DePaul University Athletics
Women’s Basketball to Move All Home Games to Wintrust Arena
5/18/2021 10:30:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Blue Demons hold 28-9 record in the South Loop
CHICAGO – DePaul athletics announced today that the women's basketball program will permanently move home games to Wintrust Arena beginning with the 2021-22 season. The Blue Demons played every home game this season at the facility after splitting the home schedule between Wintrust Arena and McGrath-Phillips Arena.
"Wintrust Arena is one of the absolute best college basketball venues in the country," said head coach Doug Bruno. "Along with being a great facility, Wintrust Arena was built to be the home of DePaul men's and women's basketball. It was custom-made to be our home. The arena has an ideal, central location and convenient transportation that makes it accessible to basketball fans throughout the Chicago area whether you're coming from the south, west or north."
"The facilities and amenities are among the best in college basketball. Wintrust Arena has been excellent for our recruiting since the day it opened," continued Bruno. "It's the first place we bring recruits, and it really is something special to experience. I want to thank the DePaul administration for providing the opportunity to play all our games at Wintrust Arena."
In four seasons, the Blue Demons hold a record of 28-9 (.757) at the facility that includes three straight BIG EAST Tournament titles in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The Blue Demons were poised to host the NCAA First and Second Rounds in 2020 after winning their third straight conference crown before the NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the conference championships, DePaul has also recorded an 86-82 win over No. 9 Kentucky on Dec. 16 for its first victory at the arena over a Top 10 opponent.
"This is an incredible opportunity for our women's basketball program to continue to grow their exposure and brand." said Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy. "Whether it be scheduling more games against elite programs, getting more television coverage, or taking advantage of the first-class amenities that Wintrust Arena offers, I am committed to working with Coach Bruno to elevate all aspects our women's basketball program."
Since opening at the start of the 2017-18 season, the arena was honored with the prestigious American Architecture Award that also included U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. In December 2017, the facility hosted both the No. 1-ranked women's and men's teams in the country as the Connecticut women visited Wintrust Arena on Dec. 8 followed by the Villanova men's team on Dec. 27. Other major basketball events at the facility include multiple BIG EAST Women's Basketball Tournaments, the 2019 NCAA Women's Basketball Regional and when the 2020 NBA All-Star Game visited Chicago, Wintrust Arena hosted the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game along with practices for the Rising Stars and All-Star Game squads. In the summer, the WNBA's Chicago Sky call Wintrust Arena home.
"As the Alderman of the 3rd Ward where Wintrust Arena is located, and as a former college basketball player myself, I could not be happier with DePaul University's decision to permanently move their women's basketball team to Wintrust Arena," said Alderman Pat Dowell. "Playing at Wintrust will give the players the unparalleled experience of playing in a professional stadium in the heart of Chicago, just like their WNBA counterparts, the Chicago Sky. This will be a great move for the current athletes, and the next generation of DePaul women's recruits who can look forward to a great college basketball experience."
"We are proud to be home to the DePaul Blue Demons," said Larita Clark, CEO, MPEA. "We look forward to welcoming the women's basketball team even more frequently in the upcoming season. Our partnership with DePaul has always been valuable and we are glad to see it continue to grow."
The Blue Demons played primarily at McGrath-Phillips Arena on DePaul's Lincoln Park campus since the facility opened in 2000. DePaul holds a 245-44 (.848) overall record in the on campus facility.
2021-22 Season Ticket Information
"Wintrust Arena is one of the absolute best college basketball venues in the country," said head coach Doug Bruno. "Along with being a great facility, Wintrust Arena was built to be the home of DePaul men's and women's basketball. It was custom-made to be our home. The arena has an ideal, central location and convenient transportation that makes it accessible to basketball fans throughout the Chicago area whether you're coming from the south, west or north."
"The facilities and amenities are among the best in college basketball. Wintrust Arena has been excellent for our recruiting since the day it opened," continued Bruno. "It's the first place we bring recruits, and it really is something special to experience. I want to thank the DePaul administration for providing the opportunity to play all our games at Wintrust Arena."
In four seasons, the Blue Demons hold a record of 28-9 (.757) at the facility that includes three straight BIG EAST Tournament titles in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The Blue Demons were poised to host the NCAA First and Second Rounds in 2020 after winning their third straight conference crown before the NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the conference championships, DePaul has also recorded an 86-82 win over No. 9 Kentucky on Dec. 16 for its first victory at the arena over a Top 10 opponent.
"This is an incredible opportunity for our women's basketball program to continue to grow their exposure and brand." said Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy. "Whether it be scheduling more games against elite programs, getting more television coverage, or taking advantage of the first-class amenities that Wintrust Arena offers, I am committed to working with Coach Bruno to elevate all aspects our women's basketball program."
Since opening at the start of the 2017-18 season, the arena was honored with the prestigious American Architecture Award that also included U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. In December 2017, the facility hosted both the No. 1-ranked women's and men's teams in the country as the Connecticut women visited Wintrust Arena on Dec. 8 followed by the Villanova men's team on Dec. 27. Other major basketball events at the facility include multiple BIG EAST Women's Basketball Tournaments, the 2019 NCAA Women's Basketball Regional and when the 2020 NBA All-Star Game visited Chicago, Wintrust Arena hosted the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game along with practices for the Rising Stars and All-Star Game squads. In the summer, the WNBA's Chicago Sky call Wintrust Arena home.
"As the Alderman of the 3rd Ward where Wintrust Arena is located, and as a former college basketball player myself, I could not be happier with DePaul University's decision to permanently move their women's basketball team to Wintrust Arena," said Alderman Pat Dowell. "Playing at Wintrust will give the players the unparalleled experience of playing in a professional stadium in the heart of Chicago, just like their WNBA counterparts, the Chicago Sky. This will be a great move for the current athletes, and the next generation of DePaul women's recruits who can look forward to a great college basketball experience."
"We are proud to be home to the DePaul Blue Demons," said Larita Clark, CEO, MPEA. "We look forward to welcoming the women's basketball team even more frequently in the upcoming season. Our partnership with DePaul has always been valuable and we are glad to see it continue to grow."
The Blue Demons played primarily at McGrath-Phillips Arena on DePaul's Lincoln Park campus since the facility opened in 2000. DePaul holds a 245-44 (.848) overall record in the on campus facility.
2021-22 Season Ticket Information
- Fans and supporters interested in joining as new season ticket holders for the return of DePaul Basketball can now place $25-per seat season ticket deposits for the 2021-22 women's basketball season.
- New deposits will act as commitment to priority seat selection taking place later this summer and will be applied to the cost of full season ticket packages due in the fall. By placing a deposit early, fans will gain access to the best seat locations and the ability to work with a personal ticket representative to choose their seats prior to the public on-sale date. Ticket package pricing and priority seat selection details will be announced later and communicated from the DePaul Ticket Office.
- Renewing season ticket holders from 2019-20 or account holders that elected to carry-over 2020 summer payments do NOT need to place a deposit at this time. Existing season ticket holders will be contacted by the DePaul Ticket Office when the renewal period is announced.
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