Pistons Open Teen Resource Center at Detroit Public Library

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons’ Ben Wallace and Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Shock’s Merlakia Jones, Pistons mascot Hooper and dance team Automotion will join Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Special Assistant to the NBA Commissioner and Pistons legend Bob Lanier and Palace Sports & Entertainment President & CEO Tom Wilson for the ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening of a third Pistons’ Reading and Learning Center at the Redford Branch of the Detroit Public Library on Wednesday, April 7 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. as part of the Detroit Pistons’ Read to Achieve initiative. The Reading and Learning Center will be specially dedicated to Pistons great and legendary scout Will Robinson.

Team Broadcaster George Blaha will represent the Pistons and NBA as master of ceremonies at the grand opening ceremony. Pistons and Shock players, Mayor Kilpatrick, Tom Wilson and Bob Lanier will speak about the importance of creating a safe environment where inner-city Detroit students can spend productive after-school time. Following the opening remarks, the Reading and Learning Center will be specially dedicated to legendary scout Will Robinson, who was with the Pistons organization for more than 28 years and inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1982. He also coached high school basketball for 24 years at Detroit Miller High and Detroit Pershing High. The dedication will conclude with a special ribbon cutting ceremony.

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, members of the Pistons’ All-Star Reading Team will team-up with the players and students to discuss careers and engage in various reading and online activities in celebration of the new learning center. Additional members of the All-Star Reading Team participating in this event include WDIV’s sportscaster and Pistons TV announcer Fred McLeod, FOX2’s Fanchon Stinger, Fox Sports Detroit’s Trevor Thompson, performing artist and Detroit’s own Carvin Winans, The Detroit News’ Nolan Finley and Joanne Gerstner, Detroit Free Press’ Rochelle Riley, and The Oakland Press’ Dana Gauruder.

The renovation began in February when Pistons staff spent time assisting in the initial stages of remodeling the library, helping transform a vacant room in the library into a state-of-the-art reading and learning center. Renovations include a commemorative mural by a local Detroit artist, new carpet, six computers, new furniture, 3,000 new books, educational and recreational games, and much more. Over 3,000 books collected through Detroit Pistons’ book drives with Detroit Area Chevy Dealers, Rock Financial and FOX2/Fox Sports Net will be donated to the center to create an after-school library. The Pistons opened their first Reading and Learning Center at the Police Athletic League St. James Activity Center in Detroit in April, 2002 and at Grayling Elementary School in Detroit last April.

Event Timeline:

3:00 – 3:20 p.m.	Welcome Remarks (Main Floor)
3:25 – 3:30 p.m.	Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (Reading and Learning Center)
3:30 – 4:00 p.m.	Reading, Career and Technology Stations