DePaul University Athletics
Senior VP and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy Named "Top Athletic Directors in America"
6/1/2026 12:13:00 PM | ATHLETICS
CHICAGO – DePaul University Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy has been named one of the Top Athletic Directors in America by SilverWaves Media, as announced Monday morning.
SilverWaves Media released their 2026 list on June 1. Those included in the list are considered to be among the top Athletic Directors in America, leading the way through exceptional leadership, vision and dedication to elevating the student-athlete experience. Whether overseeing established athletic departments or building programs from the ground up, the individuals highlighted play a critical role in shaping the culture, success and future of athletics within their schools and communities. Through innovation, integrity and a commitment to excellence, they continue to set the standard for athletic leadership while creating lasting opportunities for the next generation of athletes.
Peevy, who has been at the helm of the DePaul Athletics department since August 2020, signed a contract extension earlier this year in which he was elevated to Senior Vice President. Peevy has guided DePaul Athletics through one of the most transformative periods in the department's history. Since arriving in Lincoln Park, Peevy has led record-setting fundraising and revenue growth, advanced major capital investments, elevated the student-athlete experience, engaged thoughtfully in DePaul's shared governance process and recruited top coaching talent. His leadership has positioned DePaul Athletics for sustained success in the BIG EAST Conference while modernizing the department to compete nationally and serve as a compelling front porch to the university, strengthening DePaul's national visibility and supporting enrollment growth.
Under Peevy's leadership, DePaul Athletics conducted a comprehensive review of its student-athlete development programming to modernize educational and career preparation opportunities and better align with the evolving needs of today's student-athletes. Academically, DePaul student-athletes have achieved unprecedented success with a program-record 3.607 grade-point average in 2024-25. The student-athlete experience and well-being have continued to be at the forefront of the Blue Demons athletic department, guided by the introduction of mandatory mental health screenings for all student-athletes in partnership with DePaul's Center for Counseling and Wellness, a dedicated sports dietitian, and an effort to modernize the department's electronic medical records system and sports performance data systems to enhance coordinated care.
DePaul has seen significant growth in revenue generation, ticket sales and philanthropic support under Peevy's guidance. The department's reimagined philanthropic arm, the DePaul Athletics Fund, generated a department-record $8.8 million in fiscal year 2025 from over 2,500 donors. Additionally, DePaul saw an increase in revenue for every ticketed sport during the 2025-26 seasons for the third consecutive year. The Blue Demons brand continues to grow into a national name through a series of strategic partnerships and marquee events, including the NASCAR Chicago Street Race.
Peevy has led one of the most significant periods of capital investment in DePaul Athletics' history with the first phase of renovations to the Sullivan Athletics Center in 2024, and the planned construction of a new dedicated basketball practice facility, scheduled to begin in Summer 2026. The facility will be fully funded by the Athletics Department through donor and corporate giving.
Peevy brought more than 28 years of collegiate athletics experience to DePaul, including leadership roles at the University of Kentucky, the Southeastern Conference and the Gulf South Conference. He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Montevallo and his Executive MBA through the University of Kentucky/University of Louisville program. Peevy and his wife, Allison, have two children, Kaitlyn and Braden.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Athletics, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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 1920's. Legendary coach Ray Meyer helped put DePaul on the map in the 1970's 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.
SilverWaves Media released their 2026 list on June 1. Those included in the list are considered to be among the top Athletic Directors in America, leading the way through exceptional leadership, vision and dedication to elevating the student-athlete experience. Whether overseeing established athletic departments or building programs from the ground up, the individuals highlighted play a critical role in shaping the culture, success and future of athletics within their schools and communities. Through innovation, integrity and a commitment to excellence, they continue to set the standard for athletic leadership while creating lasting opportunities for the next generation of athletes.
Peevy, who has been at the helm of the DePaul Athletics department since August 2020, signed a contract extension earlier this year in which he was elevated to Senior Vice President. Peevy has guided DePaul Athletics through one of the most transformative periods in the department's history. Since arriving in Lincoln Park, Peevy has led record-setting fundraising and revenue growth, advanced major capital investments, elevated the student-athlete experience, engaged thoughtfully in DePaul's shared governance process and recruited top coaching talent. His leadership has positioned DePaul Athletics for sustained success in the BIG EAST Conference while modernizing the department to compete nationally and serve as a compelling front porch to the university, strengthening DePaul's national visibility and supporting enrollment growth.
Under Peevy's leadership, DePaul Athletics conducted a comprehensive review of its student-athlete development programming to modernize educational and career preparation opportunities and better align with the evolving needs of today's student-athletes. Academically, DePaul student-athletes have achieved unprecedented success with a program-record 3.607 grade-point average in 2024-25. The student-athlete experience and well-being have continued to be at the forefront of the Blue Demons athletic department, guided by the introduction of mandatory mental health screenings for all student-athletes in partnership with DePaul's Center for Counseling and Wellness, a dedicated sports dietitian, and an effort to modernize the department's electronic medical records system and sports performance data systems to enhance coordinated care.
DePaul has seen significant growth in revenue generation, ticket sales and philanthropic support under Peevy's guidance. The department's reimagined philanthropic arm, the DePaul Athletics Fund, generated a department-record $8.8 million in fiscal year 2025 from over 2,500 donors. Additionally, DePaul saw an increase in revenue for every ticketed sport during the 2025-26 seasons for the third consecutive year. The Blue Demons brand continues to grow into a national name through a series of strategic partnerships and marquee events, including the NASCAR Chicago Street Race.
Peevy has led one of the most significant periods of capital investment in DePaul Athletics' history with the first phase of renovations to the Sullivan Athletics Center in 2024, and the planned construction of a new dedicated basketball practice facility, scheduled to begin in Summer 2026. The facility will be fully funded by the Athletics Department through donor and corporate giving.
Peevy brought more than 28 years of collegiate athletics experience to DePaul, including leadership roles at the University of Kentucky, the Southeastern Conference and the Gulf South Conference. He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Montevallo and his Executive MBA through the University of Kentucky/University of Louisville program. Peevy and his wife, Allison, have two children, Kaitlyn and Braden.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Athletics, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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 1920's. Legendary coach Ray Meyer helped put DePaul on the map in the 1970's 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.
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