2010-11 DePaul Basketball
SULLIVAN ATHLETICS CENTER & McGRATH ARENA The day-to-day home of the DePaul men’s basketball program is the Sullivan Athletics Center. The on-campus facility serves as the hub of activity with a basketball practice facility, locker rooms, coaching staff and academic advising offices. DePaul has played two games all-time at McGrath Arena posting wins over Hofstra in the 2007 NIT and Albany to open the 2008-09 season. The Blue Demons are scheduled to play two regular-season games this season with the season-opener against Chicago State on Nov. 14 and the Dec. 11 game against Ball State at the on-campus facility. Opened in the Spring of 2000, the facility was originally named the DePaul Athletics Center until July 22, 2006, as the facility was renamed the Sullivan Athletics Center to memorialize the achievement of legendary DePaul athletic director and visionary Gene Sullivan. Though his tenure was relatively short, his impact has been long lasting. One of Sullivan’s legacies is that of inclusion, providing enhanced opportunities for minority student-athletes and women. Sullivan’s vision in the emergence of cable television probably is his greatest legacy at DePaul. As a result of his forwardthinking, nearly a generation grew up watching nation-wide broadcasts of Blue Demon men’s basketball, assisting in DePaul University’s emergence into the largest Catholic university in the United States. McGrath Arena is the heart of the Sullivan Athletics Center. The arena was dedicated in honor of Frank McGrath, legendary DePaul assistant men’s basketball coach and administrator. The arena is the home to DePaul’s women’s basketball and volleyball teams and serves as a facility for all of DePaul’s programs. McGrath served DePaul for more than three decades, first as an assistant coach to Blue Demon legend Ray Meyer. His legacy was one of hard work, loyalty and dedication. McGrath’s role as an assistant athletic director and director of facilities cemented his place in DePaul’s history. Prior to working on Meyer’s staff, he was an accomplished prep coach at DePaul Academy and Weber High School. Opened in April 2000 on the Lincoln Park campus, the Sullivan Athletics Center features sophisticated training and sports medicine equipment, three full-sized basketball courts and room to plan winning strategies. All of this gives DePaul student-athletes the competitive edge on and off the court. These facilities, combined with the escalating success by all of the Blue Demon teams, tell prospective studentathletes that when they choose DePaul, they commit to excellence. While the facility is going to lead to new and exciting milestones for the Blue Demons, DePaul’s tradition is also on display. The history of success is evident as visitors step into the main concourse of the fan-friendly building. Alumni will feel the excitement of past victories as they explore the trophies and awards in the Hall of Fame. The students, faculty, staff, alumni, the Lincoln Park community, the new fans we’ll attract, and all who experience this new building will understand DePaul’s commitment to excellence.
DePaul benefits from the many outstanding features of the Sullivan Athletics Center and McGrath Arena:
- three multipurpose practice courts - separate viewing balcony for observing games and practice sessions - top-notch training equipment for the exclusive use of student-athletes - large sports medicine area with multiple treatment tables - 2,400 square feet of weight training space - Hall of Fame area with displays for trophies and awards - office space for all coaching and administrative staff - academic support area for studying, tutoring and computer use - wet treatment area with whirlpools and SwimEx aquatic therapy pool, capable of training and rehabilitating athletes
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