Gene Sullivan Passes Away
2/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO – Gene Sullivan, a former Athletic Director and current radio color analyst for the men's basketball program, passed away this morning at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago. He was 70 years-old.
Sullivan joined the DePaul staff as the Athletic Director in July of 1975 and served in that capacity until 1978. He left the Blue Demons to become the Athletic Director and head coach at Loyola-Chicago where he enjoyed a successful run from 1980-88. He has spent the past five seasons as the color analyst for DePaul men's games on WSCR Radio in Chicago. Sullivan was elected into the DePaul Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.
"Gene was very innovative during his time as the Athletic Director at DePaul," DePaul's current Athletic Director Bill Bradshaw said. "He oversaw the athletic department as it began an unprecedented period of growth and he was at the forefront of that growth. Gene also loved doing the color for the men's games. His basketball knowledge and enthusiasm for the Blue Demons will be missed by everyone in the University community."
"Gene possessed a constantly infectious and enthusiastic vision that made every single living day a treasure," said Doug Bruno, DePaul women's basketball coach who served as the associate head coach under Sullivan at Loyola.
While at Loyola, Sullivan was named Midwestern Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year twice (1983, 1985) and won three regular season conference championships (1983, 1985 and 1987). In 1985, the Ramblers won the conference post-season tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament where they reached the Sweet 16 and gave defending champion Georgetown all it could handle before bowing out. For his efforts and success as the Ramblers’ head coach, Sullivan was inducted into the Loyola University Chicago Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998.
Sullivan, a 1953 honors graduate of Notre Dame, started his coaching career in 1957 at the high school level at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Ill. After a successful 10-year career (295-148) in the competitive Chicago Catholic League, Sullivan moved to the collegiate ranks as an assistant at his alma mater.
Gene is survived by his wife Elanie and their two daughters, Tracy and Terri.
-DPU-