DePaul University Athletics
Ashton Millender, Bradley Bruno Appointed Women’s Basketball Assistant Coaches
5/31/2023 12:27:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Pair of former Blue Demons return to the coaching staff
CHICAGO – DePaul women's basketball head coach Doug Bruno announced the addition of Ashton Millender and Bradley Bruno to the women's basketball program as assistant coaches on Wednesday, May 31.
Millender, a former Blue Demon standout from 2014-19, joins the staff after serving as a graduate assistant for the 2022-23 season. Bradley Bruno returns to Lincoln Park after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE).
"Ashton Millender was a key contributor as a player, leading DePaul to five NCAA Tournaments including a Sweet 16 appearance," said head coach Doug Bruno "Ashton did a fantastic job this season as a graduate assistant, after spending three summers as one of our best camp coaches while also playing professionally for three years."
During her time in Lincoln Park, Millender appeared in a program record 144 games, while making 77 starts. Her 286 made three-point field goals ranks second in program history and her 1,392 career points are good for 25th all time. The Glenwood, Ill. native was recognized with the BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award as a senior and earned a degree in Sociology from DePaul's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
"I am extremely excited to start this new journey at DePaul. I would like to thank DeWayne Peevy, Dr. Jill Hollembeak and Coach Doug Bruno for this opportunity and their support throughout this process," Millender said. "I had a wonderful experience as a Blue Demon student-athlete, and I look forward to continuing to build on the foundation of success within the program."
Upon graduation, Millender went on to pursue her professional career, playing overseas in five countries including Australia, Finland, Mexico, Nicaragua and Portugal. During her time in Mexico, Millender lifted her Real Esteli team to a pair of championships.
"When Bradley Bruno decided to get into coaching, I made it very clear to him that he would have to pay his dues," said head coach Doug Bruno. "These dues started by Bradley spending five years at DePaul as both a Video Coordinator and Director of Basketball Operations. He then left DePaul to become a full-time assistant on Sam Quigley Smith's SIUE staff, which has prepared him from all angles to take on this coaching position."
During his time in Edwardsville, Bruno worked primarily with the post positional group while overseeing recruiting efforts and assisting with all aspects of the program. Bruno saw a pair of Cougars earn All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team honors in his tenure in addition to guiding the team to wins in the OVC Tournament in back-to-back seasons.
"I'm so grateful to be back at my alma mater," said Bradley Bruno. "DePaul is such a special place with amazing people and resources. I can't wait to hit the ground running to help develop the student-athletes both on and off the court and continue the success of DePaul women's basketball."
Prior to his stint at SIUE, Bruno spent six seasons on staff in Lincoln Park, serving as the Video Coordinator from 2015-19 before moving into the Director of Basketball Operations role from 2019-21. During his first run with the Blue Demons, the program advanced to NCAA Tournament five times including one appearance in the Sweet 16 while also claiming three BIG EAST Tournament titles.
Bruno graduated from DePaul in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in Sociology.
Doug Bruno also named Lisa Ryckbosch the Special Assistant to the Head Coach while Candis Blankson (DePaul '01) has been appointed the Director of Player Relations.
"Lisa Ryckbosch and Candis Blankson have been longstanding, valuable contributors to our program's success for a combined 50+ years. With the NCAA rules additions, we are excited to have Lisa and Candis continue their on-court coaching efforts while expanding our staff with the addition of Ashton and Bradley."
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Women's Basketball, please visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Millender, a former Blue Demon standout from 2014-19, joins the staff after serving as a graduate assistant for the 2022-23 season. Bradley Bruno returns to Lincoln Park after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE).
"Ashton Millender was a key contributor as a player, leading DePaul to five NCAA Tournaments including a Sweet 16 appearance," said head coach Doug Bruno "Ashton did a fantastic job this season as a graduate assistant, after spending three summers as one of our best camp coaches while also playing professionally for three years."
During her time in Lincoln Park, Millender appeared in a program record 144 games, while making 77 starts. Her 286 made three-point field goals ranks second in program history and her 1,392 career points are good for 25th all time. The Glenwood, Ill. native was recognized with the BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award as a senior and earned a degree in Sociology from DePaul's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
"I am extremely excited to start this new journey at DePaul. I would like to thank DeWayne Peevy, Dr. Jill Hollembeak and Coach Doug Bruno for this opportunity and their support throughout this process," Millender said. "I had a wonderful experience as a Blue Demon student-athlete, and I look forward to continuing to build on the foundation of success within the program."
Upon graduation, Millender went on to pursue her professional career, playing overseas in five countries including Australia, Finland, Mexico, Nicaragua and Portugal. During her time in Mexico, Millender lifted her Real Esteli team to a pair of championships.
"When Bradley Bruno decided to get into coaching, I made it very clear to him that he would have to pay his dues," said head coach Doug Bruno. "These dues started by Bradley spending five years at DePaul as both a Video Coordinator and Director of Basketball Operations. He then left DePaul to become a full-time assistant on Sam Quigley Smith's SIUE staff, which has prepared him from all angles to take on this coaching position."
During his time in Edwardsville, Bruno worked primarily with the post positional group while overseeing recruiting efforts and assisting with all aspects of the program. Bruno saw a pair of Cougars earn All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team honors in his tenure in addition to guiding the team to wins in the OVC Tournament in back-to-back seasons.
"I'm so grateful to be back at my alma mater," said Bradley Bruno. "DePaul is such a special place with amazing people and resources. I can't wait to hit the ground running to help develop the student-athletes both on and off the court and continue the success of DePaul women's basketball."
Prior to his stint at SIUE, Bruno spent six seasons on staff in Lincoln Park, serving as the Video Coordinator from 2015-19 before moving into the Director of Basketball Operations role from 2019-21. During his first run with the Blue Demons, the program advanced to NCAA Tournament five times including one appearance in the Sweet 16 while also claiming three BIG EAST Tournament titles.
Bruno graduated from DePaul in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in Sociology.
Doug Bruno also named Lisa Ryckbosch the Special Assistant to the Head Coach while Candis Blankson (DePaul '01) has been appointed the Director of Player Relations.
"Lisa Ryckbosch and Candis Blankson have been longstanding, valuable contributors to our program's success for a combined 50+ years. With the NCAA rules additions, we are excited to have Lisa and Candis continue their on-court coaching efforts while expanding our staff with the addition of Ashton and Bradley."
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Women's Basketball, please visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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