DePaul University Athletics
Alumni Spotlight: Donna Brown
9/14/2024 6:33:00 PM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Brown played at DePaul from 2018 to 2022
CHICAGO - For Donna Brown, finding success in volleyball wasn't something she expected growing up. She played soccer and basketball until high school, when a friend convinced her to tryout for the school volleyball team.
Standing at 6-2", Brown vividly recalls feeling a sense of belonging when she attended her first matches.
"I deeply remember my first tournament, there was so many girls, and it was awesome getting to see girls that were also tall like me," she reflected.
Brown chose DePaul after a successful high school career, and she describes her years as a Blue Demon to be some of the most transformational of her life. For the recent graduate, the community she created was the cornerstone of her DePaul career.
"Cultivating a community of people that deeply care for you is so important, and they care about you not just for what you can do but who you are. That was such a big part of our success throughout the years, the deep community that was formed both within the team and outside the team as well."
The Galloway, Ohio native credits those same bonds with propelling her personal growth as well.
"It's great to look back and see how much I grew. Senior year I became a huge leader on the court. I think the girls that came before me helped me because I was able to watch them. They spoke a lot of confidence into me, and I began thinking 'Oh wait, if they believe in me, I should probably believe in myself as well.'"
Ultimately, Brown and her team continued on their upward trajectory, winning the Chicago Cup her senior year, and defeating local rival Northwestern in a five-set thriller.
"Beating Northwestern, I will never forget that moment. When we won that game, I knew the season was going to be different from the seasons before. It was great to see us beat Northwestern because we had been wanting to achieve that."
Â
Upon graduation, Brown began to work for a nonprofit, CRU Athletes, which she was first exposed to during her years at DePaul.
"CRU Athletes was the biggest thing for me. So much was poured into me, and that's why I'm doing what I do. I was cared for so much by their staff."
Now able to guide others in her current role, the full circle moment Brown experienced is one she hopes others will seek to replicate.
"Who's pouring into you now, and what does it look like to pour back into them, or whatever cause that you are passionate about? What does it look like to go out and pay that forward?"
When Brown isn't working, you can find her traveling, finding new restaurants in Chicago, or spending time with friends.
Standing at 6-2", Brown vividly recalls feeling a sense of belonging when she attended her first matches.
"I deeply remember my first tournament, there was so many girls, and it was awesome getting to see girls that were also tall like me," she reflected.
Brown chose DePaul after a successful high school career, and she describes her years as a Blue Demon to be some of the most transformational of her life. For the recent graduate, the community she created was the cornerstone of her DePaul career.
"Cultivating a community of people that deeply care for you is so important, and they care about you not just for what you can do but who you are. That was such a big part of our success throughout the years, the deep community that was formed both within the team and outside the team as well."
The Galloway, Ohio native credits those same bonds with propelling her personal growth as well.
"It's great to look back and see how much I grew. Senior year I became a huge leader on the court. I think the girls that came before me helped me because I was able to watch them. They spoke a lot of confidence into me, and I began thinking 'Oh wait, if they believe in me, I should probably believe in myself as well.'"
Ultimately, Brown and her team continued on their upward trajectory, winning the Chicago Cup her senior year, and defeating local rival Northwestern in a five-set thriller.
"Beating Northwestern, I will never forget that moment. When we won that game, I knew the season was going to be different from the seasons before. It was great to see us beat Northwestern because we had been wanting to achieve that."
Â
Upon graduation, Brown began to work for a nonprofit, CRU Athletes, which she was first exposed to during her years at DePaul.
"CRU Athletes was the biggest thing for me. So much was poured into me, and that's why I'm doing what I do. I was cared for so much by their staff."
Now able to guide others in her current role, the full circle moment Brown experienced is one she hopes others will seek to replicate.
"Who's pouring into you now, and what does it look like to pour back into them, or whatever cause that you are passionate about? What does it look like to go out and pay that forward?"
When Brown isn't working, you can find her traveling, finding new restaurants in Chicago, or spending time with friends.
Highlights: Volleyball at Villanova
Friday, October 24
Highlights: DePaul Volleyball at Loyola Chicago
Sunday, September 21
Highlights: Volleyball at Milwaukee
Wednesday, September 17
Highlights: Volleyball vs. Chicago State
Sunday, September 14