On Feb. 10 the Ilitch Holdings company announced that Little Caesars founder and Detroit sports owner Mike Illitch passed away. Illitch was 87 years old and had been ill for many years, but there was a shock wave sent through the city as the announcement of his passing surfaced.
“Mr. Ilitch had been sick for awhile, since before I met him, but his death was still a shock and is very saddening to my peers and I," said Alex Lopez, a Cass Tech senior who has interned for Ilitch Holdings.
Ilitch was a self-made business man as he never attended college but was more than determined to make a name of himself sprouting from his humble beginnings, a goal which was definitely achieved through his later years.
Ilitch is not only the founder of Little Caesars, but he also is a household name around the city of Detroit as he owns the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment, and is also responsible for the renovation of the Fox Theatre across from Comerica Park.
He has also started the rebirth process of a section of the downtown/midtown area of the city which would be referred to as “The District Detroit.” Across from Cass Technical High School on Woodward between Mack and E Fisher Freeway there has been the start of construction of a sports arena that will be the home of the Red Wings and Detroit Pistons.
Ilitch has not only focused on the rebirth of the motor city but being a Detroit Public School alumni he has dedicated himself to aiding the youth of Detroit by offering summer internships to junior and senior students from Cass Tech.
The Ilitch Holdings company introduced this summer internship program to Cass Tech in the spring of 2015. Students were able to Intern for Little Caesars, the Red Wings, the Tigers and Olympia Entertainment, where learning various workplace skills while involving themselves in anything from working in communication offices to ushering during Fox Theatre events and sporting events.
“I am so glad that I was able to work under the Ilitch family during the summer," said Cass Tech senior and Olympia Entertainment Intern Imora Perez. "It was amazing getting to understand where Ilitch began and how his legacy continues to live on. He has made Detroit a more vibrant city, The District Detroit is only just beginning."
