DePaul, Loyola ADs part of small ‘sorority’ in Division I

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Jean Lenti Ponsetto (above) and M. Grace Calhoun are among 31 female ADs in Division I. | Al Podgorski~Sun-Times

Updated: January 8, 2012 10:32AM

DePaul and Loyola share a history of great games and names, from Ray Meyer to George Ireland to Gene Sullivan.

The Catholic universities have begun a new chapter together, as well, some of which will be penned Wednesday at Loyola’s Gentile Arena, where the Blue Demons and Ramblers will meet.

Two women will be writing it.

DePaul athletic director Jean Lenti Ponsetto has been at the helm for 10 years, but she has been part of DePaul for 37 years as a student, basketball player, coach and administrator. Loyola athletic director M. Grace Calhoun arrived in February from Indiana, where she was an assistant AD overseeing all aspects of academic and student development.

They are among a small “sorority” of 31 women heading athletics at the nation’s 342 Division I schools, according to the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators. Twenty-six are at Division I schools without major football programs.

But their positions at two of the largest Catholic universities in the country — DePaul is the largest — put them in an even more elite place.

And only a few L stops apart.

“I’ve known Jeanie for 15 years, and I’ve admired her,” Calhoun said. “She was one of a few people I reached out to when I was looking at the job. Her perspective was so valuable. I respect her reputation so much and what she’s accomplished.

“But I appreciate how she knows friends are friends, but first and foremost is DePaul.”

That will be true on both sides of the court Wednesday night. Despite both teams’ struggles — Loyola is 1-6, DePaul 4-3 — the Ramblers are making the most of the storied city rivalry, including a pregame ceremony to raise their 1963 national championship banner in the remodeled arena.

It’s a reminder of the challenge Ponsetto and Calhoun share in restoring basketball success. But both already have shown they can make bold moves.

Calhoun’s first decision was to replace coach Jim Whitesell. Ponsetto released her coaching choice, Jerry Wainwright, two years ago. Both had time left on their contracts.

Yet there is a different tone to how the ADs run things. They use more of a guiding hand than a fist.

“I certainly had a background in the large public university, but I also was at St. Francis,” Calhoun said. “I do see a difference. The Jesuit philosophy of caring for the whole individual comes through.”

At Vincentian order DePaul, the same emphasis on students is the paramount reason Ponsetto has shunned job offers from other schools, the NCAA and the NBA.

“I always stayed because of what and who DePaul represents, our vision of empowering students to be prepared to go into the world and make a difference not only for themselves, but for the folks who aren’t as privileged.”

Ponsetto believes Chicago is another reason why she and Calhoun are where they are.

“Culturally and socially, Chicago is an accepting place,” she said. “I told Grace what I thought were the positives in Chicago and what helped [DePaul] help our situation.”

Their personal situations are like those of many professionals trying to balance high-profile careers with family.

Chicago native Ponsetto, for example, believed it was important that she live on campus. Ponsetto and husband Joe live steps from her office.

Calhoun is a wife and mother to three daughters — Alexandra, 9, Madeline, 7, and Eleanor, 3. Her husband, Jason, is a PGA golf pro.

“We’ve taken turns moving for each other’s career,” she said. “It’s probably not unlike what other couples do in balancing family life. But he’s probably fixing more ponytails than other dads.”

The Calhouns endured the most difficult of family situations only weeks before her hiring when their 6-month-old son died of a congenital heart condition after numerous surgeries. They continue to help raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House and the Riley Hospital for Children in Indiana.

But she said Loyola’s “family” way of life has helped as they move forward.

“I don’t feel awkward about bringing my family to functions,” she said. “Family is always part of the equation.”