Join us for “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From 48 states to countries worldwide, our graduates are making an impact, and we'll share their stories on Trinity's website and social media.
This week, we’re reflecting with Jody Demling '89
If you’ve lived in Louisville since the early 1990s, you’re likely familiar with Jody Demling’s work as a print and broadcast sports journalist. He has worked for “The Courier-Journal” and local sports radio stations. He started in journalism under the tutelage of legendary Trinity teacher Mr. Tony Lococo H’03 as part of “The ECHO” student newspaper staff.
Jody and his wife, Angela (Sacred Heart, 1989) have been married for more than 30 years. In addition to their son, Tanner ’17, they have a daughter, Cassidy (Assumption, 2025). Jody and Angela are members of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Jody was inducted to the Trinity Hall of Fame in 2020. He attended Holy Spirit Catholic School prior to Trinity.
What follows is an interview with Jody.
Why did you decide to attend Trinity?
Well, my decision was made for me at the age of 2! That’s when my father, Joe, Class of 1968, took a job at Trinity and we moved into the house on the back portion of campus behind the stadium. He was in that role as Trinity’s facilities director for more than 40 years until he passed away in 2008.
Trinity became our home and our life. There was never any doubt where I would go to school, and I am very glad it was that way. Trinity has been such a huge part of my life. My mother, Sharon [H’19], was a longtime office manager for the Trinity Business Office.
I know many people are born into the Shamrock Family, but for me I literally and physically grew up on campus. We had birthday and Fourth of July parties on campus, Christmas and other holiday celebrations at Trinity. It was an everyday part of my life from the time that I could remember.
Did you participate in any extracurricular activities?
I ran track for a couple of years and played football for four years. I played wide receiver on the 1988 Class 4-A state championship football team. I was a multi-year Shamrock Award recipient; a member of the National Honor Society; treasurer for the Student Council as a senior; part of the “ECHO” newspaper staff; and a member of the Trinity choir.
Do you have any family members who attended Trinity?
Many! My father, Joe [’68], and uncle, Moe [’60] are both members of the Trinity Hall of Fame. My uncle Carl Lutes graduated in 1960. My son, Tanner, graduated in 2017. Other family members are nephews C.J. Taylor [’26] and Ashton Taylor [’28]; cousins Tony Demling Jr. [’78], Stephen Terry [’01], Gary Demling [’88], Jason Cebe [’92] and Jeremy Lutes [’94]; second-cousins Jacob Castelluzzo [’24], Ben Cebe [’27] and Trey Singer [’28]; and brothers-in-law Corey Taylor [’95] and Greg Melnyk [’00].
Do you have a favorite memory or memories from your Trinity days?
Oh wow! There are so many memories.
Athletically, I’ll never forget beating Boone County in the football playoffs my senior year, making that ride home from Northern Kentucky, and then beating Manual the next week for the state title. We had so much fun on that bus ride from Old Cardinal Stadium back home. When we got back to campus, my dad had the score on the scoreboard. It’s a cool tradition that continues today, and it was really special to be a part of it.
School-wise, I think sometimes we all took for granted just how special the halls of Trinity were when we were there. We were pushed and challenged in every class. Even when we had a little fun, there was always a purpose behind it – something designed to make us better students and better people. When I went to Louisville for college, that’s when I really realized just how special Trinity was for all of us. I was definitely better prepared than others for what was ahead!
Then, there are the friends. Sure, I don’t talk to every member of my graduating class all these years later. But there are those I talk to on a regular basis, and there are others I see around town where it feels like we never missed a beat. We are all connected by Trinity; we are all connected by that brotherhood that is so special and so important to all of us.
And, finally, just a funny one — I remember, we lived in that house right by the concession stand behind the stadium. I’ll never forget the time I looked out the window and my dad asked what the noise was. I told him, “It’s a horse.”
And not just any horse. A thoroughbred had gotten loose from a farm in Oldham County and somehow made his way to Trinity. My dad corralled him in the back field — where the Marshall Center now stands — and we had him for a couple of days before his owners finally tracked him down. We wanted to call him Father Harry in honor of Father Harry Jansing [H’93], who was athletic director at the time, but instead we nicknamed him Rocky.
What do you remember about daily life at Trinity?
Again, I am unusual because I lived on campus and saw how day-to-day life worked. But that also made it so special for me when I finally got to go to school there.
When you walk through Trinity’s doors for the first time, you become part of the brotherhood. I have often found it hard to explain to those who are from other parts of the country. It’s so special and so unique.
I know there were days when any of us who attended Trinity didn’t want to be there or wanted to slack off a bit, but we didn’t and the faculty and staff helped get us through it. Trinity is not just a high school; it is a place that becomes part of who you are. And that is something that stays with you the rest of your life.
Who were some of your favorite teachers or coaches?
A few of my favorite teachers – Donna Kupper, Tony Lococo [H’03] and Kenny Ellenbrand [H’07]
A few of my favorite coaches - Chuck Servino [’73], Chuck Weining [’73], John Ellington [’76], Mickey Kahlbin [H’97] and Rich Rostel [H’93].
My two favorites are Dennis Lampley [H’92] and Father Harry. Dennis was like an uncle to me and made a huge impact on my life as someone I looked up to. Father Harry was someone who was such a father figure – almost like my grandfather –when I was very young. Those two taught me so much about life and were my Trinity “Rocks.”
What did you do after you graduated from Trinity?
I attended the University of Louisville. I earned a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1993.
I started working for “The Courier-Journal” the summer of 1991 and stayed there until 2012. I had a number of jobs, including the high school sports beat writer for eight years (after Bob White retired), the golf writer, backup horseracing writer, backup to the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky beats, and for the final four years, the only full-time recruiting writer at a newspaper in the country.
I left in 2012 and went out on my own. I was the publisher of Cardinal Authority in the Scout and then 247Sports networks and now run Cardinal Sports on the On3 Network. I also hosted a morning radio show on WKRD 790 and then worked for 840 WHAS as an afternoon sports reporter and have been the host of the Cardinal Insider nightly radio show since 2013.
Additionally, I’m part of the Louisville Radio Network as the sidelines football reporter and a backup color and play-by-play analyst for basketball. As well, I work for the ACC Network as a basketball, baseball, field hockey, soccer and tennis play-by-play announcer. Finally, I’m the director of sports ministry at my parish, Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
What overall effect did Trinity have on your life?
For me and my family, Trinity has been everything. Outside of our family, Trinity is the most important thing in our lives. And, honestly, we look at Trinity as family. Trinity and the people there have always been there for us, through the good times and the bad. This place – the people there now and the people from my time there – have all touched our lives in so many ways. Trinity will always be a part of our lives. I love the people at Trinity, and I love the place. It will always be a huge part of my life. Trinity forever!
Why do you continue to support Trinity?
I’ll always do what I can in any way, shape or form to help and support Trinity. I think it’s important to give back because Trinity has given me so much.
I’ll still be there on Friday nights helping at Joe’s Place, the Marshall Stadium’s concession stand. Now, my son, Tanner, has taken over a bigger role in the concession stand and it’s fun to watch him be there and pay it back. In fact, I know my dad would smile looking down to see all his grandchildren – even one great-grandchild – out there in that concession stand named after him.
Share an alumni story!
Do you know a Trinity alumnus with a compelling story? Please reach out to Travis Wagoner '90, Alumni Relations, Communications & Archives at 502-736-2122 or wagoner@trinityrocks.com.
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