 as a founding team of the American League, found success in their early years, winning multiple American League pennants. A World Series win, however, remained outside their reach. The Tigers began their 1935 season, having just lost the 1934 World Series. While the season started off poorly, the Tigers came back, winning the American League Pennant. The team entered the World Series once again, pitted against the Chicago Cubs. The 1935 World Series began on Oct. 2. The Cubs took the first game, but the Tigers took the next three. After the Cubs won Game 5, the Series moved to Game 6 at Navin Field in Detroit. More than 48,000 fans watched as the Detroit Tigers defeated the Cubs 4-3, winning their first World Series championship.

Detroit Lions

Detroit’s first pro-football team came in 1934 after radio executive George A. Richards purchased Ohio’s Portsmouth Spartans and moved them to Detroit. With a new name, the Detroit Lions, the team quickly created a foothold in the NFL. On Dec. 15, 1935, 15,000 fans came to the University of Detroit Stadium to watch the Detroit Lions and New York Giants face off in the National Football League’s third championship game. The Lions defeated the Giants 26-7, earning their first championship title.

Detroit Red Wings

Established in 1926 as the Detroit Cougars, the Detroit Red Wings were one of the National Hockey League’s “Original Six” teams. Coached by Jack Adams, the team played their first playoff game on March 19, 1929, losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Great Depression hit the team hard, but the franchise bounced back in the 1930s thanks to businessman James E. Norris Sr., who purchased the team in 1932. Norris gave Adams the financing he needed to create a winning team. The Red Wings entered the 1935-36 playoffs, their fifth playoff appearance since their establishment in 1926, and immediately set an NHL record with the Montreal Maroons. On March 24, 1936, the two teams played the longest game in NHL history. At 176 minutes and 30 seconds, the game ended in its sixth overtime when Red Wings player Mud Bruneteau scored. The Red Wings went on to win the series, entering the Stanley Cup Finals versus the Toronto Maple Leafs. After winning the first two games and losing the third, the Red Wings defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2 in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, winning their first Stanley Cup.

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Detroiters and visitors to the city are flocking to the latest dining hotspot on Columbia Street.  With large welcoming windows, bright white walls and rows of casual picnic tables inside, the newest location of the Cuban-inspired Frita Batidos is a standout in the neighborhood.

The fast-casual restaurant opened in The District Detroit in September, making it the first of its kind to debut in the emerging retail destination near the historic Fox Theatre and the Little Caesars world headquarters.

Owner and entrepreneur Eve Aronoff, who opened her first Frita Batidos location in Ann Arbor in 2010, said she wanted to make the new restaurant a friendly and welcoming spot for sports fans, eventgoers and families – bringing a taste of Cuba to the city.

“I always wanted to open a restaurant in Detroit, and Columbia Street is the perfect location,” Aronoff said. “We really care about the people we are serving and want the food and environment to be a great experience for each customer. I want everyone to feel appreciated, valued and full when they leave Frita Batidos.”

The former Top Chef contestant and local philanthropist credits her eclectic menu to the food she experienced while visiting Cuban restaurants in Miami during her childhood. Frita Batidos’ award-winning dishes include signature Frita Cuban burgers with a variety of zesty toppings, Batido milkshakes with fresh fruit and a variety of sides, such as traditional fried plantains.

“Frita Batido is my new favorite! I’ve become obsessed with their salads because they taste so fresh and flavorful. I come at least three times a week for lunch,” said new customer and Madison Jeffries.

In order to maintain a fun and inviting environment, management carefully selected 45 team members, who enjoy competitive pay and benefits.

The Detroit location is located at 66 Columbia Street and is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and from 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday.

In the upcoming months, the Columbia Street destination will continue to grow with Michigan’s first Rush Bowls’ first Michigan location; a Middle Eastern eatery, Sahara Restaurant & Grill; and a Union Joints restaurant.

The block-long pedestrian-friendly strip will create an exciting, new destination for sports fans, concert-goers, residents and downtown workers before and after events by providing outdoor dining and a diverse selection of nine storefronts.

To learn more, we invite you to visit fritabatidos.com/detroit.

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The Detroit Red Wings Foundation is here to help with your holiday shopping with gifts that are sure to delight fans everywhere – all while supporting worthy causes.

Detroit-based jewelry company Rebel Nell has unveiled “The Joe Collection,” a limited-line of hand-made pieces created from paint fragments outside historic Joe Louis Arena.

The rare and unique collection is composed of one-of-a-kind accessories, including necklaces, earrings, dog tags and cuff links. You can purchase them for a limited time at the Team Store inside Little Caesars Arena, and online at www.DetroitRedWings.com/TheJoeCollection. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Detroit Red Wings Foundation.

The Detroit Red Wings also have a gift for animal lovers everywhere. The players and their furry friends are looking to help organize your new year in style with their annual Pucks for Paws calendar.  The calendars feature current Red Wings stars with their canine and feline companions from the Michigan Humane Society.

The Detroit Red Wings Foundation, in partnership with PetSmart, are selling the Pucks for Paws calendars for $20. All proceeds will benefit the Detroit Red Wings Foundation and PetSmart Charities.

The calendars are available online at www.DetroitRedWings.com/PucksForPaws and at Little Caesars Arena during select Red Wings home games this season.

So cross items off your holiday shopping list with these distinctive gifts that support tremendous charitable causes in our community.

After serving their country, America’s veterans deserve opportunities that match their dedicated and hardworking skills – such as leadership, ingenuity, and team-building.  For those with an entrepreneurial spirit and desire to make a mark in their community, a special and longstanding program is aimed at giving back to the men and women who fought for our freedom.

Created in 2006, the Little Caesars Veterans Program provides honorably discharged veterans with significant discounts and credits towards opening their own Little Caesars franchise. The goal is to give veterans a business opportunity when they transition to civilian life or seek a career change, and to thank them for the sacrifices they and their families made for our country.

The Little Caesars Veterans Program has grown steadily. Since the program launched, veterans have opened more than 350 Little Caesars stores from coast to coast. And the program isn’t just for recently discharged veterans, it’s also for Gold Star families and Combat-Injured veterans as well.

Providing veterans and Gold Star families with the opportunity for a prosperous future and helping them create career-building and sustainable jobs has long been  a priority for Little Caesars. Through the Little Caesars veterans’ program, there are significant reductions in the cost to open a Little Caesars store – including equipment and franchise fee discounts and providing advertising and marketing support to get customers in the door. In addition, Little Caesars provides a grant in the franchisees name to the veteran organization of their choosing.

For more information, visit: https://franchise.littlecaesars.com/

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The Toledo Mud Hens today announced that Tom Prince has been named manager of the club for its 2020 season, leading the coaching staff of the Detroit Tigers Triple A affiliate.

“When the search for a Triple A manager began, we prioritized finding someone with experience in developing high-level talent and creating a winning culture,” said Dave Littlefield, Detroit Tigers Vice President of Player Development. “It was clear from the beginning that Tom Prince fit that mold perfectly, and we’re thrilled to have him lead our staff in Toledo.”

The 55-year-old native of Kankakee, Illinois spent the last three seasons as the Major League bench coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, after serving as the club’s Minor League Field Coordinator in 2016. In total, Prince spent 26 seasons in the Pirates organization and is entering his 37th working in professional baseball.

As a player, Prince had a 17-year Major League career as a catcher with five different teams between 1987-2003 (Pittsburgh, Los Angeles (NL), Philadelphia, Minnesota and Kansas City).

“Tom’s blend of Major and Minor League coaching experience is respected throughout baseball, and he has proven that he’s ready to take on this challenge,” said Littlefield. “Tom will be working with many of our top prospects in Toledo, and we’re confident that his leadership both in the clubhouse and on the field will be impactful and will prepare them to excel at the Major League level.”

“This is a tremendously exciting time to be in the Detroit Tigers organization, especially playing a role in what’s grown to be a top-tier player development system,” said Prince. “People across baseball have noticed the young core of talented players the Tigers have built over the last few years, and I’m looking forward to working with some of the club’s top prospects in Toledo during the 2020 season and beyond. We’ll have a focus on playing fundamentally sound and winning baseball, best preparing these men to contribute with the big league club in the near future.”

The Mud Hens open the 2020 season at Indianapolis on Thursday, April 9, with Opening Day at Fifth Third Field on Thursday, April 16 against Indianapolis.

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When the puck dropped during the 10th annual USA Hockey Sled Classic on Nov. 21, the Detroit Red Wings were there — more than just in spirit.

Two Michigan Sled Hockey teams, the Grand Rapids Sled Wings and the Michigan Sled Dogs, joined forces to represent the Detroit Red Wings, and were crowned champions of their division during the four-day tournament in St. Louis.

To give the players a boost, the Detroit Red Wings Foundation and Warrior Hockey sporting goods surprised the team with new equipment and Red Wings jerseys during a practice at the BELFOR Training Center at Little Caesars Arena in October.

Several Red Wings players including Dylan Larkin, Justin Abdelkader and Valtteri Filppula, were present to interact, swap hockey stories and even try out sled equipment for the first time. Every jersey was personalized for each player, many of whom have spinal cord injuries and conditions such as Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, and Cerebral Palsy.

Sled Dogs defenseman Jake Jones relishes the opportunity to put on the winged wheel and is happy the Red Wings and Warrior Hockey are supporting disabled players.

“Getting the funding and support, more so than anything, is just a dream come true,” Jones said. “Most of us grew up wanting to play hockey to some extent, whether we were actually able to or not, we wanted to try to be a pro athlete of that level.”

The Red Wings were equally excited about the opportunity to help the sled hockey teams as part of the team’s Hockeytown Cares program.

“Seeing them with their official Red Wings jerseys with their names on them and the jerseys they’ll wear in the tournament is pretty exciting,” Abdelkader said. “I think between Warrior and the Detroit Red Wings Foundation, it’s a great way for us to give back and interact with the players and connect with them.”

The USA Hockey Sled Classic, hosted by the 2019 Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues at the Centene Community Ice Center this year, saw 30 teams compete with affiliations to a record-tying 20 NHL teams. Over 360 sled athletes competed in Chicago, and St. Louis is expected to experience similar numbers.

“It’s hugely important because they get to go out and wear the sweater of the team they’ve grown up cheering, and they’re out on the ice with these guys and they’re in the Red Wings practice facility. It’s a huge shot in the arm for them,” said Marie Sly, Director of Disabled Hockey for Michigan Amateur Hockey Association MAHA and the USA Hockey representative for Michigan.

The two teams will take their new equipment with them for the remainder of the season, including future tournaments in spring 2020, she added.

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Google has officially joined in on Detroit’s resurgence after celebrating the opening of their new office adjacent to Little Caesars Arena today.

The first Google location in Detroit is located in the office building adjacent to Little Caesars Arena on Henry Street. Google occupies 30,000-square-foot on two floors and has about 100 employees. The newly-built space features interior décor showcasing the history and landmarks of the Motor City. Designed by Detroit-based architecture firm, SmithGroup, the office also boasts workout amenities and state-of-the-art kitchens.

“We are exceptionally proud to have a world-class organization like Google be one of our first main tenants in The District Detroit,” said Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. “Google’s move into the city was exactly the type of economic development we were hoping to spur with The District Detroit, a move which contributes to the city’s resurgence by bringing jobs and innovation to the benefit of all Detroiters.”

In addition to adding jobs and density to the city of Detroit— a key part of the global tech company’s strategic growth beyond Silicon Valley— Google’s opening marks a $1 million investment in STEM education for local under represented and low-income high school students. Google.org announced a $750,000 grant to SMASH Detroit, an initiative offering rigorous science, STEM education and culturally-relevant coursework to area students at a newly-launched site at Wayne State University. The nonprofit arm also awarded $250,000 to the Michigan Engineering Zone at the University of Michigan’s Detroit Center to expand STEM and robotics programming for 350 students year-round.

“Google’s move into the city was exactly the type of economic development we were hoping to spur with The District Detroit, a move which contributes to the city’s resurgence by bringing jobs and innovation to the benefit of all Detroiters.” Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.

Google’s presence in Michigan has grown over the past 12 years, with more than 600 employees statewide working on teams across Sales, YouTube and Engineering.

At Little Caesars Arena, Google employees will enjoy access to nearby restaurants Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit, Mike’s Pizza Bar, the District Market and Sports & Social Detroit, along with forthcoming retail options. Google workers in the Detroit office will join employees of the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment and 313 Presents, who work in the adjacent arena office space fronting Woodward Avenue.

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Tom Wilson, President Emeritus of Olympia Entertainment and a trail blazer in the sports and live entertainment industry, will retire from Ilitch Companies at the end of 2020. Wilson has most recently led strategic, operational, and business development projects across 313 Presents, Olympia Entertainment, the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers. Previously, for nine years, Wilson was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Olympia Entertainment.

“As a highly respected leader in the entertainment industry, Tom’s name has been, for decades, synonymous with world-class events. His expertise and vision have helped shape the way that guests from all around the world experience the exhilaration of sports, concerts, and other live events,” said Chris Granger, Group President, Sports and Entertainment, at Ilitch Holdings. “Tom has created a lasting legacy, and we are grateful for his dedication and friendship. We wish him all the best.”  

Prior to Olympia Entertainment, Wilson had a highly successful 32-year career with the Detroit Pistons, including 22 years as president and CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment, Inc. Wilson oversaw the Detroit Pistons and the organization’s three venues: The Palace, DTE Energy Music Theatre and Meadow Brook Music Festival. He was a leader in supporting the successful transition of major Detroit events from The Palace and Joe Louis Arena to Little Caesars Arena in The District Detroit.

“Throughout his tenure, Tom has been an incredible asset to our organization. His inspiring and collaborative leadership style played an integral role in the development and opening of the innovative Little Caesars Arena in The District Detroit,” said Chris Ilitch, President and CEO, Ilitch Holdings, Inc. “I am thankful for his invaluable contributions and partnership over the years.”

“Time has flown by and I have certainly been blessed,” said Tom Wilson.  “I am so grateful for the wonderful experiences I have been so fortunate to have had in sports, entertainment and media. From the NBA championships with the Pistons, the opening of The Palace, to the incredible opportunity to open the world class Little Caesars Arena in my hometown of Detroit – it has been a dream journey. The most rewarding part has been the relationships and friendships established. I especially want to express my gratitude and thank Mike and Marian Ilitch, and Chris Ilitch, for bringing me downtown ten years ago to transition the iconic Red Wings franchise to Little Caesars Arena, and to Bill Davidson in believing in me early on in my career to run his sports and entertainment properties. What I will miss most is the one-on-one time with our colleagues, with our guests, the passionate fans, our corporate community and so many more. I feel very fortunate and my journey has been nothing short of amazing. Now, I’m walking into a different time in my life, and I can truly say, I’m excited for what this new chapter may bring. To everyone I say, ‘thank you’.”

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The Little Caesars U.S. Development team was grateful for the opportunity to serve 300 pizzas to thousands of members of the Michigan Air National Guard’s 127th Wing and their families at Selfridge Air National Guard Base on Saturday, September 11. Little Caesars Fundraising also donated over 1,500 Pizza Kits for attendees to take home. The serving and donation were part of the 127^th Wing’s annual family event, which was especially meaningful this year as it coincided with the 20^th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

“Little Caesars is honored to give back to those who have given so much to serve our country,” said Craig Sherwood, vice president of U.S. Development at Little Caesars. “As a military veteran, I know how important it is to spend time with family, and we wanted to make this day a little extra special the best way we know how—by offering a wholesome meal that could be enjoyed together.”

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Honoring military veterans has always been important to Little Caesars. Company founder Mike Ilitch proudly served with the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. In 2006, he created the Little Caesars Veterans Program as a way to expand business opportunities for his fellow military veterans. Through the program, honorably discharged veterans and Gold Star families receive financial assistance and other incentives to open a Little Caesars franchise of their own. To learn more about the Little Caesars Veterans Program, visit https://franchise.littlecaesars.com/.