If you’re a March Madness fan and you enjoy people, then De La Salle’s March Madness Night was the perfect event for you! 

Over 100 alumni and friends showed up for the fun-filled event Thursday, which took place at the historic London Chop House in downtown Detroit. It was a terrific night of community – full of great food and drinks – for the DLS family. 

Members of each of De La Salle’s professional networking groups -- the Pilot Bar, Business and Medical Associations (plus the newly formed Pilot Construction Association) -- came together to trade stories with one another and watch the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. 

According to DLS Alumni Relations Director Dennis Koch, ‘94, the night was a prime example of the strength and reach of the De La Salle Alumni Association. 

“The De La Salle alumni network is second to none in this area. It was clearly on display last night with the Pilot Bar, Pilot Business, Pilot Medical, and Pilot Construction Associations coming together for our March Madness event,” Koch said. “Other schools might have a big network or even a Bar Association, but no one has the network or the reach that we have. That's all a credit to our alumni who come out and support De La Salle and each other. We are very blessed to have so many men that are engaged and active with our alumni association.”

Brad Sabo, ‘03, a chiropractor and Pilot Medical Association member, used the night to catch up with fellow alumni. 

“I had a wonderful time at the event. We had a great turnout at a wonderful restaurant, and it was awesome to catch up with a bunch of alumni I had not seen in a few years, as well as meet a bunch of others (all in different fields of work),” Sabo said. “I had some great conversations with many alums, as well as current faculty, all in the name of growing the school that helped us get to where we are today.” 

As part of the event, those in attendance also had the chance to hear about the school’s recently launched Capital Campaign: “Builders of Boys. Makers of Men. The Next 100 Years!”

President Larry Rancilio, ‘86, and Advancement Director Greg Esler spent a few minutes discussing how the campaign intends to keep De La Salle alive and well for another 100 years. 

For Esler, the night was a great opportunity to provide further recognition to the school’s four professional networking groups. 

“I applaud the efforts of Dennis Koch and Vito Chirco to establish the De La Salle Alumni Association’s various professional groups. They’ve done a tremendous job growing the numbers and reach of each group,” Esler said. “I was glad to see so many familiar faces and to engage with new alumni and friends of the program, as well. It was truly a great night to be a Pilot.”  

Thank you to all those who made the event a night to remember! This includes a variety of tremendous sponsors: Ben Aloia, ‘91, and Aloia Law, Anthony Rubino, ‘01, and Pilot Property Group, Jim Muer, ‘85, and Ideal Contracting, Julie Martel and HealthQuest Physical Therapy, Giuseppe Palazzolo and Detroit Spectrum Painters, Lucido & Manzella, P.C., and Gino Tozzi, ‘99, of Real Estate One. 

“This event was a tremendous success because it brought the members of De La Salle’s various professional associations together to socialize and watch the games in an intimate, first-class setting,” said Aloia, an attorney and member of the Pilot Bar Association. “De La Salle has an extremely talented community of alumni and parents, and these social events give us the opportunity to make connections that only serve to elevate our careers.”

For more information on the De La Salle Alumni Association, you can contact Dennis Koch at dkoch@delasallehs.com or 586-541-6221.