DePaul University Athletics
Taylor Stapleton Named to Silver Waves Media Top 100 Future ADs
5/26/2026 8:44:00 AM | ATHLETICS, DEVELOPING & EQUIPPING FUTURE LEADERS
CHICAGO – DePaul Athletics Associate Vice President and Deputy Athletics Director Taylor Stapleton has been named to Silver Waves Media Top 100 Rising ADs list, as announced Tuesday morning.
The list recognizes 100 top collegiate administrators who are the top rising and future Athletic Directors. Through vision, leadership, innovation and a commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for athletes and families, these individuals are making a lasting impact in their communities and beyond. From established organizations to emerging programs, this recognition highlights those helping define the future of athletics and setting the standard for what comes next.
Stapleton was elevated to his current role as Associate VP and Deputy Athletics Director in 2025, before joining DePaul's Joint Council in 2026. Stapleton leads the department's strategic and revenue-generating initiatives, overseeing a broad portfolio that includes business and financial operations, capital planning, ticketing and date strategy, technology and innovation, NIL strategy, merchandise and licensing, corporate partnerships and brand development.
Under Stapleton's leadership, DePaul Athletics has delivered transformational progress across several key areas. He helped revitalize the department's brand identity, including the return of the iconic Billy Blue Demon vintage logo, contributing to record merchandise sales and an 88 percent increase in royalties since 2021. He has also championed two major capital projects, while advancing facility upgrades throughout Lincoln Park facilities.
Stapleton has led a comprehensive modernization of DePaul Athletics' ticketing and revenue strategy through a data-forward approach that updated pricing, seating configurations and benefit structures to help produce record ticket sales and revenue across every ticketed sport. His direction has also helped spearhead a broad digital transformation, including a redesigned website, new mobile app, fully digital ticketing and expanded digital marketing and automation strategy.
Additionally, Stapleton serves as the Blue Demons men's and women's tennis sport administrator, a role he has held since arriving in Lincoln Park in 2022. Stapleton was appointed chair of the NCAA Men's Tennis Committee in June 2025 while also serving as a member of the BIG EAST Conference Tennis Advisory Committee.
Prior to DePaul, Stapleton worked in strategic partnerships with Healthcare Business Media and spent nearly eight years with the University of Kentucky Athletics Department where he helped lead ticketing strategy, analytics, pricing, digital marketing and venue reseating initiatives for Kroger Field and Rupp Arena. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Athletic Ticket Sales & Operations (NAATSO).
