DePaul Men’s basketball alum George Poulos (‘66-68) will be recognized for his lifetime of service to Wells Park and the Chicago Park District with a ceremonial naming of a stretch of West Sunnyside near Wells Park. The celebration will be held on November 7 at 11:30 a.m. at Sunnyside and Oakley Ave. in Chicago. Coffee and cake will be served immediately following in Welles Park.
That evening, a reception will be held from 5- 10 p.m. at La Villa Restaurant & Pizzeria at 3632 N Pulaski Rd. For more information, please call John Giordano at 1-773-415-4203 or John Moran at 1-773-418-1575. Tickets are $25 which includes appetizers, beer, wine, soda, and coffee.
Poulos was at home in Lincoln Park, playing basketball for both DePaul University and DePaul Academy. George played high school ball at DePaul Academy, actually playing lights and heavyweights, for Coach Bill Gleason. Poulos then attended DePaul University where he lettered from 1965-68 under Basketball and DePaul Hall of Famer Ray Meyer. The team combined for a 48-28 mark, including a 1966 NIT berth.
After graduating from DePaul, he married Michelle Turone and George started out teaching, but soon switched to working at Wells Park until he retired from the Chicago Park District in 1998. While at Wells, he started many innovative programs and was commonly known as real student advocate, especially the underprivileged. After retiring from the Park District, he was hired by DePaul graduates Principal John Butterfield and Assistant Principal Betty Martinez, to be the Director of Guidance at Mather High School.
If you have photos to share or what to make a video testimonial to George, please email giptribunephotos@gmail.com.
