CHICAGO – DePaul Athletics announced the retirement of three jerseys, to be honored throughout 2023-24, Thursday afternoon. The Blue Demons will retire the jerseys of three Chicagoland natives – Terry Cummings, Dave Dopek and Diana Vines.
DePaul will honor each of the three individually at selected games or events this winter, to be announced at a later date.
“I’m eager to honor these three individuals for their storied careers and extraordinary contributions to DePaul,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics, DeWayne Peevy. “As one of the highest honors within the athletics department, this recognition is deservedly earned by Terry, Dave, and Diana as all-time greats for DePaul.”
The jersey retirement comes as a new honor for DePaul Athletics, following the revised Hall of Fame process in 2022. Any member of the Hall of Fame is eligible for their jersey to be retired as long as they are 15 years removed from the end of their eligibility. Jersey retirements will be considered annually by the Hall of Fame committee and individuals must receive nine or more votes (from a 12-person committee). Each Hall of Fame member can vote for up to four people annually and the total number of jerseys retired must not exceed four annually, collectively across all sports.
Mark Aguirre’s #24 and George Mikan’s #99 remain the only retired numbers in program history. Athletes who are recognized NCAA National Player of the Year will automatically earn jersey and number retirement. Outside of this instance, specific numbers are not retired.
TERRY CUMMINGS
DePaul men’s basketball, 1979-82
Cummings impact at DePaul was felt immediately as he teamed up with Aguirre, Skip Dillard, Teddy Grubbs, Clyde Bradshaw and Bernard Randolph to help DePaul start out 25-0 in his freshman season. The Blue Demons spent much of the season ranked No. 1 and finished the season with a 26-2 record.
After finishing the 1980-81 season with a 27-2 record, Cummings earned consensus All-America honors his junior season where he helped DePaul to a 21-game winning streak and finished the season 26-2. Individually, Cummings averaged 22.3 points and 11.9 rebounds per game.
In his three seasons at DePaul, Cummings contributed 1,398 points, 857 total rebounds, 144 assists and 112 blocks. His 857 career rebounds remain among the career top-10 marks in program history. One of Cummings most memorable games came in the 1981-82 season in DePaul’s 75-68 victory against Louisville. Cummings scored a career-high 37 points while grabbing 19 rebounds.
Cummings was drafted second overall in the 1982 NBA Draft, the second-highest DePaul draft pick, behind only Aguirre. He went on to an 18-year career in the NBA which included being named 1983 NBA Rookie of the Year and three All-NBA honors. He scored a total of 19,460 career points, 8,630 career rebounds and 1,255 career steals during his professional career.
Cummings was inducted into DePaul Athletics’ Hall of Fame in 2004.
DAVE DOPEK
DePaul Track & Field, 1991-95
Dopek holds the distinct honor of being DePaul’s first ever national champion, doing so in the 200m at the 1995 NCAA Indoor Championships. His accolades go much deeper as he won seven individual Great Midwest Conference Championships and was the 1995 Great Midwest Conference Outstanding Outdoor Athlete. He also earned DePaul’s MVP in indoor track three times and was a two-time member of the Great Midwest Conference All-Academic team.
He still holds three school records in the indoor 200m, indoor 400m and outdoor 200m.
On the international stage, Dopek was a member of the title-winning 4×100-meter relay team at the 1995 United States Olympic Festival. Dopek’s experienced success continued on the international level when he took home gold at the World University Games in Fukuoka, Japan as a part of the 4×100-meter relay team and a silver in the 200-meters. In 1996, he competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials before claiming gold medals in the 4×100 and 4×400-meter relays at the 1997 World University Games.
On the international stage, Dopek was a member of the title-winning 4×100-meter relay team at the 1995 United States Olympic Festival. Dopek’s experienced success continued on the international level when he took home gold at the World University Games in Fukuoka, Japan as a part of the 4×100-meter relay team and a silver in the 200-meters. In 1996, he competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials before claiming gold medals in the 4×100 and 4×400-meter relays at the 1997 World University Games.
Dopek is currently in his 11th season as the DePaul head coach for track & field and cross country. He previously served and the DePaul head track & field coach for one season. He has helped continue the legacy of the Blue Demon program with 25 NCAA Qualifiers, seven All-Americans, two BIG EAST Team Championships and over 100 BIG EAST Conference Champions.
Dopek was inducted into the DePaul Athletics’ Hall of Fame in 2010.
DIANA VINES
DePaul women’s basketball, 1985-89
Vines’ accomplishments still speak for themself nearly 40 years later. She remains the schools’ all-time leading scorer, men and women, and holds numerous other school records. Among them include the school career free throws made, career steals and ranks second in career rebounds.
During Vines’ sophomore season she earned seven single-game program records while also ranking 17th nationally in scoring and 15th in rebounds. The 1986-87 DePaul women’s basketball team tied the school record for most wins in a season (23) and won the first conference championship in program history.
Vines concluded her career as a two-time All-American and became the second player in program history to score 1,700 points and collect over 900 rebounds. She was a two-time North Star Conference Player of the Year as well as the 1988 WNIT Most Valuable Player as DePaul won the WNIT. She played under current DePaul Hall of Fame coach, Doug Bruno, in his first season in 1988-89.
Vines was inducted into DePaul Athletics’ Hall of Fame in 2005.
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 through athletics. Visit DePaulBlueDemons.com to learn more.