College Sports Established
1877
Location
Detroit, Michigan
College Name
University of Detroit Mercy
Collegiate History
1980 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
1980 - Present / Horizon League
Nickname
Titans - Sports fans in Detroit know and love their Detroit Mercy Titans, but do you know the origins of this team’s nickname? The story behind it is exciting and speaks to the school’s history.
The University of Detroit Mercy was founded in 1877 as two separate institutions: the University of Detroit and Mercy College. In 1941, these two schools merged to become what we now know as UDM – a Catholic university with a rich heritage and tradition. It wasn't until 1990 that UDM adopted its current name, “Titans,” after its previous mascot, “Crusaders." This change was made due to concerns over religious connotations associated with crusading imagery; however, some elements from both names were kept alive by changing "Crusaders" into "Titans," which still evokes strength but without any negative associations or implications.
The choice for Titan also has roots in Greek mythology — specifically Zeus' sons, who were known for their immense strength and courage — making it an apt symbol for our beloved college sports teams! Additionally, many other universities have similar nicknames, such as Texas A&M's Aggies or Stanford's Cardinal - so we are proud to be part of this more prominent family!
So next time you cheer on your favorite Titans squad at Calihan Hall or wherever they may be playing around town, remember where they got their name! Go Titans!!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1977
- 1997
- 2024
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Mercy Men’s NCAA legacy
The Detroit Mercy Titans men’s basketball team is the college basketball team that represents University of Detroit Mercy in Detroit, Michigan, and competes in NCAA Division I men’s basketball as a member of the Horizon League. Traditionally, the Titans have been a fair “mid-major” program, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in 1977 and to the Round of 32 in 1998 ... -
Mercy women’s NCAA appearance
The Titans began to play in 1977. As of the end of the 2015–16 season, they have an all-time record of 575–557. They lost to Kansas (as a 14 seed) 81–67 in the first round of the 1997 NCAA Tournament, which remains their only appearance in the Tournament. They played in the North Star Conference from 1984 to 1986. Detroit ... -
Mercy’s Tournament Hosting Highlights
The Detroit Mercy Titans (formerly known as the Detroit Titans) are the athletic teams of University of Detroit Mercy. The university is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. Detroit Mercy has been a host institution for several NCAA Tournament men’s basketball games. The University hosted the 2008 Midwest Regional and 2009 Final Four, played at ...
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History of the Titans
Throughout their history, Detroit Mercy has won numerous championships at all levels – from NCAA Division II titles to conference championships and tournament appearances at both D-I and D-II levels. They’ve also produced several NBA players, including Hall of Famers Bob Lanier and Spencer Haywood, who attended school here before embarking on successful professional careers.
In recent years, Detroit Mercy has seen its share of success with men's basketball, leading them back into national prominence under head coach Bacari Alexander, who was recently named Horizon League Coach Of The Year for the 2019–20 season after guiding his team to a 20–14 record overall (13–5 league). Additionally, the women's soccer program is currently ranked #1 nationally heading into 2021 with an impressive 18–2 record last year (12 wins by shutout), while the women’s softball team made it up to Super Regionals this past season, which marked the first time since 2000 that any Titan squad had gone so far!
All these accomplishments speak volumes about what kind of legacy the Titans continue to uphold each day through hard work & dedication - something we can certainly appreciate as sports fans! So, if you're looking for great competition & exciting games, then make sure to check out the next game featuring your favorite Titan...you won't regret it!
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