DePaul Blue Demons | |
---|---|
University | DePaul University |
Conference | Big East Conference, |
NCAA | Division I |
Athletic director | Jean Lenti Ponsetto |
Location | Chicago, Illinois |
Varsity teams | 6 men & 7 women |
Football stadium | Wish Field (soccer) |
Basketball arena | Allstate Arena (men's basketball) |
Other arenas | Sullivan Athletic Center (women's basketball) |
Mascot | DIBS |
Nickname | Blue Demons |
Fight song | "Blue Demons Fight Song" |
Colors | Royal Blue and Scarlet |
Website | www |
The DePaul Blue Demons are the athletic teams that represent DePaul University, located in Chicago, Illinois. The Blue Demons participate in NCAA Division I and are a member of the Big East Conference. They were not affiliated with any circuit until it helped establish the Great Midwest Conference in 1991. It subsequently became a charter member of Conference USA from 1995 until its move to the original Big East in 2005. DePaul and the other six Catholic, non-FBS schools announced on December 15, 2012 their separation to eventually form a new conference that would carry the Big East name.
The origin of the Blue Demons nickname dates back to 1907 when the university changed its name from St. Vincent's College to its current form. At the time, the athletic teams had red uniforms with a large "D" on the front. After an announcer referred to the players as the "D-men," the moniker stuck and eventually evolved into "Demons." The "blue" was part of an attempt to distinguish the university's players from those of its now-defunct high school DePaul Academy. The former wore red with a blue "D," while the latter adopted the reverse. The official athletic colors are scarlet and royal blue.
A member of the Big East Conference, DePaul University sponsors teams in seven men's and eight women's NCAA sanctioned sports.
The school is well known for its basketball program which gained prominence under Ray Meyer who led the team to the NCAA Division I basketball Final Four in the 1978–1979 season. The school's only national championship came in 1945 after winning the NIT tournament. The team has played at the Allstate Arena since 1980.