2012-13 DEPAUL BASKETBALL Olympics – Mark Aguirre was a member of the 1980 Olympic team and several other Blue Demons participated in the Olympic Trials, including Ron Norwood and Dave Corzine in 1976, Tyrone Corbin in 1984 and Kevin Edwards and Rod Strickland in 1988. Player of the Half Century – In 1996, Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan was named the Player of the Half Century (1951-2000) by Sport Magazine. The Player of the Half Century from 1900-1950 was former DePaul star George Mikan. Postseason – DePaul has made 37 postseason (NCAA and NIT) tournament appearances including the 2007 run to the NIT quarterfinals after victories over Hofstra and Kansas State. DePaul’s last NCAA Championship appearance came in 2004 when the Blue Demons advanced to the second round. Puerto Rico – During the 1999-2000 campaign, the Blue Demons ventured to Puerto Rico for the first time ever and finished third in the annual Puerto Rico Shootout, beating American-Puerto Rico in the first round, falling to Texas in the semifinals and beating South Carolina in the consolation championship. The Blue Demons returned to San Juan in December 2007 and beat La Salle while falling to Mississippi and Clemson. Purnell, Oliver – Oliver Purnell was named the 13th head coach in DePaul history on April 6, 2010. He enters his third season on the Blue Demon sidelines in 2012-13 and his 25th season overall as a head coach at the collegiate level. Ray & Marge Meyer Court – On December 14, 2003, the playing floor at the Allstate Arena was officially dedicated as Ray & Marge Meyer Court. Richardson, Quentin – One of two DePaul players to ever earn conference Player of the Year honors, Richardson was taken with the 18th pick (Los Angeles Clippers) in the 2000 NBA Draft. He was the first Blue Demon to be drafted since 1989 and the highest pick since Terry Cummings went second in 1982. “Q” was named the Conference USA Player and Freshman of the Year in 1998-99. Regionals – DePaul has twice hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Midwest Regional in 1987 and 1993 at the Rosemont Horizon. In addition, in 1960, DePaul downed Air Force in a first round NCAA game at Alumni Hall. DePaul hosted the 2005 Chicago Regional at the Allstate Arena. Retired Numbers – Only two numbers in DePaul history have been retired, No. 99 worn by George Mikan and No. 24 worn by Mark Aguirre. Road Trip – DePaul’s longest road trip occurred during the 1929-30 season when the Blue Demons went on a 16-game swing to end the season. Head coach Jim Kelly took his team to the states of Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico. DePaul went 11-5 on the trip.
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Rosemont Horizon – Now known as the Allstate Arena, it has been home to the Blue Demons since 1980, the 18,500 seat arena has been host to the NCAA Men’s First and Second Rounds in 1987 and 1993 and was the venue for the 2005 Chicago Regional. It also hosted the NCAA Women’s Mideast Regional in 1996 and was the site for the 2006 and 2012 Women’s First and Second Rounds. Sullivan Athletics Center – DePaul moved into its Athletics Center in May 2000. This state-of-the-art facility boasts locker rooms, weight training and sports medicine areas along with office space for coaches and administrators. It serves as the practice and ocassionally the game home for the men’s basketball program. It was renamed in honor of former athletics director Gene Sullivan in the summer of 2006. Tokyo – The Blue Demons played two games in Tokyo during the 1983-84 season. This was the first time DePaul played a game outside of the United States. United Center – The home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks has hosted 15 DePaul games since it opened in 1994-95. The last time the Blue Demons played at the United Center was in 2002. Vitale, Dick – Now known world-wide as a television commentator, ESPN’s Dick Vitale got his broadcasting start at DePaul’s Alumni Hall when he provided the color commentary for the Blue Demons’ contest against Wisconsin on December 5, 1979. DePaul won that game 90-77. Wainwright, Jerry – DePaul’s 11th head coach, he was named to the position on April 28, 2005, after spending three seasons at Richmond. In 2007, Wainwright took the Blue Demons to the quarterfinals of the NIT. Waldo Fisher-Frank McGrath Award – It is given to the Most Valuable Player of the DePaul-Northwestern game. DePaul’s Will Walker won the award in 2007 after the Blue Demons’ 54-53 victory in Rosemont. Walk-on History – The walk-on at DePaul has become a crowd and media favorite over the past 30 seasons. In the 1992-93 season opener against Chicago State at Alumni Hall, DePaul walk-on history was made when an entire line-up of walk-ons (Sean Brusek, Jon Harris, Tom Madden, Emanuel Smith and Ryan Sullivan) played the final six seconds of the 103-68 Blue Demon victory. Webster, Tracy – Served as interim head coach for the final 16 games of the 2009-10 season following a change in the leadership of the program. Joined the men’s basketball programs as an assistant coach in May 2009. Webster is the only interim head coach in DePaul basketball history. Wendell Smith Award – This award was established in the 1972-73 season to honor the outstanding player in the DePaul-Notre Dame game. It is named after the late Chicago journalist, who at the time of his death was one of the most respected writers and broadcasters in the country as well as the prominent black sports journalist in the nation.