College Sports Information Directors of America

25-Year Award
Presented to College Sports Communicators members who have completed 25 years in the athletics communications profession. Vetted and voted on by the Special Awards Committee. 

DeWayne Peevy — DePaul University Vice President & Director of Athletics

DeWayne Peevy, an admired and respected leader in collegiate athletics, was named director of athletics at DePaul University on Aug. 24, 2020. A long-time CSC member throughout his career, including in his current role, Peevy leads the DePaul department after a 12-year stint at Kentucky that included the last seven years as the deputy director of athletics.

Peevy was added to the DePaul President's Cabinet and elevated to Vice President and Director of Athletics in July 2021. 

DePaul Athletics has made significant strides in advancing its strategic and corporate partnerships, national visibility and digital presence under Peevy's leadership. He initiated DePaul Athletics' brand modernization initiative, logo updates and the resurgence of the iconic Billy Blue Demon vintage logo. 

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Peevy's 23-year career in collegiate athletics began in media relations. He served as the sports information director for his alma mater, University of Montevallo in Alabama, for three years before becoming the media relations director for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Office. He also served on the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Final Four Media Coordination Committee through the 2013 NCAA Championship. He previously was the sports information director representative on the board of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

Peevy received his bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from the University of Montevallo and earned his master's degree at the University of Kentucky/University of Louisville Executive MBA program in May 2021. He and his wife, Allison, have two children: Kaitlyn and Braden.

Greg Sankey, Southeastern Conference Commissioner: "DeWayne Peevy made a positive impact on the Southeastern Conference during his time in the conference office and on campus. He first contributed to the conference during his eight years with the SEC media relations department, then further supported athletics — especially men's basketball — in his role at the University of Kentucky. DeWayne's adaptability and wide-ranging experience have played a key role in his evolution into a highly impactful athletics director. "

Tony Neely, University of Kentucky Associate AD, CSC Hall of Fame inductee (2025), CSC Arch Ward Award (2025), CSC 25-Year Award (2018): "DeWayne Peevy is undoubtedly among the best SIDs — perhaps the best — I have been associated with in my 47 years in this field. He is a role model for everyone in our profession, setting a standard of excellence in every role he takes. He has earned the trust and deals successfully with media, administrators, co-workers, coaches and student-athletes. He handles difficult situations and conflicts with wisdom; firmly, yet diplomatically. I also marvel at his abilities as an administrator, with the ability to manage numerous responsibilities effectively, doing it all with grace and good humor. He has a vision for the future while continually pushing for excellence in the present. It is also a pleasure to work for/with DeWayne, as he is a wise advisor and thoughtful of others."

Peevy on hitting the 25-year milestone and the significance of his career to date...
“I am truly honored to be recognized by College Sports Communicators for reaching 25 years in this industry. I recognize that my path was not a yellow brick road. My journey, from starting in media relations at both Montevallo and the Gulf South Conference to joining the SEC Office and eventually serving as Deputy Athletics Director at Kentucky, was unique. Now leading DePaul Athletics as Vice President/Director of Athletics has been deeply shaped by my roots in sports communication. The lessons I learned in this field have been invaluable in every step of my career, helping me grow as a leader and shaping the vision for the programs I’ve been fortunate to serve. CSC has played a pivotal role in elevating and advancing our profession, and I’m proud to be part of a community that understands the impact of storytelling and communication in college athletics. I’m grateful for the mentors, colleagues, and friends who have been part of this journey, and I thank CSC for this meaningful recognition. I look forward to continuing to pay it forward and supporting the next generation of leaders in our industry.”

Peevy's 1-2 professional development tips to share with younger folks in the profession...

1. Embrace Every Opportunity to Learn & Grow: Your career path may not always be a straight line, but every experience—big or small—can shape your future. Whether you're crafting a game recap, managing a media relations department, or sitting in high-level strategy meetings, approach each role with a growth mindset. Be proactive, ask questions, be a good teammate, and seek out mentors who can help guide you. The skills you develop early on, especially in communication and relationship-building, will be invaluable as you advance in your career.
2. Build Genuine Relationships & Stay Engaged: Success in this profession isn’t just about what you know—it’s about who you connect with and how you collaborate. Build genuine relationships with colleagues, media, coaches, and student-athletes. Stay engaged with industry organizations like CSC, stay adaptable to change, and never stop networking. The relationships you build today can open doors you never expected in the future. I continue to be amazed at how connections and relationships from very early in my career benefit me today as Vice President/Director of Athletics.