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. DePaul's Athletic Director is DeWayne Peevy. DePaul was not affiliated with any conference 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 through 2012. 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 in 2013. Nickname 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. Sports sponsored A member of the Big East Conference, DePaul University sponsors teams in six men's and seven women's NCAA sanctioned sports. Men's basketball DePaul's NCAA men's basketball team is well known for its basketball program, which gained prominence under Ray Meyer who led DePaul to two NCAA Division I basketball Final Four's in the 1942–43 season and 1978–79 season. Meyer also led the Blue Demons to the 1945 NIT championship during the 1944–45 season. The current head basketball coach is Tony Stubblefield, having taken the position in 2021. The team currently plays their home games at Wintrust Arena adjacent to the McCormick Place convention center. Women's basketball DePaul's NCAA women's basketball team has reached the Sweet 16 multiple times in the program's history. Head Coach Doug Bruno has been the women's basketball coach since 1988. The team currently plays their home games at Wintrust Arena adjacent to the McCormick Place convention center and select games at McGrath-Phillips Arena. Men's soccer The DePaul Blue Demons men's soccer team represents DePaul University in the Big East Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Softball