DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Unveils Modernized Sullivan Athletic Center & McGrath-Phillips Arena
8/26/2024 11:46:00 AM | ATHLETICS, CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE
CHICAGO – Following a nine-month renovation, DePaul Athletics has officially unveiled updates to the Sullivan Athletic Center and McGrath-Phillips Arena. The modernized spaces include new team-specific locker rooms, enhanced recovery, sports medicine, and sports performance spaces, as well as the addition of dedicated recruiting spaces and modernized arena amenities.
In the fall of 2023, DePaul's Board of Trustees authorized a philanthropic expansion to transform its athletic facilities and create three interdisciplinary academic institutes. The expansions were approved in alignment with the University's vision to design DePaul as a national leader in higher education. Following more than 24 months of executive leadership, shared governance, and community conversations, the modernization of the Sullivan Athletic Center and McGrath-Phillips Arena began.
DePaul is trailblazing a first-class experience that enables success for student-athletes across all 15 sports to compete in the BIG EAST Conference and nationally. This success will elevate DePaul's national visibility and reputation, paving the way for attributable revenue growth from admissions, philanthropy, and auxiliary revenues that can be invested back into academic and institution-based initiatives.
The modernized McGrath-Phillips Arena features a resurfaced playing court, enhanced accessibility features, updated branding, new LED lighting, a new sound system, and enhanced softball batting cages. The space also features a state-of-the-art, 29-foot-tall by 50-foot-wide Daktronics videoboard for use during athletic, university, and community events.
For the first time in school history, each varsity athletics program will have its own, dedicated locker room. Each locker room includes individual lockers for every athlete, ample storage, a device charging lockbox, an expansive wet area with personal showers, and a robust AV system. Each locker room is integrated with Teamworks' Digital Display technology, allowing student-athletes to conveniently view their daily schedules in real time.
A new state-of-the-art weight room was added on the north side of the gym for use by all 215+ student-athletes. The weight room features industry-leading technology partnerships that allow Blue Demon athletes to train at an elite level.
Directly above the new weight room, a new recruiting room and executive conference room overlook McGrath-Phillips Arena. This space allows recruiting conversations with families to occur in a relaxed, family-room-style environment.
Also overlooking the arena, student-athletes will have access to an industry-leading recovery space, featuring lounge chairs, Therabody recovery devices, and a Gatorade Fuel Bar.
Additional updates include:
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Athletics, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. Stay up-to-date by signing up for our email or text alerts. For even more Blue Demon content, follow DePaul on X, Instagram and Facebook.
ABOUT DEPAUL ATHLETICS
DePaul's 15 intercollegiate athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division I, BIG EAST Conference. DePaul University began sponsoring athletics teams in the early 1900's, with intercollegiate athletics coming to fruition in the 1920's. Legendary coach Ray Meyer helped put DePaul on the map in the 1970's as the men's basketball program helped elevate the university to national prominence. Through a bold new vision for the future, DePaul Athletics looks to become the premier program in the BIG EAST Conference through a focus on winning championships with integrity, building champion students through education and intentional development, and serving as a visible ambassador for DePaul University and the Chicago community. DePaul Athletics has a storied tradition and is uniquely positioned to support the university's mission and commitment to academic excellence, real world experience, community engagement, and systemic change. Further, the department is steadfast in its commitment to grow the university's national exposure and enrollment through athletics. Visit DePaulBlueDemons.com to learn more.
In the fall of 2023, DePaul's Board of Trustees authorized a philanthropic expansion to transform its athletic facilities and create three interdisciplinary academic institutes. The expansions were approved in alignment with the University's vision to design DePaul as a national leader in higher education. Following more than 24 months of executive leadership, shared governance, and community conversations, the modernization of the Sullivan Athletic Center and McGrath-Phillips Arena began.
DePaul is trailblazing a first-class experience that enables success for student-athletes across all 15 sports to compete in the BIG EAST Conference and nationally. This success will elevate DePaul's national visibility and reputation, paving the way for attributable revenue growth from admissions, philanthropy, and auxiliary revenues that can be invested back into academic and institution-based initiatives.
The modernized McGrath-Phillips Arena features a resurfaced playing court, enhanced accessibility features, updated branding, new LED lighting, a new sound system, and enhanced softball batting cages. The space also features a state-of-the-art, 29-foot-tall by 50-foot-wide Daktronics videoboard for use during athletic, university, and community events.
For the first time in school history, each varsity athletics program will have its own, dedicated locker room. Each locker room includes individual lockers for every athlete, ample storage, a device charging lockbox, an expansive wet area with personal showers, and a robust AV system. Each locker room is integrated with Teamworks' Digital Display technology, allowing student-athletes to conveniently view their daily schedules in real time.
A new state-of-the-art weight room was added on the north side of the gym for use by all 215+ student-athletes. The weight room features industry-leading technology partnerships that allow Blue Demon athletes to train at an elite level.
Directly above the new weight room, a new recruiting room and executive conference room overlook McGrath-Phillips Arena. This space allows recruiting conversations with families to occur in a relaxed, family-room-style environment.
Also overlooking the arena, student-athletes will have access to an industry-leading recovery space, featuring lounge chairs, Therabody recovery devices, and a Gatorade Fuel Bar.
Additional updates include:
- A freshly painted equipment storage area featuring new industrial washers and dryers.
- A redesigned hallway to Wish Field and Cacciatore Stadium, enhanced with branding and rubberized flooring to support soccer and softball athletes' cleats.
- A modernized 'Blue Demons in the Pros' hallway display, recognizing DePaul student-athletes who have pursued careers in the NBA and WNBA.
- A new basketball lounge, allowing coaches and staff a more casual and relaxed environment to meet with student-athletes.
- A restructured sports medicine treatment space. This space has been partially modernized and will be further reconstructed in the project's next phase.
- A modernized Olympic sports coaches office suite featuring new wall graphics and branding.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Athletics, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. Stay up-to-date by signing up for our email or text alerts. For even more Blue Demon content, follow DePaul on X, Instagram and Facebook.
ABOUT DEPAUL ATHLETICS
DePaul's 15 intercollegiate athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division I, BIG EAST Conference. DePaul University began sponsoring athletics teams in the early 1900's, with intercollegiate athletics coming to fruition in the 1920's. Legendary coach Ray Meyer helped put DePaul on the map in the 1970's as the men's basketball program helped elevate the university to national prominence. Through a bold new vision for the future, DePaul Athletics looks to become the premier program in the BIG EAST Conference through a focus on winning championships with integrity, building champion students through education and intentional development, and serving as a visible ambassador for DePaul University and the Chicago community. DePaul Athletics has a storied tradition and is uniquely positioned to support the university's mission and commitment to academic excellence, real world experience, community engagement, and systemic change. Further, the department is steadfast in its commitment to grow the university's national exposure and enrollment through athletics. Visit DePaulBlueDemons.com to learn more.
Blue Demon Room Podcast Episode 17: Rachel Wilhelm and Noreen Vlamakis, Rush Physical Therapy
Wednesday, March 19
Episode 11: DeWayne Peevy, Vice President/Director of Athletics
Wednesday, December 18
Blue Demon Breakdown - Oct. 16
Wednesday, October 16
LEGACY: Build Your Brand
Thursday, August 01