Amanda Knapp
DePaul University is a private Catholic university in Chicago, Illinois. The university's athletic teams are called the DePaul Blue Demons and compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). DePaul's NCAA men's basketball team is well-known and has appeared in the NCAA tournament 22 times. The Blue Demons men's soccer team also represents DePaul University in the Big East Conference in Division I of the NCAA. DePaul University offers a variety of other intercollegiate athletic teams and clubs, including rugby, tennis, water polo, and ultimate frisbee.
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What You'll Learn
DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball team
DePaul University, located in Lincoln Park, Chicago, has a rich history of athletic excellence, including its renowned Blue Demons men's basketball team. Competing in the Big East Conference of Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Blue Demons have achieved notable success and gained prominence over the years.
The Blue Demons nickname has its roots in the university's history, dating back to 1907 when the institution was known as St. Vincent's College. The athletic teams' uniforms featured a prominent "D," which led to the moniker "D-men." Over time, this evolved into the now-iconic "Demons," and the "blue" was added to distinguish the university's players from those of its former high school.
The men's basketball team has been a source of pride for DePaul University, reaching remarkable heights under the leadership of legendary coach Ray Meyer. During his tenure, the Blue Demons advanced to two NCAA Division I basketball Final Fours, in the 1942–43 and 1978–79 seasons. Meyer also guided the team to a memorable victory in the 1945 NIT championship during the 1944–45 season. The current head basketball coach is Chris Holtmann, who took over the reins in 2024.
DePaul's basketball program has produced some exceptional players who have gone on to leave their mark in the sport. One notable figure is George Mikan, a former NBL, BAA, and NBA player. Mikan's impact extended beyond his seven NBL, BAA, and NBA championships, as he transformed basketball with his height, strength, and skill. He led the Blue Demons to the 1945 NIT title and was named the Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year in 1944 and 1945. Mark Aguirre, another standout player, was the first overall pick in the 1981 NBA draft and a three-time NBA All-Star. He led the Blue Demons to the Final Four in the 1978–79 NCAA season and was named Naismith College Player of the Year in 1980.
The Blue Demons men's basketball team currently plays their home games at the Wintrust Arena, a modern 10,387-seat multi-purpose sports venue in Chicago. The team's rich history includes playing at various venues, such as the University Auditorium ("The Barn"), Alumni Hall, Rosemont Horizon (now Allstate Arena), and McGrath-Phillips Arena for select games and practices. The Allstate Arena, with its capacity of 17,500 for basketball, was the team's home from 1980 until 2017 when they moved to the Wintrust Arena.
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DePaul Blue Demons women's basketball team
DePaul University is located in Lincoln Park, Chicago, and its athletic teams are known as the Blue Demons. The women's basketball team is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate women's basketball program of DePaul University. The team, nicknamed the Blue Demons, plays in the Big East Conference and calls the Wintrust Arena at the McCormick Place convention centre in Chicago its home. The team also plays select games at the McGrath-Phillips Arena on DePaul's Lincoln Park campus.
The Blue Demons women's basketball team began competing in the AIAW in 1974-1975 under coach Debbie Miller. Two seasons later, they achieved their first winning season with an 11-10 record under coach Doug Bruno. Bruno served as the head coach of the team from 1988 until stepping down in 2025. Associate head coach Jill Pizzotti was promoted to take his place for the 2025-2026 season.
DePaul is among the leaders in regular appearances in the NCAA tournament, with 25 appearances. However, they have the most appearances without reaching the Final Four. The Blue Demons made their 20th appearance in the tournament in 2015 and have reached the Sweet 16 multiple times. They have won one National Women's Invitational Tournament (NWIT) championship before the tournament became the WNIT in 1996.
The Blue Demons previously competed in other conferences, including Conference USA, the Great Midwest Conference, and the North Star Conference, before joining the original Big East in 2005. In 2013, DePaul was one of seven core schools that left the original Big East Conference to form the current Big East Conference.
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DePaul Blue Demons men's soccer team
DePaul University is located in Lincoln Park, Chicago. The DePaul Blue Demons men's soccer team represents DePaul University in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The team plays in the Big East Conference.
The Blue Demons nickname dates back to 1907 when the university changed its name from St. Vincent's College. The athletic teams wore red uniforms with a large "D" on the front, and an announcer referred to the players as the "D-men." The name evolved into "Demons," and the "blue" was added to distinguish university players from those of its now-defunct high school, DePaul Academy. DePaul's mascot is DIBS, which stands for Demon In a Blue Suit.
The men's soccer team plays its home games at Wish Field, which features a FieldTurf playing surface. The team has a head coach, although their name is not currently listed. DePaul University offers a range of other intercollegiate athletic teams, including basketball, rugby, water polo, tennis, and women's soccer, volleyball, and softball. DePaul's men's basketball team is particularly prominent, having reached the NCAA Division I Final Four twice under Ray Meyer in the 1942–43 and 1978–79 seasons.
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DePaul Blue Demons women's volleyball team
DePaul University, located in Lincoln Park, Chicago, competes in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The university's athletic teams are called the DePaul Blue Demons. The nickname dates back to 1907 when the university was known as St. Vincent's College. The athletic teams wore red uniforms with a large "D" on the front, which led to an announcer referring to them as the "D-men." Over time, this evolved into the Demons, and the word "blue" was added to distinguish the university's players from those of its now-defunct high school, DePaul Academy.
The DePaul Blue Demons women's volleyball team is a part of this rich athletic tradition at the university. They compete in the Big East Conference of NCAA Division I volleyball. The Blue Demons have a history of success in various sports, with the men's basketball team reaching the NCAA Division I Final Four twice and the women's basketball team reaching the Sweet 16 multiple times. The university also offers a wide range of other intercollegiate club athletic teams, including rugby, tennis, water polo, and ultimate frisbee.
DePaul University's commitment to athletic excellence is evident across its programs. The women's volleyball team, in particular, has benefited from the university's support and resources, allowing them to compete at the highest level of collegiate volleyball. The team's success has contributed to the proud legacy of the DePaul Blue Demons in NCAA Division I sports.
The Blue Demons women's volleyball team has a challenging schedule, facing off against other talented teams in the Big East Conference. Their dedication and hard work reflect the university's values and spirit. The volleyball team's home games attract students, alumni, and volleyball enthusiasts, creating a vibrant atmosphere on campus and within the community.
DePaul University's athletic programs, including the women's volleyball team, foster a sense of camaraderie and school spirit. The university's investment in its athletic department has resulted in notable achievements, putting DePaul on the map in the world of college sports. The Blue Demons women's volleyball team continues to strive for excellence, representing their university with pride and determination.
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DePaul's rugby team
DePaul University is located in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. The university's athletic teams are called the DePaul Blue Demons and they compete in NCAA Division I. DePaul's rugby team plays in the Great Midwest Rugby Conference, formerly known as the WIIL Conference in the Southern division. The men's rugby team plays their home matches at Diversey Harbor in the Chicago Park District. DePaul Rugby was the inaugural champion of the THG Chicago Cup.
DePaul University currently competes as a non-varsity club in USA Rugby's DII collegiate rugby division. The team is recognised as a DII team by National Collegiate Rugby in the Great Waters Women's Collegiate Rugby Conference. As of 2023, the team is officially recognised as DePaul Womxn's Rugby.
DePaul University offers a number of intercollegiate club athletic teams under its Department of Campus Recreation. DePaul's NCAA men's basketball team is well known for its basketball program, which gained prominence under Ray Meyer. The women's basketball team has also been successful, reaching the Sweet 16 multiple times in the program's history. DePaul also has teams for soccer, volleyball, softball, and tennis.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, DePaul University competes in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
DePaul University has teams for several sports, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, rugby, tennis, and track and field.
DePaul University is a part of the Big East Conference.
DePaul University's campus is located in Lincoln Park, Chicago.
DePaul's basketball team has had some success, appearing in the NCAA tournament 22 times and winning the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 1945. However, some consider the program to be underachieving given its resources and potential.
