Doug Bruno’s Journey to Basketball Immortality
Reflections on his enshrinement into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
6/14/2022
CHICAGO – The journey to humbly accept a piece of basketball immortality began innocuously enough last Tuesday morning as Doug and Patty Bruno set out on a nine-hour drive to Nashville, Tenn.
The 472-mile road trip of a lifetime would culminate last Saturday night with DePaul’s iconic 36-year coach being inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville.
But before the influx of formal activities, media interviews and making a fuss over an incredible human being, Bruno wanted to enjoy some leisurely moments with family and friends.
They spent time at the Nashville home of lifetime buddy and ex-DePaul basketball teammate Harry Shields and enjoyed Harry’s farm where Patty went horseback riding while Doug and his sons played golf with their host on Wednesday and Thursday.
My mother Drotha was a World War II marine angry ‘til the day she died that her six brothers were allowed to go into combat while she had to be a payroll clerk at Camp LeJeune (in North Carolina). The only woman standing in the veterans’ line waiting to receive her GI Bill on the first day of college, a young man said to my mom: ‘Excuse me ma’am but you are in the wrong line. This is the veterans’ line.’ My mom responded: (‘Forget’) you---I’m a marine.
Patty and Doug drove to Knoxville on Thursday and met up with the other inductees for cocktails.
Friday was nonstop events including interviews for the Hall of Fame DVD, inductee rehearsal, basketball program signing, a private tour of the Hall of Fame and the presentation of the Baron rings followed by media interviews.
After the ring ceremony and the Hall of Fame meet-and-greet with the board and past inductees, Doug and Patty hosted a get-together from 7-11 p.m. for more than 100 people at Calhoun’s on the Tennessee River along Knoxville’s historic waterfront.
Then came the post celebration from 11 p.m.-2 a.m. at Clancy’s Tavern and Whiskey House in downtown Knoxville next door to the historic Tennessee Theater---site of the Hall of Fame enshrinement.
Saturday began with another meet and greet with the Hall of Fame board. That was followed by an autograph session and a Q&A with AAU girls basketball teams.
Late afternoon brought a VIP reception at the Radius Rooftop of the Embassy Suites, the headquarters hotel for this event. Bruno and the seven other members of the Class of 2022 gathered in the Tennessee Theater Green Room at 5 p.m.
Exactly 45 minutes later, the Grand Entrance got underway.
“I chose former DePaul athletics director Jean Lenti Ponsetto as my escort and (Connecticut coach) Geno Auriemma as my presenter,” Bruno said. “They walked me down the aisle when my name was called.
"The ceremony began with a gospel singer’s rendition of a song about little girls dreaming. Next came acknowledgment of the event’s presenting sponsor Eastman.
“Right after that, Title IX was celebrated as the ‘Trailblazer of the Game’ with my former Chicago Hustle player Liz Galloway McQuitter reading the 37 words from the life-changing federal legislation celebrating its 50th anniversary.”
Bruno ran the anchor leg of this prestigious occasion, and his 18-minute speech culminating the event encompassed 70 years of a lifetime from playing sports at an early age while also delivering newspapers to competing for DePaul legend Ray Meyer at the old Alumni Hall and entering the coaching ranks heading up the boys basketball program at Francis Parker.
He looked out onto a sea of faces reflecting a journey shared through the years beginning with his Blue Demon teammates Harry Shields, John Lawler, Jim Martin and Jim Marino. He spotted former players from the Hustle and DePaul, current and former assistant coaches along with current and former bosses and role models including those from USA Basketball.
He tried to encapsulate 70 years of blood, sweat and tears---seven decades of fastidiously practicing the Golden Rule and putting others ahead of himself---into an 18-minute verbal time capsule that afforded a glimpse into the man himself.
It was a Mission Impossible, but the ol’ point guard gave it his best shot.
We all know or should know that no woman or man is self-made. Every one of us achieves on the backs of many hard-forged relationships. None of us coach basketball. We all coach people.
Soak it all in, Coach
— DePaul Women's Basketball (@DePaulWBBHoops) June 10, 2022
A lifetime of service has led to this moment ??#BrunoWBHOF pic.twitter.com/09DYskjez9
Bruno never takes credit for himself. There is no place for individual accomplishment in Doug’s world.
And so it is on perhaps the biggest night of his basketball life.
If not for inspiring leadership from current athletic director DeWayne Peevy and his predecessor Jeanne Ponsetto, Bruno might still be driving a truck for a living.
If not for an invaluable support system featuring assistant coaches and staff members in his professional life or a loving, saintly and totally indispensable wife in his personal life, he believes he wouldn’t be half the coach, half the man he is today.
If not for his six sons growing into amazing human beings in their own right despite their dad devoting more time to other peoples’ children---he couldn’t be the proud papa and grandpa he is today.
If not for the multitude of talented players who sacrificed individual glory and bought into the Bruno Way, you could kiss good-bye 25 NCAA tournament appearances including four memorable runs to the Sweet 16.
“This is a people profession,” Bruno said. “I’m in the Hall of Fame because of all these great people. You don’t get here by yourself.
“For those who work 9-to-5 Monday through Friday with nights and weekends free, my lifestyle would be a grind. For me, it’s just a part of my love for the game.
“Instead of commuting to an office wearing a shirt and tie, I’m in warm-ups and gym shoes every day enjoying the challenge of developing lasting relationships with 15 beautiful individuals helping them forge a heart-felt team bond.”
Bruno’s passion for horses and horse racing has led to an intriguing comparison.
“A coach is both a trainer and a jockey,” he said. “At practice, he is a trainer. Once the game starts, he is a jockey.
“The all-time greatest trainer and the all-time greatest jockey are going nowhere without a great horse.”
The third reason you must continue to listen to this melodious voice is because I’ve coached great players---way too many to mention. My first DePaul teams of the mid-1970s were led by Jeanne Lenti Ponsetto and Karen Loiacono. Being in Knoxville tonight, I must mention one of Chicago’s greatest players ever, Kim Williams. She scored 41 points one night in a 94-83 loss to Tennessee. Most TEAMS did not score 41 against coach Pat Summitt.
Etched in history. Forever. #BrunoWBHOF pic.twitter.com/jZA6aZUBjJ
— DePaul Women's Basketball (@DePaulWBBHoops) June 11, 2022
After the Hall of Fame ceremony, Bruno & Co. headed next door to Clancy’s where more than 100 people toasted the occasion and at times, roasted the guest of honor.
Not unlike a bride or groom’s experience at a wedding reception, Bruno surveyed the bar and noticed the distinct segments of his life coalescing right before his eyes.
There were the current DePaul people and those who had retired. There were former Blue Demon players mixing it up with one-time Chicago Hustle players even as some of Doug’s former teammates blended in.
He could see his current assistant coaches engaged in animated conversations with other coaches including UConn legend Auriemma.
It was a kaleidoscope of sounds and faces igniting an outburst of pure joy that kept Clancy’s rocking until the wee hours of Sunday morning.
“I was the last to leave,” Bruno said.
In his old-school, traditional way, this newly minted Hall of Fame Baby Boomer wanted to thank each and every one of his well-wishers who has shared this 70-year joyride.
Patty and Doug set course for Sweet Home, Chicago on Sunday morning, all set to split the driving time. Patty wound up driving the whole way.
Once again, this product of a bygone era where common courtesy ruled the day, Old-School Doug was on his cell phone texting and calling folks the entire ride.
If someone is thoughtful enough to send a congratulatory text, they absolutely deserve a thoughtful response. Between all those responses and getting organized for his first practice on Monday, Bruno’s phone was running on empty.
They pulled up to the Sullivan Athletic Center at 8:30 p.m. and the coach went inside for a team meeting where he welcomed seven new players.
I am so proud of our WBL teams and the Chicago Hustle for earning their way into the prestigious Hall of Fame as pioneers of the game…thank you to all the Olympians who have represented the USA in creating one of the greatest legacies in the history of sports…Brittney Griner was with us on many of those USA adventures and contributed mightily to our success. Brittney is one great human being, and no one deserves to go through what Brittney is going through. Enough is definitely enough. It is time for the powers-that-be to bring Brittney home.”
In the end, what does this all mean for Doug Bruno?
“I’m still an active coach,” he said. “Right now, I’m looking forward to the beginning of practice and getting together with everyone as a group.
“There will be plenty of time to reflect on this later on. Right now, I’ve got to figure out how to win some games this season.”
He did take a moment to appreciate the outpouring of love and affection that inundated Knoxville over the weekend.
“It was a great turnout,” Bruno said. “All the Bruno and Dillon siblings. Our six sons and their wives Bryan and Stacy, Kevin and Sarah, David and Bethany, Brendan and Julia, Patrick and Mary, Bradley and Loren. Seven grandchildren.
“A special thanks to my siblings who made the trip---Dennis, Polly, Denise, Mark, Donna and Bryan on the Bruno side and Bryan, Sue, Danny and Maureen from the Dillons.
“There were my former players from DePaul, the WBL and the Hustle. Liz Galloway McQuitter was the Hustle’s defensive specialist who never cared about publicity when she was playing and was so critical to our success.
“Looking back on the weekend, I can truly say it’s all about relationships. My marine mom Drotha and my soldier dad Richard were both teachers and great yet tough parents who taught us to work hard, compete hard and have fun.”
Doug Bruno is a Hall of Famer pic.twitter.com/ssUamUv79a
— DePaul Women's Basketball (@DePaulWBBHoops) June 12, 2022
Gallery: Doug Bruno Hall of Fame Enshrinement
