Detroit Mercy Men’s Basketball To Retire Earl “The Twirl” Cureton’s Jersey On Jan. 23
January 04, 2020
Re-posted from a U-D Mercy Press Release
DETROIT (1/3/2020) — One of the greats in Titan history will see his jersey hang from the historic Calihan Hall rafters as the University of Detroit Mercy Department of Athletics has announced that Earl “The Twirl” Cureton’s jersey will be retired on Jan. 23.
The men’s basketball team will face IUPUI that day in a 7 p.m. tip and Cureton’s jersey’s ceremony will take place at halftime.
“This is a long time coming to honor Earl with this great moment of appreciation for everything he has done, as a Titan, as a professional and, more importantly, as a great member of the community,” said Director of Athletics Robert C. Vowels, Jr. “His career speaks for itself, helping get the Titans back to the NCAA Tournament and then as a member of two NBA championship teams, but his work in the community and his commitment to earn his college degree speaks to his high morals.”
A 12-year NBA veteran and a two-time NBA champion, Cureton suited up for the Titans from 1977-80, playing two seasons after sitting out following his transfer from Robert Morris. He helped U-D back to the NCAA Tournament in his first year as the Titans went 22-6, capturing wins over Oregon, Georgetown and Marquette before coming back to lead another winning season with 14 victories in his senior campaign.
He averaged 11.7 points and a team-high 9.0 rebounds with 1.3 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals per game in 1978-79 and then topped the team in scoring (20.0) and rebounding (9.1) to go with 1.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks and steals in 1979-80. He is still 12th all-time in school history in career blocks with 79 – second when he graduated – and was inducted into the Titan Hall of Fame in 2007.
— 2020 —
