March 12, 2013
Dear University Community,
This morning DePaul University, along with the six basketball-focused
institutions in the BIG EAST Conference voted unanimously to separate
from the conference. DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, Seton
Hall, St. John's and Villanova are setting a foundation to continue the
elite level of success upon which the BIG EAST conference was founded.
The seven presidents and athletics directors are committed to the
highest level of success academically and athletically by our
student-athletes and coaches. This premier athletics conference starts
on July 1 as the BIG EAST* and will feature institutions with similar
commitments that will enable each program to flourish as we all move
forward in the future.
DePaul's tradition of success coincides with the six other institutions
with our men's basketball program making 22 NCAA Tournament appearances.
At nearly 1,400 victories and 23 20-win seasons, DePaul also has
produced 19 All-Americans in men's basketball. Our women's basketball
program is looking for its 11th straight NCAA Tournament appearance this
season, while head coach Doug Bruno is coming off a gold medal-winning
performance at the 2012 London Olympics.
Academically, among our many accomplishments, DePaul student-athletes
are among the best in the country. DePaul led the BIG EAST with five
teams earning the Team Academic Award while 150 student-athletes were
named to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team. The men's golf program claimed
the nation's top team GPA for the third straight year, and the women's
basketball team GPA was ranked third nationally.
This is an exciting time to be a member of the University community. Our
future alignment will allow our alumni and friends to gather in some of
the nation's greatest cities to build upon our vibrant community and
cheer the Blue Demons to victory.
Details about the expected broadcast media deal, season-ending
tournament and additional members of the new conference will be
announced in the near future. The upcoming media deal will allow our
students, alumni, fans and friends to follow DePaul as they compete
against the top programs in the country.
We look forward to this next chapter in DePaul athletics history. Thank
you for the many ways that you support DePaul. Wishing you and yours a
joyous spring.
Go DePaul !
Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, C.M., Jean Lenti Ponsetto
President Director of Athletics
Email from the Office of the Secretary, DePaul University
* The Catholic 7, who announced their intention to leave the Big East next season, will actually be
the Big East next season, bringing the name, the brand and the
postseason tournament held in Madison Square Garden as they break off
from the football-playing schools.
Source: NBC Sports - CollegeBasketballTalk, online, March 12, 2013.
Byrne Hall
The Academy building was turned over to DePaul University, and renamed Byrne Hall. Bygone DePaul | Special Collections & Archives
I wonder why they leave this great conference? Not sure with their reasons but whatever it is, it really gives problem to the conference.
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