Blue Demon Room

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 her own collegiate career at the University of Illinois, where she left her mark as one of the program's all-time greats, and explore how those formative experiences influence the way she coaches today. From redefining what winning really means to offering lessons on leadership that extend far beyond sports, this conversation is a powerful look at what it takes to build trust, unity, and sustained success.

Stay up to date with all things Blue Demon Room Podcast by following @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Episodes drop every other Tuesday and are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube, and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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 elevating the program in the years ahead.

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

Episodes drop every other Tuesday and are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube, and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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 @DePaulAthletics on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

Episodes drop every other Tuesday and are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube, and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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.

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

Episodes drop every other Tuesday and are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube, and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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 Draft night, including a surprise call from one of the greatest to ever play the game, and opens up about why giving back to DePaul means so much to him, from creating a scholarship fund to mentoring current student-athletes. Plus, he offers a glimpse into what's next in his journey. A must-watch episode for every Blue Demon fan.

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

Episodes drop every other Tuesday and are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube, and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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 grounded and which TV shows he can't stop binging.

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

Episodes drop every other Tuesday and are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, DePaulBlueDemons.com, YouTube, and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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 how these experiences shaped his identity and purpose. He also gives insight into how he balances athletic performance with spiritual commitment, especially during Ramadan, and what drives his creative work today.

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.

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.

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.

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.