The 2025-26 DePaulia season is nearing a close, and although the paper will be back next year, a new incoming roster means that this collection of student journalists will never be the same.
To commemorate the current group, I’ve provided the non-sports staff the opportunity to voice their strongest, wildest and most provocative sports takes, to which I will be responding below.
LiLi Jarvenpa – Editor-in-Chief
“Baseball players have the best asses in sports.”
OK, definitely a big swing out the gates from the EIC. LiLi and I pay attention to different things when we watch America’s pastime, but considering the fact that last year’s home run leader Cal Raleigh is nicknamed “Big Dumper,” I would be hard pressed to disagree here.
Sabrina Castle – Digital Managing Editor
“I think that the NBA should bring back those tiny little shorts from the ‘70s.”
I agree 100%. NBA players are much better than they were 50 years ago, and if all-time greats like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jerry West and Julius Erving could do what they did with a five-inch in-seam, so too can modern legends like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
Brielle Kohlbeck – Content Managing Editor
“Tom Brady shouldn’t kiss his kids on the lips.
Agreed. Brady is the unquestioned G.O.A.T. and I would follow him to the ends of this planet, but this is a weird thing with him. I’m shocked nobody got in his ear about this earlier.
Jeremy Battle – Director of Photography & Multimedia
“Bam Adebayo is a top 50 player all-time.”
I hold out hope thinking that Jeremy is just trolling here, but the other day I shot a paper towel into the trash (easy make, no big deal). When I said “Kobe,” he answered with “Bam.” Cringe and hard disagree.
Sofia Joseph – La DePaulia Editor-in-Chief
“Baseball is way better in person. Watching it on TV is painfully boring.”
Some sports (football and basketball) are far better to watch in the comfort of your own home, but as Sofia points out, baseball demands an in-person viewing experience. I think 80% of the reason that people like the game is because it is symbolic of the sunny summer season itself.
Isabella Siemaszko – La DePaulia Content Managing Editor
“Robert Lewandowski should have won the Ballon d’Or in 2020 and 2021.”
I’m not the biggest soccer guy in the world, but I trust Izzy’s opinion. I do think that it is weird that soccer games continued during the pandemic, but there was still no Ballon d’Or awarded due to Covid-19.
Tori Treviño – La DePaulia News Editor
“My least favorite part of hockey is the fights and the violence.”
This is a hard disagree from me. Maybe that says more about who I am, but I love a hockey fight, especially when they start pulling the jerseys over the back of their opponent’s head.
Cris Salas – La DePaulia Social Media Editor
“Penalty shootouts are the worst way to determine a winner. They should go back to the golden goal rule.”
Agreed. Finishing with shootouts is like skipping overtime in a basketball game in favor of a free throw contest. It’s such a small part of the game, and nothing beats the thrill of sudden death sports.
Genesis Coffey – Design Editor
“The Oklahoma City Thunder don’t deserve all the hate for being corny.”
Another hard disagree. The Thunder are really good, but are just about as equally annoying and corny. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the toughest watches in the NBA currently, and Chet Holmgren’s code switching tendencies should continue to be mocked into oblivion.
Javen Oswald – Asst. Design Editor
“Kyle Davidson needs to be fired.”
Outside of having Connor Bedard fall into his lap, Davidson really hasn’t done too much good as the Blackhawks’ general manager. I do like that he worked his way up from being an intern with the team, but it’s probably time to end this chapter.
Sadie Springer – News Editor
“Golf is really fun.”
Disclaimer: I have never played non-mini golf, but I disagree. It seems like the worst combination of boring and frustrating. I don’t even think it’s fun on television, but rather a great soundtrack to a Sunday afternoon nap.
Khadija Mujahid – Asst. News Editor
“Professional sports should not exist as a concept.”
I understand where Khadija is coming from. Society is full of actual heroes and idols, but we hold athletes who play childhood games for a living in the highest of regards. I’m not saying we should collect trading cards of middle school math teachers or conduct postgame interviews with bloody surgeons fresh out of the operating room, but there are many people far more deserving of the attention, money and glory that comes with being a professional athlete.
Annie Koziel – Arts & Life Editor
“I hate Matt Shaw.”
Matt Shaw was the bane of my Cubs existence last summer. With a team that seemed to have everything going right, Shaw created and participated in needless off-the-diamond drama that brought a lot of ire and negativity to the lovable losers. I agree, and would not be surprised to see him traded at the deadline this year.
Lindsay Freiberger – Asst. Arts & Life Editor
“If you’re problematic in your personal life, you should be taken off the court.”
Agreed. Athletes in America and around the world are idolized by younger generations and compensated highly to play a game professionally. If a player has committed murder, sexual or domestic violence or any number of very serious crimes, they should be expected to lose their platforms.
Anna Barth – Opinions Editor
“Baseball is the most boring sport to ever exist.”
I agreed earlier that baseball is a much better sport to watch in person than on TV, but I think it’s a stretch to say that it’s the most boring sport ever. It kind of depends on what your definition of sports is, but when things like badminton and croquet exist, I’d have to disagree. In terms of professional American sports though, I’d tend to agree.
Grace Logan – Multimedia Editor
“I don’t think Bill Self should retire.”
There is something awesome about college basketball coaches who’ve been at one school forever. Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Mark Few (Gonzaga) and Self (Kansas) are the last of a dying breed, and both the coaches and the programs should try to stay connected for as long as possible.
Kieran Stover – Asst. Multimedia Editor
“People who say they watch F1 are lying.”
When talking about American viewers, I’d tend to agree. F1 races are far too early in the morning to garner big time viewers in the Western Hemisphere, and it seems like more people are familiar with the big names like Max Verstappen than watch the events themselves.
Giacomo Cain – Photo Editor
“The Dodgers are morally and ethically the worst team ever.”
I agree, even if it’s a little hyperbolic. I’m usually OK with rooting for Los Angeles and New York City teams (sports are more fun when big city teams are good), but the Dodgers are really pushing their luck with me. Outside of owning a monopoly on the league’s best players, financing their roster by differing payments through the bank of Shohei Ohtani circumvents the MLB’s lack of cap regulations in a concerning way.
Zoey Duchene – Asst. Photo Editor
“NFL, during the playoffs, should do best of three per round.”
This is potentially the worst take on this list, unfortunately. I would normally be all for more football, but NFL injuries are already very high, and forcing teams to double or triple their games down the stretch would lead to so many knee injuries that the playoffs would look like a retirement home.
Amber Corkey – Newsletter and Copy Editor
“Marching band is a sport.”
I disagree with this, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t think marching band is really impressive. Playing an instrument, let alone in a school setting, is very difficult, and doing so during physical, synchronized exertion is very challenging. But I don’t think it’s a sport.
Isabella Russomanno – Asst. Copy Editor
“Get rid of all these wannabe national leagues.”
The oversaturation of frivolous sports leagues is definitely getting out of hand. Most of them seem to fizzle out pretty quickly, and while it is nice to randomly see football on my screen in late spring, it never really hits the same as the real deal, which I would much rather just wait for.
Preciosa Rios – Illustration Editor
“Football games need TV graphics in real life.”
I like football a lot, so I’m very familiar with the game’s rules and how far teams are from a first down, etc. Still, it is one of the more confusing sports out there, so any way to help people learn the ropes works for me. #growthegame
Mara Logan – Asst. Illustration Editor
“Swimming is underrated.”
As a former high school swimmer, I have to agree. Swimming is a rare blend of a fun and challenging sport, and more people should participate to get in or stay in shape outside of running or going to the gym.
Riley Moulton – Social Media Editor
“Beer tastes better at Wrigley than at Guaranteed Rate.”
I haven’t been to Rate Field since I’ve been at legal drinking age, but as a Cubs fan, I’m gonna go ahead and agree with this based on party lines alone (even if a beverage costs significantly more on the North Side).
Laine Wyatt – Community Engagement & Marketing Coordinator
“All of these NFL players need to get over it and wear the damn halo.”
Agreed. Head safety is obviously a huge problem in football, and for as much as players love to look good on the field, taking care of business upstairs is far more important.
Martha Irvine – The DePaulia Faculty Advisor
“Jalen Rose uses too much hair dye, but I still like the Fab Five.”
There’s a long line of former athletes who need to accept that their hairline has faded, but Rose is definitely near the top of the list. There’s no shame in having a touch of grey, although there is some shame in being a Michigan Man (there’s not, but this is one of the few places I disagree with Martha).
Arturo Fernandez – La DePaulia Faculty Advisor
“Justin Fields and Mitch Trubisky didn’t get a fair shot with the Bears.”
This is arguably the best take in this entire column. The Bears have a bad history of ruining talented quarterbacks who need some developing, and both of these former first-rounders had different head coaches in each of their first two years. In a better, more consistent system, either could have become quality starters.
Related stories:
Support Student Journalism!
The DePaulia is DePaul University’s award-winning, editorially independent student newspaper. Since 1923, student journalists have produced high-quality, on-the-ground reporting that informs our campus and city.
We rely on reader support to keep doing what we do. Donations are tax deductible through DePaul’s giving page.
