After graduating from Amherst College and moving back to Michigan, my passion for Detroit sports didn’t just continue—it grew stronger. Over the next two decades, I invested in season tickets, eventually for all four professional Detroit teams: the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, and Pistons. It was a dream come true for a lifelong fan who grew up watching games with my dad.
But this period of my life was about more than sports. During those years, Sue and I adopted three beautiful daughters, and then, miraculously, welcomed two natural-born sons, Zachary and Cornell (Corey). While each of my children has enriched my life in extraordinary ways, it was Corey who shared with me the deepest bond through sports. From a very young age, he was fascinated not only with the action on the field but also with the strategic decisions being made behind the scenes—by Team executives (i.e. general managers), coaches, and on the field managers. He was eager to understand the “why” behind every move.
Those decades—1970 through 2000—were filled with countless games attended together, many of which I’ll describe in upcoming episodes. Corey and I built a connection rooted in the very same legacy my dad had left me: the joy of watching Detroit teams, the highs and lows of every season, and the thrill of live competition.
In 1992, life took a dramatic turn. I accepted a major career opportunity at New York Life Insurance Company in New York City. That meant relocating our family of seven to Connecticut—a significant challenge in itself. But the thought of losing my direct connection to Detroit sports was perhaps the hardest part of the move.
Determined to keep the tradition alive, we purchased a home in Northville, Michigan, and I continued my season ticket accounts. I made frequent trips back to Detroit, where Corey continued to reside, so that the legacy my father gave me could live on in my own son. It wasn’t cheap, and it certainly wasn’t convenient, but it was worth every dollar and every mile traveled. The memories we created together—memories I’ll share in the coming episodes—were priceless.
Sports aren’t just about scores or championships. For me, they’ve always been about relationships and shared experiences. This transition in my life reinforced just how important it was to carry that legacy forward, no matter the sacrifice. And as you’ll see in the next few episodes, some of the most unforgettable moments of my life as a Detroit sports fan were yet to come.
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