DePaul University Athletics
Welcome Back Blue Demon Seniors
5/1/2020 3:49:00 PM | ATHLETICS, MEN'S TENNIS, SOFTBALL, TRACK AND FIELD, WOMEN'S TENNIS
NCAA grants 13 DePaul seniors additional season of eligibility
CHICAGO – In the span of just 24 hours, the world of 13 DePaul student-athletes was turned upside-down.
Much like everywhere else on planet Earth, the COVID-19 coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the lives of this world's entire population.
In addition to worrying about their own safety and that of their families---these Blue Demons also experienced a roller-coaster ride of emotions.
Imagine being a truly dedicated student-athlete sacrificing and sweating your way to the pinnacle of your collegiate career only to have your senior season eradicated by a pandemic.
That was rock-bottom for these seniors from the softball, women's tennis, men's tennis and track and field programs.
Then one day later came the ultimate redemption as the NCAA granted seniors an extra year of eligibility.
"Everyone in the athletics department was extremely happy to welcome back the 13 seniors who have received another season of eligibility and will be competing in 2020-21," said DePaul Director of Athletics Jean Lenti Ponsetto. "We also want to express our gratitude to the remaining seniors for all their sacrifice and hard work over the last four years. We look forward to honoring them in the coming weeks and during the upcoming basketball season."
Here's a team-by-team breakdown of an unforgettable March and how the 13 Blue Demons are faring during a frightening virus with no cure that has claimed nearly 65,000 deaths nationwide---surpassing the 58,220 body count of the Vietnam War.
It took nine years to reach that casualty count in Southeast Asia. It took just three months for COVID-19 to surpass that morbid figure.
Softball
Angela Scalzitti and teammate Cara Jimenez were in a check-out line at Jewel when they heard the bad news. They were shopping for that weekend's provisions after their road trip to California had been canceled.
"I was in disbelief and denial," said Scalzitti who had already missed two seasons because of injuries. "I refused to believe it for a couple of minutes. It just did not feel like it was real."
Jessica Cothern was at her apartment doing homework when coach Tracie Adix-Zins called about the season being cancelled.
"I was extremely sad," Cothern said. "My entire world has revolved around softball since I was 10 years old and this was my senior season. I had so much I still wanted to do and felt so cheated as it was all ripped away in a second."
Krista Dalgarn was also in her apartment at the time and said she was in shock when it happened.
Fast-forward 24 hours and it was all "seashells and balloons" for this unhappy trio.
"I was at home with my family (in Elmhurst) when the NCAA announced the waiver," Scalzitti said. "I had a giant smile on my face! My parents and brothers gave me a giant group hug. It was a great day in our house for sure."
Cothern said she was "ecstatic" and Dalgarn added she was excited about another season but had so many lingering questions.
Almost immediately, Scalzitti began to visualize a seventh season in Lincoln Park. Cothern said she knew "right away" about playing once again in Cacciatore Stadium while Dalgarn added: "It took me about a day to realize this was something I wanted. It means the world to me. I don't even know how to put into words how thankful I am."
No one in this group of 13 seniors has withstood such pain and heartache as Scalzitti.
"It means a lot to me to have another year," she said. "The road to my senior season looked a lot different than most student-athletes. I had two season-ending injuries that required a lot of hard work to get back on the field.
"I am beyond grateful that I will get the chance to put that uniform on again. I can't wait to compete and finish the way I imagined.
"Our team's goal is to always make the NCAA tournament and fight tooth and nail when we get there. We really want to advance out of regionals and play in a super regional. Also, we want to be four-peat BIG EAST champions."
Cothern echoed Scalzitti's sentiments.
"Having another senior season means I have an opportunity to make my DePaul family proud and try to bring home a fourth-straight BIG EAST title," Cothern said. "It also means another chance to meet my goals and work with my team.
"Sitting at home, I have realized just how much I lean on my teammates and want to be back practicing with them."
Life for Cothern in southwest suburban Plainfield is quite different from living on campus.
"With two grandparents, my mom, dad, and my younger brother, it is definitely hard to deal with all the distractions," Cothern said. "However, this being week five, we are definitely settling into our new routine, which has been nice.
"With classes being moved to online, school is different. But classes are going good and I think everyone is adjusting great to the new normal. It has been a challenge but also fun doing the at-home workouts and seeing how much can be done at home.
"I just got a German Shepard puppy, so she has been a big source of entertainment and is keeping me very busy. I have also been watching a lot of Netflix and just finished the Tiger King series."
Dalgarn did not start out with a smooth transition.
"I'm not going to lie---it was hard at first,' she said. "Every day I remind myself that everyone else is struggling as well, and if they can stay strong, so can I. I run with my dog every day and do workouts that are sent to me from our school trainer Jimmy Duba. With classes, I just try to treat it like I would at school.
"I live in California so I tan in the backyard with my sister. We also enjoy making fun new meals for our family. Lots of movies and Netflix."
In the best of a time-honored Italian tradition, Scalzitti has also been sharpening her culinary prowess.
"I love to cook, and that has been something I have been doing for fun as of late," she said. "Also, my brothers and I have been going outside a lot to shoot hoops. Many games of PIG and HORSE have been played at our house."
Women's Tennis
Nobody took the bad news any harder than Aspasia Avgeri.
"I was at work at the time working on one of my projects when a text came in from my coach Marisa Arce," Avgeri recalled. "I started crying so hard. When my supervisor saw me crying and I told him what happened, he sent me home and told me to take as much time as I needed.
"I was really hurt, and I remember the minute I got home, (teammates) Lenka Antonijevic and Alina Kuzmenkova were there. I just couldn't hold it in and started crying again."
Avgeri has come to Lincoln Park all the way from Athens, Greece and enjoyed a splendid career helping lead the Blue Demons to a pair of BIG EAST titles and NCAA tournament berths in the last three years. The 2019 All-BIG EAST First Team selection was off to an 18-11 start in singles before the season was cut short.
No one illustrates the roller-coaster of emotions quite like this dedicated senior.
"I was home on campus trying to do some homework with Lenka, Alina and Marija Jovicic when Marisa sent us a message about the NCAA's eligibility decision---and I immediately stood up and started jumping all over our apartment!" Avgeri said. "I was so happy that I got one more chance to finish my college tennis career on my own terms.
"It didn't take me more than a second to decide. I wanted to play tennis and was given one more chance so I took it immediately.
"It means the world to me. We have such a great team, and the coaching staff is just amazing. I'm blessed that I get one more year to be with these amazing people."
Avgeri, Antonijevic and teammate Hristina Djokic are renting an apartment in Wrigleyville while finishing out the spring quarter.
"Working and studying from home is for sure challenging," Avgeri said. "I miss tennis so much and the fact that we are not allowed to play tennis just doesn't feel right.
"Our strength coach keeps us busy with the video workouts he sends out daily. For sure this feels like a sci-fi movie. I'm not sure how I can describe my feelings but everything is just so different.
"Lenka, Tina and I are trying to keep ourselves busy and have fun. We are either trying to do some different tennis-related challenges or watch movies and TV shows at home.
"There is not a lot we can do at home, but we are trying to entertain ourselves as much as we can during these times. Entertaining ourselves is the only thing keeping us sane."
Men's Tennis
It was a stark moment back in early March when coach Matt Brothers told his players this would likely be the last practice of the season. For the four seniors, it would be their last DePaul practice---ever.
Boris Spanjaard and his teammates had been following the progression of one professional sports league after another suspending or canceling their seasons even as men's basketball conference tournaments nationwide shut down.
In some ways, the "Band of Brothers" was prepared for the worst-case scenario.
"In the days before everything happened, my teammates and I started hearing and reading about rumors that school and the spring season might get canceled," Tamas Zador said. "I live with five of my teammates so we were constantly discussing the news about the virus and the potential ramifications.
"I did not know about the cancellation until I went to the practice where coach Brothers told us that this might be our last practice of the year. Obviously, I was shocked just like everyone else.
"I was also confused about what is going to happen with the four seniors on the team including me. We really wanted to win BIG EAST this year, and I thought the seniors might not ever get the chance, which was sad because of all the work we put into the season."
That confusion was cleared up in record time, although Chris Casati had his doubts at first.
"We had a meeting the next day in which our coach told us that the NCAA had already made a decision to give spring sports student-athletes an extra year," Casati said. "It was definitely surprising considering how complicated a matter it seemed to be, and really, I didn't 100 percent believe it because the decision was made so quickly. Nonetheless, I was very happy to hear that decision knowing this wouldn't be the end of my collegiate career.
"I was set right away on returning. It wasn't really a question in my mind."
Spanjaard noted the Blue Demons were in a good team flow and focused on bringing home the BIG EAST title. Now they get a second chance.
"It means we are able to play our hearts out one more season and have an opportunity to close our college career with a conference championship ring," he said.
Coming back was also a no-brainer for Fran Tonejc.
"I knew right away I wanted to take advantage of this amazing opportunity since I had already missed most of my senior year due to injuries," Tonejc said. "We set high goals for ourselves this year and it feels so good to compete one more year with this great group of guys."
Zador is riding out the brunt of this pandemic on the sunny side of the West Coast.
"Soon after the news broke and before the stay-at-home orders, I flew to California and have been here ever since," he said. "I am staying with the family of my girlfriend, DePaul volleyball player Emma Price. I plan on going home to Hungary at end of May, but there are a lot of travel and flight restrictions that make this difficult.
"Luckily, I have been able to work out as the weather in San Diego is a lot nicer than in Chicago. We are getting video workouts from Jimmy Duba who has been doing a great job providing us with exercises that we can do at home.
"Also, there are tennis courts close to where I live that people in the neighborhood are allowed to use. Funny enough, my teammate Tripp Tuff is quarantining close by so we get to play with each other a few times every week while still keeping our distance from each other. And yes, I'm working on my tan right now."
Spanjaard is about 5,600 miles away from San Diego and adhering to social distancing.
"In the Netherlands we are advised to stay home as much as possible and only make essential trips," he said. "If there are more than three people outside forming a group, you are risking a 400 euro fine ($434).
"It is still allowed to see a friend or family member with the right amount of distance, but the government is advising against it. The weather has been great so it has been hard not to go outside and socialize. But I take it very seriously and keep my time outside limited and away from other people.
"It is nice to spend more quality time around family. We are checking in with the team multiple times a week and trying to stay positive."
Spanjaard is doing well handling the isolation.
"I am definitely enjoying some time on Netflix and also like to stay connected with friends online and playing video games.
"Besides that I am trying to learn some Spanish, but it's going 'muy lentamente' (very slowly)."
Track and Field
Adam Nelson was right in the middle of a workout when hit with the breaking news. Ashton Colaire was sitting in his dorm living room. Rebecca Chouinard had stopped by the fueling station when a teammate showed her on Twitter.
Brian Mada was in his dorm room and realized the NBA had already postponed its season. All that Rutendo Chimbaru remembers of that fateful Thursday that gave new meaning to the term March Madness is seeing an email just before taking an exam. The rest is a blur.
Just before that, coach Dave Dopek had met with the team at the Ray Meyer Fitness Center to go over all the possibilities.
"I didn't believe it at first," Chouinard said. "Then I went home and talked to my roommates about it. I was still in shock. It took quite a while for it to sink in."
Colaire had a similar feeling.
"My initial reaction was 'Wow, our season is really over just like that,'" said the BIG EAST Indoor 60-meter hurdles champion. "Almost like I had been training for six months for nothing. I was devastated."
Both Chouinard and Chimbaru expressed doubt when they first heard of the NCAA eligibility waiver.
"I was back at home in St. Thomas, Ontario with my family when the good news broke the NCAA was granting another season," said Chouinard who finished third in the weight throw at the BIG EAST indoor meet. "The first time I read up on it, I didn't believe what I was reading. There had been so many confusing and mixed messages everywhere during the pandemic that I didn't know what was real."
Chimbaru, who competed on the BIG EAST runner-up 4x400 relay team, saw the news on an Instagram post by the NCAA Division I Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
"Initially, I was unsure whether the information was true," she said. "Coach Dopek communicated that it was true. I was excited to know that I had the chance to compete during the spring again as outdoor season is my favorite."
Dopek is fond of saying that his program is tailored for the outdoor season.
"This provides us with an incredible opportunity to come back next year and win the BIG EAST outdoor title," said Nelson who was second in the 60-meter dash and third in the 200 meters at the conference indoor meet. "Considering the talent we are bringing back and the new recruits our coaches are adding, I won't simply be hoping for an outdoor championship---it's going to be an expectation. Having a regional and national level 4x100 relay team is also going to be one of my expectations."
Colaire also foresees big things on the horizon.
"We had a great indoor season with a lot of records and great performances, but in my eyes that didn't even scratch the surface of what we were going to do come outdoor," he said. "The goals and mindset for next season are to show anyone and everyone what we missed out on this year plus what we are bringing next year."
Colaire and Chouinard are both sheltered north of the border in Ontario, Canada while Nelson has remained in Chicago. Chimbaru and Mada are staying in campus dorms.
"After discussing it with my parents, we found that it was easier for me to manage my course load on campus because I have better Wi-Fi access than I would have back home in Zimbabwe," Chimbaru said. "The only student-athlete I know who is staying on campus is Brian Mada, and I see him every now and again."
Mada added: "It feels strange indeed, like nothing I have ever seen. It is like a ghost town. Working out has not been easy without access to the gym."
Nelson has kept his competitive juices flowing simply vying for outdoor workout space.
"It's getting tougher and tougher to stay in shape during this time," he said. "First, gyms closed. Then, tracks closed and now most of the parks around me are closed down, too.
"I find myself looking for any little patch of grass big enough for me to do a few drills and workouts. This sadly leaves me competing with random people and their dogs for space."
Life in Ontario seems to be treating Chouinard and Colaire well.
"We've been on lockdown here just as long as in Chicago," Chouinard said. "From what I can tell, people are handling the whole stay-at-home order a little better in Canada because our outlook is pretty hopeful at this point.
"Some provinces are planning to reopen sooner than later, but those areas only had a handful of cases. In my region they have postponed school until at least May 31. The government has been great in offering emergency benefits to families and students who are struggling financially."
Leisure time for Chimbaru means using a Peloton app for yoga and meditation sessions, FaceTiming family and friends, watching Netflix and utilizing a paint set "to do some very amateur paintings."
Mada watches movies, listens to music, does yoga, meditates and chats up family and friends while Chouinard is eating well, missing her DePaul friends, her independence and life in Chicago. But she adds: "I feel very blessed to be where I am right now in the small town of St. Thomas about two hours from Toronto."
The humorous Nelson filed this update.
"I spend most of my days trying to find reasons to procrastinate on my homework (I'm always successful on this front)," he said. "I always make sure to get some kind of workout in, play some video games, watch some Netflix and fit in some studying and homework."
Colaire reports "living back at home is great. Living at home and trying to do online classes, not so much. Nobody likes to be cooped up in their room staring at their laptop in a Zoom call.
"I try to entertain myself any way I can. I do kick-ups in my room with a football to no end and some drawing. I even started to learn new recipes and how to speak French. I can only watch so much TV before I have to change it up."
Change is a constant in our new normal, and by all accounts, these lucky 13 Blue Demons are adapting well to this novel way of life and priming for a brighter future.
Much like everywhere else on planet Earth, the COVID-19 coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the lives of this world's entire population.
In addition to worrying about their own safety and that of their families---these Blue Demons also experienced a roller-coaster ride of emotions.
Imagine being a truly dedicated student-athlete sacrificing and sweating your way to the pinnacle of your collegiate career only to have your senior season eradicated by a pandemic.
That was rock-bottom for these seniors from the softball, women's tennis, men's tennis and track and field programs.
Then one day later came the ultimate redemption as the NCAA granted seniors an extra year of eligibility.
"Everyone in the athletics department was extremely happy to welcome back the 13 seniors who have received another season of eligibility and will be competing in 2020-21," said DePaul Director of Athletics Jean Lenti Ponsetto. "We also want to express our gratitude to the remaining seniors for all their sacrifice and hard work over the last four years. We look forward to honoring them in the coming weeks and during the upcoming basketball season."
Here's a team-by-team breakdown of an unforgettable March and how the 13 Blue Demons are faring during a frightening virus with no cure that has claimed nearly 65,000 deaths nationwide---surpassing the 58,220 body count of the Vietnam War.
It took nine years to reach that casualty count in Southeast Asia. It took just three months for COVID-19 to surpass that morbid figure.
Softball
Angela Scalzitti and teammate Cara Jimenez were in a check-out line at Jewel when they heard the bad news. They were shopping for that weekend's provisions after their road trip to California had been canceled.
"I was in disbelief and denial," said Scalzitti who had already missed two seasons because of injuries. "I refused to believe it for a couple of minutes. It just did not feel like it was real."
Jessica Cothern was at her apartment doing homework when coach Tracie Adix-Zins called about the season being cancelled.
"I was extremely sad," Cothern said. "My entire world has revolved around softball since I was 10 years old and this was my senior season. I had so much I still wanted to do and felt so cheated as it was all ripped away in a second."
Krista Dalgarn was also in her apartment at the time and said she was in shock when it happened.
Fast-forward 24 hours and it was all "seashells and balloons" for this unhappy trio.
"I was at home with my family (in Elmhurst) when the NCAA announced the waiver," Scalzitti said. "I had a giant smile on my face! My parents and brothers gave me a giant group hug. It was a great day in our house for sure."
Cothern said she was "ecstatic" and Dalgarn added she was excited about another season but had so many lingering questions.
Almost immediately, Scalzitti began to visualize a seventh season in Lincoln Park. Cothern said she knew "right away" about playing once again in Cacciatore Stadium while Dalgarn added: "It took me about a day to realize this was something I wanted. It means the world to me. I don't even know how to put into words how thankful I am."
No one in this group of 13 seniors has withstood such pain and heartache as Scalzitti.
"It means a lot to me to have another year," she said. "The road to my senior season looked a lot different than most student-athletes. I had two season-ending injuries that required a lot of hard work to get back on the field.
"I am beyond grateful that I will get the chance to put that uniform on again. I can't wait to compete and finish the way I imagined.
"Our team's goal is to always make the NCAA tournament and fight tooth and nail when we get there. We really want to advance out of regionals and play in a super regional. Also, we want to be four-peat BIG EAST champions."
Cothern echoed Scalzitti's sentiments.
"Having another senior season means I have an opportunity to make my DePaul family proud and try to bring home a fourth-straight BIG EAST title," Cothern said. "It also means another chance to meet my goals and work with my team.
"Sitting at home, I have realized just how much I lean on my teammates and want to be back practicing with them."
Life for Cothern in southwest suburban Plainfield is quite different from living on campus.
"With two grandparents, my mom, dad, and my younger brother, it is definitely hard to deal with all the distractions," Cothern said. "However, this being week five, we are definitely settling into our new routine, which has been nice.
"With classes being moved to online, school is different. But classes are going good and I think everyone is adjusting great to the new normal. It has been a challenge but also fun doing the at-home workouts and seeing how much can be done at home.
"I just got a German Shepard puppy, so she has been a big source of entertainment and is keeping me very busy. I have also been watching a lot of Netflix and just finished the Tiger King series."
Dalgarn did not start out with a smooth transition.
"I'm not going to lie---it was hard at first,' she said. "Every day I remind myself that everyone else is struggling as well, and if they can stay strong, so can I. I run with my dog every day and do workouts that are sent to me from our school trainer Jimmy Duba. With classes, I just try to treat it like I would at school.
"I live in California so I tan in the backyard with my sister. We also enjoy making fun new meals for our family. Lots of movies and Netflix."
In the best of a time-honored Italian tradition, Scalzitti has also been sharpening her culinary prowess.
"I love to cook, and that has been something I have been doing for fun as of late," she said. "Also, my brothers and I have been going outside a lot to shoot hoops. Many games of PIG and HORSE have been played at our house."
Women's Tennis
Nobody took the bad news any harder than Aspasia Avgeri.
"I was at work at the time working on one of my projects when a text came in from my coach Marisa Arce," Avgeri recalled. "I started crying so hard. When my supervisor saw me crying and I told him what happened, he sent me home and told me to take as much time as I needed.
"I was really hurt, and I remember the minute I got home, (teammates) Lenka Antonijevic and Alina Kuzmenkova were there. I just couldn't hold it in and started crying again."
Avgeri has come to Lincoln Park all the way from Athens, Greece and enjoyed a splendid career helping lead the Blue Demons to a pair of BIG EAST titles and NCAA tournament berths in the last three years. The 2019 All-BIG EAST First Team selection was off to an 18-11 start in singles before the season was cut short.
No one illustrates the roller-coaster of emotions quite like this dedicated senior.
"I was home on campus trying to do some homework with Lenka, Alina and Marija Jovicic when Marisa sent us a message about the NCAA's eligibility decision---and I immediately stood up and started jumping all over our apartment!" Avgeri said. "I was so happy that I got one more chance to finish my college tennis career on my own terms.
"It didn't take me more than a second to decide. I wanted to play tennis and was given one more chance so I took it immediately.
"It means the world to me. We have such a great team, and the coaching staff is just amazing. I'm blessed that I get one more year to be with these amazing people."
Avgeri, Antonijevic and teammate Hristina Djokic are renting an apartment in Wrigleyville while finishing out the spring quarter.
"Working and studying from home is for sure challenging," Avgeri said. "I miss tennis so much and the fact that we are not allowed to play tennis just doesn't feel right.
"Our strength coach keeps us busy with the video workouts he sends out daily. For sure this feels like a sci-fi movie. I'm not sure how I can describe my feelings but everything is just so different.
"Lenka, Tina and I are trying to keep ourselves busy and have fun. We are either trying to do some different tennis-related challenges or watch movies and TV shows at home.
"There is not a lot we can do at home, but we are trying to entertain ourselves as much as we can during these times. Entertaining ourselves is the only thing keeping us sane."
Men's Tennis
It was a stark moment back in early March when coach Matt Brothers told his players this would likely be the last practice of the season. For the four seniors, it would be their last DePaul practice---ever.
Boris Spanjaard and his teammates had been following the progression of one professional sports league after another suspending or canceling their seasons even as men's basketball conference tournaments nationwide shut down.
In some ways, the "Band of Brothers" was prepared for the worst-case scenario.
"In the days before everything happened, my teammates and I started hearing and reading about rumors that school and the spring season might get canceled," Tamas Zador said. "I live with five of my teammates so we were constantly discussing the news about the virus and the potential ramifications.
"I did not know about the cancellation until I went to the practice where coach Brothers told us that this might be our last practice of the year. Obviously, I was shocked just like everyone else.
"I was also confused about what is going to happen with the four seniors on the team including me. We really wanted to win BIG EAST this year, and I thought the seniors might not ever get the chance, which was sad because of all the work we put into the season."
That confusion was cleared up in record time, although Chris Casati had his doubts at first.
"We had a meeting the next day in which our coach told us that the NCAA had already made a decision to give spring sports student-athletes an extra year," Casati said. "It was definitely surprising considering how complicated a matter it seemed to be, and really, I didn't 100 percent believe it because the decision was made so quickly. Nonetheless, I was very happy to hear that decision knowing this wouldn't be the end of my collegiate career.
"I was set right away on returning. It wasn't really a question in my mind."
Spanjaard noted the Blue Demons were in a good team flow and focused on bringing home the BIG EAST title. Now they get a second chance.
"It means we are able to play our hearts out one more season and have an opportunity to close our college career with a conference championship ring," he said.
Coming back was also a no-brainer for Fran Tonejc.
"I knew right away I wanted to take advantage of this amazing opportunity since I had already missed most of my senior year due to injuries," Tonejc said. "We set high goals for ourselves this year and it feels so good to compete one more year with this great group of guys."
Zador is riding out the brunt of this pandemic on the sunny side of the West Coast.
"Soon after the news broke and before the stay-at-home orders, I flew to California and have been here ever since," he said. "I am staying with the family of my girlfriend, DePaul volleyball player Emma Price. I plan on going home to Hungary at end of May, but there are a lot of travel and flight restrictions that make this difficult.
"Luckily, I have been able to work out as the weather in San Diego is a lot nicer than in Chicago. We are getting video workouts from Jimmy Duba who has been doing a great job providing us with exercises that we can do at home.
"Also, there are tennis courts close to where I live that people in the neighborhood are allowed to use. Funny enough, my teammate Tripp Tuff is quarantining close by so we get to play with each other a few times every week while still keeping our distance from each other. And yes, I'm working on my tan right now."
Spanjaard is about 5,600 miles away from San Diego and adhering to social distancing.
"In the Netherlands we are advised to stay home as much as possible and only make essential trips," he said. "If there are more than three people outside forming a group, you are risking a 400 euro fine ($434).
"It is still allowed to see a friend or family member with the right amount of distance, but the government is advising against it. The weather has been great so it has been hard not to go outside and socialize. But I take it very seriously and keep my time outside limited and away from other people.
"It is nice to spend more quality time around family. We are checking in with the team multiple times a week and trying to stay positive."
Spanjaard is doing well handling the isolation.
"I am definitely enjoying some time on Netflix and also like to stay connected with friends online and playing video games.
"Besides that I am trying to learn some Spanish, but it's going 'muy lentamente' (very slowly)."
Track and Field
Adam Nelson was right in the middle of a workout when hit with the breaking news. Ashton Colaire was sitting in his dorm living room. Rebecca Chouinard had stopped by the fueling station when a teammate showed her on Twitter.
Brian Mada was in his dorm room and realized the NBA had already postponed its season. All that Rutendo Chimbaru remembers of that fateful Thursday that gave new meaning to the term March Madness is seeing an email just before taking an exam. The rest is a blur.
Just before that, coach Dave Dopek had met with the team at the Ray Meyer Fitness Center to go over all the possibilities.
"I didn't believe it at first," Chouinard said. "Then I went home and talked to my roommates about it. I was still in shock. It took quite a while for it to sink in."
Colaire had a similar feeling.
"My initial reaction was 'Wow, our season is really over just like that,'" said the BIG EAST Indoor 60-meter hurdles champion. "Almost like I had been training for six months for nothing. I was devastated."
Both Chouinard and Chimbaru expressed doubt when they first heard of the NCAA eligibility waiver.
"I was back at home in St. Thomas, Ontario with my family when the good news broke the NCAA was granting another season," said Chouinard who finished third in the weight throw at the BIG EAST indoor meet. "The first time I read up on it, I didn't believe what I was reading. There had been so many confusing and mixed messages everywhere during the pandemic that I didn't know what was real."
Chimbaru, who competed on the BIG EAST runner-up 4x400 relay team, saw the news on an Instagram post by the NCAA Division I Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
"Initially, I was unsure whether the information was true," she said. "Coach Dopek communicated that it was true. I was excited to know that I had the chance to compete during the spring again as outdoor season is my favorite."
Dopek is fond of saying that his program is tailored for the outdoor season.
"This provides us with an incredible opportunity to come back next year and win the BIG EAST outdoor title," said Nelson who was second in the 60-meter dash and third in the 200 meters at the conference indoor meet. "Considering the talent we are bringing back and the new recruits our coaches are adding, I won't simply be hoping for an outdoor championship---it's going to be an expectation. Having a regional and national level 4x100 relay team is also going to be one of my expectations."
Colaire also foresees big things on the horizon.
"We had a great indoor season with a lot of records and great performances, but in my eyes that didn't even scratch the surface of what we were going to do come outdoor," he said. "The goals and mindset for next season are to show anyone and everyone what we missed out on this year plus what we are bringing next year."
Colaire and Chouinard are both sheltered north of the border in Ontario, Canada while Nelson has remained in Chicago. Chimbaru and Mada are staying in campus dorms.
"After discussing it with my parents, we found that it was easier for me to manage my course load on campus because I have better Wi-Fi access than I would have back home in Zimbabwe," Chimbaru said. "The only student-athlete I know who is staying on campus is Brian Mada, and I see him every now and again."
Mada added: "It feels strange indeed, like nothing I have ever seen. It is like a ghost town. Working out has not been easy without access to the gym."
Nelson has kept his competitive juices flowing simply vying for outdoor workout space.
"It's getting tougher and tougher to stay in shape during this time," he said. "First, gyms closed. Then, tracks closed and now most of the parks around me are closed down, too.
"I find myself looking for any little patch of grass big enough for me to do a few drills and workouts. This sadly leaves me competing with random people and their dogs for space."
Life in Ontario seems to be treating Chouinard and Colaire well.
"We've been on lockdown here just as long as in Chicago," Chouinard said. "From what I can tell, people are handling the whole stay-at-home order a little better in Canada because our outlook is pretty hopeful at this point.
"Some provinces are planning to reopen sooner than later, but those areas only had a handful of cases. In my region they have postponed school until at least May 31. The government has been great in offering emergency benefits to families and students who are struggling financially."
Leisure time for Chimbaru means using a Peloton app for yoga and meditation sessions, FaceTiming family and friends, watching Netflix and utilizing a paint set "to do some very amateur paintings."
Mada watches movies, listens to music, does yoga, meditates and chats up family and friends while Chouinard is eating well, missing her DePaul friends, her independence and life in Chicago. But she adds: "I feel very blessed to be where I am right now in the small town of St. Thomas about two hours from Toronto."
The humorous Nelson filed this update.
"I spend most of my days trying to find reasons to procrastinate on my homework (I'm always successful on this front)," he said. "I always make sure to get some kind of workout in, play some video games, watch some Netflix and fit in some studying and homework."
Colaire reports "living back at home is great. Living at home and trying to do online classes, not so much. Nobody likes to be cooped up in their room staring at their laptop in a Zoom call.
"I try to entertain myself any way I can. I do kick-ups in my room with a football to no end and some drawing. I even started to learn new recipes and how to speak French. I can only watch so much TV before I have to change it up."
Change is a constant in our new normal, and by all accounts, these lucky 13 Blue Demons are adapting well to this novel way of life and priming for a brighter future.
Players Mentioned
/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
Sprints
/ TRACK AND FIELD
Throws
/ TRACK AND FIELD
Hurdles
/ TRACK AND FIELD
C/3B
/ SOFTBALL
P/1B
/ SOFTBALL
/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
3B
/ SOFTBALL
/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
Jumps
/ TRACK AND FIELD
Sprints
/ TRACK AND FIELD
OF
/ SOFTBALL
/ MEN'S TENNIS
/ MEN'S TENNIS
/ MEN'S TENNIS
/ MEN'S TENNIS
Blue Demon Room Podcast Episode 17: Rachel Wilhelm and Noreen Vlamakis, Rush Physical Therapy
Wednesday, March 19
Episode 11: DeWayne Peevy, Vice President/Director of Athletics
Wednesday, December 18
Blue Demon Breakdown - Oct. 16
Wednesday, October 16
LEGACY: Build Your Brand
Thursday, August 01