The DePaulia 4.8.2024

TheDePaulia

THE HOLTMANN ERA

By Tom Gorski Men’s Basketball Beat Writer

Chris Holtmann was officially introduced as the 16th head coach in DePaul men's basketball history Monday, March 18, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the program.

Holtmann joined vice president and athletic director DeWayne Peevy onstage, presenting their shared vision for the program while fully acknowledging the uphill battle ahead.

“I always felt like it could be a program that could have real sustained success,” Holtmann said. “I know there are some challenges, but I think it’s in a place right now, given their commitments to a practice facility, what they have done with this place and I think the passion and the hunger right now makes it the right time for our family to be here.”

Following his firing from Ohio State in February due to the program’s perceived need for a change in leadership, Holtmann considered taking a yearlong hiatus and briefly entertained the idea of working in media. However, he ultimately concluded that the chance to revitalize a program with a storied past such as DePaul was too good to pass up.

“We’ve got a great opportunity,” Holtmann said. “We came here as a family be-

“I’m thrilled to welcome Chris to the DePaul community ... His accomplishments will enhance our reputation as a nationally recognized academic institution, promoting world-class educational opportunities for all our students.”

Robert L. Manuel DePaul President

apart as the top candidate.

While many athletic directors may experience pressure to make the perfect hire, Peevy's mindset and perspective never reached that level. He remained focused on moving forward and learning from past mistakes.

“I don’t feel any pressure any more than what I put on myself and the opportunity to build a program,” Peevy said. “I came here from Kentucky to win. You take the steps forward, you learn lessons and you push forward. I think if you want to be a true leader, you have to get people around you that can help you accomplish something big.”

cause we really do believe in what this place can be. We really do, and I think we have incredible leadership. I’m excited about the practice facility in the coming years and the league (Big East) is really attractive.”

For this hire to happen, the program needed additional financial resources and increased name, image and likeness (NIL) from the university and board of trustees. Peevy successfully secured the necessary resources from the university and board of trustees, leading to Holtmann's agreement to a six-year contract that will see him staying in Chicago through the 2029-30 season.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Chris to the DePaul community," DePaul President

Robert Manuel said. "Chris has been successful in the Big East and created a national presence for his teams. His accomplishments will enhance our reputation as a nationally recognized academic institution, promoting world-class educational opportunities for all our students."

Peevy parted ways with Tony Stubblefield Jan. 22, when the team held a 3-15 record, opting for a mid-season heading coaching change to expedite the hiring process. The process was thorough according to Peevy as he narrowed the coaching search down to five finalists. Holtmann's extensive resume and track record of success at various programs ultimately set him

Holtmann is confronted with a significant challenge, as the program has not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 2004 and is coming off a tough 3-29 season, its worst finish since the 1996-97 season. The team was also the first-ever Big East team to go 0-20 during conference play.

With 13 years of experience as a head coach, Holtmann has compiled a record of 251-170 and secured eight postseason berths. His track record speaks volumes, highlighted by a notable stretch of nine consecutive 20-win seasons and eight consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including five, most recently at Ohio State.

MBB, continued on back page

RYAN HINSKE | THE DEPAULIA

DePaul head coach Chris Holtmann, left, gives his introductory press conference Monday, March 18, 2024, at Wintrust Arena. Holtmann’s plans for the team’s future was the main topic of discussion.

The DePaulia is the official student-run newspaper of DePaul University and may not necessarily reflect the views of college administrators, faculty or staff.

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ASST. ARTS & LIFE EDITOR | Sam Mroz artslife@depauliaonline.com

SPORTS EDITOR | Ryan Hinske sports@depauliaonline.com

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ADVISER | Martha Irvine mirvine5@depaul.edu

DePaul, enfocado en proveer una voz para la comunidad latinx. Nuestras opiniones no necesariamente reflejan las opiniones de la administración, facultad o personal de la universidad.

JEFA DE REDACCIÓN | Alyssa Salcedo eicladepaulia@depauliaonline.com

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CAMPUS CRIME REPORT

LINCOLN PARK CAMPUS

LINCOLN PARK CAMPUS

Drug & Alcohol Assault & Theft Other

Lincoln Park Campus Crimes:

Mar. 28

1) A Motor Vehicle Theft was reported near 2444 N. Sheffield Ave..

Mar. 29

2) An Arson was reported on the fence outside 1150 W. Fullerton Ave. A Safety Alert was issued.

Apr. 1

3) A Criminal Trespass report was filed for 1150 W. Fullerton Ave.

Apr. 2

4) A Theft of a scooter was reported from the bike rack at Fullerton/Sheffield Ave.

LOOP CAMPUS

Loop Campus Crimes:

Apr. 1

1) A Disorderly Conduct was reported at Barnes & Noble in the DePaul Center.

Apr. 2

2) A Criminal Trespass report was filed for CDM Building.

Forthcoming Climate Action Plan, context behind high emissions

By Rose O’Keeffe Asst. News Editor

Unlike colleges and universities, climate change does not take a spring break.

While DePaul students were likely catching up on sleep and preparing for one final quarter of classes before summer, university leaders continued to consider ways to make DePaul a more sustainable and accountable community by drafting a climate action plan.

On Friday, March 29, The DePaulia obtained an email from Vice President of Facility Operations Rich Wiltse to the Chicago chapter of the Climate Reality Project — an international climate action and advocacy organization — detailing existing sustainability efforts and some context behind what the city of Chicago’s benchmarking data identified as six high-emitting buildings in the city belonging to DePaul.

The buildings listed as high-emitting are McGowan North, McGowan South, the Lincoln Park Student Center, Centennial Hall, the Holtschneider Performance Center and The DePaul Center.

Wiltse emphasized that despite expanding its geographic footprint, DePaul has not increased its carbon emissions since 2002 due to what he said were significant investments in improving building efficiency at DePaul.

“We view this baseline as a foundation

to be built upon, which is why DePaul set an aspirational goal years ago to offset up to 80% of its CO2 emissions by 2040,” Wiltse said in the email.

He said a big part of meeting this aspirational goal is through purchasing renewable energy certificates (REC), which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes as renewable energy instruments or procedures installed in the organization or invested in elsewhere.

Wiltse’s email noted that DePaul has purchased increasing amounts of RECs through 2026, which he said will offset about 55% of DePaul’s anticipated electricity consumption by that time.

Maintaining and increasing the university’s use of solar was also noted as a point of sustainability progress in Wiltse’s email to Climate Reality Project.

“In November 2023, DePaul became an anchor tenant in Illinois Shines, a state-administered incentive program to support the development of new solar projects,” Wiltse said in the email. “Upon enrolling the Loop Campus accounts, over 90% of DePaul’s on-campus power consumption will be attributable to community solar once the underlying projects are fully developed.”

Reasons for high-emissions benchmarking data

Wiltse’s email to the Climate Reality Project explained why some of DePaul’s buildings were listed as high-emitting on the city of Chicago’s 2021 emission benchmarking data.

Wiltse emphasized that the benchmarking data showing DePaul as a high emitter

We view this baseline as a foundation to be built upon.”

Rich Wiltse Vice President of Facility Operations

was from 2021, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, when many buildings in Chicago were vacant while DePaul remained open and operational. Additionally, increased safety precautions such as better filtration and HVAC systems led to more energy usage per building than others in the city.

“All of these necessary safety protocols translated to significant increases in utility consumption, while many traditional office buildings and other non-essential busi-

nesses were continuing to scale back-office hours and in-person interactions toward maintaining social distancing,” Wiltse said in the email.

He cited research laboratories and “around the clock” heating and cooling systems as reasons for McGowan North and McGowan South’s high emissions. As for Centennial Hall, Wiltsse described this building as mixed-use, in that it is a dorm, office space, cellular tower hub and formerly held a Whole Foods Market, which closed in 2022. In 2021, however, Whole Foods Market was still operational on the first floor of DePaul’s Centennial Hall, requiring significant energy expenditures to accommodate large freezers and kitchen supplies.

Though Wiltse listed many legitimate attributions for DePaul’s high-emitting buildings, Wiltse and university leadership say they want to work with students and other members of the DePaul community to create more guidelines and strategies for becoming more sustainable.

“DePaul is committed to engaging with the Student Government Association, President’s Sustainability Committee, Just DePaul and others in developing a climate action plan. We will share more information on this process, including how students can get involved, in the coming months,” Sherri Sidler, DePaul’s executive vice president, said in a statement to The DePaulia.

Biden is touring collapsed Baltimore bridge where recovery effort has political overtones

By Will Weissert Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is expected to get a firsthand look Friday at efforts to clear away the hulking remains of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, as cranes, ships and diving crews work to reopen one of the nation’s main shipping lanes.

Biden will receive updates from the U.S. Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers. Eight workers — all immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador — were filling potholes on the bridge when it was hit by a huge cargo ship and collapsed in the middle of the night of March 26. Two men were rescued, but the bodies of only two of the six who died have been recovered.

The president plans to meet with the families of the victims.

Officials have established a temporary, alternate channel for vessels involved in clearing debris. The Army Corps of Engineers hopes to open a limited-access channel for barge container ships and some vessels moving cars and farm equipment by the end of this month and to restore normal capacity to Baltimore’s port by May 31, the White House says.

That’s important since longer delays in reopening shipping lanes could send shockwaves through the economy. As much as $200 million in cargo normally moves through Baltimore’s port per day, and it is the leading hub for importing and exporting vehicles.

Of more immediate concern might be covering the costs of cleanup and building

The federal government will step up and do the lion’s share.”

Mitch McConnell Senate Republican Leader

a new bridge.

The Federal Highway Administration has provided $60 million in “quick release” emergency relief funds to get started. Exactly how much the collapse will cost is unclear, though some experts estimate recovery will take at least $400 million and 18 months.

Cars drive on I-95 following the

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was more amenable to Biden’s call, likening the bridge collapse to assistance that flows after natural disasters and saying “the federal government will step up and do the lion’s share” of funding. But authorization is likely no slam-dunk in Congress.

The White House announced Friday it is asking Congress to authorize the federal government to cover 100% of the collapsed bridge cleanup and reconstruction costs, rather than seeking funding through a separate, emergency supplemental funding request.

In a letter to congressional leaders, Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young noted similar techniques were used for recovery and rebuilding efforts that received bipartisan congressional support in 2007, when a highway bridge in downtown Minneapolis collapsed during evening rush hour, killing 13 people.

“We are asking the Congress to join us in demonstrating our commitment to aid in recovery efforts,” Young wrote, though it is still unclear exactly how much money the administration will need to cover the costs.

A lot has changed in 17 years, however,

Biden said within hours of the collapse that “the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect the Congress to support my effort.” Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Dan Meuser called a promise made so quickly after the disaster “outrageous,” telling Fox News Channel, “The first reaction, in fact the only reaction, tends to be to spend.”

and a call for bipartisan funding could be a tougher sell today.

The conservative House Freedom Caucus issued a Friday statement saying, “If it proves necessary to appropriate taxpayer money to get one of America’s busiest ports back online, Congress should ensure it is fully offset and that burdensome regulations” are waved. It was referring to potential federal spending cuts elsewhere and to regulations like the Endangered Species Act.

The caucus’s letter also suggested that approval for bridge recovery funds be tied to the Biden administration agreeing to lift a pause it has imposed on exportation of liquified natural gas.

The funding questions only serve to heighten the collapse’s political implications as Biden squares off with former President Donald Trump in November’s election.

It’s the second major disaster along the country’s busy northeastern hub in as many years. Last summer, an overpass along Interstate 95 in Philadelphia caught fire and collapsed after a tanker truck slammed into it. Federal and state officials moved quickly on temporary repairs and ultimately reopened that section of the highway faster than expected.

But the cleanup and repairs in Baltimore will take far longer and be far more costly, making the chances it is a net polit-

ical positive for Biden — especially in time for Election Day — far murkier.

That hasn’t stopped the Biden administration from championing anew a $1 trillion-plus public works package that cleared Congress in 2021.

“Let’s not forget, that infrastructure law is now going to really deal with infrastructure in a generation,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said this week. She contrasted that with the Trump administration, which she said turned the issue “into a joke” by making frequent promises to secure infrastructure funding but doing “absolutely nothing.”

The bridge collapse also has thrust into the national spotlight Maryland’s Democratic Gov. Wes Moore, 45, a leading voice in Biden’s reelection campaign’s effort to energize young voters on the 81-year-old president’s behalf.

The president himself has traveled the country showcasing construction projects on highways, bridges and tunnels. In 2022, he arrived for an event in Pittsburgh just hours after a bridge nearby collapsed. Promoting the public works package also has allowed the president to lean into his love of train travel and many years commuting to and from Washington on Amtrak as a Delaware senator.

Biden said last week that the Key bridge was one “I’ve been over many, many times commuting.”

JULIA NIKHINSON | AP PHOTO

collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Baltimore.

A Chicago college student guide to the Illinois Primary: what you need to know

By Lucia Preiosi News Editor

Illinois held its primary elections March 19, during which voters cast their ballots in key races across the state, ultimately determining which candidates will advance to the general election on Nov. 5. Highly anticipated races such as the State’s Attorney nomination and the Bring Chicago Home initiative were decided on by Illinois voters.

President

As predicted, Joe Biden secured the Democratic majority with 91.5% of the votes in Illinois, followed by Marianne Williamson, who received 3.6% of the votes. These results give 147 Illinois delegates to President Biden.

Former President Donald Trump took the commanding lead in Illinois in the GOP primary, receiving 80.6% of the vote, followed by Nikki Haley, who received 14.4% of the vote.

Overall, 729,877 votes were cast for Biden, while 476,217 votes were cast for Trump. Illinois will hold its general election Tuesday, Nov. 5.

There were efforts on the part of pro-Palestinian activists to write in “Gaza” as their preferred presidential candidate on the primary ballot. Similar initiatives have taken place in primaries in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Cook County State's Attorney

Eileen O’Neill Burke defeated opponent Clayton Harris III in the Democratic primary for Cook County state’s attorney. Winning by razor-thin margins, Burke received 264,482 votes, with Harris III falling shortly

Chicago, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Voters are casting

behind with 262,857 votes — just over 1,600 votes.

This race has been called “one of the narrowest local primary election wins in recent memory,” according to WBEZ, Chicago’s public radio affiliate, and an official winner was not declared until nearly two weeks after election day. Burke will run against Republican opponent Bob Fioretti in November and is predicted to win in a heavily Democratic Cook County.

In her campaign platform, Burke assures Cook Country residents the “level of public safety they desire.” The primary winner also called for finding ways to provide safer rides on public transportation, removing illegal firearms from the street and other safety measures in a press conference on Monday, April 1.

Bring Chicago Home Chicago primary voters also cast their votes on the “Bring Chicago Home” referendum.

The referendum would raise the real estate transfer tax on properties over $1 million to create a consistent revenue stream for homeless services in Chicago.

The referendum sparked controversy from developers and real estate corporations across the city and faced a long battle before being officially placed on the ballot for the primary election.

The referendum did not receive enough votes to pass, with 184,890 “No” votes being cast compared with 169,492 “Yes” votes.

Illinois residents still not registered to vote can easily do so online before the Nov. 5 general election.

A voter shows her “I voted” sign after casting her ballot in

ballots Tuesday in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Ohio.

TERESA CRAWFORD | AP PHOTO

DePaul’s Quarter System, a doubleedged sword

By Giana Aguilar-Valencia Contributing Writer

The quarter system has long been a defining feature of academic life at DePaul. While some students praise its benefits, others struggle with its difficulties, leading to a long-running debate about its effectiveness. Personally, I am in the middle.

Explaining the quarter system to those who only know semesters leads to a vortex of questions: “But how does it work?” “You’re so lucky for such a long winter break.” “Why do you start so late?” This opens an intriguing discussion on whether the quarter system has value in education.

While the quarter system offers flexibility and academic challenge, DePaul students often find themselves wondering if it is worth it. But is it worth it? I feel torn between what I was accustomed to and my reality now.

Transitioning from the semester-based University of Central Florida in the fall of 2022 posed mental health challenges, as I moved a thousand miles away from home to settle into both a new city and an unfamiliar academic structure.

I had to learn how to adapt to 10 weeks of course material, handle my extracurricular activities, and still find time to live.

Taking almost six weeks off from before Thanksgiving until after New Year’s Day offers much flexibility in travel plans.

As a first-generation student and first-generation American, this benefits me because I try to take as much time off throughout the year to travel back home to Colombia to see my family and reconnect in my comfort zone.

Don Moseley, co-director of the DePaul Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence, sees how the quarter system supports academic focus on deadlines, especially for the up-and-coming student journalists in his classes with co-instructor and Chicago journalist Carol Marin.

"We structure it so that students know that they have deadlines to meet," Moseley said. "The expectation is, as it will be once they become journalists, that they have to meet that deadline.”

While only about 5% of colleges and universities still use the quarter system, according to the American Economic Association, Moseley said he is neutral about whether DePaul’s quarter system should change. However, he thinks it can be difficult to provide a comprehensive education in a short period of time. The semester system, he said, could provide more time for evaluation and interaction.

Sergio Cervantes Jr., a DePaul junior and computer science major, said it can be difficult to retain material in a 10week quarter.

“I feel that many details are skipped over that could be useful,” he said. “I am not grasping the material, moreso just memorizing it.”

Cervantes is in favor of DePaul changing to a semester system.

“I am for it! I don’t want to take four extra classes right after winter quarter, and I’d be able to focus on what I’m doing rather than thinking about what classes I need to pick,” Cervantes said.

In comparison, semester-based schools offer longer courses — often 15 weeks instead of 10 weeks — encouraging deeper understanding.

DePaul's quarter system offers a combination of advantages and challenges, providing a focused academic environment while requiring professional performance.

Ultimately, performance depends on balancing learning the material while actually understanding it. But we also need to consider students’ health, including

mental health, when creating policies.

A quarter system can cause a lot of anxiety and stress, which is something that should be taken into account.

“When you’re taking computer courses, back to back, it becomes easy to be burned out,” Cervantes said.

Personally, I have had to ask for extensions on my internship start dates due to finals occurring during the start date at the beginning of summer.

This has caused me to finish my internship later in the summer or even deny offers because some companies do not offer extensions.

On the one hand, the quarter system keeps you moving. You've got deadlines coming at you left and right, and before you know it, boom, the quarter's over. It's like blink and you miss it. But it keeps things interesting and keeps you on your toes.

Semester students have a bit more time to breathe, to really dive deep into subjects without feeling like they are racing against the clock.

I broke down the quarter system at DePaul to my next interviewee, and she was intrigued but saw where it could get tricky.

When considering the quarter system, Robin Sluzas, nontraditional senior studying journalism at Columbia College Chicago, said, “That’s brutal, I have to admit. I am sticking with a semester system.”

“I start looking at the syllabus, and put the due dates on my phone. I just do my work,” Sluzas said. As one who’s getting her degree later in life, she feels she has a stronger work ethic compared with her peers.

The quarter system can be intense,

I feel that many details are skipped over that could be useful...I am not grasping the material, moreso just memorizing it

Sergio Cervantes Jr.

University Junior

without a doubt. You have to be the best all the time without slacking off.

To answer the question: would I switch to semesters if I could? Honestly, I don't think so.

The quarter system has its challenges, sure, but it's also shaped me in ways I never imagined.

The rigor and consistency of the quarter system have kept me consistent, which has prevented me from slacking off.

Because of that, I’ve been awarded multiple scholarships and internships and have even had the honor of attending the White House for a K-12 STEM briefing in partnership with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

It's like a rollercoaster ride — scary at times but exhilarating too. And hey, isn't that what college is all about?

MAYA OCLASSEN | THE DEPAULIA

Breaking the chain in ‘gatekeeping’ one fandom at a time

By Ashley Peréz Contributing Writer

“Doctor Who,” “Star Wars” and “Dungeon & Dragons” — what do these shows, movies and games all have in common?

These high-fantasy fictional worlds are all enjoyed by straight, white men.

Finding a place among these fandoms can be difficult for a Latine woman like me. As a fan of tabletop and online games, it can feel isolating as many minorities are often excluded from these communities because they don’t see themselves represented.

Pop culture titles such as “Magic: The Gathering,” a tabletop game, and fighting games such as “Mortal Kombat” often have a large online and in-person community that can limit who gets to be a part of that fandom or “gatekeep” the community from outsiders. By withholding information, refusing to teach people new games or outright refusing entry into a group, fans are bluntly gatekeeping.

Paul Booth, a professor and associate dean in the College of Communication, describes gatekeeping as a way for some fans to “preserve and protect” the “core” of fan identity from others.

However, fans’ methods of conserving their chosen media can harm people looking to find a place in their fandom of interest.

“Every fandom has gatekeepers,” Booth said. “Some are more visible than others because the fandoms are larger, but gatekeeping is a part of fandom. We always try and create boundaries around what we think of as our own fandom.”

Booth says gatekeeping can be incredibly toxic to fan communities, as “true fans” want to police boundaries — deliberately “excluding voices from fan communities” and therefore silencing “less-privileged voices.”

As a woman of color, playing tabletop games such as “Dungeons & Dragons” or online games such as “Tekken 7” allows me to explore communities outside my comfort zone.

In online gaming communities, it’s easy to hide behind the screen pretending to be someone you are not — acting stronger by using demeaning words and purposely excluding individuals based on sexuality, race or gender.

As a fan of popular games, movies and shows, I am well aware of gatekeeping in fandom communities and the toxicity it brings to many groups as I encountered many boundaries surrounding online and in-person games.

Levi Baer, a former adjunct professor from the College of Communication, has seen many instances of gatekeeping

in online and in-person tabletop game communities.

Baer notes that gatekeeping women from the online gaming community becomes a joke in itself, forcing women out of a connection with people with similar interests. By refusing to acknowledge a woman’s skill set or intelligence in games, gamers, particularly men, call attention to women in gaming negatively.

“The term ‘Gamer Girl’ arose from the online gaming community as a way to single out women,” Baer said. “It was a phrase that was supposed to note that it is hard for women to exist in those spaces.”

Gatekeeping in the tabletop gaming community can be especially difficult for women and minority groups trying to find a place among those with similar interests. As a man, you can walk into conventions, tournaments and game stores with no one batting an eye or questioning why you are there.

But as a woman in gaming, especially a minority woman, you get stares or degrading comments about how serious you are about the game and its fandom.

As most tabletop games are in-person, finding a community that promotes diversity and inclusivity can be challenging, as many group leaders do not consider minorities when creating their community.

With games like “Magic: The Gathering” and “Dungeons & Dragons” having a fan base consisting of dedicated, loyal players, connecting with groups as a female player is challenging because I know exactly what being associated with the negative stereotype women gamers face, as I have entered tournaments and conventions outside of DePaul.

“If you walk in the door, and nobody looks like you or sounds like you or acts like your dresses like you, you have nowhere to gravitate,” Baer said. “How am I supposed to speak to that space? How am I supposed to integrate into that space?”

Fans of these popular titles may not realize the hurt they are causing by gatekeeping a community. Booth believes “true fans” are trying to protect the community by maintaining the status quo — sticking to what makes them feel comfortable in their community.

“Gatekeeping is just about maintaining boundaries,” Booth said. “Sometimes we need gates. It becomes negative when those gates are used to repress or deny populations.”

As a college student, finding a common interest among my peers can be as easy as striking up a conversation. But as fandom communities continue to grow, joining groups can be intimidating as individuals may not want to open their

groups to “new” members.

“We are told that it is an open-door place — that anyone can come in,” Baer said. “But everything is like this classic, old-school version of people maintaining the original status quo. They are there to gatekeep what it’s like for people to come in the door.”

Breaking away from the harmful, toxic relationship we have with gatekeeping is the first step in creating a lasting bond with people who share the same interests.

As individuals in fandom and gaming communities, we must open doors to anyone interested in trying out new games and entertainment. We have all experienced gatekeeping and exclusion at some point in our lives, but it needs to stop.

“Try to put yourself in the shoes of others,” Baer said. “We need to welcome people with all identities and take a step down from the seat of power.”

MAYA OCLASSEN | THE DEPAULIA

AIKO TAI | THE DEPAULIA

A student plays “Valorant” in DePaul’s Esports Center on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. Women and members of the LGBTQ+ population make up a minority of the gaming population.

La DePaulia

Carta del Editor: Nuestro equipo está comprometido a ampliar la cobertura de

la comunidad latina en Chicago

Por Alyssa Salcedo Jefa de Redacción, La DePaulia

La DePaulia es mucho más que una publicación dirigida por estudiantes. Es un equipo de periodistas emergentes comprometidos a compartir las diversas historias de la comunidad latina en Chicago. Es una alegría para mí entrar a la sala de redacción a ver la pasión que nuestro equipo tiene mientras editan y comparten piezas que importan a nuestros lectores.

Cuando me convertí en jefa de redacción en enero, sabía que sería un desafío, pero estaba lista para enfrentarlo y ayudar a que la publicación creciera.

Desde entonces, con la ayuda de mi equipo, he hecho un compromiso para mantener nuestra misión, expandir nuestro personal e incorporar más reportajes de multimedia en nuestra publicación. Al comenzar un nuevo trimestre, quiero dar la bienvenida al nuevo consejo editorial y reconocer los logros de nuestro equipo.

Continuamos nuestro compromiso de elevar las voces de la comunidad latina, desmontando los prejuicios dañinos que nos dividen y asegurando que nuestra cobertura sea justa y precisa.

Nuestro objetivo siempre ha sido abrir un espacio para las comunidades afroamericanas y latinas en Chicago y en DePaul. Seguimos comprometidos a usar “Latine”, un término neutral en cuanto al género e inclusivo, para referirnos a los miembros de nuestra comunidad, pero aún respetando la elección de una fuente de ser identificada latina, latino, latinx, chicano, chicana o hispana.

También estamos orgullosos de resaltar la interseccionalidad en la comunidad y compartir las voces de los latinos que son indígenas, afro-latinos, inmigrantes, de primera generación y parte de la comunidad LGBTQ+. Continuaremos capturando los desafíos que enfrentan y la belleza que aportan a nuestra ciudad.

Estoy más que agradecida al equipo editorial de La DePaulia por escribir estas historias y por mantener nuestros valores a través de su cobertura. Nuestra asociación con NBC y Telemundo Chicago también ha brindado a nuestros periodistas la oportunidad única de publicar sus artículos en sus plataformas, expandiendo nuestra audiencia.

Con la ayuda de Laura Rodriguez Presa, reportera del Chicago Tribune, asesora de la publicación, nos hemos convertido en mejores escritores. Ella nos ha dado consejos profesionales y sirve como modelo a seguir. No estaríamos donde estamos hoy sin su orientación.

He tenido la suerte de trabajar junto a un equipo que se apoya mutuamente no solo como colegas, sino como una familia. Su disposición para colaborar, darse consejos mutuos y celebrar los éxitos de cada miembro del equipo ha sido verdaderamente inspiradora.

Quiero agradecer a mi ex jefa de redacción, Jaqueline Cárdenas, y a mis compañeros de equipo: Cary Robbins, Rodolfo Zagal, Nupur Bosmiya, Emily Díaz, Ariana Vargas, Alonso Vidal y Alondra M. Castañeda, quienes me ayudaron a sentirme como en casa en DePaul. Me han hecho una mejor líder, escritora y amiga, y por eso, estaré eternamente agradecida.

También me gustaría agradecer a nuestras asesoras Laura Rodriguez Presa y Martha Irvine por su apoyo y por estar siempre entusiasmadas por ayudarnos a lo largo de nuestros caminos.

Estoy emocionada de continuar nuestro trabajo, seguir expandiendo nuestro equipo y ver lo que el futuro nos depara. Como jefa de redacción, me enorgullece presentar al nuevo consejo editorial de La DePaulia para el período 2024-2025.

Rodolfo Zagal (Él/Él) – Gerente Editorial de La DePaulia

Soy un nativo queer de Chicago, estudiando periodismo con una especialización en historia. Soy mexicanoamericano de primera generación y espero difundir conciencia sobre los problemas que afectan a las minorías en toda la ciudad. Disfruto de La DePaulia porque conozco a periodistas reflexivos y descubro historias interesantes. Me interesa la justicia social, ver películas y viajar a nuevos lugares. Estoy emocionado de escribir historias desde diferentes perspectivas este próximo año.

Nupur Bosmiya (ella/ellas) – Editora de Noticias de La DePaulia

Actualmente soy estudiante de posgrado en periodismo en la Universidad DePaul y originalmente me uní a La DePaulia como verificadora de información antes de convertirme en editora de noticias. Soy eternamente una interesada en la cultura y los medios visuales, espero contar historias cautivadoras sobre el arte y los artistas. Si no estoy recorriendo una galería de arte o un museo, puedes encontrarme acurrucada en mi cama con una novela.

Vivo

DePaul, estudiando Periodismo. Descubrí mi pasión por el periodismo multimedia durante mi tercer año. Me encanta hacer videos para contar historias en diferentes plataformas. ¡Estoy lista para escribir o capturar lo que está sucediendo en el mundo que nos rodea para conectarnos entre nosotros!

Ariana Vargas – Editora de Multimedia

en Blue Island y estoy en mi último año en

Alondra M. Castañeda – Escritora Colaboradora de La DePaulia

Nací en Guerrero, México, pero emigré a los Estados Unidos a la edad de tres años. Soy estudiante de primer año, persiguiendo mi licenciatura en periodismo. También soy madre, creadora de contenido y podcaster. Me considero una mujer versátil con muchos talentos. Me apasiona dar voz a nuestra comunidad latina y estoy muy emocionada de ser parte del equipo de La DePaulia!

Alonso Vidal – Escritor Colaborador y Creador Multimedia de La DePaulia

Soy estudiante de último año con especialización en Cine y concentración en escritura de guiones. Soy de Perú y me apasiona todo tipo de escritura, desde cuentos cortos hasta guiones cinematográficos y ahora periodismo.

Emily Díaz (Ella) – Escritora Colaboradora de La DePaulia

Soy escritora colaboradora para La DePaulia y estudiante de cuarto año de Estudios de Comunicación en DePaul con un título combinado de posgrado en Relaciones Públicas y Publicidad. También soy editora asociada en la revista 14East y asistente de comunicaciones internas para el Colegio de Comunicaciones de DePaul. Cómo hondureña y estadounidense de primera generación de ascendencia china, me apasiona promover la interseccionalidad y la equidad en el periodismo y la industria publicitaria.

APRIL IS Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Supportive Survey Events Campus Climate Survey

During Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), the Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey will be emailed

Did you know?

Illinois’s Task Force on Campus Sexual Misconduct created this survey after learning that 90-95% of survivors choose not to make a report after an incident of sexual misconduct.

Completing the survey may be difficult. Those who complete the survey will be entered in a special drawing for a number of giveaways, including Cubs tickets.

Take the survey here →

Also, DePaul is hosting a number of Supportive Survey Events where staff and peers will be present to help along the way. T-shirts or other freebies may be available at these events visit DeHUB or the SAAM webpage to register

Health Promotion & Wellness is hosting survey events in the Lincoln Park Student Center, Suite 302, on these dates:

Tuesday, April 2 11AM-2PM

Wednesday, April 10 11AM-2PM

Tuesday, April 16 11AM-2PM

Wednesday, April 24 11AM-2PM

Visit the SAAM webpage for more events

Arts & Life

The wonders of the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven

By Delaunay Krauter Contributing Writer

With a “Hello Kitty” wand in hand, 3-year-old Zoey Rivera hoped to befriend one of the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven’s residents as her dad, Samuel, followed behind.

“Every time they come close, you go ‘Ahh!’” she said, noting that the butterflies were her favorite part of the exhibit.

Tucked away from the bustling chaos of urban life in the heart of Lincoln Park, visitors to the Haven find sanctuary in its tropical warmth, watching as vibrant blue and orange patterns are animated by fluttering wings that float from petal to petal.

The garden, located on the second floor of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, is home to 1,000 exotic butterflies and moths from Asia to Central and South America. According to the museum’s website, general admission includes free entry.

The 2,700-square-foot eco-friendly greenhouse that protects its residents and visitors from Chicago’s temperamental weather is flooded by natural light, which illuminates the crisp green vegetation lining the walking path inside.

The sound of a babbling waterfall is an acoustic backdrop for visitors who can learn about the butterfly’s unique life cycle and marvel at the incredible diversity of the Haven’s 40 species, from the Jazzy Leafwing to the Common Morpho.

“You could meditate here, if you wanted to,” said Rohan Jain, a Chicago resident pleased to be visiting the haven for a second time. “It’s very peaceful.”

Zoey, who hoped her magic wand would make an attractive landing spot for the butterflies, called the atmosphere “relaxing.”

Every day at 2 p.m. during the Haven’s “First Flight Butterfly Release” of the day, visitors can watch as the newest generation of these arabesque creatures spread their wings for the first time.

This display of new life caused Northwestern student Manisha Devidi to return to the Haven for a second visit.

“The first time I came here, there were so many butterflies getting released,” she said. “It

Children gather around one of the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven’s public engagement facilitators during the daily butterfly release on Thursday, March 7, 2024. “You could meditate here, if you wanted to,” said Rohan Jain, a Chicago resident pleased to be visiting the haven for a second time. “It’s very peaceful.”

was beautiful.”

Mirna Roque, a Chicago resident who also enjoyed the show, said the experience made her feel “youthful.”

Devidi and several other visitors said they were particularly drawn to one of Haven’s most vibrant residents, the Common Morpho, whose wide neon blue wings unfold to mesmerize its audience.

Zoey said her favorite butterfly was “the orange one.”

Aside from its aesthetic and educational appeal, research and conservation are also important parts of the Haven’s mission.

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Butterfly Haven opened in 1999 and are part of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, Chicago’s first natural history museum, founded in 1857, according to the Museum’s website.

The Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network, a program that has been tracking the fluctuations in the state’s butterfly populations since the 1980s, is based at the museum.

The Network relies on volunteers who are trained to survey butterfly populations. These “citizen-scientists” are assigned to various sites and tasked with counting the butterflies they see, according to the Network’s monitoring guidelines.

Doug Taron, who has since retired as the curator of biology and vice president of research and conservation at the Nature Museum, spoke to reporters at Chicago’s PBS station, WTTW, in 2018. He said volunteers usually make about six survey trips annually and the data they gather tells conservationists about population trends and the effects of environmental change.

Scientists at the museum’s conservation

Three butterflies, including a Blue Morpho and a Doris Longwing, eat from a fruit plate at the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Butterflies typically get their nutrition from the nectar of flowers.

lab are using this information to rebuild endangered butterfly populations on prairie restoration programs in Illinois. This includes species like the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly, the monarch and the regal fritillary, according to the Museum’s website.

Perhaps the most recognizable of the trio, the monarch butterfly has seen a drastic decrease in population in recent years as its main food source, milkweed, disappears.

Educators with the Nature Museum host over 200 annual workshops to help people understand threats to the monarch’s habitat and food source and changes in its migratory pattern.

The Baltimore checkerspot butterfly, a population the Butterfly Monitoring Network has been watching since 1988, has since dis-

appeared from Bluff Springs Forest Preserve in Elgin, according to the museum’s website

The conservation lab has been working to raise checkerspot caterpillars using technology that mimics their habitat. Museum visitors can watch scientists work behind glass that separates their lab from the rest of the museum.

The Haven’s visitors are definitely learning.

“What is it before it becomes a butterfly?” Samuel, Zoey’s father, asked her.

“Caterpillars!” she eagerly replied.

“Very good,” he said, smiling, “Very nice.”

DELAUNAY KRAUTER | THE DEPAULIA

DELAUNAY KRAUTER | THE DEPAULIA

‘Late Night With the Devil’ review: An on air horror classic

By Claire Tweedie Arts & Life Editor

“Late Night With the Devil” is a demonic delight that possesses audiences with a fresh take on the found footage trope and worms its way into the heart of any horror fan. From the slightly campy 1970s setting to the cultural commentary on occult obsession contrasted by critiques of media success to gruesomely interesting paranormal effects, the film leaves you hypnotized by its ability to balance style and substance. This truly is a horror movie that feels like it was meant to be found, not just made. The film follows fictional late-night television host Jack Delroy, played by DePaul alumni David Dastmaclhian, during his 1977 Halloween broadcast of “Night Owls With Jack Delroy.” While Delroy tries to boost his show’s ratings against competitors like Johnny Carson, his attempts to shock audiences with paranormal guests and an on-air exorcism turn a night of spooky celebration into a terrifying supernatural tale.

The real spellbinding power of “Late Night With the Devil” lies in its artful ability to slowly blur the line between spectator and spectacle. The terror builds over the 93-minute runtime through a hauntingly effective mix of documentary-style introductions, fictional found footage and traditional scene cuts. Even when the plot is laid bare in the first five minutes, giving you all the context you need to know exactly what happens next,

you’re glued to your chair hoping the ending isn’t as predictably deadly. What makes the movie effective is that the tragedy lies in this documentary setup. Broadcast history was made in 1977; now you have to watch the inevitable unfold in real-time. With this, the energy in the theater is palpable. Audiences grapple with the images on their television screens without the ability to snatch the remote and change the channel before the show gets bloody.

The only reprieve in the wonderfully tense narrative is the charismatic performance of Dastmalchian, ready to ease his live studio audience and those sitting in the movie theater today with a winning smile and lighthearted transition to a commercial break. Dastmalchian’s on-screen presence grounds the story in some version of reality and keeps the viewer immersed in its period setting. In between the horror and dramatic elements, Delroy is the glue that binds the genres together through a well-rounded and fatally flawed character. It’s impossible to praise this film’s creative spin on horror without also acknowledging the questionable real-life implications of its use of artificial intelligence generated art. During the live broadcast segments of the film, the found footage cuts to 70s stylized title cards in lieu of actual commercial breaks. Directors Colin and Cameron Cairnes explained that they experimented with three title cards created by AI, which were then edited further and used in the film.

While the addition may not be noticeable for some viewers, others have begun review bombing the movie on audience-facing platforms like Letterboxd in protest of AI’s place in the film industry. “Late Night With the Devil” is for the horror fan looking to scratch the indie film itch that horror-centric studios like Blumhouse Production — which recently produced movies like “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” “Imaginary” and “Halloween Ends” —

can no longer satisfy. Even with AI haunting it’s otherwise genius storytelling, the film still reigns as a future Halloween classic. The artistry of its horrifying plot and cinematic execution jumps off the screen, letting the story creep around the edges of your mind and raise the hairs on the back of your neck long after the broadcast ends. The film opened at the Music Box Theatre March 22 and has limited showings at select theaters across the city.

YU YU BLUE | THE DEPAULIA

By Lucia Preziosi

St.Vincent’s

At the end of a winter quarter that left me particularly heartbroken, disgusted, disheartened and disheveled, I returned home to my native East Coast to watch the beautiful wedding of my sister-in-law and brother, Tanya and Patrick. Even though seeing a happy couple in love was at the bottom of my to-do list for fun activities following this last quarter, their inspiring relationship officially ended my cynicism. It launched me back into my full-blown lover girl era right in time for spring. So here are some tunes to defrost your heart and prepare for better days ahead.

“Don’t Trust Me”: the booyah! kids

I first heard this song at a swanky restaurant in Wicker Park on my first night back in Chicago after spring break. I immediately pulled out my phone to Shazam it (on Snapchat… much to the

disgust of my date) and added it to my April playlist. The dance beat of this song pairs perfectly with indie-pop vocals to create an anthem to bounce along to when you’re getting ready with your girls for the first warm night out or add it to your soundtrack for your return to Lake Michigan days on the ledge.

“Epitaph”: Hippo Campus

Any tune by Hippo Campus reminds me of the impending warmth and happiness after a dramatic winter. First introduced to me by a long blonde-haired, puka-shell-wearing, California surfer boy on a band trip during my sophomore year of high school, Hippo Campus has stuck with me ever since. Even though we did not get married after our two-day romance and trip to the 9/11 memorial, I still have this wonderful song to listen to. It particularly reminds me of a tragic winter, complete with some boy drama, only to be blessed by the sun and a new

outlook on life.

“In My Dreams”: Kali Uchis

I couldn’t possibly write a DeJamz mentioning Patrick and Tanya’s wedding without adding some Kali Uchis into the mix. I begrudgingly admit that Patrick and Tanya are solely responsible for any and all of my interests that are deemed cool, whether it be wearing baggy pants or listening to Kali Uchis. They first showed me this song in the summer of 2018. With the pop beat and Uchis’ beautiful vocals, it is the perfect song to rid yourself of winter heartbreak and remind you of better days ahead. Also, a frequent send when a boy who seems like they knows a little too much about music asks you, “what’s your song of the day?”.

“Blue Coupe”: Twin Peaks

Most of my warm-weather songs stem from the summer before my freshman year of high school, when it seemed like each kid in my home city of Brook-

lyn was trying to one-up each other in finding the most overdramatic, indie, “obscure” songs they could. But “Blue Coupe” is a rare exception from this time period. It’s peaceful, it sounds like good weather, and it is one of those tunes that makes you take a deep, relaxing breath as soon as it comes on.

“So in Love”: Curtis Mayfield

I cannot conclude my lovergirl spring DeJamz without including debatably the best love song of all time. Curtis Mayfield’s soulful classic perfectly captures what it’s like to become the lovey-dovey version of yourself again. As Mayfield gushes about his partner, you will not only have a perfect anthem for warm weather, but it might motivate a romantic gesture.

COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA

DePaul’s offense goes dormant, as St. John’s sweeps weekend series

By Nathan Klepp Contributing Writter

The DePaul Blue Demons softball team couldn’t bring a runner across home plate in a three-game home series against St. John’s University Easter weekend. It was the first time in program history that St. John’s has shut out a Big East opponent in a three-game set.

Four days prior, the Blue Demons had traveled west to DeKalb to play Northern Illinois University and scored a season-high 17 runs on 13 hits, including three home runs. But their weekend return to Cacciatore stadium resulted in one of the more lopsided series between these two Big East schools. DePaul’s offense could only muster up five hits total as St. John’s won all three games decisively, 8-0, 4-0 and 3-0.

Erratic play plagued DePaul all weekend long as neither the offense nor pitching could find a groove, DePaul head softball coach Traci Adix-Zins said.

“We haven’t been able to find the consistency,” Adix-Zins said after the three-game series. “It’s been something that we’ve talked about all year long. We just have to find those timely moments and can’t get too high in the peaks and low in the valleys. We’re just too up and down.”

Sophomore pitcher Bella Nigey earned the start on the circle for the series opener Thursday, March 28. St. John’s started the game swinging, scoring six runs on six hits to jump out to a quick lead in the top of the first inning. Nigey was only able to record two outs in that first inning before graduate student Brenna Smith came in for relief to finish out the game.

“I think Thursday was kind of a mental block going in knowing (St. John’s) is a good offensive team,” Nigey said. “I had to stay sharp on running lanes and spinning the ball, but once you see them attack you it’s hard to stay focused.”

St. John’s starting pitcher Ana Serafinko, a fellow sophomore, helped her own cause by belting a ball over the brand-new scoreboard in right-center for a home run against Nigey. Defensively, Serafinko set the tone in the pitcher’s circle, striking out three and throwing the program’s first no-hitter since 2017 in their 8-0 run-rule victory.

In the third inning, DePaul threatened to put runs on the scoreboard, with redshirt freshman Kali Blount and fifth-year Brooke Johnson both drawing walks and eventually getting into scoring position. Still, a strikeout on junior third baseman Carly Alvers left them stranded.

Game two, Friday, March 29, went the distance. A pitcher’s duel between DePaul’s junior Katey Pierce and St. John’s sophomore Loreley Francia kept the game close until St. John’s broke through in the top half of the seventh inning, adding three insurance runs to shutout DePaul 4-0. Francia fanned eight batters

in the process, controlling the zone, nailing her pitches, and only allowing four hits.

A bright spot in the offense, Alvers generated almost all of DePaul’s offense on Friday, accounting for half of DePaul’s hits and being active on the base path by stealing third base in the second inning. Alvers’ two hits marked her fifth multi-hit game of the season and second of the week.

“This past week, we’ve been working a lot on our offense, so I just really was looking for the outside pitch and doing anything I can to back up my pitcher and help my team,” Alvers said.

With Alvers’ success at the plate, the time was ripe for DePaul to finally get on the scoreboard in the sixth inning.

Fifth-year student Brooke Johnson, who plays first base, laced a single to center, advancing sophomore infielder Alexis Houge to second. DePaul, trying to capitalize on this golden opportunity with two runners on and no outs, signaled for a bunt attempt by junior infielder Baylee Cosgrove. Her attempted bunt hung in the air just long enough for St. John’s third baseman Amy Mallah to make a full-extension dive and double up Johnson at first for two crucial outs. A strikeout from senior catcher Riley Pool stalled any chance of late-inning magic.

Game three on a picturesque Saturday afternoon was DePaul’s last chance to salvage the series. Nigey once again got the call to start in the circle and again let up a home run to right-center to Serafinko, giving St. Johns an early 2-0 lead. However, this outing Nigey settled down with the help of strong defensive plays from outfielders Morgan Rodgers and Kali Blount, who had a run-saving throw-out

at home in the seventh.

“I pitch with a lot of confidence knowing that everyone on that field is giving 110%,” Nigey said. “(Blount) has been making that play all year, so I knew she was gonna get that girl.”

Nigey rebounded from her previous start, going the distance this time and allowing five hits and earning one strikeout.

“I just have the mentality of, ‘you’re here for a reason and they’re putting you out there because they trust you,’” Nigey said of her coaches.

The DePaul defense kept the St. John’s offense in check after the first inning, but yet again, repeatedly walked back to the dugout empty handed whenever the offense had a chance to put points on the board.

An insurance run in the seventh from St. John’s all but sealed DePaul’s shutout loss and clinched the series sweep for the Red Storm.

Adix-Zins believes her girls are putting too

much pressure on themselves to perform.

“You can’t get caught up in everything and let it snowball because then we’ll never be successful at that point,” Adix-Zins said. “Nobody wants to beat the dead horse and (continue) to harp on what they’re doing wrong. They understand that. So, at that point, we have to figure out a way that we can spin (these games) into a more positive manner of understanding that we still have ample amounts of time.”

DePaul still has about a month and a half of regular-season games left with tough series against Butler, Villanova, Seton Hall and Creigthon before the Big East Tournament.

“Our whole team is really close,” Alvers said. “So having that bond and friendship really helps us stay positive and have a good mindset during games. It might not go our way, but we’ll always be there for each other no matter what.”

JAYDI VASQUEZ | THE DEPAULIA Brooke Johnson swings at a pitch during her game against Butler on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Cacciatore Stadium in Lincoln Park.

JAYDI VASQUEZ | THE DEPAULIA DePaul catcher Riley Pool swings at a pitch during the game against Butler on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Cacciatore Stadium.

DePaul adds three transfer players and receives a verbal commitment from another

By Tom Gorski Men's Basketball Beat Reporter

Fresh off his hiring, DePaul head coach Chris Holtmann has been actively shaping the team by securing four new players from the transfer portal.

Holtman and his staff have officially added Troy D’Amico, a junior forward from Southern Illinois University; CJ Gunn, a sophomore guard from Indiana University; and NJ Benson, a sophomore forward from Missouri State. They also received a verbal commitment from David Thomas, a freshman guard from Mercer University, Thursday afternoon.

"We are really excited about the addition of CJ, NJ and Troy," Holtmann said in a statement. “As we build this program, finding the right people and players are a critical first step. These young men are excited about DePaul and the opportunity to compete in one of the best leagues in college basketball.”

D’Amico, originally from Chicago and an alum of Notre Dame College Prep in Niles, Illinois, is gearing up to return to his hometown for his senior season. He transferred to DePaul over

Wisconsin, Rutgers, Belmont, Liberty, Richmond, Wyoming and several other mid-major programs.

While attending Notre Dame College Prep, he achieved All-State recognition in basketball in 2021 from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. He also helped lead his team to a 29-5 record as a junior and a 15-3 record as a senior, including No.1 state rankings in Class 3A in both seasons.

The 6-foot-7 forward was a threeyear player for the Salukis and appeared in 32 games this past season. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 42.5% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc.

D’Amico played under recently hired DePaul assistant coach Bryan Mullens, who served as Southern Illinois head coach last season.

Coming from Lawrence North High School, Gunn was a four-star rated recruit by 247Sports.com and the thirdranked player in the state of Indiana.

During his stint with the Hoosiers

over the past two seasons, Gunn saw limited playing time, only playing an average of 10.7 minutes per game. This past season, he appeared in 29 games off the bench, averaging 3.9 points and a rebound per game while shooting 34% from deep. He also achieved double-figure scoring three times, had five multi-steal games, and made at least one three-pointer in 10 games.

Benson will be Holtmann's second local recruit, standing at 6-foot-8 and originating from Vernon, Illinois. He demonstrated significant growth from his freshman to sophomore season, averaging 8.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, all while shooting 63% from the field.

Throughout his time at Vernon Township High School in Illinois, Benson earned recognition as both conference and regional player of the year. He notably set a league record with 658 points in his senior season. The Chicago Sun-Times rated Benson as the seventh-ranked prospect in Illinois and the top power forward in the state.

MBB, continued from front page

“Chris’ track record as a head coach of high-level programs, demonstrated commitment to excellence on and off the court, and NCAA postseason experience made him the perfect hire for DePaul,” Peevy said. “Chris unmistakably shares our values and our vision for DePaul men’s basketball, recognizes our commitment to the resources required to compete at a high level, and is eager to return our program to national prominence.”

Having previously navigated the Big East, Holtmann is well-acquainted with the challenges ahead. Before joining Ohio State, he served as the head coach at Butler for three seasons (2014-2017), leading the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament in each of his first three seasons.

“I think the challenge of the Big East of the quality of coaching and the quality of programs was attractive for me,” Holtmann said of the progression of the Big

Thursday afternoon saw the announcement of Thomas's decision to join the Blue Demons after verbally committing.

The ex-Mercer guard recently concluded his freshman season, participating in 31 games, eight of which he started. He averaged 11 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 40.2% from beyond the arc.

Thomas attended Eagles Landing High School in McDonough, Georgia and earned recognition as the region’s player of the year as a senior. He was also a key member of the region’s champion as a senior, averaging 21 points per game.

As the off-season progresses, the team is undergoing a significant transformation, with every player from last season's roster either graduating or entering the transfer portal. Joining the four transfer players, incoming freshman Chris Riddle from Kenwood Academy remains a part of the 2024 recruiting class.

With only five roster spots filled for next season's team, there is still work to be done to set next season’s roster.

East since he last coached in the league. “I think it’s a great league and if you have a team that can compete in this league, you can compete nationally.”

Holtmann acknowledges that the program’s development will take time, yet he sees a tremendous opportunity for recruitment and attracting players from the transfer portal.

“We’ve got to share with them our vision,” Holtmann said of his message to fans and potential recruits. “We’ve got to show all of the young men both via high school and the transfer portal our paths to helping them become the best versions of themselves and reach and achieve their potential. It’s also about finding the right group that wants to be here and the group that wants to be apart, lock arms and rebuild this thing.”

for over 25 years.

RYAN HINSKE | THE DEPAULIA DePaul head coach Chris Holtmann speaks with the media after his introductory press conference on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Wintrust Arena. In the past week, Holtmann secured three transfers: Troy D'Amico, CJ Gunn, and NJ Benson.