Dear Blue Demon Family,
A few weeks ago, I shared several departmental accomplishments with the university community. Today, I’d like to expand on an exciting milestone—a historic fundraising year for DePaul Athletics. This has truly been a remarkable year in so many areas, and our fundraising success stands as a testament to the passion, generosity, and unwavering support of our fans, alumni, donors, and corporate partners. Their contributions continue to shape the future of DePaul Athletics and empower our student-athletes to thrive. Our success fosters institutional success through increased local and national visibility, exposure, and coverage, benefiting the entire DePaul community.
DePaul Athletics raised
more than $7 million during the 2024-25 academic year through over 2,900 individual gifts, representing a 140% increase in giving from the previous year. This year’s success was fueled by 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.
We are excited to now turn our focus to the forthcoming Basketball Practice Facility project—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, nutrition, and recovery spaces designed to benefit all 215+ DePaul student-athletes and create new opportunities for cross-campus partnerships in health, wellness, and student development. Construction is tentatively slated 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 a strong 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 also 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. The DePaul Athletics Fund serves as the fundraising arm of the DePaul Athletics Department, working in coordination with the University Division of Advancement & External Relations.
This progress is not siloed, it is shared. The visibility, energy, and momentum generated by Athletics extends far beyond competition. Athletics enhances DePaul’s brand nationally, drives alumni engagement, increases philanthropic interest across colleges and programs, and contributes to enrollment and school spirit. These outcomes elevate the entire university. We are proud of the role we play in advancing DePaul’s mission—championing access, opportunity, and holistic student development. We look forward to continuing to Dream Big—not just for our student-athletes, but for the entire Blue Demon family.
Go Blue Demons!
DeWayne Peevy
Vice President & Director of Athletics
DePaul University