Featured Testimonial About Creighton University
This field came to life because of the State of Nebraska, the College World Series of Omaha, Inc., and the many donors and supporters who continue to invest in our communities.
By Micah Mertes
Two days before the start of the NCAA Men’s College World Series, Creighton University leaders, students and friends celebrated the completion of the University’s new baseball practice field at a dedication event on Wednesday, June 10.
At the event, Creighton President Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD, was joined by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr., former Nebraska senator The Honorable Lou Ann Linehan, Creighton McCormick Endowed Athletic Director Marcus Blossom, Creighton baseball head coach Mark Kingston, Jack Diesing Jr., president and chairman of College World Series of Omaha, Inc.; and Anthony Holman, vice president of championships and alliances at the NCAA.
Several of the special guests threw out a few of the new field’s first pitches. Catchers included players from the Millard Elite National 14-and-under youth baseball team, the Omaha Stampede Navy 11-and-under team, and the Hillside Little League Mariners 11-and-under team. (See images below.)
“This field, along with the Creighton Softball Stadium completed last summer, came to life because of the State of Nebraska, the College World Series of Omaha, Inc., and the many donors and supporters who continue to invest in our communities,” said Father Hendrickson.
In addition to being the home base for Creighton baseball practice, the all-turf field at Florence Boulevard and Cumming Street will serve as the principal location for teams preparing to compete in the NCAA Men’s CWS. The 193,000-square-foot field’s design mimics that of Charles Schwab Field Omaha a few blocks east, to better orient visiting teams preparing to compete in the Greatest Show on Dirt. (Read more about the field here.)
The baseball field will also be available to students through Creighton intramural and club sports, as well as community baseball events.
Now under construction on the field’s northwest corner is the baseball and softball team facility set to open in 2028. In addition to Jays baseball and softball, visiting CWS teams will have full use of the 40,000-square-foot facility. The baseball and softball fields, as well as the team facility, are part of Fly Together, the $300 million, donor-funded initiative to reimagine campus recreational and athletic facilities.
PHOTOS FROM THE DEDICATION
From left: Billy Bluejay, Jack Diesing Jr., Anthony Holman, Gov. Pillen, The Honorable Lou Ann Linehan, Mayor Ewing, Father Hendrickson, Coach Kingston and Marcus Blossom.
Father Hendrickson: “(This moment) reflects who we are at our core: a community dedicated to educating, forming leaders, and serving something greater than ourselves. Beginning this week, Creighton once again has a unique opportunity to live out its Jesuit values of service on the national stage, as dozens of athletics staff dedicate nearly every waking hour to supporting the ‘Greatest Show on Dirt.’"
Gov. Pillen: “The Creighton community, hats off to everybody. It’s extraordinary what takes place at this incredible university … (The baseball practice field) is an incredible investment for the Creighton community. It’s an incredible investment for the city of Omaha, and it’s an incredible investment for the state of Nebraska. On behalf of the people of Nebraska, this is a big day.”
Mayor Ewing: “The city cannot transform itself alone. Creighton has been an important, stalwart partner in helping not just improve this neighborhood, but also in working with Omaha in a variety of ways. It is with pride and excitement that we get to add a facility to this rotation for regional and national tournaments, including the annual Omaha Slumpbuster."
Marcus Blossom: “For nearly eight decades, Creighton has served as the host institution for the NCAA Men’s College World Series. It’s a tradition Creighton is proud to be part of and proud to help carry forward. And this field is part of what comes next: a new era of wins, of lessons and new traditions, and new memories that will be made right here.”
Coach Kingston: “To stand here today in this facility and to be the head coach at Creighton and to represent this great city, this great state, I just can’t tell you how proud I am of that."
His message to visiting College World Series teams: “Wait till you see this new facility you’re going to get to practice at, three blocks from Charles Schwab Field. You’re going to be amazed."
Mayor Ewing poses with players of the Millard United National team.
Father Hendrickson throws one of the field's first pitches.
The Honorable Lou Ann Linehan, Gov. Pillen and Mayor John Ewing throw their best pitches.
Holman, left, and Diesing each throw a pitch.
The catchers assemble.
The catchers take a photo with Billy in front of a rendering of Creighton's future baseball and softball team facility.
