MARCH MADNESS
Where is Creighton University, and which famous people studied there?
In 1878, 5 Jesuits, 2 teachers, and 120 students began classes at Creighton. Today, it’s one of 28 Jesuit universities in the US with 8,000+ students.
Creighton University is a private research institute in Omaha, Nebraska, founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878. It has a 140-acre campus and enrolls around 8,400 graduate and undergraduate students. The university includes nine undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, including a law school, medical school, dental school, pharmacy school, nursing school, and business school.
The university was established due to the generosity of Mary Lucretia Creighton, who wanted to create a school in memory of her husband, Edward Creighton. Women were first admitted in 1913, and in 1958, the college split into Creighton Preparatory Schools and Creighton University.
Which famous studied at Creighton University?
Creighton has produced a notable roster of alumni who have left their mark in various fields:
- Kyle Korver: An American former professional basketball player, Korver played college basketball for the Creighton Bluejays.
- Leo Ryan: An American teacher and politician, Ryan served as the U.S. representative from California’s 11th congressional district until his tragic assassination during the Jonestown massacre in 1978.
- Bob Gibson: Nicknamed “Gibby” and “Hoot,” Gibson was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played his entire career for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1959 to 1975. Known for his fiercely competitive nature, Gibson tallied 251 wins, 3,117 strikeouts, and a 2.91 earned run average. A nine-time All-Star and two-time World Series Champion, he won two Cy Young Awards and the 1968 National League Most Valuable Player Award.
- Doug McDermott: An American professional basketball player, McDermott currently plays for the Indiana Pacers of the NBA.
- Paul Gosar: An American far-right politician and dentist, Gosar has represented Arizona’s 9th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2023 and represented Arizona’s 4th congressional district from 2013 to 2023. His controversial stances and alleged connections to far-right groups have sparked debate.
2024 March Madness
The Creighton men’s basketball team has made it to the Sweet 16 for the third time in four seasons after a hard-fought victory over Oregon, with a score of 86-73 in double overtime. In the next round, they will face Tennessee, the top seed in their part of the bracket. Both teams performed exceptionally well in the opening rounds, winning two games each.
Tennessee, the 2-seed in the Midwest Region, defeated Saint Peter’s and Texas to secure their spot in the Sweet 16. Meanwhile, the 3-seed Creighton beat Akron and Oregon to advance, with a slightly easier path thanks to an upset.
The game between Creighton and Tennessee will tip off at approximately 10:09 p.m. on Friday, March 29. It will take place at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, as part of the 2024 NCAA Tournament rather than an on-campus venue.