CHICAGO – Committed to raising the national prominence of the DePaul brand and enhancing external outreach within the Chicago community, DePaul Vice President and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy announced today that alumnus and basketball standout Mark Aguirre is partnering with DePaul Athletics as the Special Assistant to the Athletic Director, effectively immediately. 

Aguirre led DePaul to the Final Four as a freshman in 1979. Over the course of three seasons, he became a leading scorer for the Blue Demons. Aguirre was selected No. 1 in the 1981 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks and went on to a 14-year NBA career. He was later inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016, the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2013, and the DePaul Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996. 

"It's such an honor to partner and work alongside such a distinguished alumnus as Mark," said Vice President and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy. "As we have gotten to know each other over the past few years, it's been apparent we are aligned in our vision for DePaul University, and specifically the athletics department. I look forward to working more closely with Mark to develop a championship experience in Lincoln Park for our athletes, and jointly pursue community and donor engagement initiatives that allow us to achieve our strategic goals." 

In his new role, Aguirre will cultivate partnerships with key stakeholders, community partners, and DePaul supporters, in addition to providing strategic counsel to the Vice President and Director of Athletics with a goal of advancing DePaul Athletics' mission, vision, and goals.  

Aguirre, a Chicago native, played at DePaul from 1978-81 where his list of accomplishments cemented himself among the program's best. Aguirre was a two-time consensus All-American on his way to being named the 1980 National Player of the Year. He helped catapult DePaul to the national spotlight on their way to the 1979 Final Four. Aguirre averaged 24.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game during his three seasons at DePaul before being selected first overall in the 1981 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. Aguirre was also selected for the 1980 U.S. Olympic basketball team.  

In a 13-year NBA career, Aguirre was a two-time NBA Champion in 1989 and 1990 with the Detroit Pistons. He earned three NBA All-Star nods and scored 18,458 career points in the league. Aguirre remains one of only two DePaul players to have their number retired, in addition to George Mikan.  

Aguirre's legacy lives on in the world of college basketball as he was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and the DePaul Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996.