No. 19/20 DePaul Honors Maggie Dixon Legacy

CHICAGO – After all is said and done, this could go down as one fantastic Friday.

Two cherished traditions emblematic of the DePaul women's basketball program come together at 11 a.m. in McGrath-Phillips Arena.

The No. 19/20 Blue Demons open up the Maggie Dixon Classic against Arkansas State with the unwavering partisan support of 2,000 screaming schoolchildren unleashing their enthusiasm for coach Doug Bruno and his team at the annual Field Trip Day event.

The Maggie Dixon Classic is a revered, annual celebration of the former DePaul assistant coach who was named head coach at Army just 11 days before the start of the 2005-06 season and went on to lead Army West Point's women's basketball program to its first Patriot League title and berth in the NCAA tournament.

That dramatic turnaround almost paled in comparison to the culture change Dixon ignited at the military male bastion. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point had never before seen anything like Maggie Dixon. She galvanized this male-dominated culture with the force of her will and her gift for bringing out the best in others.

You never would have known women's sports was a mere blip on the Army West Point sports landscape after several hundred cadets, led by the football players, stormed the Christl Arena court and carried Dixon off---a memorable scene telecast to a national audience on ESPN's "SportsCenter."

"I was in the stands, and you could see how Maggie had electrified West Point," said former DePaul associate head coach and Colgate head coach Nicci Hays Fort, now an assistant coach at Drake. "All the top officers were at the game, and the cadets had painted their faces.

"I got goose bumps. How many schools rush the court for women's basketball? I felt so good and happy for Maggie. It was a great moment in sports.

"The next day, the team was formally presented the Patriot League trophy. When Maggie got up to speak, 4,000 cadets gave her a standing ovation."

Many of those same cadets and members of the women's basketball community nationwide would be in mourning a month later when this 28-year-old shining beacon of hope and optimism passed away from heart arrhythmia.

Bruno makes sure his student-athletes realize and appreciate the full meaning of who Maggie Dixon was and how special it is to play in the Maggie Dixon Classic.

Part of the eulogy delivered by DePaul Athletics Director Jean Lenti Ponsetto to the 1,200 mourners gathered at St. Charles Roman Catholic Church in North Hollywood, Calif. encapsulated the essence of Maggie.

"If I had to choose from all of Maggie's strengths, it would be her legacy of caring for family and the human spirit," Ponsetto said. "She saw the good in everyone. And if your spirit was low or your heart was hurting or your focus was in a wayward bent, Maggie would wrap her soul around you and hug your troubles away."

Don't be surprised if the Blue Demons put on an inspired performance against Arkansas State in Dixon's memory, buoyed by the waves of high-decibel cheering from the youngsters presented with free admission, free T-shirts and transportation by DePaul Athletics.

Led by Chante Stonewall and Sonya Morris both averaging 19.3 points a game along with Lexi Held, Deja Church and Kelly Campbell, DePaul (2-1) will encounter Arkansas State (1-2) with its high-scoring trio of Jireh Washington (16.7 points a game), Peyton Martin (16 points) and Payton Tennison (15 points).

The second game of the Classic pits the No. 16/17 Miami Hurricanes (3-0) with 6-foot, 4-inch Beatrice Mompremier (17.3 points, 8.3 rebounds) against North Carolina A&T (2-2) featuring Deja Winters (17.7 points a game).

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Players Mentioned

Kelly Campbell

Deja Church

Lexi Held

Sonya Morris

Chante Stonewall

DePaul University Athletics