Cummins' Legacy Lives On Deep in Their Hearts

CHICAGO – It won't be easy for Joe Owerko, Carmen Maugeri and Koray Yesilli to keep their emotions in check Saturday at Wish Field.

They will gather along with other men's soccer alumni at halftime of the Blue Demons' match against Seton Hall for a special Alumni Day tribute to former teammate, close friend and DePaul benefactor Jack Cummins who passed away last February.

Owerko will dwell on all the good times in Lincoln Park and long after their college days when the two became business associates and the best of buddies. He choked up when trying to describe what Cummins meant to him.

A little smile will blend in with the watery eyes as Maugeri remembers the distinctive Cummins smirk each time the mischievous midfielder had successfully pulled off another prank.

Yesilli will reflect in wonderment at his incredible good fortune to be mentored and nurtured by the highly successful entrepreneur and attorney who founded the law firm Cummins & Associates Ltd. in Chicago which developed intellectual property-driven companies in sports, entertainment, social media and IT.

Cummins meant so much to so many people, perhaps because at his core, he was a generous and fun-loving Blue Demon with a razor-sharp business acumen and a knack for making all the right moves.

Just as a midfielder is the central link between the back line and the forwards on the pitch, Cummins was quite masterful at generating a seamless coalescing for a mutual benefit.

"He was magnetic, and he would find one person, find out their interests and connect them to a person that might have a couple of those interests," said Maugeri, principal and creative director of the Mauge Inc. advertising agency. "And that's just the way he negotiated and navigated through his own little universe. He was constantly connecting people.

"Jack wore many coats for me. He was my corporate lawyer, a coach to my kid, a counselor to my wife and he was a good friend. And he was my drinking partner."

Maugeri still shakes his head each time he recounts a favorite prank Cummins would pull off.

"We only played once together, and that was at an alumni game," Maugeri began. "We had a good time, but he tortured me during that game. His passes were an inch or two longer than they should've been, but I had to try and see if I could get them.

"By halftime, I kind of figured out he was doing it on purpose. That is absolutely the kind of thing Jack would do. Deviant, demonic would be what I would say.

"One time, I thought I had one of his passes, but I just missed it. I turned around ready to just rip into Jack that he couldn't pass a good ball and I saw that deviant little smile on his face. The little smirk that he had played me, and everyone just started laughing. That's so Jack."

It was Cummins who brought Maugeri and Yesilli together in his typical devilish fashion. Maugeri was impressed with Yesilli's performance at a soccer match his senior year and asked for an introduction.

Cummins introduced Maugeri like this: "Koray, meet Carmen who can't stop talking about you."

Yesilli began working for Cummins as an intern in 2015 while pursuing his second Master's degree. That led to Cummins helping secure a position for Yesilli with Taris Real Estate. When Maugeri's company wanted to sell some property, Cummins hooked up Mauge Inc. with Taris.

"Koray and I have been working with each other ever since," Maugeri said.

Yesilli grew close to Cummins while he worked for the former co-chair of the Athletic Advisory Council whose generosity helped create the first endowed scholarship for men's soccer and who was instrumental in the fundraising for the Sullivan-McGrath Campaign. It was a bond that only strengthened after he moved on.

"We would probably talk almost every day," Yesilli said. "We would see each other multiple times during the week, whether it was for professional or private reasons. He meant a lot to me. He started to be a mentor to me, then he became my boss and then my friend. So he was all in one. Losing him was very tough.

"Working for Jack helped me a lot in my personal and professional involvement. As a young kid coming out of college, you think you know the world. You become maybe arrogant at times, and it was unbelievably helpful to have someone like Jack, who knew exactly what to twist to make you better. Get you to think how you can make yourself better.

"Without him, professionally, I would not be here. The things he taught me and showed me, including how to act, are invaluable."

Owerko played with Cummins at DePaul and also on the Wings soccer club in the Metropolitan Soccer League in the college offseason. It was a close-knit group of DePaul student-athletes that included Branko Pantovic, Jimmy Nannini, Hovannes Kasparian and goalkeeper Danny Labovic whose son Sasa is a junior defender on the current Blue Demon team.

"From the day he joined our soccer team at DePaul, Jack made an impression," said Owerko who is tied for first in career goals and is second in career points. "He endeared himself to me and I'm sure to everybody else with his passion, intellect and energy for the game. I remember his drive and physical play. If he didn't get the ball, he got the guy.

"Many games become a blur. But I'll tell you, if Jack was here today, he would recall pretty much every play, date, place, the weather and who was in the stands. That's the kind of person he was. His brain was unbelievable.

"He was always challenging for the referees because DePaul was his No. 1 passion. I'll never forget the days when the referee would actually turn around and address him saying: 'You sir, be careful, I'm watching you.' Jack would turn around and say, 'I'm watching you.'"

Cummins was always looking for ways to share his prosperity and success with his alma mater. In 2016, he spearheaded the Blue Demon Challenge by offering to donate $25,000 to university fundraising efforts if 450 people gave money to DePaul in one day.

On Jan. 28, 672 members of the university community including alumni, staff and students responded to his challenge with contributions.

"Not only was he into sports and soccer in particular, he was also an entrepreneur," Owerko said. "He was my business associate, and I leaned on his expertise. He handled some matters for me very expeditiously and we were very happy with the outcome.

"We always kept in touch on either the social, sports scene or the business level. This is exactly why it's hard to believe that 33 years had gone by, yet, we were still dear friends."

The Cummins influence extended into the next generation as he became a mentor to Owerko's son. His guidance and expertise resulted in the younger Owerko launching a flourishing career with the MLS' Colorado Rapids.

"He is very happy there and fondly remembers the days he spent with Jack," said a proud father.

While Maugeri fondly recalls the deviant smile and that little smirk when mischief was afoot, Owerko will remember what made Jack Cummins so special.

"He was the warm and fuzzy friend, buddy, business partner and travel buddy that you always want to be around," Owerko said. "He was always there, a true friend. A friend that I'll miss dearly.

"I'm sure many of us could say the same, but I just hope we never forget his name. He's with us all the time."

DePaul University Athletics

Cummins' Legacy Lives On Deep in Their Hearts

Related Videos