As the Detroit Pistons celebrate the opening of their 2003-2004 season this Wednesday, October 29 with a day of special activities, 17 metro-Detroit radio and television stations will on hand with live broadcasts featuring interviews with Pistons personnel and Palace staff.
Beginning at 5:15 a.m., the broadcasts will continue throughout the day as the Pistons take on the Indiana Pacers at 8 p.m. (Complete broadcast schedule attached) Just prior to tip-off, the 2002-2003 Central Division banner will be raised and Detroit’s-own Kid Rock will perform “America the Beautiful.”
To commemorate the event, the first 10,000 fans will receive free Mini Banner courtesy of Fox Sports Net and all fans will receive free team calendars courtesy of Total Health Care. Fans are encouraged to arrive early, as the banner will be in the Atrium lobby for photo opportunities beginning at 5 p.m. It will be raised to the rafters in a special pre-game ceremony which will also include the debut of the team’s new introduction video.
In addition, children and adults alike are encouraged to come dressed in Halloween costumes. Costumed kids 14 and under can enjoy free trick or treating at special stations on the main concourse from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. All fans coming in costumes are eligible to win prizes in the Costume Contest. Roaming judges will select semi-finalists who will be judged on the court at halftime.
Throughout the game, The Palace’s game presentation staff will unveil a host of new features, including the Rock Financial animated work whistle.
The Pistons are coming off the team’s second consecutive Central Division title. Its 50-32 record was the best in the Eastern Conference and propelled the team to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2002-2003.
Tickets for opening night, as well as the remainder of the Detroit Pistons home schedule are on sale now at Palacenet.com, The Palace Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may also be charged by phone to American Express, Visa, Discover and MasterCard by calling 248/645-6666.
Detroit Pistons basketball is presented by Rock Financial.
OPENING DAY RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCAST SCHEDULE:
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2003WWJ – 950 AM - “Newsradio 950”, 5:15 - NOON
- Sports director Larry Henry will conduct his sports updates live from The Palace court as he talks about the Pistons prospects with team personnel.
WJLB – 98.7 FM - “Tight Hip Hop n’ R&B”, 5:30 –10 AM
- Morning hosts MC Serch, Coco and Foolish make the Pistons’ locker room their home for a broadcast full of tunes and interviews.
WDRQ – 93.1 FM -“Detroit’s #1 Hit Music Station”, 5:30 – 10 AM
- Jay & Rachel in the Morning featuring Jay Towers, Rachel Hunter, Hugh Holesome, Grunwald, Jason the 300 LB Intern and the rest of the a.m. show will broadcast courtside with hourly interviews with Pistons and Palace personnel.
WJR – 760 AM - “Talking About What Matters to You”, 5:30 – 9 AM
- Morning show personality Paul W. Smith will team with sports director Frank Beckmann for a fast-paced broadcast from one of The Palace’s prime suites featuring interviews with Pistons and Palace personnel
WDVD – 96.3 FM – “Detroit’s Best Variety”, 5:30 - 9 AM
- A.M. host Kevin O’Neill will spin Detroit’s best variety and conduct hourly chats with Pistons and Palace staff from one of the building’s prime suite locations.
WDMK - 102.7 FM – “KISS 102.7 – Detroit’s Adult R&B Station”, 6 - 10 AM
- Morning show host Mason and company will be broadcasting from and hosting a breakfast in the Terrace Club for 60 listeners as they preview the season with Pistons personnel.
WDFN – 1130 AM – “Sportsradio 1130 AM The Fan” and Flagship Radio Station for Pistons Basketball, 6 - 10 AM and 3-6 PM
- Jamie Samuelsen and Greg Brady will discuss the Pistons’ fortunes courtside from 6-10 AM with live on-site interviews.
- Hosts Stoney (Mike Stone) and Wojo (Bob Wojnowski) will take over the broadcast duties courtside from 3-6 PM.
WJBK FOX 2 - “News Morning”, 8 - 9 AM
- Fox News Morning reporter Al Allen will make an early morning visit to The Palace. During several segments he will chat with Pistons and Palace personnel as they prepare for opening night.
WRIF - 101.1 FM – “Detroit’s Home of Rock and Roll”, 10AM -3PM & 3-7PM
- Program Director Doug Podell will be broadcasting from the press box from 10AM – 3PM and will interview Pistons/Palace personalities from his perch in the Press Box.
- Legendary on-air personality Arthur Penhallow will rock The Palace from the concourse near the West Entrance with a broadcast featuring discussions with Pistons and Palace staff and a pre-game overview.
WMXD – 92.3 FM – “Classic Soul and Today’s R&B, Mix 92.3”, 10AM - 3 PM
- Mid-day host Oneil Stevens will be broadcasting on the concourse near the North Entrance and will chat with team representatives.
WCSX - 94.7 FM – “The Classic Rock Station”, 2 - 6 PM
- Afternoon drive host Ken Calvert will broadcast live on the concourse near the West Entrance, discussing the Pistons fortunes with team staffers and welcoming early arriving fans.
WDTW – 106.7 FM – “The Drive – The Most Rock in the Morning and 10 in a Row All Day”, 2 -7 PM
- On air jock Randy Bhirdo will broadcast live from the concourse near the South Entrance where he will talk to Pistons and Palace personnel and greet early arriving fans.
WKQI – 99.5 FM – “Channel 955FM – Detroit’s New #1 Hit Music Channel”, 3 – 7 PM
- On air personality Beau will be broadcasting, previewing the Pistons season and greeting fans from his post on the concourse near the North Entrance.
WOMC - 104.3 FM – “Your Home for Dick Purtan in the Mornings and Good Times & Great Oldies All Day Long”, 3 – 7 PM
- Tom Ryan brings his afternoon drive show to The Palace Grille for a live broadcast with plenty of music, Pistons talk and interviews with team personnel.
WDTJ - 105.9 FM – “105.9 – Where Detroit Jamz”, 6 –10 PM
- On air host Spudd will be broadcasting from the Terrace Club, interviewing Pistons and Palace personnel and hosting a halftime party, complete with a DJ.
WKRK – 97.1 FM – “If It’s On Your Mind, It’s On Live! 97.1”, 7-11 PM
- Sports Night with Parker and the Man brings their live broadcast to the Covisint Club where Rob Parker and Mark Wilson will talk to fans, team personnel and callers for insight on the upcoming Pistons season.
GAME COVERAGE:
WKBD UPN 50 PRE-GAME SHOW, 7:30-8 PM
- George Blaha begins his 28th consecutive season as the Detroit Pistons’ lead broadcaster by hosting a 30 minute season preview show including a chat with Joe Dumars and an in-depth feature on the career of new coach Larry Brown.
GAME COVERAGE
- Blaha is joined by broadcast partner Bill Laimbeer who returns for the third season behind the microphone providing insightful color commentary following his WNBA championship campaign with the Detroit Shock, which earned him the league’s Coach of the Year honors.
WDFN – 1130 AM – “Sportsradio 1130 AM The Fan”
GAME COVERAGE
- Detroit Pistons’ radio voice Mark Champion will again call the radio games when Blaha works TV broadcasts. He is joined, for the second consecutive season, by former Pistons great Rick Mahorn.