Wintrust Arena has Built a Buzz for DePaul Basketball
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Prior to even the first guest entering this amazing facility, Wintrust Arena already has made a tangible impact on DePaul basketball recruits, fans, alumni, and the Chicago community. As the championship vision of Wintrust Arena has become a reality brick-bybrick, DePaul’s coaching staffs have used the Arena to cement the vision of Blue Demon basketball with many of the country’s top prospective student-athletes. The arena has not only allowed DePaul to open doors to top prospects it has helped the Blue Demons build its future with commitments from top level prospective student-athletes.
Wintrust Arena - Link Recruiting - Link DePaul vs. Illinois - Link
With the pending opening men’s basketball game on November 11 on the horizon, Wintrust Arena has quickly made an impact on season ticket holders. In late May, DePaul season ticket holders became Blue Demon Loyalty Point members to have first access to seating in Wintrust Arena.
Wintrust Arena - Link
Even as Wintrust Arena was still a skeleton of what it will become, it already made an impact on Chicago as events like the NCAA Regionals for women’s basketball and the BIG EAST women’s basketball tournament have already committed to hosting their events in this new facility. Each of these stories has been well chronicled in the local media creating a significant buzz for Blue Demon basketball. Articles and television reports from virtually every outlet have been shared, liked and tweeted across the country via social media.
Wintrust Arena - Link
Wintrust Arena - Link
Recruiting - Link
Wintrust Arena - Link
Check out Wintrust Arena’s 3D Seating - Click HERE
Wintrust Arena - Link
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DePaul University by the Numbers • Largest Catholic University in the United States - 23,100 students • Feature students from 50 states and 114 countries • 175,000 alumni worldwide in 55 countries • 100,000 alumni in Chicago area
Chicago by the Numbers
• More than 2,000 faculty & academic staff
• 9.8 million people in Chicagoland
• Nearly 700 operational and support personnel
• Third Largest Metro Area in US
• 130 Undergraduate majors and 175 graduate programs
• Third Largest Media Market in US
• 98% of courses are taught by professors
• 32 Fortune 500 Companies
• Students utilize Chicago for thousands of internships annually
• 40 Million Annual Visitors
• Students complete 3,400+ service-learning courses • More than 90 percent of 2016 graduates were employed or were continuing their education with six months of graduation
BIG EAST Basketball by the Numbers • Entering its fifth year in its current 10 institution format
McCormick Square by the Numbers
• Reaches more than 20 million households via Fox Sports
McCormick Place
• Conference boasts five teams in top 8 media markets
• Hosted more than 150 events in
• All BIG EAST Men’s basketball regular season games are broadcast on Fox, FS1, FS2 or FOX Regional Networks • BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Tournament is the longest-running postseason basketball conference tourney held in the same venue • FOX Sport platforms carry complete coverage of women’s basketball regular season and BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament • Three teams have won NCAA Men’s Basketball Champions • Seven institutions have made it to the Final Four Championships
2015 generating nearly $1 billion in direct economic impact to Illinois • Total employment is nearly 15,000 jobs Wintrust Arena • Projected Annual Attendance 400,000 • Projected Annual Events 60-70 • Led to addition of Marriott Marquis (1,205 rooms) & Hilton (466 rooms)
Max Strus - 6’6” 217 lbs Guard (Hickory Hills, Ill.)
NABC Division II All-American in 2016 Transfer from Lewis University where he averaged 20.2 points Strus is a transfer from Lewis University and is coming off a season that saw him earn NABC Division II All-American honors after averaging 20.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Over his two seasons at Lewis, Strus scored more than 1,000 points including a school-record 666 points during his sophomore year. Strus broke the Lewis single-game scoring record and tied the GLVC scoring record with a 52-point outburst against Northwood that included a 12-for-14 performance from three-point range, guiding Strus to USBWA National Player of the Week honors.
Austin Grandstaff - 6’4” 182 lbs Guard (Rowlett, Texas)
A consensus four-star recruit in 2015, who scored 2,200 points Grandstaff started his collegiate career at Ohio State before transferring to Oklahoma. He appeared in 10 games and averaged 4.4 points per game for the Buckeyes before leaving Columbus at the conclusion of the first academic semester. Ranked among the top 60 players in the class of 2015, Grandstaff scored over 2,200 career points at Rockwall High School. He claimed the Texas Class 6A scoring title as a senior after averaging 29.0 points per game to go along with 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per outing. During his junior season, Grandstaff averaged 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
Justin Roberts - 6’0” 165 lbs Guard (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Four-star Recruit - Selected to Indiana Junior All-Star Team Roberts finished his prep career at Findlay Prep. Prior to Findlay Prep, Roberts starred at Pike High School in Indianapolis where he averaged 16.8 points, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game as a junior. Rated as a four-star recruit by Scout.com and ESPN.com, he was selected to the Indiana Junior All-Star team and was a second team selection to the All-Central Indiana Super Team. Roberts played for Spiece Indy Heat on the AAU circuit and averaged 11.9 points and 3.2 assists per game during play in the EYBL.
Jaylen Butz - 6’9” 220 lbs Forward (Ft. Wayne, Ind.)
Three-Star Recruit, averaged 15.5 points and 11.4 rebounds Butz attended North Side High School in Fort Wayne and took his team to the State Championship final in a senior year in which he was named to the Indiana Senior All-star team. The 6-9 forward was also a member of the Indiana Junior All-Star team a year ago after averaging 15.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Butz also played for Spiece Indy Heat and averaged 7.8 points and 5.4 rebounds on the EYBL circuit. Ranked as a three-star recruit by Scout.com and 247Sports, he averaged 9.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots per game during his sophomore season at North Side.
Paul Reed - 6’9” 210 lbs Forward(Apopka, Fla.)
Earned Central Florida Player of the Year Honors from Orlando Sentinel Reed starred at Wekiva High School as a senior leading the Mustangs to a state runner-up finish in Florida’s Class 9A. He averaged 18.2 points and 11.4 rebounds per game while earning Central Florida Player of the Year honors from the Orlando Sentinel. In the state semifinal win over South Miami, Reed totaled 28 points, 13 rebounds and three assists and followed that with 18 points, three boards and two assists against Kissimmee Osceola in the state championship game.
Marin Maric - 6’11” 250 lbs Forward (Split, Croatia)
Fifth-Year Graduate Transfer from NIU - Earned Third-Team All-MAC Marin was named to the All-MAC Third Team in 2016-17 and ranked 18th in the MAC in scoring, averaging 14.4 points per game … Also ranked fourth in the MAC in rebounding at 8.4 boards per contest ... Averaged 14.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in league play … One of three Huskies to start all 32 games … Shot 66.7 percent (112-of-168) from the free-throw line … Recorded 25 assists, 23 steals and 17 blocks … Averaged 28.5 minutes per game.
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Max Strus - Video Click Here “He’s got great size and athleticism for a wing and can score the ball in a variety of ways. Studying him on film, we feel like he has a chance to become one of the elite shooters in the BIG EAST Conference.” Austin Grandstaff - Video Click Here “Austin is a highly-skilled guard with great positional size. Throughout his prep career, both in high school and on the AAU circuit, Austin demonstrated an exceptional ability to score the basketball, Many people know him for his shooting prowess, and he is an excellent shooter who has range that extends well beyond the three-point line.” Justin Roberts - Video Click Here “Justin is a quick, tough play-making point guard who can both score the ball and make his teammates better. He has the ball on a string and plays with great pace. He is a very good pull-up jump shooter and crafty finisher around the basket.” Jaylen Butz - Video Click Here “Jaylen is an athletic and mobile big man with a developing skill set. He is a very good finisher around the basket and rebounds the ball out of his area,” said. For someone standing 6-9, his ability to run the floor and move his feet is extremely rare. We think his agility will allow him to become a versatile defender for us.” Paul Reed - Video Click Here “Paul brings a versatile skill set to our roster for next season and he really improved during his outstanding senior season. He finished his high school career as one of the top players in the state of Florida while leading his team to the state finals.” Marin Maric - Video Click Here “Marin is a great addition to the program on multiple levels. His size and skill level speak for themselves as I think he will be at the top of the BIG EAST in terms of post players.”
Rebekah Dahlman - 5’9” Guard (Braham, Minn.)
Fifth-Year Graduate Transfer from Vanderbilt Two-Time Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year - Five Star as Prep Rebekah is a fifth year graduate transfer from Vanderbilt. She finished the season, averaging six points while shooting nearly 45 percent from threepoint range and converting 90 percent of her free throws (45-50). In high school, the Braham standout became the first player in Minnesota history to score 5,000 career points and was the 2013 Minnesota Miss Basketball and a two- time Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year. She led Braham to the state title as a sophomore and to the title game as a senior. She was honored as the AP Minnesota Player of the year averaging 35.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists her senior year. ESPN HoopGurlz ranked Dahlman the No. 16 player overall in the 2013 national recruiting class, and the five-star recruit was rated the No. 4 guard in the country.
Dee Bekelja - 5’8” Guard (Solon, Ohio)
2017 Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year Averaged 19.8 points The senior guard led the Comets to a 23-2 record and a berth in the Division I state Round of 16. Bekelja averaged 19.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 58.3 percent form inside the arc through 25 games. A First Team All-State selection, she had scored more than 1,700 points in her prep career. AsGatorade Ohio Girls Basketball Player of the Year Bekelja was recognized not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court. She was named First-Team All Ohio, Division I, first-team Northeast Ohio all-region and first-team All Star by Cleveland.com.
Jolene Daninger - 5’7” Guard (Andover, Minn.)
Finalist for 2016-17 Miss Minnesota Basketball averaged 19 points Daninger led her Husky team to the 7AAAA Section Championship and a berth in the MSHSL Elite Eight. Daninger, who averaged 19.4 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Daninger capped off her senior year on the track where she qualified for the Minnesota State Finals in the 4x400m relay. She holds Andover records for most points in a single season (490), single-game for points (32) and 3-point field goals (7) and career marks for 3-point field goals (161), assists (219). Daninger earned highest honor roll honors in each of the last four years and the AP Scholar-Athlete Award, as well as Academic All-State.
Rachel McLimore - 5’11” Guard (Zionsville, Ind.)
McDonald’s All-America Nominee who scored more than 2,000 points After three seasons at Covenant Christian, the senior averaged 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game at Zionsville. The All-State guard helped lead her team to 25-2 mark before falling to eventual champion in the regional. Her dominant senior year earned her a McDonald’s All-America nomination, as well as a spot on the 2017 Girls Basketball IndyStar Indiana All-Star Team. McLimore led all scorers in the All-Star win with 14 points. She earned Indiana Senior and Junior All-State team honors. McLimore was selected as IBCA/Subway Supreme 15 underclass first-team All-State, All-USA Central Indiana Super Team, ICGSA first-team All-State and first-team All-State Hoosier Basketball Magazine.
Vinisha Sherrod - 5’10” Guard (Bourbonnais, Ill.)
Compiled 1,107 points in three seasons at Bradley-Bourbonnais Sherrod scored 1,107 points in three years at Bradley-Bourbonnais. As one of the area’s top rebounding guards, she accumulated 348 career rebounds. Her on-court vision and distribution made Sherrod into a prolific passer as she dished out 256 career assists. Sherrod led the 2017 squad with 14.7 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals per game. Sherrod’s team ranked as high as No. 9 in the AP Class 4A Poll and she helped lead the BBCHS to their deepest postseason run in program history. Two-time Daily Journal All-Area and All-Conference selection led team to a schoolbest 27-3 record and advanced to the sectional semi-final in 2017.
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DePaul Women’s Basketball Class of 2017-18 “We are very excited about our 2017 recruiting class! Five tough, different quality guards who will join our 2017-18 DePaul Program and – you can never have too many guards.” “All Five of our 2017 signees are high-character people with old school values. What excites me most about this class is that all five players value the work and preparation that goes into getting better. All five student-athletes are the kind of players who have helped to make DePaul Women’s Basketball successful through the years.” “Once again my outstanding staff deserve the credit for signing this special class.” Rebekah Dahlman - Video Click Here Feature Story Link Click Here “Bekah brings great collegiate experience. After an injury plagued career at Vanderbilt, Bekah is ready poised and ready to have a breakout senior season.” Dee Bekelja - Video Click Here “Dee Bekelja is a junk yard dog competitor and a jack of all trades who just flat out knows how to win.” Jolene Daninger “Jolene Daninger is surgical in her game management and can drill the deep water three.” Rachel McLimore - Video Click Here “Rachel McLimore has a special nose for the net and can really score the ball.” Vinisha Sherrod - Video Click Here Feature Story Link Click Here “Vinisha Sherrod brings great quickness. She can shoot the three; break you off the bounce; and has a solid intermediate game.”
Profiles of Commitment - Fundraising Nears 80%
Due to the generosity of DePaul Athletic donors, the private philanthropy goal of $20 million for Wintrust Arena is within reach. With a flurry of year-end commitments and the impact of the Blue Demon Loyalty points, DePaul athletics is within $4.2 million of reaching the private philanthropy goal of the Wintrust Arena proforma. More than 40 Blue Demons have made commitments of more than $25,000, including four commitments of more than $1 million. Each of the donors have their own story to support the Championship Vision of Wintrust Arena.
$1,000,000 - Men’s or Women’s Locker Room Leave a lasting legacy by naming one of the locker rooms within Wintrust Arena. The locker room will be the centerpoint of DePaul’s basketball center. Imagine the inspirational speeches, the half time adjustments and the post game celebrations!
$500,000 - Weight Room Men’s or Women’s Locker Room
Your name will be synonymous with hard work and dedication when you name the weight room within Wintrust Arena. The weight room will be used by both the DePaul men’s and women’s teams and by teams playing in high school championships or other events.
$250,000 - Team Meeting Room
Blue Demons will watch film and prepare for their upcoming opponents in the team meeting room. The shared space will benefit both men’s and women’s basketball and will contain cutting-edge technology to allow the coaches to communicate effectively to get the best out of their student-athletes. Weight Room
$250,000 - Wintrust Arena Tunnel
Naming one of the tunnels on the ground floor of Wintrust Arena will give you a high-visibility naming opportunity to celebrate your connection with Blue Demon basketball.
$200,000 - Men’s or Women’s Team Lounge
The team lounge will be a place for the Blue Demons to relax and build team spirit and camaraderie. Team Meeting Room
$50,000 - A Men’s & Women’s Locker
Naming a locker in both the men’s and women’s locker room will give you a chance to be personally connected to a men’s and women’s basketball player year after year. Giving Guidelines - All gifts can be made through pledges over 5 years. - Gifts can be made through stocks or securities. - Naming opportunities will be named for the life of Wintrust Arena - Gifts are 100% tax deductible,
Men’s or Women’s Team Lounge
If you have additional questions, please contact Thad Dohrn at 773-325-1456 or by email at tdohrn@depaul.edu
FOUNDING LEVEL SPONSORSHIPS
$250,000 Annually for 10 Years All can be named with a philanthropic gift of $3,500,000
Wintrust Arena Foyer
Wintrust Arena Foyer
As guests enter Wintrust Arena, they will be blown away by the nearly six -story foyer which welcomes them. The foyer is the showcase of Wintrust Arena, serving as the gathering space for guests as they enter the building and meet friends prior to moving to their seats. The Foyer will provide branding space, as well as potential space for product placement.
Club Section Lounge
Name the exclusive Club Section Lounge and your company’s brand will grace the walls of the breath-taking premium seating area which dominates the West side of the arena. Build relationships between your brand and the premium-level guests who have exclusive access to the lounge.
Courtside Lounge Club Section Lounge
The Courtside Lounge will provide pre-game and half-time access to exclusive donors of Blue Demon Athletics. The Courtside Lounge entrance will be highly-visible within the Wintrust Arena Foyer and will give your brand the opportunity to be top of mind with DePaul’s most generous donors and alumni.
ADDITIONAL SPONSORSHIPS ELEMENTS $25,000
Option #1
$50,000
Option #2
Premium Club Season Tickets Men’s and Women’s Full Page, Four Color, 8.5” x 11”Game Day Program Ad One (1) In-Arena Partnership Acknowledgement Paired with Jumbotron Centerboard
Courtside Lounge
One (1) :30 Radio Broadcast Advertisement per game Premium Club Season Tickets Men’s and Women’s Full Page, Four Color, 8.5” x 11”Game Day Program Ads One (1) In-Arena Partnership Acknowledgement Paired with Jumbotron Centerboard
$100,000 Option #3
Wintrust Arena Scorer’s Table & Ribbon Board Messaging Paired with Jumbotron Centerboard Premium Club Season Tickets One (1) :30 Radio Broadcast Advertisement Men’s and Women’s Full Page, Four Color, 8.5” x 11”Game Day Program Ad One (1) In-Arena Partnership Acknowledgement Paired with Jumbotron Centerboard
Wintrust Arena Sponsorship Options