University Will Keep Team Name, But Update Logo and Mascot for New Era

What do the DePaul University Blue Demons and Mark Twain have in common? Reports of their demise were both greatly exaggerated.

In the month since the Rev. John P. Minogue, C.M., DePaul’s president, announced that he was considering changing the name and image of the university’s athletic teams, logo and mascot, there has been a tremendous outpouring of support for the Blue Demons moniker.

"It was important for me at our 100^th anniversary to test how current students saw the university’s image," Minogue said in announcing his decision to keep the Blue Demons team name. "I asked for input and it was clear that both current students and alumni of several generations found common ground in the Blue Demons." Minogue made the announcement before 2,500 DePaul students, alumni, employees and friends gathered at the university’s Centennial Convocation held Saturday night at McCormick Place South.

The results of various on-line polls, coupled with responses sent to numerous university departments, ran anywhere from 4 to 1 to 8 to 1 in favor of keeping the Blue Demons name. Updating the visual representations of DePaul’s logo and mascot for the new millennium earned more support, and the university is interviewing marketing firms to help in that endeavor.

"DePaul has transformed itself from humble beginnings into a truly exceptional university," Minogue said. "I wanted all 16 of our athletic teams to carry the message of DePaul’s new era around the country with them, particularly men’s basketball, which will be on national TV at least seven times this season."

Athletics have always played a prominent role in reinforcing DePaul’s national reputation, which is especially important for a university whose name does not include a city or state. James R. Doyle, vice president for student affairs, will lead the initiative to update the logo and mascot. "We are talking to several firms with extensive experience in designing logos and creating well-conceived identities for professional sports teams."

Minogue and Doyle thanked all those who took time to call, write, e-mail or vote. "It was heartening to hear the passion with which people spoke," said Doyle. "Fans took ownership of the Blue Demons and said it was their team. We are in an enviable position."

Minogue considered the concern raised about a demon representing a Catholic university. Some people indicated that they were uncomfortable with the Blue Demons for that reason, but the vast majority, led by Mayor Daley, felt the name was apropos.

"Most people understood and accepted the evolution of the Demons from the days when DePaul athletes were called D-men, and ascribed no negative symbolism to the team," Doyle said.

"I’m glad students rallied around the Blue Demon," said Joe Skariah, president of the Student Government Association. "It was a tradition to hold on to beyond academics."

Minogue concurred. "One of the greatest thing a university can do is pass on traditions," he said.

News of the possible name change had reached Washington, D.C., and Daniel Goldin, administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, weighed in with NASA’s best idea for a new name when he gave his keynote address in Lincoln Park Sunday at the dedication ceremony for DePaul’s new science building. NASA’s recommendation: the DePaul Supersymmetric 11-dimensional Cosmologists.