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Origins of the D-men

Origins of the ‘D-men’

Location: 2nd row of pillars north of Belden closest to the A.C. building.

Installed:  Aug. 2017

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       Annually, the president’s office of DePaul University receives many letters asking how a Catholic institution can feature an image of devil as a mascot.  The answer is very innocent in its origins. The University had just changed its name from ‘St. Vincent’s College’ to ‘DePaul University’ in 1907.  At that time the students who made up the various athletic teams wore a large chenille ‘D’ monogram, on their teams sweaters.  At practically every event, people saw the men from DePaul and their ‘D’ letter sweaters, and remarked, ‘Hey, look at those D-men!’  Students liked the name, and kept it until the 1920’s when the student body officially changed it to ‘Demons’. â€‹

       The design of the pillar features many aspects that are little known today. DePaul had really good football and baseball programs.  Where did they play?  Right behind St. Vincent DePaul Church.  (There was no Student Center then.)

        In 1907 there had to be a distinction between the University and the high school program for boys known as DePaul Academy.  Both schools took as their colors, scarlet, and blue.  The university took the blue as their main color, and the Acadmey took scarlet.  So from 1907 on the DePaul university athletic teams were always known as the ‘BLUE’ D-men and eventually in the 1920’s…the Blue Demons.  

       This pillar features the likeness of Joe Wilhoit. Wilhoit was a stellar DePaul athlete in 1908 as an original Blue D-man.  He starred in four sports, that included football, baseball, basketball, and track.  When he graduated he went on to be the only DePaul alum to play major League Baseball.  He played for the Boston Braves, Pittsburg Pirates, New York Giants and Boston Red Sox from 1915-1919.  He played the outfield and batted .231 lifetime.  Wilhoit is remembered in the records of professional baseball for having the longest hitting streak. Yes, it was a minor league record, but hitting in 68 straight games is no small matter!  Joe Wilhoit passed away in Santa Barbara CA, in 1930. 

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