DePaul University Athletics
Deirdre Naughton Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility
8/9/2010 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Aug. 9, 2010
CHICAGO - DePaul guard Deirdre Naughton has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA after missing the 2009-10 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee. Naughton tore her ACL in the first half of the Northwestern game on Nov. 24, 2009.
"As a coaching staff, program and team we are thrilled by today's news that Deirdre Naughton will be granted a sixth year of eligibility," DePaul head women's basketball coach Doug Bruno said.
"Last season's injury was a crushing blow for our team and most importantly to Deirdre Naughton. Deirdre has put her whole life into the game of basketball and to be rewarded for her lifetime effort just seems to be the right and fair decision."
"I would like to thank the NCAA, DePaul's administration and Doug Bakker (Director of Athletics Compliance) for their efforts to make this decision happen," Bruno added.
Naughton transferred to DePaul in the wake of family medical issues after playing her freshman season at Wake Forest in 2005-06. Naughton then sat out the 2006-07 season under NCAA transfer guidelines, before averaging 15.1 and 15.5 points per game in her next two seasons.
A preseason Wade Watch, John R. Wooden and Naismith Award watch candidate in 2009-10, Naughton enters the 2010-11 season with 1,470 career points (1,051 at DePaul and 419 at Wake Forest), and a career .430 field goal percentage. In her two seasons at DePaul, Naughton has averaged 15.3 points per game while her 124, 3-point field goals rank 12th on DePaul's all-time list.
"I want to thank the NCAA for granting me a sixth year and a chance to play out my senior season," Naughton commented after receiving the news. "I would also like to thank Doug Bakker for his tireless work throughout the whole process."
"I am looking forward to getting back on the court after seven months of rehab. I have been really lucky to have the support of my teammates, the coaching staff and therapists and can't wait to wear the DePaul uniform again this season."
The Blue Demons return all five starters from the 2009-10 roster that saw DePaul make its eighth consecutive and 15th NCAA Tournament appearance.
DePaul tips its 2010-11 season by hosting Valparaiso in the opening round of the WNIT on Friday, November 12 at 7 p.m.
