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{{short description|Intercollegiate athletics teams of Creighton University}}
{{Infobox college athletics
{{Infobox college athletics
| name = Creighton Bluejays
| name = Creighton Bluejays
| logo = New Creighton Bluejays Logo.png
| logo = Creighton Bluejays logo.svg
| university = Creighton University
| logo_width = 200px
| association = NCAA
| university = Creighton University
| conference = [[Big East Conference|Big East]]
| association = NCAA
| division = Division I
| conference = [[Big East Conference|Big East]]
| director = Marcus Blossom
| division = Division I
| location = [[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]], [[Nebraska]]
| director = Bruce Rasmussen
| teams = 14
| city = [[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]]
| basketballarena = [[CHI Health Center Omaha]] (men's)<br>[[D. J. Sokol Arena]] (women's)
| state = [[Nebraska|NE]]
| baseballfield = [[Charles Schwab Field Omaha]]
| teams = 14
| soccerstadium = [[Morrison Stadium]]
| basketballarena = [[CenturyLink Center Omaha]] or<br>[[D. J. Sokol Arena]]
| stadium =
| baseballfield = [[Creighton Sports Complex]] or<br>[[TD Ameritrade Park Omaha]]
| mascot = Billy Bluejay
| soccerstadium = [[Morrison Stadium]]
| nickname = Bluejays, Jays
| mascot = Billy the Bluejay
| fightsong = The White and the Blue
| nickname = Bluejays, Jays
| pageurl = https://gocreighton.com/
| fightsong = The White and the Blue
| altlogo = [[file:Creighton athletics wordmark 2013.png|200px]]
| color1 = Blue
| color2 = White
| hex1 = 002E6D
| hex2 = FFFFFF
| pageurl = http://www.gocreighton.com/
}}
}}
The '''Creighton Bluejays''', or '''Jays''', are the athletic teams of [[Creighton University]], a Jesuit/Catholic University located in [[Omaha, Nebraska]], [[United States]]. Creighton competes in [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] athletics, competing in the [[Big East Conference]]. Creighton is the only Division I program to have the [[Bluejay]] as its mascot.


The '''Creighton Bluejays''', or '''Jays''', are the [[college athletics in the United States|athletic]] teams that represent [[Creighton University]], a Jesuit/Catholic University in [[Omaha, Nebraska]], United States. They compete in [[NCAA Division I]] in the [[Big East Conference]].
During the 2011-12 athletic season, Creighton was last remaining team from the [[Missouri Valley Conference]] in the NCAA Tournament in men's soccer, women's basketball, men's basketball and baseball.


== Sports sponsored ==
On March 20, 2013, the Creighton administration announced that the school would join the Big East,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gocreighton.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=206832060&DB_OEM_ID=1000|title=Creighton Announces Conference Change, Jays to Join Big East|work=GoCreighton.com}}</ref> and moved to the new conference on July 1, 2013.
{| class="wikitable" style= " "
! width= 150px style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Creighton Bluejays|border=1|color=#ffffff}}"| Men's sports
! width= 150px style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Creighton Bluejays|border=1|color=#ffffff}}"| Women's sports
|-
| [[Creighton Bluejays baseball|Baseball]] || [[Creighton Bluejays women's basketball|Basketball]]
|-
| [[Creighton Bluejays men's basketball|Basketball]] || Cross country
|-
| Cross country || Golf
|-
| Golf || Rowing
|-
| [[Creighton Bluejays men's soccer|Soccer]] || Soccer
|-
| Tennis || Softball
|-
| || Tennis
|-
| || Volleyball
|}


=== Baseball ===<!-- This section is linked from [[Pat Venditte]] -->
==Teams==
Creighton University sponsors six men's and eight women's teams in [[NCAA]] sanctioned sports:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gocreighton.com/|title=Creighton Bluejays|work=gocreighton.com}}</ref>
{{col-start}}{{col-2}}
'''Men's Intercollegiate Sports'''
* [[College baseball|Baseball]]
* [[Basketball]]
* [[Cross country running|Cross Country]]
* [[Golf]]
* [[College soccer|Soccer]]
* [[Tennis]]
* {{col-2}}
'''Women's Intercollegiate Sports'''
* [[Basketball]]
* [[Cross country running|Cross Country]]
* [[Golf]]
* [[College rowing (United States)|Rowing]]
* [[College soccer|Soccer]]
* [[Softball]]
* [[Tennis]]
* [[Volleyball]]
{{col-end}}
* '''Note''' = Women's rowing competes in the [[West Coast Conference]].

==Baseball==<!-- This section is linked from [[Pat Venditte]] -->
{{main|Creighton Bluejays baseball}}
{{main|Creighton Bluejays baseball}}
Creighton's baseball team will play its first Big East season in 2014. They are coached by [[Ed Servais]] who is entering his eighth season as head coach of the Bluejays. His record at Creighton is 254-149 (.630 winning percentage).
Creighton's baseball team played its first Big East season in 2014. They are coached by [[Ed Servais]] who is entering his eighth season as head coach of the Bluejays. His record at Creighton is 254–149 (.630 winning percentage).


The team plays its home games at [[TD Ameritrade Park Omaha]], also the home of the [[College World Series]]. Prior to the opening of TD Ameritrade Park, the program played games at the [[Creighton Sports Complex]] and [[Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium]] in [[South Omaha]], which was also the home of the [[NCAA]] College World Series and the [[Omaha Storm Chasers|Omaha Royals]] (now known as the Omaha Storm Chasers) of the [[Pacific Coast League]].
The team plays its home games at [[TD Ameritrade Park Omaha]], also the home of the [[College World Series]]. Prior to the opening of TD Ameritrade Park, the program played games at the [[Creighton Sports Complex]] and [[Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium]] in [[South Omaha]], which was also the home of the [[NCAA]] College World Series and the [[Omaha Royals]] (now known as the Omaha Storm Chasers) of the [[Pacific Coast League]].


;1991 College World Series
;1991 College World Series
{{see also|1991 College World Series}}
{{see also|1991 College World Series}}


Creighton appeared in the NCAA College World Series for the only time in 1991. The Jays advanced to the CWS by defeating the [[Hawaii Rainbow Warriors baseball|Hawaii Rainbows]] 15-8 in finals of the NCAA West I Regional in [[Los Angeles]]. Prior to the victory over Hawaii, the Jays swept the four-game regional by beating [[Pepperdine Waves baseball|Pepperdine]], [[Minnesota Golden Gophers baseball|Minnesota]] and host team [[USC Trojans baseball|USC]] in a 10-inning 8-7 victory.
Creighton appeared in the NCAA College World Series for the only time in 1991. The Jays advanced to the CWS by defeating the [[Hawaii Rainbow Warriors baseball|Hawaii Rainbows]] 15–8 in finals of the NCAA West I Regional in Los Angeles. Prior to the victory over Hawaii, the Jays swept the four-game regional by beating [[Pepperdine Waves baseball|Pepperdine]], [[Minnesota Golden Gophers baseball|Minnesota]] and host team [[USC Trojans baseball|USC]] in a 10-inning 8–7 victory.


The seventh-seeded Bluejays (49-20) opened play against the second seeded [[Clemson Tigers baseball|Clemson Tigers]] in front of then record crowd of more than 16,000 at [[Rosenblatt Stadium]]. The game ended with an 8-4 Creighton victory, setting up a second round match with MVC rival [[Wichita State Shockers baseball|Wichita State]].
The seventh-seeded Bluejays (49–20) opened play against the second seeded [[Clemson Tigers baseball|Clemson Tigers]] in front of then record crowd of more than 16,000 at [[Rosenblatt Stadium]]. The game ended with an 8–4 Creighton victory, setting up a second round match with MVC rival [[Wichita State Shockers baseball|Wichita State]].


The Jays had finished the 1991 regular season with an overall record of 46-18, and a 16-8 record in the [[Missouri Valley Conference]], good enough for second place behind league champion Wichita State. The Shockers had swept the regular season four-game series with the Jays, and had also defeated the Jays twice in the 1991 Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Tournament.
The Jays had finished the 1991 regular season with an overall record of 46–18, and a 16–8 record in the [[Missouri Valley Conference]], good enough for second place behind league champion Wichita State. The Shockers had swept the regular season four-game series with the Jays, and had also defeated the Jays twice in the 1991 Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Tournament.


In one of the more memorable games in [[College World Series]] history, the Shockers defeated the Jays 3-2 in 12 innings. With one out in the bottom of the twelfth inning Wichita State center fielder Jim Audley threw out Creighton's pinch-runner Steve Burns at home plate in a play known to Bluejay and Shocker fans alike as "''the throw''." The game was recently ranked third in the list of the 25 greatest games in [[College World Series]] history by the [[Omaha World-Herald]].
In one of the more memorable games in [[College World Series]] history, the Shockers defeated the Jays 3–2 in 12 innings. With one out in the bottom of the twelfth inning Wichita State center fielder Jim Audley threw out Creighton's pinch-runner Steve Burns at home plate in a play known to Bluejay and Shocker fans alike as "''the throw''." The game was recently ranked third in the list of the 25 greatest games in [[College World Series]] history by the [[Omaha World-Herald]].


The Jays bounced back to defeat [[Long Beach State 49ers baseball|Long Beach State]] 13-4 in an elimination game, to set up a rematch with Wichita State in the National Semifinals. A trip to the title game for Creighton was not to be, however, as Wichita State advanced to the National Championship game after defeating Creighton for the eighth time that season, 11-3.
The Jays bounced back to defeat [[Long Beach State 49ers baseball|Long Beach State]] 13–4 in an elimination game, to set up a rematch with Wichita State in the National Semifinals. A trip to the title game for Creighton was not to be, however, as Wichita State advanced to the National Championship game after defeating Creighton for the eighth time that season, 11–3.


[[LSU Tigers baseball|LSU]] defeated Wichita State 6-3 to win the 1991 NCAA Baseball National Championship.
[[LSU Tigers baseball|LSU]] defeated Wichita State 6–3 to win the 1991 NCAA Baseball National Championship.


The Bluejays Head Coach during that memorable 1991 season, [[Jim Hendry]], is a former General Manager of the [[Chicago Cubs]]. [[Jim Hendry]] is also the only former Creighton Bluejay to have his number retired. His name and number (25) hang on the center field fence of [[Creighton Sports Complex]].
The Bluejays Head Coach during that memorable 1991 season, [[Jim Hendry]], is a former General Manager of the [[Chicago Cubs]]. [[Jim Hendry]] is also the only former Creighton Bluejay to have his number retired. His name and number (25) hang on the center field fence of [[Creighton Sports Complex]].


Notable former Bluejay Baseball players include Hall of Fame inductee [[Bob Gibson]] as well as [[Dave McKay (baseball)|Dave McKay]], [[Pat Venditte]], [[Dennis Rasmussen]], [[Scott Stahoviak]], [[Scott Servais]], [[Zach Daeges]], [[Chad McConnell]] and [[Alan Benes]].
Notable former Bluejay Baseball players include Hall of Fame inductee [[Bob Gibson]] as well as [[Dave McKay (baseball)|Dave McKay]], [[Pat Venditte]], [[Dennis Rasmussen (baseball)|Dennis Rasmussen]], [[Scott Stahoviak]], [[Scott Servais]], [[Zach Daeges]], [[Chad McConnell]] and [[Alan Benes]].


==Men's basketball==
=== Men's basketball ===
{{main|Creighton Bluejays men's basketball}}
{{main|Creighton Bluejays men's basketball}}


Creighton's men's basketball program was a member of the [[Missouri Valley Conference]] from the 1977-78 to the 2012-13 season. They joined the [[Big East Conference]] July 1, 2013. Prior to the 1977-78 season, the Jays participated as an Independent from 1948-1977.
Creighton's men's basketball program has been a member of the [[Big East Conference]] since the 2013–14 season. Prior to the 2013–14 season, the Jays were members of the [[Missouri Valley Conference]] from 1978–2013. Prior to the 1977–78 season, the Jays participated as an Independent from 1948–1977.


Creighton's current head coach is [[Greg McDermott]]. He became head coach on April 27, 2010, following stints as the head coach at [[Wayne State College|Wayne State (Nebraska)]], [[Northern Iowa Panthers men's basketball|Northern Iowa]], and [[Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball|Iowa State]].
Creighton's current head coach is [[Greg McDermott]]. He became head coach on April 27, 2010, following stints as the head coach at [[Wayne State College|Wayne State (Nebraska)]], [[Northern Iowa Panthers men's basketball|Northern Iowa]], and [[Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball|Iowa State]].


The men's team plays all of their home games at the [[CenturyLink Center Omaha]] (18,320). The 2011-12 season was their ninth at the CenturyLink Center Omaha (formerly Qwest Center Omaha).
The men's team plays all of their home games at [[CHI Health Center Omaha]] (capacity 18,320), which opened in 2003 as Qwest Center Omaha and was known from 2011 to 2018 as CenturyLink Center Omaha. The 2018–19 season will be their 16th at CHI Health Center.


Famous individuals associated with Creighton basketball include former players [[Bob Gibson]], [[Paul Silas]], [[Doug McDermott]] (son of the current head coach), Bob Portman, [[Gene Harmon]], [[Benoit Benjamin]], [[Bob Harstad]], Chad Gallagher, [[Rodney Buford]], [[Kyle Korver]], Gary Swain, Ryan Sears, [[Nate Funk]], and [[Anthony Tolliver]]. Famous former coaches include "Red" McManus, [[Eddie Sutton]], [[Willis Reed]], [[Eddie Hickey]], Tony Barone, [[Arthur Schabinger|Arthur A. Schabinger]], and [[Dana Altman]].
Famous individuals associated with Creighton basketball include former players [[Bob Gibson]], [[Paul Silas]], [[Doug McDermott]], Bob Portman, [[Gene Harmon]], [[Benoit Benjamin]], [[Bob Harstad]], Chad Gallagher, [[Rodney Buford]], [[Kyle Korver]], Gary Swain, Ryan Sears, [[Nate Funk]], and [[Anthony Tolliver]]. Famous former coaches include "Red" McManus, [[Eddie Sutton]], [[Willis Reed]], [[Eddie Hickey]], Tony Barone, [[Arthur Schabinger|Arthur A. Schabinger]], and [[Dana Altman]].


The all-time leading scorer in Creighton men's basketball history is Doug McDermott, who surpassed former leader Rodney Buford during the 2012–13 season. McDermott ended his college career in 2014 with 3,150 total points, placing him fifth on [[List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career scoring leaders|the all-time Division I men's scoring list]]. He was named the first [[2012 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|consensus first-team All-American]] in Creighton basketball history following the 2011-12 season, his sophomore year, and repeated as a consensus first-team All-American in [[2013 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|2013]] and [[2014 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|2014]]. This made him the first Division I men's player to be a three-time consensus first-team All-American since [[Patrick Ewing]] and [[Wayman Tisdale]] from 1983 to 1985. McDermott was also named the consensus national player of the year in 2014.<!--Has four out of the six major awards so far, with two yet to be announced.-->
The all-time leading scorer in Creighton men's basketball history is Doug McDermott, who surpassed former leader Rodney Buford during the 2012–13 season. McDermott ended his college career in 2014 with 3,150 total points, placing him fifth on [[List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career scoring leaders|the all-time Division I men's scoring list]]. He was named the first [[2012 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|consensus first-team All-American]] in Creighton basketball history following the 2011–12 season, his sophomore year, and repeated as a consensus first-team All-American in [[2013 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|2013]] and [[2014 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|2014]]. This made him the first Division I men's player to be a three-time consensus first-team All-American since [[Patrick Ewing]] and [[Wayman Tisdale]] from 1983 to 1985. McDermott was also named the consensus national player of the year in 2014.


Creighton University, in combination with the [[Missouri Valley Conference]], was the host institution for the First and Second Rounds site at [[CenturyLink Center Omaha]] during the [[2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament]] and for the Second and Third Round during the [[2012 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament]]
Creighton University was the host institution for the First and Second Rounds site at the venue now known as CHI Health Center Omaha during the [[2008 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2008]] and [[2024 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2024 NCAA tournaments]], the Second and Third Round during the [[2012 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2012 NCAA tournament]], and the Second and Third Round during the [[2015 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2015 NCAA tournament]].


==Women's basketball==
=== Women's basketball ===
{{Main|Creighton Bluejays women's basketball}}
{{Main|Creighton Bluejays women's basketball}}
The women's basketball team is coached by [[Jim Flanery]], and were the 2004 [[Women's National Invitation Tournament|WNIT]] Champions. They play their home games on campus at [[D. J. Sokol Arena]].


The women's basketball team is coached by [[Jim Flanery]], and were the 2004 [[Women's National Invitation Tournament|WNIT]] Champions. They play their home games on campus at [[D. J. Sokol Arena]].
==Men's soccer==

=== Men's soccer ===
{{Main|Creighton Bluejays men's soccer}}
{{Main|Creighton Bluejays men's soccer}}


Creighton's current men's soccer coach is [[Elmar Bolowich]]. Bolowich was named head coach of the Creighton Bluejays on February 9, 2011 following 22 seasons as the head coach at [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's soccer|North Carolina]].
Creighton's current men's soccer coach is [[Elmar Bolowich]]. He was named head coach of the Creighton Bluejays on February 9, 2011 following 22 seasons as the head coach at [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's soccer|North Carolina]].


Creighton plays their home matches on campus at [[Morrison Stadium]], which is named after former university President Fr. Michael Morrison, S.J. The last time Creighton hosted the [[Missouri Valley Conference]] men's soccer Tournament was 2011.
Creighton plays their home matches on campus at [[Morrison Stadium]], which is named after former university President Fr. Michael Morrison, S.J. The last time Creighton hosted the [[Missouri Valley Conference]] men's soccer Tournament was 2011.


The men's soccer team has gone to the [[NCAA Men's Soccer Championship|NCAA Tournament]] in 18 of the previous 19 seasons with three appearances in the [[NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship|College Cup]] and one appearance in the National Championship Match.
The men's soccer team has gone to the [[NCAA Division I men's soccer tournament|NCAA tournament]] in 18 of the previous 19 seasons with three appearances in the [[NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship|College Cup]] and one appearance in the National Championship Match.

=== Women's soccer ===
The women's soccer team has won four Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championships, earning the league's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament in each of those years. The team also plays its home games on campus at [[Morrison Stadium]].

=== Softball ===
The softball team has appeared in five [[Women's College World Series]], in 1969 (the first WCWS), 1980, 1981,<ref name="Plummer">{{cite book|title=A Series Of Their Own: History Of The Women's College World Series|first1=William|last1=Plummer|first2=Larry C.|last2=Floyd|year=2013|publisher= Turnkey Communications Inc.|location= Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States|isbn=978-0-9893007-0-4}}</ref> 1982 (first NCAA WCWS) and 1986.


== Discontinued sports ==
==Women's soccer==
The women's soccer team has won four Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championships, earning the league's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament in each of those years. The team also plays its home games on campus at [[Morrison Stadium]].


==Football==
=== Football ===
{{main|Creighton Bluejays football}}
{{main|Creighton Bluejays football}}
Football, as well as basketball, were discontinued during [[World War II]] for the duration of the war after the conclusion of the basketball season because of [[Rationing in the United States|travel restrictions]] and the [[Selective Training and Service Act of 1940|uncertainty of draft status for 18 and 19-year-old students]]; basketball returned after the war, but the university never subsequently fielded a football team.
Football was discontinued in 1942.


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
{{commons cat}}
*{{Official website|http://www.gocreighton.com}}
*{{Official website}}


{{Creighton University}}
{{Creighton University}}
Line 122: Line 122:
{{Nebraska Sports}}
{{Nebraska Sports}}


[[Category:Creighton Bluejays|*]]
[[Category:Creighton Bluejays| ]]
[[Category:College sports teams in Nebraska]]

Latest revision as of 23:55, 1 December 2024

Creighton Bluejays
Logo
UniversityCreighton University
ConferenceBig East
NCAADivision I
Athletic directorMarcus Blossom
LocationOmaha, Nebraska
Varsity teams14
Basketball arenaCHI Health Center Omaha (men's)
D. J. Sokol Arena (women's)
Baseball stadiumCharles Schwab Field Omaha
Soccer stadiumMorrison Stadium
MascotBilly Bluejay
NicknameBluejays, Jays
Fight songThe White and the Blue
ColorsBlue, white, and navy blue[1]
     
Websitegocreighton.com

The Creighton Bluejays, or Jays, are the athletic teams that represent Creighton University, a Jesuit/Catholic University in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. They compete in NCAA Division I in the Big East Conference.

Sports sponsored

[edit]
Men's sports Women's sports
Baseball Basketball
Basketball Cross country
Cross country Golf
Golf Rowing
Soccer Soccer
Tennis Softball
Tennis
Volleyball

Baseball

[edit]
Main article: Creighton Bluejays baseball

Creighton's baseball team played its first Big East season in 2014. They are coached by Ed Servais who is entering his eighth season as head coach of the Bluejays. His record at Creighton is 254–149 (.630 winning percentage).

The team plays its home games at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, also the home of the College World Series. Prior to the opening of TD Ameritrade Park, the program played games at the Creighton Sports Complex and Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in South Omaha, which was also the home of the NCAA College World Series and the Omaha Royals (now known as the Omaha Storm Chasers) of the Pacific Coast League.

1991 College World Series
See also: 1991 College World Series

Creighton appeared in the NCAA College World Series for the only time in 1991. The Jays advanced to the CWS by defeating the Hawaii Rainbows 15–8 in finals of the NCAA West I Regional in Los Angeles. Prior to the victory over Hawaii, the Jays swept the four-game regional by beating Pepperdine, Minnesota and host team USC in a 10-inning 8–7 victory.

The seventh-seeded Bluejays (49–20) opened play against the second seeded Clemson Tigers in front of then record crowd of more than 16,000 at Rosenblatt Stadium. The game ended with an 8–4 Creighton victory, setting up a second round match with MVC rival Wichita State.

The Jays had finished the 1991 regular season with an overall record of 46–18, and a 16–8 record in the Missouri Valley Conference, good enough for second place behind league champion Wichita State. The Shockers had swept the regular season four-game series with the Jays, and had also defeated the Jays twice in the 1991 Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Tournament.

In one of the more memorable games in College World Series history, the Shockers defeated the Jays 3–2 in 12 innings. With one out in the bottom of the twelfth inning Wichita State center fielder Jim Audley threw out Creighton's pinch-runner Steve Burns at home plate in a play known to Bluejay and Shocker fans alike as "the throw." The game was recently ranked third in the list of the 25 greatest games in College World Series history by the Omaha World-Herald.

The Jays bounced back to defeat Long Beach State 13–4 in an elimination game, to set up a rematch with Wichita State in the National Semifinals. A trip to the title game for Creighton was not to be, however, as Wichita State advanced to the National Championship game after defeating Creighton for the eighth time that season, 11–3.

LSU defeated Wichita State 6–3 to win the 1991 NCAA Baseball National Championship.

The Bluejays Head Coach during that memorable 1991 season, Jim Hendry, is a former General Manager of the Chicago Cubs. Jim Hendry is also the only former Creighton Bluejay to have his number retired. His name and number (25) hang on the center field fence of Creighton Sports Complex.

Notable former Bluejay Baseball players include Hall of Fame inductee Bob Gibson as well as Dave McKay, Pat Venditte, Dennis Rasmussen, Scott Stahoviak, Scott Servais, Zach Daeges, Chad McConnell and Alan Benes.

Men's basketball

[edit]
Main article: Creighton Bluejays men's basketball

Creighton's men's basketball program has been a member of the Big East Conference since the 2013–14 season. Prior to the 2013–14 season, the Jays were members of the Missouri Valley Conference from 1978–2013. Prior to the 1977–78 season, the Jays participated as an Independent from 1948–1977.

Creighton's current head coach is Greg McDermott. He became head coach on April 27, 2010, following stints as the head coach at Wayne State (Nebraska), Northern Iowa, and Iowa State.

The men's team plays all of their home games at CHI Health Center Omaha (capacity 18,320), which opened in 2003 as Qwest Center Omaha and was known from 2011 to 2018 as CenturyLink Center Omaha. The 2018–19 season will be their 16th at CHI Health Center.

Famous individuals associated with Creighton basketball include former players Bob Gibson, Paul Silas, Doug McDermott, Bob Portman, Gene Harmon, Benoit Benjamin, Bob Harstad, Chad Gallagher, Rodney Buford, Kyle Korver, Gary Swain, Ryan Sears, Nate Funk, and Anthony Tolliver. Famous former coaches include "Red" McManus, Eddie Sutton, Willis Reed, Eddie Hickey, Tony Barone, Arthur A. Schabinger, and Dana Altman.

The all-time leading scorer in Creighton men's basketball history is Doug McDermott, who surpassed former leader Rodney Buford during the 2012–13 season. McDermott ended his college career in 2014 with 3,150 total points, placing him fifth on the all-time Division I men's scoring list. He was named the first consensus first-team All-American in Creighton basketball history following the 2011–12 season, his sophomore year, and repeated as a consensus first-team All-American in 2013 and 2014. This made him the first Division I men's player to be a three-time consensus first-team All-American since Patrick Ewing and Wayman Tisdale from 1983 to 1985. McDermott was also named the consensus national player of the year in 2014.

Creighton University was the host institution for the First and Second Rounds site at the venue now known as CHI Health Center Omaha during the 2008 and 2024 NCAA tournaments, the Second and Third Round during the 2012 NCAA tournament, and the Second and Third Round during the 2015 NCAA tournament.

Women's basketball

[edit]
Main article: Creighton Bluejays women's basketball

The women's basketball team is coached by Jim Flanery, and were the 2004 WNIT Champions. They play their home games on campus at D. J. Sokol Arena.

Men's soccer

[edit]
Main article: Creighton Bluejays men's soccer

Creighton's current men's soccer coach is Elmar Bolowich. He was named head coach of the Creighton Bluejays on February 9, 2011 following 22 seasons as the head coach at North Carolina.

Creighton plays their home matches on campus at Morrison Stadium, which is named after former university President Fr. Michael Morrison, S.J. The last time Creighton hosted the Missouri Valley Conference men's soccer Tournament was 2011.

The men's soccer team has gone to the NCAA tournament in 18 of the previous 19 seasons with three appearances in the College Cup and one appearance in the National Championship Match.

Women's soccer

[edit]

The women's soccer team has won four Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championships, earning the league's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament in each of those years. The team also plays its home games on campus at Morrison Stadium.

Softball

[edit]

The softball team has appeared in five Women's College World Series, in 1969 (the first WCWS), 1980, 1981,[2] 1982 (first NCAA WCWS) and 1986.

Discontinued sports

[edit]

Football

[edit]
Main article: Creighton Bluejays football

Football, as well as basketball, were discontinued during World War II for the duration of the war after the conclusion of the basketball season because of travel restrictions and the uncertainty of draft status for 18 and 19-year-old students; basketball returned after the war, but the university never subsequently fielded a football team.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Colors" (PDF). Creighton University Athletics Bluejay Logo Usage Guidelines. June 9, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  2. ^ Plummer, William; Floyd, Larry C. (2013). A Series Of Their Own: History Of The Women's College World Series. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States: Turnkey Communications Inc. ISBN 978-0-9893007-0-4.
[edit]
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