DePaul University Athletics
Alumni Spotlight: Stephanie Bishop
9/11/2024 3:00:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Bishop played at DePaul from 1998-2001
CHICAGO - For Stephanie Bishop, what she remembers most about being a Blue Demon is the skills, lessons, and friendships that have enriched her life long after her playing career.
"As a DePaul volleyball player I was given the privilege to learn skills that are valued in the workplace. I learned about time management, teamwork, relationship building, setting goals, and even creating an action plan to achieve those goals," she reflected.
While at DePaul, Bishop's goals were certainly lofty, taking her freshman year team that went 12-12 all the way to the NCAA tournament as a senior. Not only did Bishop and her team make the tournament, but they did so in emphatic fashion, posting a 24-8 season record and defeating Louisville in five sets to win the conference tournament. It was the first time in league history that a fifth-seeded team had won the Conference USA Tournament, and the second ever NCAA Tournament appearance for the Blue Demons.
Bishop credits the tight-knit group of women on the team, many of whom she has remained close with to this day, for understanding what it took to succeed.
"It was 15 girls navigating having such a strong respect for our goals, and putting in the work that it took to achieve winning our conference. We laughed but we also had many hard conversations to make sure everyone was doing what they needed to help us win."
Although the team had a special chemistry, Bishop also knows many who came before helped pave the way for her team's success. She isn't quick to forget those in the DePaul family who advocated for women in sports.
"What women in sports has become is because of those that have fought for the opportunities for us. There are so many people at DePaul who have fought for that. I'm forever grateful and hope to continue to fight for my girls, to make sure they have those same opportunities."
Bishop took full advantage of the opportunities she was afforded, translating her commitment and work ethic into a 21 year and counting career at CDW, a technology company that services nonprofits.
"I feel like my job is a direct parallel to athletics. Similarly to athletics, what I put into my job is what I get out. As long as you're putting in the work and practicing things the right way, you're going to be successful."
Outside of work, Bishop and her family spend time on their farm in Michigan, and she teaches yoga at 105F in Lincoln Park. She says playing volleyball taught her to thrive in chaos and to find stillness even when life gets busy.
"Whether it's my mom life, my yoga life, or my work life the skills I gained from DePaul have been invaluable."
"As a DePaul volleyball player I was given the privilege to learn skills that are valued in the workplace. I learned about time management, teamwork, relationship building, setting goals, and even creating an action plan to achieve those goals," she reflected.
While at DePaul, Bishop's goals were certainly lofty, taking her freshman year team that went 12-12 all the way to the NCAA tournament as a senior. Not only did Bishop and her team make the tournament, but they did so in emphatic fashion, posting a 24-8 season record and defeating Louisville in five sets to win the conference tournament. It was the first time in league history that a fifth-seeded team had won the Conference USA Tournament, and the second ever NCAA Tournament appearance for the Blue Demons.
Bishop credits the tight-knit group of women on the team, many of whom she has remained close with to this day, for understanding what it took to succeed.
"It was 15 girls navigating having such a strong respect for our goals, and putting in the work that it took to achieve winning our conference. We laughed but we also had many hard conversations to make sure everyone was doing what they needed to help us win."
Although the team had a special chemistry, Bishop also knows many who came before helped pave the way for her team's success. She isn't quick to forget those in the DePaul family who advocated for women in sports.
"What women in sports has become is because of those that have fought for the opportunities for us. There are so many people at DePaul who have fought for that. I'm forever grateful and hope to continue to fight for my girls, to make sure they have those same opportunities."
Bishop took full advantage of the opportunities she was afforded, translating her commitment and work ethic into a 21 year and counting career at CDW, a technology company that services nonprofits.
"I feel like my job is a direct parallel to athletics. Similarly to athletics, what I put into my job is what I get out. As long as you're putting in the work and practicing things the right way, you're going to be successful."
Outside of work, Bishop and her family spend time on their farm in Michigan, and she teaches yoga at 105F in Lincoln Park. She says playing volleyball taught her to thrive in chaos and to find stillness even when life gets busy.
"Whether it's my mom life, my yoga life, or my work life the skills I gained from DePaul have been invaluable."
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