Leaving her mark on Creighton's basketball family

By Jon Nyatawa

It starts with a smile. Before you know it, you feel like you’re right at home.

That’s the Patty Galas effect.

Her charm, her compassion and her attention to detail for 30 years have contributed to the intangible inner fabric of the Creighton men’s basketball program.

Players, coaches, staff members, parents, fans and friends can attest — they’re emotionally and personally connected to Bluejay basketball. Everyone says, with sincerity, “It’s a family.” Galas is at the heart of this.

“Relationships mean everything to her,” said Jill Isaacs, BSN’99, MS’06, DNP’14, one of Galas’ three daughters. They are all Creighton alumnae who’ve admired their mom’s three decades of devotion to the Bluejays as the program’s administrative assistant.

“She will tell you that those parents, players and coaches are her family. Her Creighton family. And it’s true. She’s so genuine in her love and care for others,” Isaacs said.

“She just has this special ability to make you feel like you’re the most important person in the room,” said daughter Jennifer Weeder, BA’93.

Now, it’s Galas’ turn to be the recipient of a sincere gesture with lasting impact.

In honor of their mom’s service, contributions and legacy at Creighton, her daughters have established the Patty Galas Athletic Endowed Scholarship to support student workers and help cover their tuition and academic-related expenses.

Head Coach Greg McDermott announced the Galas Scholarship at his luncheon on Friday, March 1.

It was a surprise to Galas, who’s organized and planned these luncheons for years. She thought she was invited to join McDermott on stage so she could help hand out prizes. But then she watched as her daughters and family members walked into the room full of a couple hundred Creighton fans. There were tears, and a standing ovation.

“She’s been instrumental to the success of our program,” McDermott said to the crowd.

McDermott turned to Galas, who’s worked at Creighton since 1987 and moved into her current role in 1995.

“On behalf of myself, (McCormick Endowed Athletic Director) Marcus Blossom, our entire coaching staff and all the fans and people you’ve touched during 37 years on our campus, Patty, congrats to you and we appreciate everything you do.”

It’s probably impossible to completely summarize ALL of the ways Galas makes an impact on Creighton’s program.

Here’s an attempt:

She manages the team travel party plans and helps coordinate fan events during the postseason. She runs all the summer youth camps. She organizes McDermott’s luncheons and manages his daily calendar.

Galas bakes cookies for birthdays (her chocolate chip cookies are THE BEST!). She sends Christmas cards.

During home games, Galas never gets settled into her seat before halftime. She’s always checking in on players’ parents and program friends, just to see if they need anything. A Band-Aid? Water? Some chewing gum? A hair tie? Before the cell phone days, she used to hand-deliver printed box scores to parents at halftime.

In 1999, well before Creighton had a national TV deal, Galas was faxing newspaper stories, press releases and box scores to the parents of former Bluejay Doug Swenson, BA’19, whose family had so many duties at their North Dakota farm home that his folks rarely got to see him play. She still saves newspaper clippings for parents.

There have been long days. And late nights. And stressful moments.

But Galas has handled it all so gracefully, setting an example for her daughters to apply to their own lives. Jennifer, Jill and Julie Bishop, BA’95, could go on for hours. Everything Galas does to brighten people’s days inside the basketball office? She’s the same way at home, too.

“She’s really organized and just so thoughtful,” Jennifer said. “She has a fun mom mode and a loving grandma mode. But there’s also this serious, get-things-done work mode. She really cares about everyone.”

It goes both ways.

In the stands of Creighton’s NCAA tournament games during the Jays’ Elite Eight run last year, Galas essentially mingled about as if she were a Bluejay hoops celebrity. She sat and reminisced with Kyle Korver, BA’03, during one half. She shared laughs and posed for photos with Anthony Tolliver, BSBA’07, and Ethan Wragge, BSBA’14.

And at Friday’s luncheon, she had the last word. After the scholarship was announced, and the clapping and cheering subsided, McDermott handed Galas the microphone.

“I have been here 37 years and I love my job — and I still love it,” Galas said. “It’s because of the wonderful people I work for and with. Thank you so much. I appreciate everybody in here. Go Jays!”

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Interested in supporting a future Creighton student through the Patty Galas Athletic Endowed Scholarship? Make a gift today!

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While you're cheering for the Creighton men's and women's basketball teams in March, keep track of all the pregame events, team sendoffs and watch parties for Bluejay alumni and friends by bookmarking our Athletics Events page.