DePaul University Athletics
City Council Proclaims June 11th 'Doug Bruno Day'
5/31/2022 1:08:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Iconic coach being inducted into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame on June 11
CHICAGO – It's going to be a day Doug Bruno will never forget.
In honor of the iconic DePaul women's basketball coach being inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 11, the city of Chicago is proclaiming that date "Doug Bruno Day" in a resolution adopted by the City Council.
While the Windy City celebrates the South Sider who played at Quigley South before earning a basketball scholarship to play for legendary coach Ray Meyer at DePaul, Bruno will be formally inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn.
"Thank you City of Chicago," Bruno said. "I am so honored and humbled by this resolution. Thank you to the City Council and the mayor.
"Never would I have imagined while playing basketball at Quigley South on 79th and Western and while playing at DePaul that I'd ever have a day named after me.
"I am so thankful."
It is a well-deserved milestone for the 36-year Blue Demon coach who has guided the program to 25 NCAA tournament appearances including a stretch of qualifying for the Big Dance 18 consecutive times and 19 of the last 20 years.
DePaul has advanced four times to the NCAA Sweet 16 and won 10 regular-season and seven conference championships. In addition, Bruno spent two years coaching the Chicago Hustle pro women's team highlighted by a Midwest Division title and brought home two Olympic gold medals on the USA Women's National Team coaching staff.
The driving force for coaches in all sports is wins and losses. Bruno has amassed a career record of 758-367 at DePaul for a sparkling winning percentage of .674. Overall including his run in the pros, he is 798-397 (.668).
Success between the lines is just the starting point for this coach. Bruno has dedicated most of his adult life to championing the cause of women in sports by coaching a crowd-pleasing style of play to entertain fans and grow the game.
His DePaul teams play a fast-paced, up-tempo style predicated on crisp, snappy passing, sharp cuts to the basket and giving his players what he terms "the greenest green light in America" to let it fly.
The Blue Demons led the nation this past season in scoring at 87.3 points a game and scored 100 or more points in nine games.
He is a fighter who has given everything to elevate the stature of women's basketball while waging a never-ending battle against gender inequity in all walks of life.
"This honor results from playing for great coaches and mentors through the years---Dick Flaiz, Ray Meyer and Gene Sullivan," Bruno said. "It comes from working with terrific administrators such as athletics director DeWayne Peevy and former athletics director Jean Lenti Ponsetto.
"It doesn't happen without all the talented assistant coaches since 1977 including our current staff of associate head coach Jill M. Pizzotti and assistant coaches Lisa Ryckbosch and Candis Blankson.
"Most important of all, I've been so blessed to coach so many great players who have been the cornerstones for our success."
Bruno also wanted to extend his utmost appreciation to his family.
"It's not easy to be the spouse or child of a coach," Bruno said. "Coaching means you make a decision to spend time with other's people's children at the expense of your own.
"My wife Patty and our six sons Bryan, Kevin, David, Brendan, Patrick and Bradley have supported me every step of the way."
In honor of the iconic DePaul women's basketball coach being inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 11, the city of Chicago is proclaiming that date "Doug Bruno Day" in a resolution adopted by the City Council.
While the Windy City celebrates the South Sider who played at Quigley South before earning a basketball scholarship to play for legendary coach Ray Meyer at DePaul, Bruno will be formally inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn.
"Thank you City of Chicago," Bruno said. "I am so honored and humbled by this resolution. Thank you to the City Council and the mayor.
"Never would I have imagined while playing basketball at Quigley South on 79th and Western and while playing at DePaul that I'd ever have a day named after me.
"I am so thankful."
It is a well-deserved milestone for the 36-year Blue Demon coach who has guided the program to 25 NCAA tournament appearances including a stretch of qualifying for the Big Dance 18 consecutive times and 19 of the last 20 years.
DePaul has advanced four times to the NCAA Sweet 16 and won 10 regular-season and seven conference championships. In addition, Bruno spent two years coaching the Chicago Hustle pro women's team highlighted by a Midwest Division title and brought home two Olympic gold medals on the USA Women's National Team coaching staff.
The driving force for coaches in all sports is wins and losses. Bruno has amassed a career record of 758-367 at DePaul for a sparkling winning percentage of .674. Overall including his run in the pros, he is 798-397 (.668).
Success between the lines is just the starting point for this coach. Bruno has dedicated most of his adult life to championing the cause of women in sports by coaching a crowd-pleasing style of play to entertain fans and grow the game.
His DePaul teams play a fast-paced, up-tempo style predicated on crisp, snappy passing, sharp cuts to the basket and giving his players what he terms "the greenest green light in America" to let it fly.
The Blue Demons led the nation this past season in scoring at 87.3 points a game and scored 100 or more points in nine games.
He is a fighter who has given everything to elevate the stature of women's basketball while waging a never-ending battle against gender inequity in all walks of life.
"This honor results from playing for great coaches and mentors through the years---Dick Flaiz, Ray Meyer and Gene Sullivan," Bruno said. "It comes from working with terrific administrators such as athletics director DeWayne Peevy and former athletics director Jean Lenti Ponsetto.
"It doesn't happen without all the talented assistant coaches since 1977 including our current staff of associate head coach Jill M. Pizzotti and assistant coaches Lisa Ryckbosch and Candis Blankson.
"Most important of all, I've been so blessed to coach so many great players who have been the cornerstones for our success."
Bruno also wanted to extend his utmost appreciation to his family.
"It's not easy to be the spouse or child of a coach," Bruno said. "Coaching means you make a decision to spend time with other's people's children at the expense of your own.
"My wife Patty and our six sons Bryan, Kevin, David, Brendan, Patrick and Bradley have supported me every step of the way."
Demon Docs: Welcome Head Coach Jill M. Pizzotti
Tuesday, April 29
Episode 19: Jill M. Pizzotti, Women's Basketball Head Coach
Wednesday, April 16
Jill M. Pizzotti Introductory Press Conference
Tuesday, April 15
DePaul Women's Basketball: Jill Pizzotti Introductory Press Conference
Thursday, April 10