DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Athletics Sets Record Fundraising Marks
5/14/2025 12:00:00 PM | ATHLETICS, EXTERNAL OUTREACH
CHICAGO – As the academic year comes to a close, DePaul Athletics is celebrating a landmark achievement, wrapping up one of its most successful fundraising years in history. The department raised more than $7 million during the 2024-25 academic year, through over 2,900 individual gifts. This represents a nearly 140% increase compared to the previous year.
"This has been a truly remarkable year for DePaul Athletics," said Executive Associate Athletics Director/Assistant Vice President for Athletics Advancement Patrick Gray. "We are incredibly grateful to our fans, alumni, donors, and corporate partners who have contributed directly to the success of our department and the future of DePaul Athletics. This was a groundbreaking year for our athletic programs in many different areas, and we are proud to continue to be behind them and their investment in the student-athlete."
Behind this year's success was the continued momentum behind the Dream Big Campaign, a bold, multi-phase initiative aimed at revitalizing DePaul's athletic facilities and ensuring the Blue Demons remain competitive in today's college athletics landscape.
The first phase of the campaign was completed this past fall, culminating in the unveiling of a renovated McGrath-Phillips Arena and Sullivan Athletic Center. For the first time in program history, each varsity team has a dedicated locker room, alongside state-of-the-art upgrades to sports medicine and training facilities.
DePaul Athletics now turns its focus to the forthcoming Basketball Practice Facility—an exciting and essential next step in the department's ongoing investment in student-athlete success. The facility, which will serve both the men's and women's basketball programs, features dedicated practice courts and a full suite of wellness and recovery spaces designed to benefit all 215+ DePaul student-athletes. Construction is set to begin next summer, with the entire project made possible through capital gifts to the Dream Big Campaign.
Fueling this year's fundraising efforts was DePaul Athletics' standout performance during the Blue Demon Challenge, the university's annual 24-hour day of giving. The department raised over $1.3 million from 1,946 donors, reflecting the deep passion and unwavering commitment of the DePaul community.
The DePaul Athletics Fund additionally launched two new initiatives this year – the Fund for Basketball Excellence and the Doug Bruno Women's Basketball Fund. Both funds were established to enhance support for DePaul's basketball programs, providing vital resources necessary in today's rapidly evolving collegiate landscape.
DePaul Athletics Fund serves as the fundraising arm of the DePaul Athletics Department, working in coordination with the DePaul University Division of Advancement & External Relations. For more information on how to become a member of the DePaul Athletics Fund, please visit here.
ABOUT DEPAUL ATHLETICS
DePaul's 15 intercollegiate athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division I, BIG EAST Conference. DePaul University began sponsoring athletics teams in the early 1900's, with intercollegiate athletics coming to fruition in the 1920s. Legendary coach Ray Meyer helped put DePaul on the map in the 1970s as the men's basketball program helped elevate the university to national prominence. Through a bold new vision for the future, DePaul Athletics looks to become the premier program in the BIG EAST Conference through a focus on winning championships with integrity, building champion students through education and intentional development, and serving as a visible ambassador for DePaul University and the Chicago community. DePaul Athletics has a storied tradition and is uniquely positioned to support the university's mission and commitment to academic excellence, real world experience, community engagement, and systemic change. Further, the department is steadfast in its commitment to grow the university's national exposure and enrollment through athletics. Visit DePaulBlueDemons.com to learn more.
"This has been a truly remarkable year for DePaul Athletics," said Executive Associate Athletics Director/Assistant Vice President for Athletics Advancement Patrick Gray. "We are incredibly grateful to our fans, alumni, donors, and corporate partners who have contributed directly to the success of our department and the future of DePaul Athletics. This was a groundbreaking year for our athletic programs in many different areas, and we are proud to continue to be behind them and their investment in the student-athlete."
Behind this year's success was the continued momentum behind the Dream Big Campaign, a bold, multi-phase initiative aimed at revitalizing DePaul's athletic facilities and ensuring the Blue Demons remain competitive in today's college athletics landscape.
The first phase of the campaign was completed this past fall, culminating in the unveiling of a renovated McGrath-Phillips Arena and Sullivan Athletic Center. For the first time in program history, each varsity team has a dedicated locker room, alongside state-of-the-art upgrades to sports medicine and training facilities.
DePaul Athletics now turns its focus to the forthcoming Basketball Practice Facility—an exciting and essential next step in the department's ongoing investment in student-athlete success. The facility, which will serve both the men's and women's basketball programs, features dedicated practice courts and a full suite of wellness and recovery spaces designed to benefit all 215+ DePaul student-athletes. Construction is set to begin next summer, with the entire project made possible through capital gifts to the Dream Big Campaign.
Fueling this year's fundraising efforts was DePaul Athletics' standout performance during the Blue Demon Challenge, the university's annual 24-hour day of giving. The department raised over $1.3 million from 1,946 donors, reflecting the deep passion and unwavering commitment of the DePaul community.
The DePaul Athletics Fund additionally launched two new initiatives this year – the Fund for Basketball Excellence and the Doug Bruno Women's Basketball Fund. Both funds were established to enhance support for DePaul's basketball programs, providing vital resources necessary in today's rapidly evolving collegiate landscape.
DePaul Athletics Fund serves as the fundraising arm of the DePaul Athletics Department, working in coordination with the DePaul University Division of Advancement & External Relations. For more information on how to become a member of the DePaul Athletics Fund, please visit here.
ABOUT DEPAUL ATHLETICS
DePaul's 15 intercollegiate athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division I, BIG EAST Conference. DePaul University began sponsoring athletics teams in the early 1900's, with intercollegiate athletics coming to fruition in the 1920s. Legendary coach Ray Meyer helped put DePaul on the map in the 1970s as the men's basketball program helped elevate the university to national prominence. Through a bold new vision for the future, DePaul Athletics looks to become the premier program in the BIG EAST Conference through a focus on winning championships with integrity, building champion students through education and intentional development, and serving as a visible ambassador for DePaul University and the Chicago community. DePaul Athletics has a storied tradition and is uniquely positioned to support the university's mission and commitment to academic excellence, real world experience, community engagement, and systemic change. Further, the department is steadfast in its commitment to grow the university's national exposure and enrollment through athletics. Visit DePaulBlueDemons.com to learn more.
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