DePaul Purchasing Riverfront Property

[karavotsos]

According to Ken Pomeroy on Twitter the rise of DePaul has already begun:

"Good news DePaul fans.  Your chances of winning the Big East tournament are 178 times better than they were last season."

[MUFC9295]

Having a legitimate, strong, 3-way rivalry between Marquette, DePaul, and Notre Dame benefits all three programs.  It creates more ticket sales, better television ratings, and more interest from prospective students.

And for the people who worry it might draw recruits away from Marquette, I will say what Buzz would be too modest to say: Bring it on.

Unless DePaul can get a Crean/Wild marketing team to build interest in the University, the Arena will be an expensive garage.  There is a large commuter population that just isn't that interested in the hoops team.  And their grad students generally pull for their undergrad alma mater.  Winning, however, could really turn things in their favor. 

[Marqevans]

Having a legitimate, strong, 3-way rivalry between Marquette, DePaul, and Notre Dame benefits all three programs.  It creates more ticket sales, better television ratings, and more interest from prospective students.

And for the people who worry it might draw recruits away from Marquette, I will say what Buzz would be too modest to say: Bring it on.

Agree 100%.  Having DePaul playing competetive basketball will make the Big East even more attractive to recruits and wake up the "sleeping Marquette alumni" when they see DePaul getting a lot of positive press in Chicago.  If the Big East falls a part due to football, the three schools would be a good start for an all basketball conference.

[Avenue Commons]

Unless DePaul can get a Crean/Wild marketing team to build interest in the University, the Arena will be an expensive garage.  There is a large commuter population that just isn't that interested in the hoops team.  And their grad students generally pull for their undergrad alma mater.  Winning, however, could really turn things in their favor. 

DePaul has massive pull in Chicago. A new, riverfront stadium built with the support of the city and beteeeen two hip areas full of bars and restaurants could not fail. No way.

[warriorchick]

DePaul has massive pull in Chicago. A new, riverfront stadium built with the support of the city and beteeeen two hip areas full of bars and restaurants could not fail. No way.

Not to mention that it would be a nice venue for concerts and other events that would find the United Center to be too large.  As a suburbanite, I would find the location just off the Kennedy to be quite attractive.

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

The view of Appleton driving North on the Oneida St. Bridge is phenomonal.

I'm not sure if this was supposed to be funny, but as someone who probably "drove North on the Oneida St. Bridge" 2,500x in his life, it made me laugh.

[GGGG]

4. DePaul is a sleeping giant. The program has had runs of excellence in the not-too-distant past, notably the Aguirre/Cummings years of the late 70s/early 80s and the Richardson/Simmons years of the late 90s/early 00s. So it obviously isn't impossible.

5. The Cubbie comparisons were meant to be funny, I'm sure, but they are apples and oranges. Much easier to recruit two or three prep hoops studs to play in Chicago, thereby getting a solid program going, than to build and maintain an entire big-league baseball organization. Even if Quentin Richardson did get paid more than many Cubs. (That's a joke, kids. No lawsuit please.)

Actually it wasn't meant to be funny.  I have heard that DePaul is a "sleeping giant" for going on 25 years now.  Not saying that they can't get back to something resembling respectability, but outside of a stretch from the late 70s to the early 80s, they have never really been a giant.  (Post-Mikan that is.)  Even the Richardson/Simmons era wasn't much of an era...they lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

[🏀]

Great property location, could be big for DePaul.

1.) So close to Metra stops, I would likely go to more than just DePaul v. Marquette.
2.) As mentioned before, a mid-sized arena that is practically downtown will be an asset for the city as well.

[MU82]

Actually it wasn't meant to be funny.  I have heard that DePaul is a "sleeping giant" for going on 25 years now.  Not saying that they can't get back to something resembling respectability, but outside of a stretch from the late 70s to the early 80s, they have never really been a giant.  (Post-Mikan that is.)  Even the Richardson/Simmons era wasn't much of an era...they lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

OK, "sleeping giant" is probably too strong. But obviously they have gotten good players in the past and could do so again. While Richardson, Simmons and Lance Williams were going to the NCAAs (but weren't having "much of an era") at DePaul, Marquette was going 14-15, 15-14 and 15-14.

DePaul ended up going down the tubes after that but Marquette -- thanks to a good coaching hire, a renewed commitment to basketball and Dwyane Wade (among others) -- soon became a very good program and remains that to this day.

Is the hypothesis, then, that while Marquette can achieve such a turnaround, DePaul, despite being in a world-class city that is home to incredible prep hoops talent, can't?

If DePaul hires a good coach (or Purnell proves to be such over time), commits serious resources to basketball (including a new near-campus arena) and recruits solid home-grown players, it can't become a good program?

[GGGG]

OK, "sleeping giant" is probably too strong. But obviously they have gotten good players in the past and could do so again. While Richardson, Simmons and Lance Williams were going to the NCAAs (but weren't having "much of an era") at DePaul, Marquette was going 14-15, 15-14 and 15-14.

DePaul ended up going down the tubes after that but Marquette -- thanks to a good coaching hire, a renewed commitment to basketball and Dwyane Wade (among others) -- soon became a very good program and remains that to this day.

Is the hypothesis, then, that while Marquette can achieve such a turnaround, DePaul, despite being in a world-class city that is home to incredible prep hoops talent, can't?

If DePaul hires a good coach (or Purnell proves to be such over time), commits serious resources to basketball (including a new near-campus arena) and recruits solid home-grown players, it can't become a good program?

Yes.  It can become a "good program."  I just think that the idea that it will return to the glory days of Aguirre and Cummings are a little far-fetched.

[MU82]

Fair enough. I don't want them to get TOO good, anyway!

[Marqevans]

Yes.  It can become a "good program."  I just think that the idea that it will return to the glory days of Aguirre and Cummings are a little far-fetched.

Depaul is the largest Catholic University in the country.  I think a better question is, can a smaller university in the city of Milwaukee return to the glory days of Al McGuire.

[GGGG]

Depaul is the largest Catholic University in the country.  I think a better question is, can a smaller university in the city of Milwaukee return to the glory days of Al McGuire.

No I don't think so.  Marquette was the second best program in college basketball in the 1970s.  I don't think that will ever be replicated.

The size of the school doesn't matter a bit...and in fact might be part of the problem.  Like UWM, many DePaul students commute and therefore don't have the connection to the school like MU students do.  The city does matter, and in fact might be the only thing DePaul has going for it, but as we have seen, it isn't that difficult for Chicago kids to come to Milwaukee.

[Avenue Commons]

The size of the school doesn't matter a bit...and in fact might be part of the problem.  Like UWM, many DePaul students commute and therefore don't have the connection to the school like MU students do.  The city does matter, and in fact might be the only thing DePaul has going for it, but as we have seen, it isn't that difficult for Chicago kids to come to Milwaukee.

I think that many of the posters here who do not live in Chicago underestimate DePaul's stature in Chicago and the investment of the alumni. Richard Driehaus, the investor, just gave $30 million and they've had other regular 8-figure donations. The ambivalence referenced is to Allstate Arena, not to DePaul and not to its basketball team. Allstate Arena was, is, and will be the problem. If that gets corrected EVERYTHING changes for DePaul.

Keep in mind that if there were NCAA "one and dones" in the late 90's then Kevin Garnett, Dorrell Wright and Eddy Curry would have suited up for the Blue Demons. Guys like that even for a year or two can change a program. Add to that NBAers Quentin Richardson, Bobby Simmons, Stephen Hunter, Paul McPherson, etc. and the "sleeping giant" idea is not hyperbole.

If DePaul can reverse the trend of CPS kids going out of state, then look out. A new, popular stadium can quickly do that.

[MUFC9295]

DePaul has massive pull in Chicago. A new, riverfront stadium built with the support of the city and beteeeen two hip areas full of bars and restaurants could not fail. No way.

Posted on: March 04, 2012, 08:45:10 PMPosted by: warriorchick
Not to mention that it would be a nice venue for concerts and other events that would find the United Center to be too large.  As a suburbanite, I would find the location just off the Kennedy to be quite attractive.

The city won't do squat.  This is an arena for a private institution.  City money pegged for universities is going to the Loop developments around Congress.  And then there is the UIC Pavillion which has a stranglehold on downtown events not fit for the UC (Allstate and Sears Centre take care of the burbs).  Finally, the Elston corridor will always be "between two hip areas."  Besides going to the Hideout and bypassing Kennedy traffic, no one ventures in that area.  

An arean is a great move for the DePaul teams - anything is better than Allstate.  But the value here is limited to interest in the sports teams which I don't think is there right now.  They already have an "AL" facility on campus.  What will this arena do the other 340 nights there are no games?  That's a lot of sell-outs to ask of a "sleeping giant."

[Benny B]

I heard from a strong source that DePaul is close to purchasing riverfront property from Morton Salt Co. The property is near Lincoln Park and the Clybourn Metra stop and the Kennedy. It is perfect for an on campus basketball facility. Near transportation hubs, river, Lincoln Park and Bucktown. A sleeping giant may be stirring from its slumber.

Those are the only details I have.

If this is in the works, I would be very happy for DePaul.  However, I'm going to go out on a limb here and speculate that this area is (or was once) a massive brownfield, and the remediation necessary to get a major project like an arena off the ground will probably take twice as long as it would to actually build a new arena.  Of course, those who drive North Ave probably won't even notice the whole new batch of construction at the interchange necessary to pull this off.

But my mouth is already watering at the prospect of stopping at Goose Island Shrimp Co. both before and after all future Marquette/DePaul games in Chicago.

[GGGG]

Have they ever considered playing at the United Center?  A lot closer...more "central" to Chicago...just a little bit larger....

[🏀]

Have they ever considered playing at the United Center?  A lot closer...more "central" to Chicago...just a little bit larger....

I would have to imagine the place would be a tomb. Also the scheduling conflicts would be a nightmare... Bulls, Hawks, Circus, DePaul.

[TallTitan34]

Have they ever considered playing at the United Center?  A lot closer...more "central" to Chicago...just a little bit larger....

That would still be a long commute from campus, and you'd lose the northwest suburb crowd if there is any.

[RJax55]

Have they ever considered playing at the United Center?  A lot closer...more "central" to Chicago...just a little bit larger....

They did, back in the Pat Kennedy era.  

I believe the current lease they have at the Allstate states that they can't play games at the UC.

As for op claim, I have some doubts about it. And, even if the property is purchased, breaking ground for an arena IMO is still very far off.

[MU82]

Agree with RJax about the likelihood (or lack thereof) of this happening. If it happens at all, it's not like it's gonna happen tomorrow.

Fun to speculate, because that's why sites like this exist, but a new DePaul arena is a big "we'll see."

[jsglow]

Have they ever considered playing at the United Center?  A lot closer...more "central" to Chicago...just a little bit larger....

As was mentioned, they played there in the past.  I remember attending a MU game there several years ago.  Scheduling conflicts, the enormous size of the UC (22,000?), and similar logistical problems related to distance from campus on top of any Allstate contractual obligations make this impractical.

[Avenue Commons]

The city won't do squat.  This is an arena for a private institution.  City money pegged for universities is going to the Loop developments around Congress.  

Let's just say I know people who know things. This is going to happen. This isn't a "might." Barring a complete break down in negotiations, this deal will go through.

Also, I may have it mixed up in my head and we're all talking about the same thing, but my understanding is the specific property of the Morton Salt Co. is where there is already a dome shaped building. I don't think it's that empty field where all the cabs are parked. But I'm not 100% clear on that. I'll find out.

[Blue Horseshoe]

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned that DePaul's AD Jean Lenti Ponsetto is pretty incompetent. As mentioned in last years article in Forbes, DePaul basically treats the men's basketball program like the red headed step child in the basement.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/sportsmoney/2011/03/09/louisville-syracuse-and-marquette-the-top-big-east-schools-in-mens-basketball-revenue/

As for the Elston location, anything is better than Rosemont. Running a shuttle service seems like a no brainer. If the weather is nice it is not a bad walk from campus, blue line, red line, North Ave & or Division buses. In short, not "perfect" but much improved.

[The Equalizer]

If its so darned important to have a strong Chicago presence in the Big East, why not just invite Loyola?  They could be just as much a sleeping giant as DePaul.

DePaul has a good conference, but needs a new on-campus facility--which could be years away.
Loyola has an on-campus facility, but needs a better conference, which could be fixed much faster.

--Like DePaul, Loyola is located in Chicago, and has a large body of influential local alums.
--Like DePaul, Loyola has struggled on court for years.
--Like DePaul, Loyola has a strong basketball history and is a former NCAA champion
--Similar to DePaul, is the 3rd largest Catholic University in the US (behind only DePaul & St. Johns)
--Per US News, Loyola is rated slightly better and has a larger endowment.

Because they already have an on-campus facility that could be used for at least some of their games, they may well have a faster path to relevance that DePaul--the only thing they lack is a quality confererence.  A Big East invitation could fix that.

You have to believe that the Big East would provide an immediate recruiting boost to Loyola, immedeately raise their stature, and enable them to hire a better coach.  Thus they might offer the league a much faster path to success than the 3 to 5 years it would take to get a new facility built for DePaul.

And the worst that could happen is that they match DePaul in terms of futility.