Blue Demon Room
Welcome to the Blue Demon Room, the official podcast of DePaul Athletics! Our host, Kacy Standohar, will be sitting down with our own student-athletes, coaches and alumni to hear their stories, learn what keeps them going and get to know who they are on and off the field of play. We look forward to featuring our DePaul Athletics team working behind the scenes to dive deeper into what goes into running a Division I program in the city of Chicago. Episodes will air every other Wednesday so be sure to follow along with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and DePaulBlueDemons.com.
Episodes
Kicking off the first episode of the New Year, DePaul track & field thrower Jaiden Gary joins the Blue Demon Room to give an inside look at the sport of throwing.
Now in his second season with the Blue Demons and coming off a freshman year that earned him Co–Male Freshman of the Year at The Billy's, Jaiden explains how he introduces his sport to newcomers, why staying calm is critical in an event that lasts just 12 seconds, and how...
In this episode, we sit down with head women's tennis coach Marisa Arce, a leader known for building more than just competitive teams, she's built a true family. Coach Arce shares how intentional culture, daily habits, and personal connection shape her program, and how those values show up in the way her teams train, travel, and support one another.
We revisit he...
DePaul men's golf head coach Ryan Jamison sits down for an in-depth conversation about the experiences that shaped him, from his early years as a caddie to the lessons that continue to guide his coaching today. He discusses the importance of the mental game, how he builds a sustainable team culture, and why long-term development matters as much as immediate results. Jamison also reflects on vulnerability, growth, and his vision for...
Coach Chris Holtmann is back in the Blue Demon Room for season two. He dives into finding balance between the grind of the season and life away from the court, the importance of practicing gratitude, and the meaningful steps forward DePaul took in 2024-25. Holtmann also gives an early look at the 2025-26 outlook, with a little Taylor Swift talk sprinkled in.
Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePa...
In this special duo episode, Kacy and Jenna open up about their paths, from where they grew up to how they broke into the sports and media industry. They share the highs, the setbacks, and the lessons learned along the way, reflecting on how their friendship and mutual support have fueled their growth. Tune in for a candid conversation about ambition, resilience, and the power of having someone in your corner.
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On this episode of The Blue Demon Room, DePaul men's basketball alum Bobby Simmons shares his story of perseverance, pride, and purpose. Simmons reflects on growing up on Chicago's South Side, his rise through Simeon High School, and joining a nationally ranked recruiting class that helped shape DePaul Basketball in the late '90s. He takes us behind the scenes of his NBA Draf...
From the English countryside to the heart of Chicago, DePaul senior Ryan Thomas has made the most of every step in his soccer journey. In this episode, Ryan reflects on his transition from junior college to Division I, how he's seen the Blue Demons program grow during his time at DePaul, and the team's continued hunger for more and more success. Off the field, he shares how cooking helps him stay ...
In this episode, we sit down with Mohamed Abdullahi, a runner, content creator, and storyteller whose journey is deeply rooted in faith, family, and resilience. Mohamed opens up about his upbringing in Chicago, the values instilled in him by his family, and how his faith has served as a guiding compass throughout his life. From formative travels to Kenya and back to the U.S., to discovering his passion for running, Mohamed shares h...
Heading into her final season as a Blue Demon, women's soccer senior midfielder Nahla Dominguez sat down with Kacy and Jenna to discuss her transition to DePaul, finding her love for the sport again and lessons learned from one of her greatest mentors, Coach Alex. Dominguez also shares on her step-by-step gameday routine as well as her career aspirations postgrad.
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Coming off a U23 Gold Medal with USA Volleyball, DePaul head coach Marie Zidek sits down with Kacy and Jenna to kick off season two of the Blue Demon room. The Chicago native speaks of her journey to leadership at the highest level, intentionality behind program building and previews the season ahead.
Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik To...
Wrapping up season one of Blue Demon Room, we welcome Rachel Krasowski (Volleyball), Schuyler Riese (Women's Soccer), Kash Allen (Track and Field), and Ryder Henares (Golf) to the show to reflect on their athletics journey with DePaul just before graduation.
Thank you for your support of the inaugrual season of the Blue Demon Room. Stay tuned for season two coming in August of 2025.
As always...
On this episode of the Blue Demon Room, we are joined by DePaul Men's Basketball forward, NJ Benson! Benson tells us about his familial bond with his team, how he dealt with his first big injury this year, and what led him to come to DePaul and play BIG EAST basketball! He also shares what inspired him to study psychology and how important of a role his family has played in his academic and athletic journey.
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On this episode of the Blue Demon Room, we are joined by DePaul cheer co-captains Gwen Halik and Jamya Whitman. The two four-year members share their journey of growing up together, finding their love for the sport and choosing to compete collegiately in Chicago. Through many shared experiences, the two seniors detail what's next after a lifelong commitment to cheerleading.
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On this episode of the Blue Demon Room, we are joined by DePaul Men's Tennis seniors and two-time BIG EAST Champions, Jona Gitschel and Matteo Iaquinto! Jona and Matteo reflect on their last four years with the program, sharing how they've grown and matured on and off the court. We discuss their recruitment coming from Germany and Spain to now, as well as their hopes for after graduation.
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On this episode of the Blue Demon Room, we welcome new Women's Basketball head coach, Jill Pizzotti! Join us to learn what went on behind the scenes this past season with Pizzotti serving as interim head coach, and now, how she is embracing her new role of head coach! We cover her years as Manager of Women's College Basketball at Nike and how she has learned and been inspired by the work of other coac...
On this episode, we welcome three-time All-American track athlete, Darius Brown! We begin with recapping Brown's most recent outing at the 2025 NCAA Indoor National Championships and continue our conversation ranging from Brown's special bond with his teammates, his middle and high school track career, and connecting with Grant Holloway at the Olympic Qualifiers last year. Finally, we wrap up with questions from fans and teammates...
To celebrate National Athletic Training month, we spend this episode highlighting our partnership with RUSH Physical Therapy. Noreen Vlamakis, the National Director of Sports Partnerships at Rush Physical Therapy, and Rachel Wilhelm, athletic trainer for DePaul through Rush Physical Therapy tell us how their experiences as students shaped their love for helping student-athletes. Rachel shares a behind-the-scenes look ...
For the first episode of our Women's History Month series, we welcome Millie Shemluck, one of DePaul's first female athletes! Millie has given so much to the university through her playing and coaching career, vouching for women's sports and paving the way for DePaul athletes to come. She speaks on how her lessons learned as an athlete launched her into a successful real estate career.
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On this episode of the Blue Demon Room Podcast we welcome men's basketball assistant coach and general manager LaVall Jordan. LaVall recounts his playing days which led him to a career in coaching, his journey to DePaul and the importance of participating in sports at a young age.
Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, an...
On this episode, we welcome DePaul Softball's Baylee Cosgrove and Bella Nigey! Leading up to their season, we discuss what that preparation has been like, especially with the addition of new coach Liz Bouck-Jagielski and Christina Sutcliffe. We also touch on how they found softball and ended up playing in college, the growth of softball as a sport, and what that homefield advantage is like underneath the L!
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