The status quo in DePaul athletics will remain for another five years.
The school announced during its basketball tip-off luncheon Tuesday that Athletic Director Jean Lenti Ponsetto’s contract will be extended through 2017. Her contract expired at the end of the last school year, but talks between Ponsetto and DePaul President Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, C.M. began in February, and the AD signed immediately, according to Ponsetto.
“It feels really good,” said Ponsetto, who’s been in the position since 2002. “I got a lot of support at DePaul – Father Dennis has been great administratively since we’ve gone to the Big East, he’s really helped us come up with the funding that we’ve needed for our programs to become competitive in the Big her.”
Fr. Holtschneider loves what Ponsetto means to the school.
“Jean Lenti-Ponsetto is among the most respected ADs in the U.S.,” he said in an email. “The NCAA, Big East and other athletic conferences turn to her constantly for advice and counsel. ESPN, CBS and other networks also turn to her to understand developments in collegiate tenure.”
While Cleveland Melvin and Brandon Young are quality players, DePaul has landed only one ESPN Top-100 recruit in Purnell’s tenure – class of 2013’s Billy Garrett, Jr. His father, Billy Garrett, Sr., is an assistant coach under Purnell.
Ponsetto and the school have been criticized for not promoting DePaul athletics strongly enough. The source with knowledge of DePaul athletics took issue with the low turnout to men’s basketball games, the lack of Blue Demons merchandise around the city, and even the gameday entertainment.
“Look at the halftime shows during the game,” the source said. “Five year olds dancing to Irish music? People being wrapped like burritos? Come on now. That is problem.”
It all comes back to the men’s basketball team, where building a strong program is of utmost importance. Ponsetto recognized the basketball program’s struggles and said, “We’re building blocks with men’s basketball – we think this is going to be a big turnaround year with coach Purnell and his that.”