Creighton introduces Marcus Blossom as new athletic director
Creighton University announced its move to the new Big East Conference at a press conference at D.J. Sokol Arena 10 years ago today. Hundreds of excited Creighton fans and supporters turned out on the CU campus to hear the official announcement.
Creighton was joining Butler, DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John’s, Villanova and Xavier in a league that was to be basketball-centered. The league would be showcased on a new Fox Sports 1 channel, which was launched in the summer of 2013.
The Rev. Timothy Lannon, then-president of Creighton, spoke after the formal announcement at Fox’s Midtown Manhattan headquarters. He said Creighton would become a full member that summer, including receiving a full share of TV rights.
Creighton University’s move to the Big East Conference was a big step up for the Bluejay athletic programs. It was also a major step forward for the larger university community and for the city it calls home.
People are also reading…
The move also meant an end to Creighton’s long association with the Missouri Valley Conference. There were bittersweet feelings as Creighton left its longtime sports home in the conference. The school first joined the Valley in 1928 and returned to the league in 1977. There were old rivalries, friendships and memories that wouldn’t soon be forgotten. Indiana State coach Greg Lansing and several other Valley coaches called Creighton’s departure a loss for the league, as the Bluejays had been one of the conference’s flagship programs.
Junior Damien Jefferson, carrying the Big East championship trophy, interrupts coach Greg McDermott's postgame TV interview following Creighton's 77-60 victory over Seton Hall. The win clinched a share of the regular-season conference title for the Bluejays.
Lannon said that Creighton had received its invitation to the Big East on March 13 but that the university’s board had already voted to accept an invitation if one came. He said Creighton was first contacted Feb. 27.
Creighton’s move to the Big East Conference was "a match made in heaven,” Lannon said.
Here's a look at Creighton University athletics in the Big East Conference:
Photos: Creighton University in the Big East conference
Creighton fans, students and faculty at D.J. Sokol Arena watch video of CU Athletic Director Bruce Rasmussen commenting on the Big East announcement in 2013.Â
In this 2013 photo, a statue of Billy Bluejay stands outside Creighton University's acclaimed soccer facility, Morrison Stadium. As part of the Big East conference, the Omaha school would compete with universities in metropolitan New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Milwaukee, Indianapolis and Cincinnati.
A new Billy Bluejay mascot made its first appearance as Creighton basketball played Nebraska in 2013.
Creighton coach Bruce Erickson knew from the tradition the Big East has in women’s soccer that the transition to the new conference would be a challenge for his squad. This photo is from 2012.
Elmar Bolowich’s fifth-ranked Creighton men’s soccer team opens its Big East schedule against No. 7 St. John’s in 2013. “This is a good soccer league,” he said.
Creighton’s Eric Miller, right, was named the Big East’s soccer defensive player of the week in 2013 after helping the Bluejays to a 1-0, double-overtime win against St. John’s in the team’s conference opener. It was the second time that season that Miller had earned Big East defensive player of the week honors.
Interest was high in 2013 in season tickets for Creighton basketball thanks to the move to the Big East.
Greg McDermott helped steer Creighton into the Big East, and he made his coaching debut in the conference on Dec. 31, 2013, with a 67-49 victory over Marquette.
Creighton’s Jehenns Manigat gets a steal and a layup in the first half as Creighton hosted Marquette in the Bluejays' debut Big East game at the then-CenturyLink Center on Dec. 31, 2013.
Creighton cheer squad members and fans in the student section root for the Bluejays in the first half as Creighton hosted Marquette in the Bluejays' debut Big East game at the then-CenturyLink Center on Dec. 31, 2013.
Volleyball Coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth takes the Bluejays on the road to open Big East competition against Butler in 2013.Â
Creighton volleyball's Jess Bird, No. 13, kills the ball against Marquette during the Big East Tournament Finals at D.J. Sokol Arena in 2013.
In 2013, Creighton middle blocker Kelli Browning goes for one of her seven kills against Seton Hall. Browning also had a match-high nine blocks as the Bluejays moved into a tie for second place in the Big East.
Creighton guard Marissa Janning was named Big East player of the year as a sophomore during the 2013-14 season.
Everyone was excited about Creighton’s move to the Big East. Well, except hitters at Big East baseball schools who now have to somehow figure out a way to get on first base at TD Ameritrade Park.
In 2014, Jess Bird was named the Big East preseason player of the year, CU’s first since Kelli Browning shared the honor in 2013.
Creighton coach Ed Servais, shown in 2014, hopes to lift up the other Big East baseball teams, much like Wichita State did with the Missouri Valley.
In October 2014, Timo Pitter, left, was the reigning Big East offensive player of the week.Â
Sokol Arena was home to the 2015 Big East volleyball tournament. It also hosted the 2013 tourney.
TD Ameritrade Park hosted the Big Ten tournament in May, drawing record crowds for the championship event. Creighton will host the Big East tournament at the ballpark in 2015.
In 2015, Creighton's Reagan Fowler, center, sits in the dirt outside the dugout alongside his teammates as they watch St. John's celebrate.Â
Creighton's starting pitcher, Jack Rogalla (27), delivers a pitch in the top of the second inning against St. John's. Creighton and St. John's played in the Big East Baseball Championship game at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha on May 24, 2015. St. John's defeated Creighton 8-7 to become the Big East baseball champions.
In 2016, a veteran Creighton women's basketball team featuring seniors No. 50 Brianna Rollerson, No. 23 Marissa Janning and No. 12 Lauren Works was aiming for the program’s top Big East finish. The Jays had never finished higher than third.
From left: Creighton's Jett Canfield, Christian Bishop and Damien Jefferson celebrate their win over Seton Hall for the Big East regular-season championship at CHI Health Center in Omaha on March 7, 2020.
