DePaul University

CHICAGO - From a rummage sale to an attempt at a world record, a range of activities are scheduled this week as DePaul looks forward to the start of the 2009-10 basketball season. Highlighting the events is Friday night's Blue Madness at McGrath Arena to usher in the start of basketball practice.

Blue Madness opens the start of practice at 8 p.m. on Friday night. The doors open to McGrath Arena at 7:30 p.m. and the annual event features a three-point contest, slam dunk contest and a tribute to Michael Jackson. One lucky DePaul student will have the chance to win $10,000 in tuition in the TCF Bank "Beat the Clock" contest.

The DePaul Athletics Rummage Sale kicks off the week on Tuesday morning with new and game-used gear on sale in the McGrath Arena lobby. DePaul students and fans can get great deals on all kinds of gear including men's basketball jerseys from last season. The sale is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to Noon on Thursday.

The second annual Free Throw Marathon is set to run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at McGrath Arena on Thursday. A year ago at the inaugural marathon, over 18,000 free throws were shot to raise money to support DePaul Athletics Community Service Efforts. One example of DePaul's many community service efforts is the Field Trip Day for a women's basketball game that the athletics department provides a ticket, transportation and a t-shirt for 3,000 Chicagoland elementary students. The goal for this Thursday's Free Throw Marathon is 25,000 free throws. To sign up and participate in the Free Throw Marathon, click here.

DePaul athletics makes an attempt for a World Record on Thursday evening with the world's largest game of knockout. A year ago, the New York Knicks claimed the world record with 100 participants in a game of knockout. DePaul's goal for Thursday is 200 people for the attempt at the world record for knockout. To register online for knockout, click here.

On Saturday, the men's and women's basketball teams will hold an open practice at McGrath Arena. The first 300 fans will get lunch and a t-shirt at the sneak peek of the 2009-10 Blue Demon basketball squads. The open practice runs from 1-3 p.m. and fans can RSVP by clicking here.

Oct. 13-15 (Tue-Thur.) - DePaul Athletics Rummage Sale
- Purchase new and game-used DePaul gear at discounted prices
- Includes men's basketball jerseys from last season
- Open Tue. and Wed. from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Open Thur. from 9 a.m.-Noon
- Sale is located in the McGrath Arena lobby at the corner of Sheffield and Belden

Oct. 15 (Thur.) - Free Throw Marathon - 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
- The second annual Free Throw Marathon helps raise money to support DePaul Athletics Community Service Efforts

Oct. 15 (Thur.) - World Record Attempt - 6 p.m.
- Be a part of a world record-setting event for the world's largest game of knockout
- No experience is needed
- Limited to the first 200 registered competitors
- Call (773) 325-8604 for more information or click here to register

Oct. 16 (Fri.) - Blue Madness - 8 p.m.
- McGrath Arena
- Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for the annual basketball kick-off event
- Meet the men's and women's basketball teams
- Free Blue Madness t-shirt
- DePaul students can enter for a chance to win $10,000 in tuition in "Beat the Clock" game presented by TCF Bank. Students can enter at TCF Bank in the DePaul Student Center on the Lincoln Park Campus and the DePaul Center on the Loop Campus.

Oct. 17 (Sat.) - Basketball Open Practice - 1-3 p.m.
- Get a sneak peak at the 2009-10 men's and women's basketball teams
- First 300 fans get a t-shirt and lunch