Creighton University and Occupationaltherapyprograms

62 Media Info About Creighton Records/History 2007 Review 2008 Bluejays Coaches Introduction The2007freshman academicprofile and occupationaltherapy. dentistry, law,pharmacy,physical therapy professional schools:graduate, medicine, School ofNursing,plusseven prestigious Sciences, BusinessAdministration andthe the undergraduatedivisions of Artsand Creighton offersmorethan50majorsin diverse communityattheUniversity.Today, ing. Wealsoseektocreateaninclusive, cation throughservice,reflectionandlearn- ers, Creightonbelievesinhumanisticedu- of academicexcellenceandservicetooth- in AmericadesignedtheJesuittradition student research.Asoneof28universities the settingforsignificantundergraduate mous withstudentcenterededucationand versity intheMidwest.Creightonissynony- nized astheleadingcomprehensiveuni- The Creightonoftodayisnationallyrecog- Universities. of theAssociationJesuitCollegesand Jesus andoneof28memberinstitutions United States,foundedbytheSocietyof a privateco-educationaluniversityinthe Founded in1878,CreightonUniversityis counties. tan populationof1.1millionpeopleineight lation 409,416withacombinedmetropoli- Creighton islocatedinOmaha,Neb.,popu- Creighton History Creighton Today Location

Creighton University and occupationaltherapyprograms. medical, dental,pharmacy,physicaltherapy ates, and2,888areinthegraduate,law, students, 4,104areenrolledasundergradu- and morethan40countries.Ofour6,992 Creighton studentscomefromeverystate vices. sharing opportunitiesandmulti-faithser- students toparticipateinfaithretreats, gious beliefsandtheUniversityencourages Creightonwelcomesstudentsofallreli- • dents withmobilecomputingdevices. modating themorethan95percentofstu- Creightonisawirelesscampus,accom- • graduate andmarriedstudents. juniors andseniors,aspecialhallfor nine residencehalls,apartmentlivingfor High-speedInternetaccessineachofthe • organizations. Morethan180activestudentclubsand • ties andsororities. Tennationallyrecognizedsocialfraterni- • And top 10Catholicuniversitiesinthenation. universities intheMidwest,andamong places Creightonamongthetopfiveprivate Peterson’s Best311Colleges. ing as outstandingbyotherpublications,includ- investment. Creightonhasalsobeencited students getthebestreturnontheirtuition as a“bestvalue”oneoftheschoolswhere 2008 Creighton Baseball Money U.S. News&WorldReport Student LifeatCreighton Student Snapshot , Kiplinger’s PersonalFinance Opus Hallupperclassmen townhomesopenedinAugust 2006. listsCreighton and

surrounding statesidentifiedasanacadem- was theonlyuniversityinNebraskaandits Creighton “best-neighbor” urbanuniversity. Creightonwasrecognizedin2006asa student centerandphysicalfitnessfacility. Education CenterfortheArts,amodern Church, theCaliforniaStreetMall,Lied historic andrecentlyrestoredSt.John’s Atthecenterofcampusis student services. as aone-stopenvironmentformanyofour a 214,000squarefootbuilding,willserve of 2008,TheJosieandMikeHarperCenter, the eastsideofcampus.Openinginfall new upperclassmentownhomeslocatedon research. DavisSquareandOpusHallare fessions leadingapproachtoteachingand Creighton’s undergraduateandhealthpro- Sciences Buildingarethecenterpieceof Rigge ScienceBuildingandCrissHealth Lied ScienceBuildingandtherenovated of Omahacommunityevents.TheHixson- international soccereventsandavariety The stadiumhostshighschool,cluband letic facilitydesignedexclusivelyforsoccer. the exclusivehostofregion’sonlyath- Stadium, whichdistinguishesOmahaas ings, includingMichaelG.Morrison,S.J., ments andconstructedfournewbuild- than $190millioninon-campusimprove- Since 2000,Creightonhasinvestedmore al, culturalandentertainmentopportunities. of downtownOmahaandmanyrecreation- campus islocatedwithinwalkingdistance the bestcampusaround.The130-acre At Creighton,wearecommittedtohaving The CreightonCampus

Introduction Coaches 2008 Bluejays 2007 Review Records/History About Creighton Media Info 63 Area Code: 402 Creighton Directory For More Information CU Athletics on the Web Campus Operator Admissions (toll free) College of Arts & Sciences Athletics Department Bookstore 280-2796 800-282-5835 280-2800 College of Business Admin. School of Dentistry 280-2700 Financial Aid 280-2850 Graduate School 280-2720 Housing Office Law School School of Medicine 280-5060 School of Nursing Pharmacy & Health Professions Public Safety 280-2950 280-2870 280-2731 Registrar 280-2702 Residence Life 280-3016 280-2900 Student Activities Student Support Services 280-2004 280-2872 University College 280-2749 280-2104 280-2717 280-1715 280-2424 For more information on Creighton For more information on Creighton University, check out the University’s Web the site at http://www.creighton.edu, or call (toll Admissions Office at 1-800-282-5835 free) or (402) 280-2703. Visit the official home page of the Bluejays Visit the official home page of the Bluejays the at http://www.gocreighton.com to get latest news on Creighton Athletics. • The site contains updated rosters, sched- ules, current and archived statistics, media guides, photo galleries and links on every- thing related to CU Athletics. • Live video and audio for men’s and women’s basketball home games. soc- • Live stats for basketball, volleyball, cer, baseball and softball. College Cup showings since 1996. • The 2007 softball team won its fourth Tournament in the past five years MVC while also winning the regular-season title. first • The 2007 baseball team won its Tournament title, was nationally- MVC ranked, and had three different pitchers earn All-America honors. • Creighton ranked 10th nationally in men’s soccer attendance, 13th in men’s basket- in ball and 16th in volleyball attendance 2006-07. • Creighton will co-host the first two rounds Men’s Basketball Tournament of the NCAA 22, at Qwest Center Omaha on March 20 & host 2008. Qwest Center Omaha will also Olympic Team Trials for Swimming the US Volleyball (June 29-July 6) and NCAA in 2008. Championships (Dec. 18-20) host • Creighton serves as the annual institution for the NCAA College World June 14-25, 2008 will mark the Series. to 59th consecutive year the CWS comes Omaha. Rosenblatt Stadium in 2008 Creighton Baseball “Billy Bluejay” is the official mascot of the Creighton University athletics department. The Bluejays were origi- nally depicted by a “birdwatcher’s bluejay,” but that was changed in 1941 when Joseph P. Murphy, a Creighton alumnus, designed the current version of Billy, one with a more human stance and expression. Prior to 1924, Creighton teams were referred to as the “Hilltoppers,” but that name lost favor because at least six other teams in the country also used the same nickname. The Omaha Bee assisted the University’s Athletic Board and Alumni Association in finding a new nickname by asking readers to submit possibilities. After reviewing 200 entries, the Athletic Board decided upon “Bluejays” because of the school’s colors, blue and white. Today, Creighton remains the only NCAA Division I athletics program known officially as the Bluejays. History of Billy Bluejay Faculty 2006-07 Athletics Highlights Creighton Service & Creighton Service Outreach • Creighton athletics tied for 23rd nationally • Creighton athletics tied for 23rd nationally with a 94 percent graduation success rate. a • Creighton student-athletes owned of 3.27 last spring. GPA • The volleyball team won a modern-record 21 matches in 2006. an • The men’s basketball program set MVC record with its ninth straight 20-win season while advancing to the postseason for a 10th consecutive season in 2006-07. • The men’s soccer team capped its 15th Tournament appear- consecutive NCAA only ance in 2006 while remaining the program with at least one selection in every MLS draft. The program has made three • of 906 faculty members (717 full- A total time, 189 part-time). • Student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. • At Creighton, the faculty is conducting internationally recognized work in many areas, including hereditary cancer, osteo- porosis, hearing impairment, bone metabo- lism, regional economics and more. Creighton seeks to educate women and Creighton seeks to only proficient in their men who are not are enlivened with a professions, but who emboldened to create spirit of service and a more just world. ic institution making a positive contribution making a positive ic institution strengthen- city by dramatically to the local as well of life and economy, ing the quality surrounding and revitalizing its as renewing community. 64 welcoming environmentforall students.In Creighton’sexpandingcampusoffersa health scienceseducationand research. vide anationalmodelforinterdisciplinary the CreightonUniversityMedical Centerpro- Building. Thisintegratedscience centerand the newstate-of-the-artHixson-LiedScience of itsscience-relatedfacilitiesandishometo education, theUniversityhasrenovatedmany Already recognizedasaleaderinscience tion, renovationandcampusimprovement. ed morethan$190millioninnewconstruc- more than20acrestoitscampusandinvest- SincehearrivedtheUniversity hasadded the UnitedStates. of thepremierJesuit,Catholicuniversitiesin designed tosecureCreighton’splaceasone – anambitious$350millioncapitalcampaign L Media Info About Creighton Records/History In2005,Fr.Schlegelannounced environment. learning communityina21stcenturyurban showcasing adynamicfaith-basedlivingand 2007University isbecominganationalmodel expansion inits129-yearhistory.Creighton embarking onitsmostambitiouscampus Review Throughhisvision,theUniversityis Francisco. years aspresidentoftheUniversitySan 23rd presidentinAugust2000,followingnine Fr.Schlegel becameCreightonUniversity’s prosperity. 2008and isexperiencinganeweraofgrowth mier comprehensiveuniversityintheMidwest University isnationallyrecognizedasthepre- Bluejaysthe Rev.JohnP.Schlegel,S.J.,Creighton UndertheleadershipofCreightonPresident Coaches Introduction EAD : T HE C AMPAIGN F OR C REIGHTON President Rev.JohnP.Schlegel,S.J. W U NIVERSITY ILLING T O

2008 Creighton Baseball relations fromOxfordUniversity. of London;andadoctorateininternational honors degreeintheologyfromtheUniversity degrees fromSaintLouisUniversity;aB.D. ordained in1973.HeholdsB.A.andM.A. entered theSocietyofJesusin1963andwas Fr.Schlegel,anativeofDubuque,Iowa, Carroll University(1988-91). utive andacademicvicepresidentatJohn at MarquetteUniversity(1984-88),andexec- College (1982-84),deanofartsandsciences dent (1978-82),academicdeanofRockhurst University’s assistantacademicvicepresi- San Francisco,Fr.SchlegelwasCreighton PriortohisserviceattheUniversityof the nation. premier collegecampussoccerfacilitiesin Morrison, S.J.,Stadium,whichisamongthe location. AddtothatthenewMichaelG. dent supportservicesintoonestudy-friendly the University,consolidatingtraditionalstu- facility willserveasadramatic“frontdoor” to Learning inlate-summer2008.Thisunique and JosieHarperCenterforStudentLife Creighton alsoisscheduledtoopentheMike ing apartmentlivingforjuniorandseniors. one oftwonewresidenttownhomesoffer- the fallof2006,CreightonopenedOpusHall, Fr. Schlegelbecame Creighton’s23rd president inAugust, 2000. cooking, racketsportsandthe outdoors. Heenjoysopera,classicalmusic,gourmet Barroom Floor” on Oct.11, 2007. the OmahaPressClub’s114th “Faceonthe Boy ScoutsofAmerica.Hewas inductedas Scout AwardfromtheMid-America Council, 2007, hereceivedtheDistinguishedEagle Award fromSpecialOlympicsNebraska.In received thefirstChampionofGreatness and JusticeinMay2003.Fr.Schlegelalso from theNationalConferenceforCommunity the OttoSwansonSpiritofServiceAward religions andcultures,Fr.Schlegelreceived understanding andrespectamongallraces, of CreightonUniversity.Forhispromotion Citizen Awardforhisoutstandingleadership Omaha presentedhimwiththe2004Honored World LifeInsuranceSocietyLodge1in InMayof2004theWoodmen Cooperation basedinParis. Organization forEconomicDevelopmentand Association, andwasaconsultanttothe tation sitevisitsfortheNorthCentral Fr.Schlegelalsohasservedonaccredi- London. and HeythropCollegeattheUniversityof of theNationalStudentAidTaskForce, and Universities,whereheservedaschair National AssociationofIndependentColleges Catholic CollegesandUniversities,the of NorthernCalifornia,theAssociation Il Cenacolo,Coro,WorldAffairsCouncil ing St.Mary’sMedicalCenterFoundation, positions withanarrayoforganizationsinclud- Previously,hehasheldnumerousboard Eagle Scout. America. In2007,hebecameadistinguished and Mid-AmericaCouncil,BoyScoutsof Chamber ofCommerce,JoslynArtMuseum Executive CommitteesoftheGreaterOmaha ber oftheboarddirectorsandserveson Academy andOperaOmaha.Heisamem- Creighton PreparatorySchool,Duchesne including CreightonUniversityMedicalCenter, InOmaha,heservesonseveralboards of HongKong. director oftheAmericanInternationalSchool College inMaryland.Fr.Schlegelalsoisa South, SaintLouisUniversityandLoyola Xavier University,LoyolaUniversityofthe of trusteesChicago’sLoyolaUniversity, Schlegel isapastmemberoftheboard executive committeesandassociations.Fr. tional, nationalandlocalboardsofdirectors, Heisamemberofnumerousinterna- Introduction Coaches 2008 Bluejays 2007 Review Records/History About Creighton Media Info 65 men’s and women’s tennis teams all have women’s tennis teams men’s and for their academic received national awards consistently success. Bluejay student-athletes above. own GPA’s of 3.25 or primary annual fundraising Creighton’s Bash and the Bluejay events are the Bluejay Rasmussen’s supervi- Jamboree. Under continues to raise sion, each of these events for Creighton athletics. record-breaking funds Jamboree generated Most notably, the 2006 through its gourmet din- more than $291,000 ner, raffle and auction. fundraising efforts have The successful allowed Creighton to enhance its soccer, baseball and softball facilities under Rasmussen’s leadership. In 1998, the $1.7 million Student- was Athlete Support Center renovation project in completed in the Old Gymnasium, resulting seven new team locker rooms, an expanded athletic training facility, new offices and stor- age space and an academic learning center. The centerpiece of the project is The Parker Family Foundation Academic Learning Center, aca- which houses the athletic department’s demic support team and features 20 computer stations and private study areas. the associate athlet- Rasmussen accepted run ics director position in 1992 after a 12-year as the winningest coach in Creighton women’s the basketball history (196-147), culminating in program’s historic 1991-92 season. Conference The 1992 Western Athletic the Coach of the Year, Rasmussen led 1991-92 Bluejay women to a program-record and 28 wins (28-4), the WAC regular-season tournament championships and a first-round NCAA Tournament victory in the program’s that first-ever trip to the “Big Dance.” With 28-4 record in 1991-92, Rasmussen completed his college coaching career with a 196-147 record, good for a .571 winning percentage. After serving as associate athletics director for two years, 1992-94, Rasmussen was named athletics director on Aug. 1, 1994. A 1971 graduate of Northern Iowa, Rasmussen came to Creighton from Bettendorf (Iowa) High School, where he put together a three-year girl’s basketball coaching record of 64-15. His 1978-79 club posted a mark of 27-2 and finished second at the state tournament. Rasmussen also coached at Maxwell (Iowa) High School, with a four-year record of 66-26, and Murray (Iowa) High School, with a two- year ledger of 31-13. A native of Webster City, Iowa, Rasmussen and his wife, Jill, have five chil- dren: Megan (22), David (20), John (16), Katy (12) and Grace (9). 2007 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Farm Missouri Valley 2007 State Men’s Soccer Tournament. Additionally, the Creighton volleyball team the venerable Omaha found a new home at The move closer to Civic Auditorium in 2003. as the program campus paid big dividends, nearly 700 per- has increased its attendance cent in the past four years. baseball pro- The Bluejay softball and upgrades at the grams also have enjoyed Sports and the CU Kitty Gaughan Pavilion facility received a new Complex. The baseball fall of 2006, while the Field Turf infield in the had chairback seat- softball side of the venue ing and a permanent press box installed prior to the 2007 season. And scheduled to open by the end of 2008 And scheduled to open by the end of 2008

also has continued to make Rasmussen outstanding hires at every opportunity. Most recently, Kirsten Bernthal Booth has helped her the volleyball team improve by 18 wins in first four seasons, while Ed Servais earned the Year honors in three of his Coach of MVC first four years. Another recent hire, women’s basketball’s with Jim Flanery, matched the league record his 48 wins in his first two seasons. He led first three teams to the postseason. CU’s 2004 women’s basketball team won the school’s first postseason national title of any kind when they won the WNIT. of the College World Series A member of Omaha, Inc., Executive Committee, Rasmussen plays a vital role in Creighton and the city of Omaha remaining as host of the The CWS has estab- College World Series. lished new attendance records in four of the past five years at Rosenblatt Stadium. Rasmussen was one of four regional winners from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) to take home of Systems AD a 2004 GeneralSports TURF the Year Award. In terms of academics, Creighton’s reputa- tion as one of the nation’s top academic insti- tutions is reflected in the success the Bluejay student-athletes have had in the classroom during Rasmussen’s service as athletics director. Creighton’s baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, women’s soccer and 2008 Creighton Baseball is another new on-campus facility. The Ryan is another new on-campus facility. The Ryan a Athletics Center and D.J. Sokol Arena, 46,000 square-foot facility, will house a gymnasium seating 2,500-3,000, women’s basketball and volleyball coaches’ offices, locker rooms, ticket offices, athletic training and meeting rooms, media workrooms and much more. Athletics Director Bruce Rasmussen Bruce Director Athletics Bruce Rasmussen is in his 14th year at as director of athletics, and 28th overall Creighton University. During his tenure, Creighton has risen to the prominence with its success on-and-off field, impressive new facilities and record- breaking fundraising efforts. men’s soccer team is one of four The 16 schools to appear in each of the last Tournaments, while the men’s bas- NCAA in ketball team is just the second team Valley the 101-year history of the Missouri 10 Conference to reach the postseason in is straight campaigns. Combined, Creighton the only school in the country that can claim in 10 consecutive postseason appearances men’s soccer and men’s basketball. softball team has made The Creighton Tournament appearances in four NCAA the last five years, while the baseball team regular-season title in 2005 and won a MVC title in 2007 while spend- Tournament MVC ing time in the national rankings in each of the past three seasons. Creighton was the nation’s only school to win league tournaments in baseball, men’s basketball and men’s soccer in 2006-07. teams moved to new facili- Four Creighton ties in 2003-04. The men’s basketball team moved to the riverfront to play in the brand- new, $291 million, Qwest Center Omaha. Last winter, the Jays averaged an MVC-record 15,909 fans per game and ranked 13th nationally in attendance. The Michael G. Morrison, S.J., Stadium opened as one of the premier soccer venues in the country. Located on the east edge of the Creighton campus, the complex includes 6,000 seats and served as the home for the 66 Media Info About Creighton Records/History 2007 Review 2008 Bluejays Coaches Introduction NCAA Volleyball Championships(December). NCAA of theNCAA Men’s BasketballTournament(March),theUS Olympic TeamTrialsfor Swimming (July)and Qwest CenterOmahaishometoCreighton men’sbasketball.In2008itwillhostthefirst-and-secondrounds recognized andworld-renownedattractions. America. Itshowcasesnumerousnationally Midwest valueswithbig-citylifeintheheartof for BusinessandCareers,Omahabalances magazine asoneoftheTop10BestPlaces ic businesscommunity.Rankedby nerve centerlocatedatOffuttAirForceBase, headquarters ofSTRATCOM,avitalmilitary also haveheadquartersinOmaha.The ber ofothernationalandinternationalfirms response/telemarketing centersandanum- 20 insurancecompanies,twodozendirect Mutual ofOmahaCompanies.Morethan ConAgra Foods,UnionPacificCorp.,and Forbes Omahaservesasheadquartersforfour & WorldReport nation, consistentlyatthetopof best comprehensiveJesuitinstitutioninthe Creighton University,whichisknownasthe For 129years,Omahahasbeenhometo top statesnationallyforACTandSATscores. cation system.Nebraskaranksamongthe Omahaboastsanoutstandingpublicedu- largest metroareainthenation. and isnowthe42ndlargestcity61st steady growthoverthepastfivedecades border. ThemetroOmahaareahasseen Missouri RiverthatformstheNebraska-Iowa of theUnitedStates,onwestbank Omaha islocatednearthegeographiccenter one millionpeoplewithina50-mileradius. politan areaofabout734,270,withmorethan processing, Omahaisthecenterofametro- communications, transportationandfood Acenterforinformationtechnology,tele- Omaha isarichculturalcitywithdynam- 500companies:BerkshireHathaway, annualrankings. U.S. News Forbes 2008 Creighton Baseball

Omaha, Nebraska below thenationalaverage. a costoflivingrangingupto13percent Withallthecityhastooffer,Omahaenjoys sports. a widevarietyofcollegiateandindividual Beef (UnitedIndoorFootballLeague)and Lancers (U.S.HockeyLeague),theOmaha Omaha Royals(AAAbaseball),the Series, forwhichCreightonservesashost, include theannualNCAACollegeWorld Outstandingsportingeventsinthearea and agorillacomplex. theater, thelargestindoordesertinworld cally advancedinthecountry,anIMAX are asaltwateraquarium,themosttechni- cat complexandaviary.Itsnewestadditions boasts theworld’slargestindoorrainforest, grams, anditsoutstanding“nobars”facility international reputationforitsbreedingpro- TheOmahaHenryDoorlyZoohasan offerings. two largestofmanyareaartandhistorical Durham WesternHeritageMuseumarethe youth orchestra.JoslynArtMuseumandthe dren’s theater,achildren’smuseumand symphony orchestra,aprofessionalchil- al operacompany,aregionalprofessional that produceoriginalworks),aprofession- Plains, withmorethan20livetheaters(three OmahaisaculturalcenteroftheGreat jobs, anincreaseofmorethan25percent. Omaha metroareaaddedmorethan84,000 dated newgrowth.Duringthe1990s, past decade.Still,Omahahasaccommo- well underthenationalaverageduring Omaha’sunemploymentratehasremained is locatedinOmaha. Rosenblatt Stadium, June14-25,2008. as hostcityforthe NCAA College WorldSeriesat For the59thconsecutiveyear,Omaha willserve A viewoftheOmahaskylineatnight. Introduction Coaches 2008 Bluejays 2007 Review Records/History About Creighton Media Info 67 Brent Jim Sports John Elsasser Ben Men’s Steve Wissler 280-5801 Woita Flanery Information McNair Athletic 280-3611 Women’s 280-4741 Training Basketball 280-4746 & Women’s 280-5563 Strength & Conditioning Cross Country Bob Mike West Soccer Dickel Faculty Women’s 280-5553 Warming 280-5785 Brandon Facilities 280-2230 280-1869 280-3498 Marketing McCarville Asst. AD / Dr. Timothy Bruce Erickson Men’s Soccer Representative Lou Brent Matt Conry Carol Debbie Vigness Softball Athletic Wallace Training D’Ercole 280-2949 280-1722 Manager Business Ketcham 280-5554 280-2125 280-1794 Coordinator Women’s Golf Special Events Ed T.J. Dan Lisa Julie Crew Tuttle Isaacs Chipps Chipps Servais Athletic Support Training Baseball Women’s 280-1817 Ticketing 280-2483 280-5563 280-5832 280-5716 Academic Creighton Head Coaches Creighton Rob Lilly Kim Tom Men’s Simms Kirsten Sports Tennis Cernech Higgins Dr. John President 280-2775 280-5794 Volleyball 280-2490 280-2433 280-2984 Information & Women’s Bernthal Booth Creighton Vice Special Events Self Bob Mark SWA Dana Men’s Curtis

Sharon Altman Hanson Hanson Burgers Athletic Training 280-1795 280-1475 280-5561 280-3008 280-1793 Basketball Men’s Golf Promotions Assoc. AD / Marketing & 2008 Creighton Baseball Bob Steve Brace Kevin Sarver Hanson (402) 280-2483 280-2484 280-5810 (402) 280-2628 (402) 280-3877 (402) 280-5545 280-3008 Asst. AD / Asst. AD / Compliance Internal Ops. Creighton Administration and Support Staff Creighton Administration and External Ops.

Len Bode Rider

Dustin Gordy Adrian Creighton Athletics Staff Directory Staff Athletics Creighton Ticketing Inclusion 280-1460 280-3371 280-5784 Diversity & Promotions Marketing &

Patty Bruce Galas Baseball Staff Bennett Director Athletics Assistant Margaret 280-2720 Assistant 280-2720 280-1795 Rasmussen Omaha, NE 68178 Administrative Administrative Fax: (402) 280-5596 Fax: (402) 2500 California Plaza 2500 California Phone: (402) 280-2720 www.gocreighton.com Creighton Athletics Department Creighton Ochi Sports Satoshi 280-5544 280-4746 Information E-mail address [email protected] Strength & Conditioning Rob Anderson

Assistant Coach Rob Smith address E-mail Assistant Coach Jason Shockey address E-mail Volunteer Assistant Coach Joe Cicora address E-mail [email protected] Kitty Gaughan Pavilion Fax [email protected] [email protected] (402) 280-5870 Head Coach Ed Servais Epps Barb

Assistant 280-5577 Administrative 68 Media Info About Creighton Records/History 2007 Review 2008 Bluejays Coaches Introduction • Creightonowns27CoSIDA Academic All-Americanhonors. • Thirteenof14teamsachieveda3.0GPAorbetterintheFall2007semester. • Sixty-sixpercent(162)ofstudent-athleteshaveacumulativeGPA of 3.00orhigher. • Seventypercent(172)ofstudent-athletesearnedatleasta3.00GPAintheFall2007semester, • Creightonhad131student-athletesmaketheDean’sListatleastoncelastyear,including70 • Seventeenstudent-athletesearned4.00GPA’sintheFall2007semester. • Animpressive88ofCreighton’s245student-athletes(35.9percent)earneda3.50GPAor • TheNCAArecentlyintroducedanewtoolfortheevaluationofacademicquality • Creighton’sstudent-athletescombinedfora3.29GPA in the2007fallsemester,equaling DanLawler,1999,2000,2001 ShaneHavens,2003 BillHahn,1993 EmilyGreisch,2006 HeidiGeier,1998,1999 ChristineFukumoto,2005 BeckyFlynn,1995 BrodyDeren,2004 ZachDaeges,2005,2006 KrystleCampa,2003 Rick Apke, 1978 including 19membersofthebaseballteam. student-athletes whoearnedthehonorbothsemesters. better duringtheFall2007semester,includingfourbaseballplayers. women’s soccerandtennis. tive sports: baseball, men’sgolf,tennis,women’sbasketball,crosscountry, best seventeamspostmulti-yearAPR scores inthe10percentofallsquadstheirrespec- student-athletes aremakingtodegreecompletionandgraduation.CreightonhadaValley- participating programs.TheAcademicProgressReportisintendedtogaugetheprogress highest fallsemesterGPAonrecord.Thestudent-athletesalsoowna3.29cumulativeGPA. Student-Athlete SupportServices Assistant AD-Directorof Assistant Academic Lisa Chipps Steve Brace Coordinator All-Time AcademicAll-Americans Academic andAthleticSuccess fall of1998. vation project,whichwascompleted inthe and friendstosupportthis$1.7million reno- by formerCreightonstudent-athletes, alumni TheBlueandWhiteFundwasestablished group study. the areaintosectionsforquiet,individual or carrels fortutoringandpartitions todivide computer stations,studytables,sound-proof Learning Centerincludesstaffoffices,20 TheParkerFamilyFoundationAcademic and additionalathleticsstoragespace. offices, anexpandedathleticmedicinearea Foundation AcademicLearningCenter,staff Support CenterincludesTheParkerFamily new lockerrooms,the13,000-square-foot er roomsandsupportfacilities.Inadditionto with thegoalofenlargingandimprovinglock- existing spaceintheCreightonGymnasium, Support Centerwasamajorrenovationof CreightonUniversity’sStudent-Athlete success ofcollegiateathletics. graduation ofstudent-athletesisvitaltothe athletics. Therecruitment,retentionand attempt tobalanceafullacademicloadwith support hasincreaseddramaticallyasthey Student-athletes’demandforacademic Academic Learning MattWieland,2005 CarrieWelle,1998 AnthonyTolliver,2007 Jean Tierney, 1983 Paul Silas, 1964 DaveSchrage,1983 ErnieRongish,1973 JamieReiss,2007 JessicaPowers,1999 ChristyLunceford,1997 MichaelLindeman,2003,2004 Creighton Academics 2008 Creighton Baseball Center Lisa Werner* Anna Vogel Shelby Takeshita* Christina Soto Noemi Solano Katie Smart Susan Silverman Mary Schrader Alexa Romero* Kara Pegram Julie Peacock Dayna Miyashiro* Kristi Lorenzen Nicole Lindseth* Maureen Healy Salima Hasham Courtney Hanson Kelley Hammond Megan Geyer* Sarah Fredrick* Callan Driscoll* Abby Coleman Rebecca Bullard Sonja Brooks Marnie Bothmer Jacqueline Ariniello* Molly Ambler Women’s Crew Ally Thrall* Sam Schuett Megan Neuvirth Jess Lammers* Katie Frank Sara Cain* Basketball (W) Anthony Tolliver* Dustin Sitzmann* Pierce Hibma* Nate Funk Aaron Brandt* Basketball (M) Darin Ruf T.J. Roemmich* Teddy Ogilvie* Ben Mancuso* Michael Lam* Bobby Lackovic Pat Krebs Robbie Knight Greg Hellhake Chris Gradoville Ian Dike Baseball Dean’s List(3.5GPA)in2006-07. its student-athletes.Thoselistedbelowweremembersofthe Creighton pridesitselfonthequalityeducationitprovidesfor Outstanding Student-Athletes Eden Hingwing Katie Heitke* Marcy Gans Heather Duncan* Nicole DeLue Heather Currie* Kristen Casey Katie Brennan* Gretta Arvesen* Soccer (W) Jeremy Wittig Zach Torgersen* Jarod Tarver Seth Sinovic Trent Senske* Andrew Peterson* Pietari Holopainen Nick Ellefson* Nic Christou Colin Campbell Soccer (M) Leigh Sutton* Brittany Pepler* Paige Pahlke* Maureen Gross* Golf (M) Michael McDonnell* Matt Kouri* Tom Gross Andy Brooks* Austin Andersen* Golf (M) Lindsay Wettergreen Kari Tanimoto* Anne Staehli Righeimer* Stephanie Liz Murray Megan McGrath Celeste Lorenzo* Molly Jergenson* Krista Hannon* Melissa Greig* Megan Foste Cross Country(W) Bob Robinson* Peter Cole* Kyle Berens* Matt Barnes* Cross Country(M) ( *Earned Dean’sListhonorsbothsemesters) Kristi Woodard Sarah Schulze* Katie Mehal* Julianne Jackson* Jessica Houts Emily Greisch* Abby Baumann* Volleyball Jodi Yanagida* Nicole Thurston* Tess Reddin Lindsey Erickson* Katie Chiu Jen Burge* Tennis (W) Chris Miller* Ben Kopecky* Jose Guerra Michael Elson* Nikita Dudar Ross Allen* Tennis (M) Jessica Wakasugi Jess Stigge* Jamie Reiss* Kaycee Points* Tara Oltman* Michelle Koch Lau Emmsley-Chang Mary Egan* Softball Valerie Zimmerer Kristine Willrett Lindsay Vaught* Sam Russell* Sydney Reeves Katy Peetz* Anne Peetz* Ally Peetz J. O’Neill-Hedlund* Tristan Moser-Bleil Shawn Magrum Kyla Hoskins Introduction Coaches 2008 Bluejays 2007 Review Records/History About Creighton Media Info 69 duate serve Baseball Curtis Self Athletic Trainer serve as the initial allied health care provider for Creighton allied health care provider for Creighton serve as the initial and to provide access to other University student-athletes as needed. Services include health care professionals of management and rehabilitation prevention, assessment, and illnesses. athletic-related injuries with the National Athletic Trainers dards of care consistent of Professional Practice and the creden- Association Code state of Nebraska. tialing statutes of the Athletic Training Athletic 2008 Creighton Baseball Strength and Conditioning Creighton student-athletes one of the finest strength Creighton student-athletes one of the for a school and conditioning facilities in the country that does not sponsor football. the most complete sets of Olympic bumper plates, a free weight up-to-date weight training machines, including a area with over 10,000 pounds of weights training equip- complete set of dumbbells, functional and video and ment, aerobic training equipment, and teach audio systems to help the staff monitor proper techniques. Omaha’s Rosenblatt Stadium is the annual home of the College World Series, with Creighton serving as the host institution. Omaha’s Rosenblatt Stadium is the annual home of the College World Series, with Creighton Satoshi Ochi Strength & Conditioning assistant certified and state licensed athletic trainers. Athletic Training students also gain clinical experience as they help gain clinical experience students also Athletic Training licensed athletic trainers. certified and state assistant needs of Creighton student-athletes. the sports medicine University Athletic Training is to The mission of Creighton Athletic Training is committed to the highest stan- CU Curtis Self will serve as the baseball athletic trainer. and two gra licensed athletic trainers certified and state of four full-time It has a staff for student-athletes. possible care the best to provide the supervision of, physicians with, and under work in cooperation athletic trainers Creighton University features five Olympic platforms with The facility activities for Creighton student-athletes. conditioning This facility serves as the focal point for all strength and Strength and Conditioning Facility. training and conditioning program in the Frank J. Iwersen Creighton student-athletes benefit from a year-round strength facility in the Vinardi Athletic Center gives The 4,000-square-foot 70 Media Info About Creighton Records/History 2007 Review 2008 Bluejays Coaches Introduction

his ownwaywhen hetraveledwithteams. Duringhisyearsofservice, Bevilacquanever received monetary compensationandalwayspaid with theBluejaymen’ssoccerteam. his passinginOctoberof1998,while onaroadtrip Dr.LeeC.BevilacquawasCreighton’s volunteer team physicianfor32years(1962-82, 1986-98)until ceremonies Sept.1,1998,inSt.Louis. MVC Award ofMeritattheHallFameinduction Fame whenhewaspresentedthe Missouri ValleyConferenceHallof Athletics tobehonoredbythe person associatedwithCreighton 1988, Bevilacquabecamethefirst University AthleticHallofFamein the NCBWA. Andy Mastenearnedsecond-teamlaurelsfrom selection by cations, starterBenMancusowasathird-team named anAll-Americanbyfourdifferentpubli- honors. AmbidextrousrelieverPatVendittewas Lastseason,threepitchersreceivedAll-America and ZachDaeges(2006). (2004), TonyRothScottReese(2005) (1991), PeytonLewis(1999),SteveGrasley tion includeScottServais(1988),MikeHeathcott OtherswhohavereceivedAll-Americarecogni- and RyanGripp(1999). Scott Stahoviak(1991),ChadMcConnell(1992) four first-teamersinthe1990s:DanSmith(1990), duced 14All-Americansinitshistory,including Rosenblatt Stadium. June 14-25atJohnny and isscheduledfor be the59thinOmaha The2008CWSwill national championship. teams inadouble-eliminationtournamentforthe ing events,matchingcollegebaseball’stopeight World Seriesisoneofthenation’spremiersport- 225,000 fanstothe11-dayevent,College tion fortheevent.Annuallydrawingmorethan Creighton Universityservesasthehostinstitu- called Omahahomeeveryyearsince1950and college baseballhistory. attended by21,158fans,theeighth-largesttotalin NCAA history.In2006,theCU-NUmatchupwas largest regularseasonsingle-gamecrowdsin rivalry hasbeenplayedinfrontofsixthe26 the countryin2007.Infact,Bluejay-Husker May 15,thesecond-highestsingle-gametotalin 9-2, before18,316fansatRosenblattStadiumon Lastseason,CreightondefeatedNebraska, total, aftercomingin25thnationally2006. average homeattendancewitha1,553per-game schools. In2007,theBluejaysranked40thin nationally inhomeattendanceforDivisionI Creightonhasconsistentlybeen inthetop-50 Inducted intotheCreighton The Creightonbaseballprogramhaspro- The NCAADivisionICollegeWorldSerieshas Dr. LeeC.Bevilacqua College WorldSeries Collegiate Baseball All-Americans Attendance and reliever

of theYearaward. and laterreceivetheleague’sCoach earn all-conferencehonorsasaplayer outfielders. Heistheonlypersonto (1980-83) waschosenasoneofnine Creighton hasestablished endowedscholarships Jamboree heldinNovember. membership donationsandtheannual Jaybacker athletic departmentlastyear,primarily through Jaybackers, contributedover$2 milliontothe Heathcott (2006)and2007inducteeMikeFinley. Servais (2003),ScottStahoviak(2005),Mike Randy Schwartz(1994),JimHendry(2001),Scott Passarella (1984),DennisRasmussen(1993), Athletics HallofFameareOneriFleita(2000),Gil JoiningGibsonintheCreighton former baseballplayers. boasts 58members,including10 The CreightonHallofFamenow Athletics HallofFamein1968. ed intotheCreightonUniversity Gibson wasthefirstBluejayinduct- Baseball HallofFamer,Bob one offourdesignatedhitters. (1987-88) wasvotedtotheteamas ed asautilityplayer.OneriFleita Scott Stahoviak(1989-91)wasselect- 1991NationalPlayeroftheYear ers selectedattheirpositions. base wereeachoneofonlyfourplay- and ZachDaeges(2003-06)atthird Scott Servais(1986-88)atcatcher five playersselectedatsecondbase. TonyRoth(2002-05)wasoneof selected. represented, asnineBluejayswere al teamin2007.Creightonwaswell- Valley Conferencenamedabaseballall-centenni- 2008 Creighton Baseball We willfighttilltheiswon.” White andBlue! We willfightonforyourglory. So: wave,colors,wave our mighttothefightwewilllend. Fearless foryou, Colors two,itisyouwedefend. “The WhiteandtheBlue! Gordon Richmond. White andtheBlue,”withwordsmusicby TheCreightonUniversityFightSongis“The relief pitcher. Steve Grasley(2001-04)receivedthenodasa were votedontotheteamasstartingpitchers. The boostergroupforCreighton Athletics, the In additiontohisstatusasaMajorLeague As partofitscentennialcelebration,theMissouri Through thegenerosity ofitssupporters, In theoutfield,DaveSchrage Alan Benes(1991-93)andDanSmith(1988-90) MVC All-CentennialTeam Endowed Scholarships Traditions Hall ofFame Jaybackers Fight Song Bob Gibson Bob Scott Stahoviak Steve Grasley Alan Benes ball in1947. began sponsoringbase- year ofexistenceand The Valleyisinits101st of theMississippiRiver, Theoldestconferenceheadquarteredwest Bluejays playedasanindependent. the 1977season.PriortojoiningValley, member oftheMissouriValleyConferencesince Odenreider havebeenaddedtothelist. Adam Schaecher,MarcLewisandChase MostrecentlythenamesofZachDaeges, Scott StahoviakandAlanBenes. Dennis Rasmussen,ScottServais,KimeraBartee, Creighton’s historyareBobGibson,DaveMcKay, Someofthemorenotablenamesfrom 28 signeesinthe1990sand15since2000. them makingittoa40-manroster.Thisincludes League Baseballteamssince1955with15of The Jayshavehad71playersdraftedbyMajor of athletesmoveontotheprofessionalranks. TheCreightonprogramhasseenitsshare U.S. NationalTeam. contributions tothe based onaprogram’s rankings, whichare in tiedfor23rdthe Programs byUSABaseball.TheBluejayscame 50 USABaseballNationalTeamCollegiate CreightonwasrankedinthelatestTop Seoul Olympics. gold-medal-winning baseballteamatthe1988 petition. ScottServaiswasamemberofthe sented theUnitedStatesininternationalcom- Scott ServaisandDanSmith--haverepre- McConnell, ChadMeyers,DennisRasmussen, FiveBluejaybaseballplayers--Chad Bevilacqua, Remde,Leavitt,Gibson(minority) All Sports: Baseball Only: are availabletobaseballplayers: names ofdonorswithendowedscholarshipsthat pleted theirathleticeligibility.Belowarethelast helping fifth-yearstudent-athleteswhohavecom- basis. Mostofthesescholarshipsgotoward that areawardedtostudent-athletesonayearly Major Leaguers The Creightonbaseballteamhasbeena ct evi DennisRasmussen Scott Servais Missouri ValleyConference Jensen,Mailliard,Barr,Dippel, USA Baseball Palmer,Mangiameli,Quinlan

Introduction Coaches 2008 Bluejays 2007 Review Records/History About Creighton Media Info 71 1971 1986 Italics Tom Oldham Tom Steve Grasley Steve Dennis Rasmussen won 91 games Dennis Rasmussen won MLB career. in a 12-year Scott Servais enjoyed an 11-year an 11-year ServaisScott enjoyed in the Major Leagues. career Grasley’s 19 saves

Jessica Powers Davis Dennis Rasmussen 2007 Roman Roh, D.D.S. 1993 1981 Rev. Maurice Van Ackeren, S.J. * Former baseball players in Sebastian “Subby” Salerno Randy Schwartz Scott Servais Paul Silas Scott Stahoviak 1994 Shannon Struby Eddie Sutton 2003 Jean Tierney Holt 2005 Johnny Torres 1974 2006 John Trautman, M.D. 1990 1997 1980 2004 Tanya Warren William Worthing Connie Yori Mary Yori 1970 1996 1992 1992 1969 1990 Dave McKay played eight seasons eight played McKay Dave career. a coaching in MLB before Alan Benes won 13 games as a BenesAlan won in 1996. the Cardinals rookie for Northwoods League Northwoods Dick Harvey Mike Heathcott Jim Hendry E.S. “Eddie” Hickey Mary Higgins 1983 2006 Lance Hill 1973 Werner Jensen, M.D. 2001 John C. Johnson 1975 Brian Kamler 1987 John Knolla Donald Knowles 1991 2007 Ralph “Swede” Langer 2000 2002 1969 1978 Leonard “Jimmy” Lovley, D.D.S. Anthony F. Porto, Sr., D.D.S. Dr. Ralph Mailliard Kevin McKenna John J. “Red” McManus 1972 1979 Gil Passarella Ira Philson 1998 Bob Portman 1984 2003 1982 and Tom Oldham were named to the Northwoods League All- and Tom Oldham were announced in 2004. Decade Team that was as a 2002 was a NWL record. He returned in 2003 during the summer of nine wins and 91 strikeouts for the league with starter and led the NWL Also a member of the Woodchucks, champion Wisconsin Woodchucks. Oldham’s 0.74 ERA in 2001 is the lowest in NWL Wisconsin also won history. in 2001 behind Oldham’s 6-1 record. the league championship 2003 Creighton University Athletic Hall of Fame Creighton University Athletic 2008 Creighton Baseball Rick Apke Tom Apke Edward Beisser Lee C. Bevilacqua, M.D. 1988 Ralph Bobik Kelly Brookhart Prokupek 1989 1977 1995 1988 Bob Gibson is regarded as one of the best pitch- Bob Gibson is regarded his After concluding ers in baseball history. in 1957, Gibson Creighton at career collegiate 3,117 strike- record on to win 251 games, went championships with the St. world win two outs, and awards Young Cy earn two Cardinals, Louis Gibson was MVP. League win the 1968 National in 1981. inducted the Baseball Hall of Fame into Conrad “Cornie” Collin 1991 Keith DeFini Randy Eccker Mike Finley Oneri Fleita Donald Fleming 2005 Becky Flynn Jensen 1999 Heidi Geier Woodard Bob Gibson 2007 2005 1976 2006 2000 Pam Gradoville Simon Kathy Halligan 1999 Gene Harmon Bob Harstad 1968 Rev. Robert J. Hart, S.J. 2002 2001 1985 2002 in the coun- wooden bat leagues collegiate baseball one of the premier summer Known as years. Eight players in recent have included Creighton League rosters try, many Northwoods current last summer. In addition, in the Northwoods League the 2008 roster played Bluejays on coaches of previously been head and Jason Shockey have coaches Rob Smith CU assistant respectively. and Waterloo Bucks, Wisconsin Woodchucks the league’s Wisconsin Woodchucks were both selected Junior Darin Ruf and senior Pat Venditte of the named to the post-season Northwoods All-Star team and Ruf was also to the 2007 mid-season first baseman after hitting Ruf was named the league’s best offensive all-star team. In addition, Zach Daeges became the first player in NWL .348 last summer. In 2005, to win the Triple history for the Waterloo Bucks. hitting 13 home runs and driving in 48 runs Crown, batting .366 while NWL. Former Bluejays Steve Grasley players have been successful for years in the Creighton Philadelphia Athletics San Francisco Giants San Francisco Giants

1980 California Angels Expos 1980 California 1983 Montreal 1905 Cardinals St. Louis

CU’s Major League Connections CU’s Major - Reached the Major Leagues. Tom Drees 1985 White Sox Chicago Tim Gradoville 2002 Phillies Philadelphia Player Year Organization Year Player Bold Gene Sullivan Frank Slezak Fritz Stanek Bob Gibson 1955 Don Brummer Gil Passarella 1955 Dave McKay St. Louis Cardinals 1955 John Sturgeon 1957 1957 St. Louis Cardinals Cliff Cuadreuil Brooklyn Dodgers 1970 Jim Otto Cardinals St. Louis Froehlich 1971 New York Yankees Jim Lemon Dennis 1972 1974 New York Yankees Rasmussen 1972 Abner Johnson Twins Minnesota Dennis San Diego Padres Montgomery Baltimore Orioles Daryl Stoval Donald 1972 1973 1977 Doug Palmer Traen New York Yankees Kansas City Royals Kevin Kristan Tom Minnesota Twins 1982 Eric Campbell 1983 1983 Chicago White Sox 1983 Jeff Kopyta Expos Montreal Dave Hartnett Minnesota Twins 1984 Shaun Daly Chicago White Sox Brad Kucera Scott Servais Chicago White Sox 1986 1986 Oneri Fleita Dan Johnston 1987 Oakland Athletics Seattle Mariners Eric Boddie 1987 Stahoviak 1988 Dan Smith Scott Kansas City Royals 1991 1988 1988 Milwaukee Brewers Houston Astros Dax Jones Twins Minnesota Steve Hinton 1988 Baltimore Orioles Chicago Cubs Mike Heathcott 1990 Ryan Martindale Los Angeles Dodgers Bobby Langer 1991 1991 Texas Rangers 1991 Chad McConnell 1991 Rick Freehling San Francisco Giants Alan Benes Chicago White Sox Kansas City Royals 1991 1992 Brian O’Brien Cleveland Indians Brian O’Connor 1992 Chicago White Sox Troy Schulte Philadelphia Phillies Kimera Bartee 1993 1993 Florida Marlins Aaron Puffer 1993 Eric Maloney St. Louis Cardinals Rick Heiserman 1993 1993 Minnesota Twins Dantzler Philadelphia Phillies Dan Hower Eric 1993 Orioles Baltimore Houston Astros 1994 1993 Gary Dose 1994 Tyson Kimm California Angels Cleveland Indians Mike Mahoney Angeles Dodgers Los 1994 Mike Stick A.J. Walkanoff 1995 Rangers Texas 1995 Chad Meyers 1995 Kevin Frederick Ryan Gripp Minnesota Twins Braves Atlanta Philadelphia Phillies 1995 1995 Peyton Lewis 1996 1998 Dan Gooris Los Angeles Dodgers Vince Pietro Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs Minnesota Twins Ken Sarna 1999 1999 Dan Lawler Dan Gooris 2000 Chicago Cubs 2000 Toronto Bluejays Tom Oldham 2000 Cincinnati Reds Ryan Fitzgerald 2001 Cleveland Indians Steve Grasley 2001 Eric Wordekemper Kansas City Royals 2003 Chicago Cubs Tony Roth 2003 San Diego Padres Zach Daeges 2005 2004 Adam Schaecher Seattle Mariners Chicago Cubs Chase Odenreider New York Yankees Marc Lewis Seattle Mariners 2006 2005 2006 Chris Gradoville 2006 Boston Red Sox Chad Ogden Texas Rangers New York Yankees New York Yankees 2007 2007 2007 Texas Rangers Florida Marlins Texas Rangers Gerald J. Shea Joseph Lotz Luby Hugh (Hal) 1931 1916 Louis Cardinals St. 72 Media Info About Creighton Records/History 2007 Review 2008 Bluejays Coaches Introduction the BluejaysjoinedShockersinNCAAplay. performance ofjuniorambidextroushurlerPatVenditteas the StateFarmMVCTournamentbehindMVPpitching win shyofreachingtheCollegeWorldSeries.Creightonwon entire season,winning53gamesandfinishingoneseries and longest-tenuredcommissioner,TheValleyhasbeen During thetenureofDougElgin,TheValley’sninth tournament game. hosted aNCAAregional,andeachValleyteamwon in whichthreeteamshaveearnedspotsthefield.SIU bids totheNCAAtournamentandthird-straightseason the fifth-consecutiveyearTheValleyhasearnedmultiple 2007 NCAADivisionISoftballChampionship.Itmarked State andSouthernIllinois--representedtheleaguein -- 2007MVCTournamentchampionCreighton,Illinois ThreeMissouriValleyConferencesoftballprograms each gottothesecondroundofWNIT. reach theNCAAs,whileIllinoisStateandSouthern Drake, despiteitsNo.8seed,wontheleaguetourneyto meanwhile, representedtheMVCinpost-seasonplayas Family ArenainSaintCharles,Mo.Threeleagueteams, time inleaguehistory,bringingthechampionshiptoThe Championship wouldmovetoaneutralsiteforthefirst announced itsStateFarmMVCWomen’sBasketball the athleticarenain2006-07.InFebruary2007,TheValley TherewereplentyofothermilestonesforTheValleyin 16 trips(Bradley,SouthernIllinoisandWichitaState). ketball overthepasttwoseasons,withthreeNCAASweet The Valleyhashad10post-seasonteamsinmen’sbas- Percentage Index(RPI)asecond-straightseason.Notably, league finishedNo.6-itsall-timehighintheRatings the fieldwithSIUreachingSweet16.Meanwhile, Last year,twoteams(Creighton,SouthernIllinois)made advancing toNCAATournamentplay10-straightyears. its streakofconsecutiveseasonswithtwoormoreteams prominence. In2007-08,theMVCwillbelookingtoextend national acclaimoverthepastdecadeduringitsreturnto Inmen’sbasketball,TheValleyhasreceivedmuch al profileoftheconference. teams invirtuallyeverysportcontinuestoraisethenation- the greatestattention,overallperformanceofleague Whilethesuccessofmen’sbasketballhasreceived opportunities foritsmemberinstitutions. student-athlete andisaggressiveinitsapproachtoprovide conferences. TheValleyemphasizestheimportanceof example asoneofcollegeathletics’mostprogressive TheMissouriValleyConferencecontinuestoleadby tion inTheValley’sfirstcentury. All-America honorsandearnednationalacademicdistinc- the leaguehadamyriadofstudent-athleteswhocollected Coach oftheYearhonorsintheirrespectivesports.And student-athletes andcoachesearned50NationalPlayeror athletes capturedNCAAindividualtitles.Inaddition,Valley for 27nationalchampionships,while56Valleystudent- Intheleague’sfirst100seasons,32memberscombined oldest NCAADivisionIconference. as aleaderincollegeathleticsandisthenation’ssecond- Missouri ValleyConferencebeginsitssecondcentennial Freshoffacentennialcelebrationin2006-07,the In baseball,WichitaStatewasnationallyrankedforthe Commissioner Doug Elgin Sr. AssociateCommissioner Patty Viverito The MissouriValleyConference 2008 Creighton Baseball Leonard Brickens Umpire Coordinator Illinois andWichitaState. Missouri State,UniversityofNorthernIowa,Southern the UniversityofEvansville,IllinoisState,Indiana LeaguemembersincludeBradley, Creighton,Drake, alums dottheleague’sHallofFame. Currently, morethan30formerplayers,coachesand Cincinnati weremembersoftheinitialinductionclass. Ed MacauleyofSaintLouis,andOscarRobertson Iba ofOklahomaState,DaveStallworthWichita of IndianaState,WesUnseldLouisville,CoachHenry ics HallofFame.HerseyHawkinsBradley,LarryBird summer of1997,whentheconferencebeganitsathlet- Infact,TheValleybeganhonoringthattraditioninthe careers and,forsome,professionalcareers. the league’sillustrioushistory,bothduringtheircollegiate letes andcoacheshavebecomehouseholdnamesduring league’s storiedhistory,overtheyears,Valleystudent-ath- prehensive athleticumbrellaisarecentdevelopmentinthe Andwhiletheinclusionofwomen’ssportsunderacom- unveiled aspartofthenewconferenceonJuly1,1992. -- mergedwiththeMissouriValleyConferenceandwas Collegiate AthleticConference--whichbeganin1982 The Valleybannerhasprovidedaboost.Gateway Indeed,theinclusionofwomen’sprogramsunder trips totheWNITpostseasontournament. Creighton (2003)andDrake(1999)havemadesemifinal has a1992NCAAWomen’sFinalFourappearance,and ships (WNIT)inwomen’sbasketball,whileMSUalso Missouri State(2005)haveclaimednationalchampion- Basketball FinalFourinSt.Louis.Creighton(2004)and ments, astheLadyBearsadvancedtoWomen’s Missouri StateaddedtoTheValleywomen’saccomplish- onship and19CollegeWorldSeriesqualifiers.In2001, the NCAAFinalFour,a1989nationalbaseballchampi- include 10nationalbasketballchampionships,16tripsto Athleticaccomplishmentsonthemen’sathleticsside ing, men’sandwomen’stennis,volleyball. and women’ssoccer,softball,swimmingdiv- field (indoorandoutdoor),men’swomen’sgolf, basketball, men’sandwomen’scrosscountrytrack& sors thefollowingsports:baseball,men’sandwomen’s tive sport.Today,theMissouriValleyConferencespon- Inthefallof1907,basketballbecamefirstcompeti- admitted. more schools--DrakeUniversityandIowaStatewere and Nebraska.Twomonthsaftertheinitialmeeting,two Louis, andthestateuniversitiesofIowa,Kansas,Missouri Athletic AssociationwereWashingtonUniversityofSt. schools whichformedtheMissouriValleyIntercollegiate Hotel inKansasCity,Mo.,onJan.12,1907.Thefive trators representingfiveinstitutions,whometattheMidland Theseedsforthisvisionwereplantedbyeightadminis- tinued tobeanationalleaderintheathleticarena. athletic conferencewestoftheMississippiRiverhascon- progressive inpursuingNCAAevents,theoldestDivisionI AndwhiletheMissouriValleyConferencehasbeen Final FourattheEdwardJonesDome. ence collaboratedwithlocalpartnerstostagetheMen’s came toaspectacularclimaxinApril2005astheconfer- aggressive inhostingNCAAeventsSt.Louis.Thatrole Brock Ascher Baseball SID Jack Watkins Joe Mitch Patty Viverito Doug Elgin pus sitestheweekendprior *initial roundsofwomen’ssoccerchampionshipplayedoncam- Baseball-Wichita,Kan. May 21-24 Softball-Carbondale,Ill. May 16-18 May 8-10 Tennis(M/W)-Omaha,Neb. April 25-27 Golf(M)-Davenport,Iowa April 21-22 Golf(W)-Omaha,Neb. MVCBasketball(M)-St.Louis, Mo. April 13-15 Mar. 13-16 Mar. 6-9 Feb. 29-M1 Feb. 14-16 Jan. 26-28 Volleyball-Springfield,Mo. Nov. 23-24 Soccer(M)-Omaha,Neb. Soccer(W)-Evansville, Ind. Nov. 14-18 *Nov. 9-11 Oct. 27 Individual Tennis(W)-Omaha,Neb. Sept. 28-30 Mike Kern Brock Ascher Terri Heiges Maxine Day Carla Fight Lauren Venarchik Jeremiah Ingram Mary Mulvenna Dave Biancamano Rich Steed Mark McNamara Marketing andTelevision Basketball Tournament Communications Compliance andCommunityRelations Operations Communications Southern Illinois •Wichita State Southern Missouri State •NorthernIowa 2007-08 Championships Illinois State•Indiana Scoreboard Phone:(314)699-6821 Missouri ValleyConference Bradley •Creighton - AssociateCommissioner - AssociateCommissionerfor Drake •Evansville -AssistanttotheCommissioner - ChiefFinancialOfficer Phone: (314)421-0339 - Commissioner www.mvc-sports.com -Secretary/Receptionist - ExecutiveAssistant Outdoor Track&Field(M/W)-Carbondale, Ill. MVC Basketball(W)-St.Charles,Mo. Indoor Track&Field(M/W)-CedarFalls,Iowa Swimming &Diving(W)-Carbondale,Ill. Individual Tennis(M)-DesMoines,Iowa Cross Country(M/W)-CedarFalls,Iowa St. Louis,MO63103 Fax: (314)421-3505 1818 ChouteauAve - AssociateCommissionerfor - MediaRelationsAssistant -Sr.AssociateCommissioner MVC Staff - AssistantCommissionerfor - DirectorofCorporateSales - AssistantCommissionerfor -AssistantCommissionerfor - AssistantDirectorWomen’s