Sheffield and Belden: Inside DePaul Basketball

Episode 25: Loving the Game Again with Women's Soccer's Nahla Dominguez

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:13:00 +0000

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.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Tuesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 24: USA Gold, Culture Building and the 2025 season with head volleyball coach Marie Zidek

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 11:43:00 +0000

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 Tok. Don't forget, episodes are available every other Tuesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 23: Senior Series

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +0000

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, stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast and DePaul Athletics by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Episode 22: NJ Benson, Men's Basketball

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:24:00 +0000

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.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 21: Jamya Whitman & Gwen Halik, Cheer

Wed, 14 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

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 expeiences, the two seniors detail what's next after a lifelong commitment to cheerleading.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 20: Matteo Iaquinto & Jona Gitschel, Men's Tennis

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:52:00 +0000

Episode 19: Jill M. Pizzotti, Women's Basketball Head Coach

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 10:50:00 +0000

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 coaches and, of course, her players.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 18: Darius Brown, Men's Track

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 09:46:00 +0000

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 concerning everything from how he spends his free time to improving as a hurdler.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 17: Rachel Wilhelm and Noreen Vlamakis, Rush Physical Therapy

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 08:59:00 +0000

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 at her role, explaining what her typical day looks like in season while using a multitude of resources to keep DePaul’s Men’s Soccer and Golf teams healthy. We also discuss how these professionals handle the mental side of athletics and how an athlete’s identity is tied to sport. Noreen and Rachel also give insight into what these long yet rewarding hours look like for those interested in a career path in athletic training!

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 16: Millie Shemluck

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 05:00:00 +0000

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.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 15: LaVall Jordan, Men's Basketball

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:07:00 +0000

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, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 14: Bella Nigey & Baylee Cosgrove, Softball

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 07:30:00 +0000

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!

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 13.2: Missy Fraser & Karen Loiacono, 2024 Hall of Famers

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 12:31:00 +0000

In our second part of the Hall of Fame series, guest host Paul Pabst (The Dan Patrick Show) welcomes track and field athlete, Missy Fraser and Dr. Robert Hamilton Special Service Award recipient, Karen Loiacono!

Missy Fraser was a four time BIG EAST Champion and second team All-American in the Javelin throw. She explains to Pabst how track and field was her “accessory sport” and was more of a softball player before she got recruited to DePaul. She tells us of how it was to leave Canada for school and how she found an identity beyond being the red haired Canadian girl once everyone saw how far she could throw!

Karen Loiacono not only was a softball and basketball student-athlete at DePaul, but continued to work for Athletics for 35 years, being a constant source of spirit and enthusiasm. She tells us of the days playing basketball games at Alumni Hall and McGrath-Phillips Arena, sharing uniforms with the other DePaul women's teams and being coached by Doug Bruno early on in his career.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 13: Lindsay Chouinard & Allie Quigley, 2024 Hall of Famers

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 08:50:00 +0000

On this special episode of Blue Demon Room, special guest host Paul Pabst (The Dan Patrick Show) sits down with two of our 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees, Lindsay Chouinard Platt.

and Allie Quigley!

Chouinard Platt is not only one of the greatest softball pitchers in DePaul history, but also helped lead the team to the 2007 college world series as an associate head coach. She joins us to tell us about her journey to DePaul from Fresno, California and some of her most memorable moments on the pitch!

Former Chicago Sky and 4x three-point contest champion, and of course Blue Demon great, Allie Quigley joins us to reflect upon her time at DePaul and gives us the inside scoop of what it was like to play for Coach Bruno.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 12: Jorie Allen, Women's Basketball

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 11:24:00 +0000

On this episode of the Blue Demon Room, we sit down with sixth-year women’s basketball star, Jorie Allen to discuss her career at DePaul and what she has planned for the future. We also dive into her master’s in Creative Writing and her unique perspective on sports’ relationship with the arts. Her relationship with her teammates as a veteran player and her renewed love for basketball are all topics discussed in this wholesome episode to start your new year off right!

Episode 11: DeWayne Peevy, Vice President and Director of Athletics

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 23:44:00 +0000

On our final episode of 2024, we speak to DePaul University’s Vice President and Director of Athletics, DeWayne Peevy! We highlight this past season’s successes and explore how Peevy’s previous experiences as a student-athlete and college athletics administrator inform how he is leading DePaul back to athletic and academic excellence! Through what he looks for in coaches and the new facilities coming to campus, Peevy shares how DePaul is Dreaming Big!

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 10: Eleanor Nobbs and Hannah Smith, Women's Tennis

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 05:00:00 +0000

Eleanor Nobbs, senior, and Hannah Smith, junior, join us in the Blue Demon Room to talk about DePaul’s close-knit Women’s Tennis team and how their bond has led them to success on and off the court. From positive self-talk to learning how to communicate with teammates, Smith and Nobbs give us a behind-the-scenes look at the mental game of tennis. The two also hail from England, so we also discuss what tennis culture is like across the pond and why they love playing collegiate tennis in the United States!

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 9: Damian Rodriguez, Men's Cross Country and Track

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 09:18:00 +0000

On this episode of the Blue Demon Room podcast, Cross Country and Track & Field Athlete Damian Rodriguez joins the show to talk about his final season of collegiate competition. Rodriguez shares his methods of preparation, more on his rigorous training program and how he has fallen in love with running en route to finding success at DePaul.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.
Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 8: Nick Krueger & Erin Conroy, Student Managers

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 22:06:00 +0000

In this humorous episode of Blue Demon Room, we welcome Erin Conroy, the manager of Women’s Volleyball and Nick Krueger, the manager of Men’s Soccer! We debunk common myths about team managers, discuss Erin’s sister-like bond with her team, and Blue Demons Beyond, Nick’s YouTube series that goes behind the scenes of men’s soccer.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 7: Ashley Cudiamat, Women's Volleyball

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0000

On this episode of Blue Demon Room, we are joined by senior setter for DePaul Volleyball, Ashley Cudiamat! We discuss how she was raised in a big volleyball family, what it was like transitioning from the competitive California volleyball culture to the Big East, and reflect on some of her most memorable games and favorite memories with her team!

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 6: Dominic Lucchesi, Golf

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0000

On this episode of Blue Demon Room, we are joined by freshman golfer Dominic Lucchesi! We discuss the hot start to his collegiate career, his decision to choose DePaul, adjustment to life in college and love for all things Beatles. Dominic also join us for the second edition of our game "Walk With Me" where we find out his favorite movie, dream course to play and more.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 5: Mark Plotkin, Men's Soccer Head Coach

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 07:16:00 +0000

On this episode of Blue Demon Room, we are joined by men's soccer head coach Mark Plotkin, or as he’s referred to by everyone who knows him, Plotty! We discuss his time as a player at DePaul, how the program and sport have evolved, and how he has transitioned to his role as head coach. Plotty also answers questions submitted by his team, so stick around for his advice on relationships and staying out of trouble as a college student in 2024!

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 4: Abby Cahill and Amanda Saeger, Women's Volleyball

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 07:00:00 +0000

On this episode of Blue Demon Room, we are joined by two of volleyball’s freshmen, Abby and Amanda! Abby Cahill and Amanda Saeger are no strangers to entertaining their teammates with stories of their hijinks while competing at the highest level. The pair talks about how they were recruited and chose DePaul, what they’ve enjoyed the most while exploring the city over the summer (as seen on their Tik Tok, @dailyvlogswaa), and the early success of their 2024 season. Also- stick around for a fun game of Who’s Most Likely To of Blue Demons Volleyball!

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 3: Chris Holtmann, Men's Basketball Head Coach

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 10:33:00 +0000

On this episode of Blue Demon Room, we are joined by men's basketball head coach, Chris Holtmann! We discuss his decision to come to DePaul, how he and his family have been adjusting to Lincoln Park and his plans for the 2024-25 season with a brand new team. Stick around to find out Holtmann's dream starting five and his favorite Chicago pizza joint!

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok. Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 2: Noelle Malkamaki and Brandon Murer, Track and Field

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 13:34:00 +0000

On episode two of the Blue Demon Room, Noelle Malkamaki and Brandon Murer of DePaul Track & Field join the show. Malkamaki, a 2024 DePaul graduate and two-time world record holder in the F46 Shot Put, previews her trip to Paris for the 2024 Paralympic games while sharing how she has reclaimed joy in her sport as an adaptive athlete. Coach Murer discusses the recruiting process with Noelle while detailing his perspective working alongside a world champion and paralympian.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Episode 1: Michele O'Brian, Women's Soccer Head Coach

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 13:33:00 +0000

In the first episode of the Blue Demon Room, head women's soccer coach Michele O'Brien joins the show to discuss the upcoming 2024 season, her experience growing up in the world of soccer as an athlete and now a coach and how the sport has shaped her as a person. Stick around for an entertaining game of this or that.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok.

Don't forget, episodes are available every other Wednesday and are available on Apple, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com and YouTube.