Annandale High School senior Hannah Purcell has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball for DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.
DePaul is a NCAA Division I school and the Blue Demons compete in the Big East Conference.
Purcell signed the letter of intent on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Annandale High School.
Purcell one of four
Purcell, 18, was one of four recruits signed last Wednesday to join DePaul’s very successful women’s basketball program.
The Blue Demons have a winning tradition that has led the program to 16 consecutive NCAA tournaments. The team has also won five straight Big East regular season titles and three conference tournament championships in five years.
Doug Bruno is DePaul’s Head Coach and is heading into his 33rd season as a head coach at his alma mater.
"Here at DePaul we get very excited about a player that says yes to us," Bruno said. "This year’s class is no exception. These are the kinds of quality recruits that have helped us attain so much success and winning down through the years."
"Hannah is a recruit who is slightly under the radar and another stretch player that can also post up," Bruno said. "She has the ability to get to the rim and can also face up and make three-pointers."
About Purcell
Purcell moved to Annandale from New Germany when she was 8 years old.
"My family moved to Annandale because that is my dad’s hometown," Purcell said.
Purcell lives in Annandale with her parents Chip and Michelle. Sshe also has three brothers Logan, 16, Caleb, 13, and Colton, 10, plus a sister Alysen, 8.
"My grandpa (Bob) Purcell played basketball at Annandale High School, as did my dad," Purcell said. "Both of them had a lot of success and created a tradition of basketball in the Purcell family.
Purcell started playing basketball in the third grade, doing traveling tournaments.
"I’ve been around basketball my whole life, Purcell said. "My dad was a coach at Mound-Westonka when I was born and was a coach at a college until we moved to Annandale.
"I was constantly in the gym with my dad or on road-trips to watch games with my mom and the team."
Dad an inspiration
Michelle and Chip, Purcell’s parents, both played basketball in high school.
"Both of them have coached me at some point in time, but my dad more than my mom," Purcell said.
Purcell considers her dad to be the most influential coach she has had.
"His love, passion, and knowledge of the game have made me the player I am today," Purcell said. "He has taught me everything I know about this sport and I’m incredibly blessed to have him as my dad."
Team and community
"Annandale basketball is something special," Purcell said. "The support that our basketball programs get from the community is truly incredible.
"It creates a fun atmosphere to play in that you can’t get anywhere else.
"Over my years of high school basketball, I have made some of my best friends and memories both on and off the court."
Upcoming season
"We put in some hard work this summer getting ready for the 2018-19 high school season," Purcell said. "I hope it pays off.
"We have a great group of girls this year that have put a lot of hours into basketball.
"We have a very deep bench and the potential to be a dangerous team this year."
Coach Dreier
Purcell has been a starter for the Cardinal girls basketball team since the eighth grade. Coached by Amy Gagnon, the team earned a berth at the state tournament that year.
For the past three seasons Purcell has been coached by Matt Dreier.
"Hannah is an exceptional basketball player that is skilled in every facet of the game," Dreier said. "However, what I will remember about her as a player has nothing to do with how many points she scores or any accolade she achieves.
"Hannah is a leader that everyone looks up to. She leads by example and is a great teammate.
"Her work ethic, attention to detail and her personality make her very coachable and will guarantee success in her future both on and off the court.
"DePaul is lucky to be getting Hannah as part of their program, and I know she won’t disappoint."
Cross country
Purcell used to play volleyball in the fall and was great at it, but for the past two years has competed with the Annandale Cross Country team.
"I am very happy with my decision to do that, cross country gets me in shape and more conditioned and ready for the basketball season," Purcell said.
Purcell also really liked the athletes and coaches on the Annandale cross country team
"There’s nothing like the Annandale cross country team," Purcell said. "I made new friendships and got so much encouragement and support in not only running but everything else too.
"I’m so happy to have been able to be a part of that team and it helped me in so many ways."
Hannah does not have any set plans on a major or a career yet.
"I do know I want to major in business," Purcell said. "DePaul has a great business school and many business connections in the city of Chicago. "Another reason I chose to go there."
About DePaul
DePaul is a private Catholic university in Chicago, Illinois. In 1998, it became the largest Catholic university by enrollment in the United States.
The school’s enrollment is around 16,000 undergraduate and about 7,600 graduate students, making DePaul the 13th largest private university by enrollment in the United States.
The Big East
Depaul plays in the Big East Conference and is made up of the following NCAA Division I teams: Butler, St. John’s, Villanova, Seton Hall, Georgetown, Marquette, Xavier, DePaul, Creighton and Providence.
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