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BLUEJAY BASKETBALL  11   HEAD COACH DANA ALTMAN Dana Altman Head Coach - 14th Season at Creighton

Dana A l t m a n qualifier George Mason. That team finished tied for The Dana Altman File enters his 14th second in the MVC, which gained national attention year at Creighton after ranking as the country’s sixth-best league. with a 260-141 In 2004-05 Altman helped guide a young team Personal record, which back to the Big Dance, thanks to an MVC Tourney • Wife - Reva equates to exactly title victory against Missouri State. The Jays won • Children - Jordan (23), Chase (21), 20 wins per season over the past 13 years. eight straight games down the stretch before losing Spencer (19) and Audra (15) The man who was recently named a coach on a 63-61 nailbiter to eventual Elite Eight qualifier • Date of Birth - June 16, 1958 the MVC Men’s Basketball Centennial Team has led West Virginia in the first round of the NCAA’s. • Hometown - Wilber, Neb. Creighton to a league-record nine straight seasons In 2003-04, Creighton started 12-0 (the school’s of 20 or more wins, not to mention 10 consecutive best start since 1942-43) and returned to the top 25 Collegiate Coaching Honors postseason tournament appearances. for the second straight year. The accomplishments Creighton University The dean of the Missouri Valley Conference, he earned Altman the collegeinsider.com Jim Phelan • MVC Men’s Basketball Centennial Team Coach ranks third on the coaching victories list in the 101- Mid-Season Coach of the Year award, the latest in • 2004 Collegeinsider.com Jim Phelan Mid-Season year history of The Valley, trailing only Hall of Fame a long line of honors. He now owns regional, district, Coach of the Ye a r coaches Henry Iba and Eddie Hickey. conference or national coach of the year honors in • 2003 Naismith National Coach of the Year Finalist Altman owns a 343-208 career record in 18 10 of his 22 years as a head coach. • 2003 NABC District 12 Coach of the Ye a r years at the Division I level and is 466-232 in 22 The 2003-04 season also saw Creighton move • 2003 USBWA District VI Coach of the Year years overall as a head coach. into the $291 million Qwest Center Omaha in down- • 2002 Rawlings MVC Coach of the Year Altman has guided Creighton to an increase in town Omaha. The Jays averaged 12,016 fans per • 2001 Rawlings MVC Coach of the Year victories in nine of the past 12 years while firmly game in ‘03-04 and have ranked in the top 30 • 1999 NABC District 12 Coach of the Year Kansas State University establishing the Bluejay program on the national nationally in attendance each of the last four years. • 1993 Big Eight Conference Coach of the Year scale. A two-time MVC Coach of the Year (2001 and Marshall University Since coming to Creighton, his athletes have 2002), Altman was a finalist for the prestigious • 1990 Southern Conference Coach of the Year earned five All-American honors on the court and Naismith National Coach of the Year and named the Moberly (Mo.) Junior College four Academic All-America laurels in the classroom. NABC District 12 and USBWA District VI Coach of • 1986 Region 16 Coach of the Year Two players he coached at Creighton, Kyle Korver the Year in 2002-03. • 1986 Finalist, NJCAA Coach of the Year and Rodney Buford, have played in the NBA, while Altman led that 2002-03 squad to a school- • 1985 Region 16 Coach of the Year Anthony Tolliver and Nate Funk from last year’s record 29 wins during a year that most consider Southeast (Neb.) Junior College squad participated in the NBA Summer League and among the best in Bluejay history. A win over • 1983 Neb. State College Coach of the Year will look to join the NBA this winter. Indiana State on Jan. 29, 2003 was his 164th over- • 1983 Region 9 Coach of the Year Altman’s 2006-07 team was nationally-ranked in all at Creighton, passing Arthur A. Schabinger to the preseason and won its sixth MVC Tournament become the school’s all-time winningest coach. Collegiate Playing Experience title in the past nine years with a 67-61 win over #11 In December 2002, Altman directed the • Eastern New Mexico - 1978-80, Guard Southern Illinois. The school finished 13th national- Bluejays into the top 25 for the first time since 1975, ly by averaging a league-record 15,909 fans per climbing as high as ninth in the coaches poll and • Southeast Junior College - 1976-78, Guard game while also playing on TV in 28 of 33 contests. 10th in the Associated Press poll. The Jays Despite season-ending injuries to starting remained in the poll for the final 15 weeks of the College Education guards Nate Funk and Josh Dotzler, Altman’s 2005- season, finishing the season 15th in the AP poll and • Western State University - M.B.A., 1981 06 squad finished 20-10 and reached the final 16 of 23rd in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. • Eastern New Mexico - B.A., Business, 1980 the National Invitation Tournament. Creighton Altman has led Creighton to 10 straight post- • Southeast J.C. - A.A., Business, 1978 owned wins over three teams that reached the season berths, including seven NCAA Sweet 16, including a 20-point victory at Final Four Tournaments. Along the way, the Jays have estab- first time in 60 years, won the MVC Tournament and lished new school records advanced to the second round of the NCAA for victories in a two-year Tournament with a double-overtime victory over No. (52), three-year (76) and 15 Florida. In the process, he coached an honor- four-year span (99). able-mention All-American and the league’s Player Creighton is one of just nine of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, and members of schools to win 20 or more the Valley’s Most-Improved and All-Bench teams. games each of the last nine His 2000-01 squad tied Creighton’s then-school years, an elite list that also record for wins in a season (24-8) and won its first includes Arizona, Duke, Valley regular season title since 1990-91, while the Florida, Gonzaga, Kansas, 1999-00 team won its first nine games on its way to Kent State, Kentucky and an overall record of 23-10. Syracuse. In 1998-99, Altman earned National Association Creighton’s time in the of Basketball Coaches District 12 Coach of the Year spotlight in recent years is honors after CU went 22-9 and made the second nothing new, but rather the round of the NCAA Tournament. That year, Altman culmination of continued joined Creighton’s Eddie Hickey and Wichita State’s growth in the program. Gene Smithson as the only coaches in MVC histo- Altman’s 2001-02 team ry to have led their teams to improved winning per- won a share of its second centages in five straight seasons. straight MVC title for the 12   CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY HEAD COACH DANA ALTMAN 

Altman became the 14th head coach in Creighton history following the 1993-94 season after four suc- cessful years as the head coach at Kansas State and a season at Marshall. Hired March 31, 1994, Altman inherited a team that posted a 7-22 ledger the year before his arrival and led the Bluejays to a slightly improved 7-19 record in 1994- 95 before his 1995-96 squad jumped to 14-15. In 1996- 97, Altman’s team was 15-15 and followed with another substantial jump to 18-10 and a bid to the NIT in 1997-98. But making his teams better is nothing new for the 49-year-old Altman. In his 18 seasons as an NCAA Division I head coach, Altman has led his teams to either an improved overall winning percentage or victory total 15 times. Altman arrived at Creighton after compiling a 68-54 record in four seasons (1990-94) at Kansas State University. During that time, Altman led the Wildcats to three straight postseason tourneys and was named the Big Eight Conference Coach of the Year after leading KSU to a 19-11 record and an appearance at the NCAA Tournament in 1993. Altman’s final Kansas State club turned heads nationally with a 68-64 win at No. 1 Kansas on Jan. 17, 1994. The Wildcats lost their next 30 games to their in- state rival after A l t m a n ’s conquest of the rival The Altman family, from back left: Chase, Spencer, Jordan, Audra, Reva and Dana. Jayhawks. That team eventually advanced to New York City while playing in the Final Four of the NIT. Dana Altman’s Year-by-Year Coaching Ledger Altman’s success at KSU followed him from his initial head coaching job at Southeast Junior College in SEASON SCHOOL RECORD PCT. POSTSEASON Fairbury, Neb. His first team (1982-83) rolled to a 29-6 1982-83 Southeast Junior College (Fairbury, Neb.) 29-6 .829 NJCAA Tournament record and a third-place finish in the junior college 1982-83 Southeast JC total (One season) 29-6 .829 1 NJCAA national tournament and Altman was honored as both 1983-84 Moberly Junior College (Moberly, Mo.) 25-9 .735 -- Region 9 and the Nebraska College Coach of the Year. 1984-85 Moberly Junior College (Moberly, Mo.) 35-5 .875 NJCAA Tournament In 1983, Altman accepted the head coaching position at Moberly (Mo.) Junior College, where his mar- 1985-86 Moberly Junior College (Moberly, Mo.) 34-4 .895 NJCAA Tournament velous three-year run resulted in a staggering 94-18 1983-86 Moberly JC totals (Three seasons) 94-18 .839 2 NJCAA’s record (25-9 in 1983-84; 35-5 with a third-place finish 1986-87 Kansas State University (assistant coach) 20-11 .645 NCAA Tournament at the national tourney in 1984-85; and a 34-4 mark in 1987-88 Kansas State University (assistant coach) 25-9 .735 NCAA Tournament 1985-86 with a sixth-place finish at nationals). 1988-89 Kansas State University (assistant coach) 19-11 .633 NCAA Tournament The Region 16 Coach of the Year during both the 1986-89 Kansas State Asst. totals (Three season) 64-31 .674 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons, Coach Altman was 1989-90 Marshall University 15-13 .536 -- also a finalist for 1986 National Junior College Athletic 1989-90 Marshall total (One season) 15-13 .536 Association Coach of the Year accolades. 1990-91 Kansas State University 13-15 .464 -- Altman’s playing career began at Southeast Junior College in 1976. As a guard, Altman helped his team 1991-92 Kansas State University 16-14 .533 NIT go 22-10 as a freshman and 26-5 as a sophomore, 1992-93 Kansas State University 19-11 .633 NCAA Tournament when he also captained the club. 1993-94 Kansas State University 20-14 .588 NIT Altman then completed his undergraduate educa- 1990-94 Kansas State totals (Four seasons) 68-54 .557 1 NCAA, 2 NIT’s tion and playing career at Eastern New Mexico 1994-95 Creighton University 7-19 .269 -- University. After earning his associate degree in busi- 1995-96 Creighton University 14-15 .483 -- ness administration from Southeast in 1978, Altman 1996-97 Creighton University 15-15 .500 -- graduated magna cum laude from Eastern New 1997-98 Creighton University 18-10 .643 NIT Mexico in 1980 with his bachelor’s degree in the same 1998-99 Creighton University 22-9 .710 NCAA Tournament field. Altman received his master of business administra- 1999-00 Creighton University 23-10 .697 NCAA Tournament tion degree from Western (Colo.) State in 1981. There, 2000-01 Creighton University 24-8 .750 NCAA Tournament he served as an assistant coach on the Western State 2001-02 Creighton University 23-9 .719 NCAA Tournament staff from 1980-82. 2002-03 Creighton University 29-5 .853 NCAA Tournament At Wilber (Neb.) High School, Altman was a two- 2003-04 Creighton University 20-9 .690 NIT sport letterman, earning all-conference honors as a 2004-05 Creighton University 23-11 .676 NCAA Tournament quarterback on the football team and as a guard in 2005-06 Creighton University 20-10 .667 NIT basketball. 2006-07 Creighton University 22-11 .667 NCAA Tournament Altman was born June 16, 1958, in Crete, Neb. He 1994-07 Creighton totals (13 seasons) 260-141 .648 7 NCAA’s, 3 NIT’s and his wife, the former Reva Phillips of Stanton, Neb., have been married 24 years and have three sons, 18-year Division I record as a head coach 343-208 .623 8 NCAA’s, 5 NIT’s Jordan (23), Chase (21) and Spencer (19), and one Four-year junior college record as a head coach 123-24 .837 3 NJCAA’s daughter, Audra (15). 22-year record as a head coach 466-232 .668 16 postseason bids

BLUEJAY BASKETBALL  13   HEAD COACH DANA ALTMAN

Dana Altman’s Career Record vs. All Opponents Conference* Overall CU KSU MU Conference* Overall CU KSU MU Atlantic Coast 1-3 0-2 — 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic 1-1 1-0 0-1 — Maryland 0-1 0-1 — — Iona 1-0 1-0 — — Miami (Fla.) 0-1 0-1 — — Siena 0-1 — 0-1 — Virginia 0-1 — — 0-1 Virginia Tech 1-0 — — 1-0 Mid-American 3-5 1-4 2-0 0-1 Akron 2-0 1-0 1-0 — Atlantic Sun 1-2 1-0 — 0-2 Central Michigan 0-1 0-1 — — East Tennessee State 0-2 — — 0-2 Kent State 0-2 0-2 –– –– Florida Atlantic 1-0 1-0 — — Ohio 1-1 — 1-0 0-1 Toledo 0-1 0-1 — — Atlantic 10 8-5 5-4 3-1 –– Dayton 1-1 1-1 — — Mid-Eastern Athletic 12-0 8-0 4-0 — La Salle 2-0 — 2-0 — Bethune-Cookman 3-0 3-0 — — Saint Bonaventure 1-0 1-0 –– –– Coppin State 2-0 — 2-0 — Saint Louis 0-1 0-1 — — Delaware State 3-0 2-0 1-0 — Temple 1-1 — 1-1 — Florida A&M 1-0 — 1-0 — Xavier 3-2 3-2 — — Morgan State 1-0 1-0 — — Norfolk State 1-0 1-0 — — Big East 3-7 3-5 0-1 0-1 North Carolina A&T 1-0 1-0 — — DePaul 0-1 0-1 — — Louisville 1-0 1-0 — — Missouri Valley 1 6 9 - 9 0 1 6 6 - 8 9 3-1 — Marquette 0-3 0-3 — — Bradley 16-12 16-12 — — Notre Dame 1-1 1-0 0-1 — Drake 19-7 19-7 — — Providence 1-0 1-0 — — Evansville 18-8 18-8 — — West Virginia 0-2 0-1 — 0-1 Illinois State 16-12 16-12 — — Conference* Overall CU KSU MU Indiana State 21-9 21-9 — — Southwestern Athletic 14-0 13-0 1-0 — Big Sky 2-0 2-0 — — Missouri State 20-14 20-14 — — Alabama State 1-0 — 1-0 — Sacramento State 2-0 2-0 — — Northern Iowa 20-7 20-7 — — Alcorn State 1-0 1-0 — — Southern Illinois 14-15 14-15 — — Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3-0 3-0 — — Big South 2-1 1-0 –– 1-1 Wichita State 25-6 22-5 3-1 — Grambling State 3-0 3-0 — — High Point 1-0 1-0 — — Mississippi Valley State 5-0 5-0 — — Virginia Military Institute 1-1 — — 1-1 Mountain West 10-5 7-5 2-0 1-0 Southern 1-0 1-0 — — Brigham Young 1-1 1-1 — — Big Ten 3-3 3-3 — — Colorado State 3-0 2-0 — 1-0 Summit League 18-2 11-2 7-0 — Illinois 0-1 0-1 — — TCU 1-1 1-1 — — Centenary 1-0 1-0 — — Iowa 2-1 2-1 — — Wyoming 5-3 3-3 2-0 — IUPUI 1-0 1-0 — — Minnesota 0-1 0-1 — — Oral Roberts 2-1 2-1 — — Ohio State 1-0 1-0 — — Northeast 2-0 — 2-0 — Southern Utah 2-0 1-0 1-0 — Central Connecticut State 1-0 — 1-0 — UMKC 10-1 4-1 6-0 — Big 12 36-50 12-9 23-41 1-0 Long Island 1-0 — 1-0 — Western Illinois 2-0 2-0 — — Baylor 2-0 2-0 — — Colorado 5-3 — 5-3 — Ohio Valley 3-1 2-0 1-0 0-1 Sun Belt 4-2 2-1 2-0 0-1 Iowa State 3-6 0-1 3-5 — Austin Peay State 0-1 — — 0-1 Arkansas-Little Rock 1-0 1-0 –– –– Kansas 2-8 — 2-8 — Murray State 1-0 — 1-0 — South Alabama 0-1 — — 0-1 Missouri 3-8 1-1 2-7 — Southeast Missouri State 1-0 1-0 — — Western Kentucky 3-1 1-1 2-0 — Nebraska 11-12 8-6 3-6 — Tennessee Tech 1-0 1-0 — — Oklahoma 5-3 — 5-3 — West Coast 2-1 1-1 1-0 — Oklahoma State 2-10 1-1 1-9 — Patriot League 2-0 — 1-0 1-0 San Diego 1-1 1-1 –– –– Texas A&M 3-0 — 2-0 1-0 Army 1-0 — — 1-0 Gonzaga 1-0 — 1-0 — Lafayette 1-0 — 1-0 — Big West 1-1 –– 1-1 — Western Athletic 6-7 3-6 3-1 — Cal Santa Barbara 1-1 — 1-1 — Southeastern 3-4 2-1 1-3 — Fresno State 4-1 3-1 1-0 — Arkansas 0-2 — 0-2 — Hawaii 1-3 0-3 1-0 — Colonial Athletic 6-1 6-1 –– –– Auburn 0-1 0-1 — — Nevada 1-3 0-2 1-1 — Drexel 0-1 0-1 — — Florida 2-0 2-0 — — George Mason 2-0 2-0 — — Mississippi State 1-0 — 1-0 — Non-Division I 6-0 1-0 4-0 1-0 Georgia State 2-0 2-0 — — Vanderbilt 0-1 — 0-1 — District of Columbia 1-0 — — 1-0 Towson 2-0 2-0 — — Missouri-Rolla 1-0 — 1-0 — Southern 11-4 2-1 — 9-3 Nebraska-Omaha 1-0 1-0 — — Conference USA 7-11 4-7 3-3 0-1 Appalachian State 1-1 — — 1-1 Northeastern Illinois 1-0 — 1-0 — Houston 1-2 1-2 — — Charleston 1-0 — — 1-0 Northwest Missouri State 1-0 — 1-0 — Marshall 1-0 — 1-0 — Chattanooga 3-1 1-1 — 2-0 SIU-Edwardsville 1-0 — 1-0 — SMU 1-1 1-1 — — Citadel 1-1 — — 1-1 Southern Mississippi 2-2 — 2-1 0-1 Furman 3-1 1-0 — 2-1 Totals 3 4 3 - 2 0 8 2 6 0 - 1 4 1 6 8 - 5 4 1 5 - 1 3 Tulane 0-1 — 0-1 — Western Carolina 2-0 — — 2-0 * - Based on conference memberships in 2007-08. Tulsa 2-5 2-4 0-1 — Southland 5-1 1-0 4-1 — Altman has not coached against any current member Horizon League 2-1 2-0 — 0-1 Lamar 1-1 — 1-1 — institutions of the America East, Ivy League or Cleveland State 1-1 1-0 — 0-1 Sam Houston State 1-0 — 1-0 — Pacific-10. Valparaiso 1-0 1-0 — — Texas-Arlington 1-0 1-0 — — Texas-San Antonio 1-0 — 1-0 — Texas State 1-0 — 1-0 — 14   CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY A S S T. COACH DARIAN DEVRIES  Darian DeVries Assistant Coach - 10th Season at Creighton

D a r i a n at guard for legendary head coach Eldon The Darian DeVries File D e V r i e s Miller at the University of Northern Iowa. returns to the There, he finished with 1,084 career Personal C r e i g h t o n points, which ranks 22nd all-time at UNI, • Wife - Ashley bench for his and was named Academic All-MVC two • Son – Tucker (5) seventh season as an assistant coach on times. DeVries led the Panthers in free • Date of Birth - April 7, 1975 Dana A l t m a n ’s staff, and 10th on the throw percentage all four years, making Collegiate Coaching Experience Bluejay sideline after spending three years 302-of-367 (.823) career attempts, while • Creighton - Assistant Coach, 2001-present as the team’s graduate manager. also leading the team for three years in • Creighton - Graduate Manager, 1998-01 D e Vries has helped the Bluejays three-point field goal percentage and twice reach the postseason each of the last nine in assists. As a senior, the two-time team Collegiate Playing Experience years, including seven NCAA Tournament captain made 69-of-157 treys for 44.0 per- • Northern Iowa - Guard, 1993-98 bids. Creighton is one of nine teams cent and had 84 assists for an average of nationally that have won 20 or more 3.1 per game. College Education games in each of those nine seasons. As a junior, DeVries helped lead the • Creighton - M.S., College Counseling, 2000 In addition, the Bluejays have won six Panthers to a mark of 16-12 by dishing out • Northern Iowa - B.A., Elem. Education, 1998 of the last nine MVC Tournaments while a career-high 90 assists (3.2 apg) and the football team at the University of Iowa going 19-3 in league tourney action in that making 101-of-124 free throws for 81.5 and is a nine-year veteran of the Detroit time. percent. Lions, while younger brother, Dusty, also DeVries, 32, works closely with the He graduated from UNI in 1998 with a played football for the Hawkeyes. Another Creighton backcourt and does much of the B.A. in elementary education and a minor younger brother, Jay, played football at scouting of the opposition. In addition, in physical education and earned his mas- Wartburg College. His younger sister, DeVries also plays a large role in the ter’s degree in college counseling from Jodi, was a second-team all-conference recruitment of future Bluejays. Creighton in 2000. selection in volleyball at Northern Iowa. DeVries is no stranger to Missouri DeVries is the oldest of five kids, all of Darian and his wife Ashley have one Valley Conference basketball, having whom played at the college level. His old- son, Tucker (5). spent four seasons (1994-98) as a starter est brother, Jared, was an All-American on

Assistant coach Darian DeVries and his wife Ashley with their son, Tucker.

BLUEJAY BASKETBALL  15   ASST. COACH BRIAN FISH Brian Fish Assistant Coach - Sixth Season at Creighton

A s s i s t a n t helping San Diego to the 2002-03 NCAA coach Brian Tournament, Fish was promoted to associ- The Brian Fish File Fish is in his ate head coach for the 2003-04 campaign. Personal sixth year at Prior to San Diego, Fish was on Billy • Wife - Melyssa Creighton, and Tubbs’ staff at TCU, as an assistant coach. • Children - Jordan (20) and Caryssa (17) 10th overall on At TCU, Fish served as recruiting coordina- • Date of Birth - December 20, 1965 the bench with Dana Altman. tor and oversaw academics for the basket- Fish is in his second tour of duty at ball team. In his six years at the school, TCU Creighton. He was an original member of made three postseason appearances and Collegiate Coaching Experience A l t m a n ’s first staff at Creighton, then compiled an overall record of 125-68. • Creighton - Assistant Coach, 2004-present returned to Omaha in the summer of 2004 to Fish and Altman first worked together • San Diego - Associate Head Coach, 2003-04 rejoin the Jays. during the 1989-90 season, when the two • San Diego - Assistant Coach, 2002-03 Fish is heavily involved in Creighton’s were at Marshall. Fish was breaking into • TCU - Assistant Coach, 1996-2002 recruiting efforts, a role he has handled with coaching as a graduate assistant at his alma • Creighton - Film Coordinator, 1994-96 much success at his previous stops. It’s little m a t e r, while Altman earned Southern • Kansas State - Film Coordinator, 1992-94 surprise that Creighton’s last few recruiting Conference Coach of the Year plaudits in his • Marshall - Assistant Coach, 1990-92 classes have been considered among the lone year with the Thundering Herd. • Marshall - Graduate Assistant, 1989-90 league’s best. Two years after Altman went to Kansas He also works closely with the Bluejay State, Fish rejoined his mentor in Manhattan Collegiate Playing Experience post players and aids in game preparation as a video/film coordinator. Paired together • Marshall - Guard, 1987-89 and scouting. again, Altman and his staff earned 1993 Big • Western Kentucky - Guard, 1984-86 Dating to his playing days at Western Eight Conference Coach of the Year acco- Kentucky and Marshall, Fish has been asso- lades. College Education ciated with six programs as a player or When Altman moved to Creighton prior coach. Remarkably, all six have reached the to the 1994-95 season, Fish remained loyal • Marshall - B.A. in Sport Management, 1989 NCAA Tournament. and served in the same capacity for the Before returning to Omaha, Fish had Bluejays. To g e t h e r, they helped lay the Marshall. Fish earned a degree in Sport spent the previous eight seasons at TCU groundwork for Creighton’s active run of 10 Management from Marshall in 1989 before and San Diego. straight postseason appearances. becoming a graduate assistant there. Fish spent the 2002-03 and 2003-04 A native of Seymour, Ind., Fish played Brian and his wife, Melyssa, are the par- seasons at the University of San Diego, two seasons for Clem Haskins at Western ents of a 20-year old son, Jordan, and 17- where he worked for Brad Holland. After Kentucky before transferring to play at year old daughter, Caryssa.

Assistant coach Brian Fish with his wife Melyssa, son Jordan and daughter Caryssa.

16   CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY ASST. COACH MIKE MAKER  Mike Maker Assistant Coach - First Season at Creighton

Mike Maker is Maker also spent 11 seasons at The Mike Maker File beginning his Dartmouth (1991-2002), where he first season served as associate head coach. Personal as an assis- While at Dartmouth, Maker served as • Date of Birth - November 9, 1965 tant coach at the recruiting coordinator and director Career Coaching Experience Creighton. of scouting while also assisting with • Creighton - Assistant Coach, 2007- M a k e r, who has 20 years of practice, game preparation and sched- Present coaching experience, spent the previ- uling. In 1999 he helped coach Ian • West Virginia - Assistant Coach, 2005-07 ous two seasons working for John McGinnis, who led the nation in • Samford - Assistant Coach, 2002-2005 • Dartmouth - Associate Head Coach, Beilein at West Virginia. rebounding. Maker worked for head 1991-2002 The 2005-06 West Virginia team coach Dave Faucher at Dartmouth. • Hartnell College (Women) - Head Coach, finished 22-11 and reached the Sweet A member of the North Salinas 1990-91 16 after beating Southern Illinois and High Hall of Fame, Maker continued • California Baptist College - Assistant Northwestern State in the NCAA his playing career at Hartnell College, Coach and Head Junior Varsity Coach, Tournament. where he played for two seasons 1988-90 Last year, the Mountaineers fin- before transferring to California Collegiate Playing Experience ished 27-9 and claimed the school’s Baptist. At California Baptist, he • California Baptist - 1986-88 first NIT title since 1942. earned a bachelor’s degree in physical • Hartnell College - 1984-86 Prior to heading to Morgantown, education in 1988. Maker earned his College Education Maker spent three seasons (2002-05) m a s t e r ’s degree in education from • Azusa Pacific - Master’s in education, as an assistant coach at Samford, Azusa Pacific University in 1990. 1990 where he worked for Jimmy Tillette. • California Baptist - B.S. in physical education, 1988

BLUEJAY BASKETBALL  17   LEN GORDY Len Gordy Diversity and Inclusion Officer - 14th Season at Creighton

Longtime men’s basketball assistant coach Len Gordy is in his third year as Creighton’s Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Athletics. He also works in the University’s Multicultural Affairs office on campus. In his position, Gordy assists in the recruitment, retention, development and graduation of all minority student-athletes, helps the Operation Bluejay program reach diverse populations in Omaha, and trains all coaches and staff on diversity and inclusion issues. He also serves on selection committees for head coaching and administrative vacancies in the Athletics Department while helping to identify qualified minority candidates. Gordy spent the 2004-05 season as the school’s Director of Basketball Operations after spending the previous 10 seasons on the bench as an assistant coach to Dana Altman. A native of Chester, Pa., Gordy started his coaching career at As director of basketball operations, Gordy coordinated team his alma mater, spending six seasons as an assistant to Fred travel and community outreach and service, while also helping Snowden on the Arizona staff. with on-campus recruiting and summer camps. In July 1983, Gordy moved to Towson University and served The 53-year-old Gordy graduated from the University of as the program’s top assistant for two seasons at the Maryland- Arizona in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in radio and television based school before spending seven years as an assistant to Cliff communications. Ellis at Clemson University from 1985-92. In Gordy’s stint as a Clemson assistant, the Tigers averaged more than 17 wins per season and advanced to the postseason five times. Prior to being named an assistant at Creighton on July 11, 1994, Gordy had spent two years as a teacher in the Atlanta public schools system. During his playing career at Arizona, Gordy played forward and was voted team captain his senior year (1976-77). As a junior, the Wi l d c a t s advanced to the regional final of the NCAA Tournament and finished the season with a 24-9 record. The Cats also made the NCAA Tournament his senior season. As a four-year letterman, Gordy helped the Wildcats record 81 wins, leading the team in free throw percentage (.787) as a sophomore. Gordy played in 103 career games, averaging 5.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, and was named the team’s most inspira- tional player his final three seasons. Gordy is single and has one son, Kenny.

18   CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY NICK EARNEST & PAT T Y G A L A S   Nick Earnest Film Coordinator - First Season at Creighton

Nick Earnest begins his first season at Creighton as men’s bas- The Nick Earnest File ketball film coordinator. He oversees Creighton’s film exchange and student managers, runs the Dana Altman summer basketball camps, Personal helps plan travel and other day-to-day operations, and is also part of • Date of Birth - November 21, 1978 on-campus recruiting. • Hometown - Kansas City, Mo. Earnest arrives after four seasons at the University of San Diego, including two years each as an assistant coach and the Director of Basketball Operations. Among his duties there were Career Coaching Experience overseeing team travel, equipment purchases and the budget. • Creighton - Film Coordinator, 2007- Prior to USD, Earnest was at Wyoming (2002-03) in the position of Administrative Assistant Present Basketball coach for the Cowboys. He helped prepare and orga- • San Diego - Assistant Coach/Director of nize home visit booklets and itineraries for official campus visits; Basketball Operations, 2003-07 created a recruiting database, developed scout tapes and com- • Wyoming - Administrative Asst., 2002-03 posed and distributed letters to prospective student-athletes. • Stephen F. Austin - Administrative Asst., Before his year at Wyoming he earned additional experience 2001-02 with stops at Stephen F. Austin (2001-02) as the administrative • TCU - Student Assistant, 1997-01 assistant for men’s basketball and at TCU (1997-2001) where he was a student assistant coach. College Education During his time at Stephen F. Austin, he was an instructor for • Wyoming - Master of Science, 2003 the university where he taught basketball, tennis, softball, jog- • TCU - B.S. in Health and Human ging and weight training courses. He also substituted for numer- Services, 2001 ous other kinesiology courses at the university. He earned his B.S. degree from TCU in Health and Human Services in 2001, where his major was sports and recreational leadership. He went on to earn his Master of Science degree in 2003 from Wyoming, where his major was kinesiology and health. Patty Galas Men’s Basketball Administrative Assistant - 13th Season at Creighton

Patty Galas is in her 13th season Galas is the coordinator for the student work-study program in as the Administrative Assistant for the the Athletic Department and she is the liaison for the Athletic Creighton men's basketball program. Department and Human Resources. In addition, she serves as the As part of her duties, Galas arranges Administrative Assistant to Creighton Athletics Director, Bruce Creighton's travel to the MVC Rasmussen. Tournament and postseason games, coordinates mid-week media She is also active in the Teammates Mentoring program at interviews for the Creighton men's basketball staff and student Central High School, where she is a mentor. athletes, and in addition, makes all arrangements for the Dana Patty and her husband, Ray, reside in Omaha. They have Altman Assist Club Luncheons. three daughters, three granddaughters and one grandson.

Additional Men’s Basketball Support Staff

Rob Anderson Steve Brace Bob Hanson T.J. Isaacs Kevin Sarver Mike West Alynne Wize Sports Info. Director Dir. of Student-Athlete Compliance / Ticket Manager Game Management Marketing, Sales & Jays Dancers MBB Contact Support Services Game Management Promotions

BLUEJAY BASKETBALL  19   ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STAFF

Athletic Training Creighton University athletic trainers work in cooperation with, and under the supervision of, physicians to provide the best possible care for student-athletes. It has a staff of four full-time certified and state licensed athletic trainers and two graduate assistant certified and state licensed athletic trainers. Athletic Training students also gain clinical experience as they help serve the sports medicine needs of Creighton student-athletes. The mission of Creighton University Athletic Training is to serve as the initial allied health care provider for Creighton University student-athletes and to provide access to other health care professionals as needed. Services include pre- vention, assessment, management and rehabilitation of athletic-related injuries and illnesses. CU Athletic Training is committed to the highest stan- Ben McNair dards of care consistent with the National Athletic Trainers Men’s Basketball Association Code of Professional Practice and the creden- Athletic Trainer tialing statutes of the state of Nebraska. Ben McNair serves as the men’s basketball athletic trainer.

Strength and Conditioning Creighton student-athletes benefit from a year-round strength training and conditioning program in the Frank J. Iwersen Strength and Conditioning Facility. The 4,000-square-foot facility in the Vi n a r d i Athletic Center gives Creighton student-athletes one of the finest strength and conditioning facilities in the country for a school that does not sponsor football. The facility features five Olympic platforms with complete sets of Olympic bumper plates, the most up- to-date weight training machines, a free weight area with over 10,000 pounds of weights including a com- Satoshi Ochi plete set of dumbbells, functional training equipment, Strength & Conditioning aerobic training equipment, and video and audio sys- tems to help the staff monitor and teach proper techniques. This facility serves as the focal point for all strength and conditioning activities for Creighton student-athletes.

20   CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY