This article reviews 2003 in Michigan, including the state's office holders, largest public companies, performance of sports teams, a chronology of the state's top news and sports stories, and notable Michigan-related births and deaths.
Top stories
The top news stories of 2003 in Michigan included:
Benton Harbor riots - Following the death of a black motorcyclist in a police chase, two nights of violence ensued in mid-June.
Northeast blackout of 2003 - Widespread power outage throughout parts of the Northeast, Midwest, and Ontario on August 14
Grutter v. Bollinger - Landmark US Supreme Court decision holding that the University of Michigan Law School's "narrowly tailored use of race in admissions decisions" was constitutional (reversed 20 years later in the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard decision);
Kwame Kilpatrick's alleged wild party at the Manoogian Mansion and his firing of the deputy police chief responsible for investigating the reports
After being released from prison due to a clerical error, convicted drug dealer Daniel Franklin murdered his ex-wife and two of her children in Pontiac
Indictment of 19 Detroit police officers for stealing drugs, guns and money from suspected drug dealers
The top sports stories included:
The 2002–03 Red Wings compiling a 48–20–10–4 record, but becoming the first defending Stanley Cup champion to be swept in the first round of the playoffs (by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks) since 1952;
In March 2004, the Detroit Free Press released its annual "The Free Press 50" list of the largest Michigan-based public companies based on 2003 revenues. The top 10 companies are shown below.
2003 Detroit Tigers season - In their first season under manager Alan Trammell, the Tigers compiled a 43–119 record. They set and American League record with 119 losses and were the first team in Major League Baseball since the 1962 Mets to finish with a winning percentage below .300. By winning five of their last six games, they avoided becoming the worst team of the 20th century. Dmitri Young led the team with 29 home runs, 85 RBIs, and a .297 batting average. Mike Maroth was the team's leading pitcher with a 9-21 record and a 5.73 earned run average.
American football
2003 Detroit Lions season - In their first season under head coach Steve Mariucci, the Lions compiled a 5–11 record, finished in fourth place in the NFL North, and were outscored, 379 to 270. The team's statistical leaders included Joey Harrington (2,880 passing yards), Shawn Bryson (606 rushing yards), and Az-Zahir Hakim (449 receiving yards).
2003 Michigan State Spartans football team - In their first season under head coach John L. Smith, the Spartans compiled an 8–5 record, including a loss to Nebraska in the 2003 Alamo Bowl. The team's statistical leaders included Jeff Smoker (3,395 passing yards), Jaren Hayes (609 rushing yards), and Agim Shabaj (692 receiving yards).
2003 Grand Valley State Lakers football team - In their 13th season under head coach Brian Kelly, the Lakers compiled a 14–1 record, outscored opponents by a total of 551 to 200, and won its second consecutive NCAA Division II national championship, defeating North Dakota in the championship game.
Basketball
2002–03 Detroit Pistons season - In their second and final season under head coach Rick Carlisle, the Pistons compiled a 50–32 record and lost to the New Jersey Nets in the Eastern Conference finals. Ben Wallace led the NBA with 1,126 rebounds and 293 offensive rebounds. The team's other statistical leaders included Richard Hamilton (1,612 points) and Chauncey Billups (287 assists).
2003 Detroit Shock season - In their first year under head coach Bill Laimbeer, the team compiled a 25–9 record and won the WNBA championship. The team went from last place in 2002 with a 9–23 record to champions in 2003. Laimbeer was named WNBA coach of the year. The team's statistical leaders included Swin Cash (548 points), Elaine Powell (129 assists), and Cheryl Ford (334 rebounds).
2002–03 Detroit Red Wings season - In their first season under head coach Dave Lewis, the Red Wings compiled a 48–20–10–4 record and lost to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the first round of the playoffs. They were the first defending Stanley Cup champion to be swept in the first round of the playoffs since 1952. The team's statistical leaders included Sergei Fedorov (83 points, 47 assists) and Brett Hull (37 goals).
Other
2003 Sirius 400 - NASCAR Winston Cup race at Michigan International Speedway on June 15
December 13 - Grand Valley State defeats North Dakota in the NCAA Division II national championship game. It was the program's second consecutive national championship under head coach Brian Kelly.
October 25 - Tegan Marie, country singer and songwriter, at age 13 the youngest female singer to sign to a major country label since Tanya Tucker in 1972, in Grand Blanc
Deaths
January 18 - The Sheikh, professional wrestler (1947-1998), at age 76
February 2 - Marcello Truzzi, professor of sociology, at age 67
February 10 - Robert Rush Miller, ichthyology and conservation, at age 86
February 15 - Ted Kress, U-M football player (1951–53), at age 71
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