Creighton University Athletics
Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center and D.J. Sokol Arena
Women's Basketball
Volleyball
For the 18th straight season, Creighton will play its home volleyball matches on campus at D.J. Sokol Arena in the Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center. In November, the facility will host a conference tournament for the eighth time (2009, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2026). Creighton has also hosted the First and Second Round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament there seven times (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025).
Creighton is 209-34 (.860) inside D.J. Sokol Arena since its 2009 opening. The Bluejays have been near-unbeatable during regular-season conference matches at Sokol, going 140-8 (.946). That mark climbs to 109-3 (.973) since joining the BIG EAST.
CU has hosted 39 straight crowds of 2,000 fans or more at D.J. Sokol Arena (and 76 overall), including a facility-record 2,665 vs. Ole Miss on Dec. 6, 2024.
More than 182,000 bricks, 654 tons of steel and 30 miles of electrical wire were used during construction, which employed up to 115 workers at one time.
The height of the roof ridge is 78’-10” above the arena floor, with a ceiling fan measuring 20 feet in diameter spinning high above the playing surface.
In addition to a large locker room and team lounge at D.J. Sokol Arena, Creighton’s volleyball program also benefits from coaching offices and athletic training rooms in the Ryan Athletic Center. The Ryan Athletic Center houses the offices for most of Creighton’s support staff, including ticketing, athletic communications, marketing, compliance and athletic development.
A new Taraflex® surface was introduced on September 12, 2025, giving Creighton one of the most unique floor designs in the country.
Thanks to the generous donations of Wayne and the late Eileen Ryan and family, Dave and Peggy Sokol, and many others, D.J. Sokol Arena inside the Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center was dedicated on Aug. 28, 2009.
The 75,000-square-foot facility houses a gymnasium holding 2,500 fans, as well as coaches’ offices and locker rooms for volleyball, women’s
basketball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer and visiting teams and officials. It also houses areas for ticketing, athletic training, meeting rooms, media work rooms and hospitality functions. In addition, the arena is used for other campus and community events, including assemblies, coaching camps and clinics, concerts, speakers and high school graduations.
The Ryans and their family are longtime supporters of Creighton University. Wayne Ryan, BS’49, MS’51, chairman and CEO of Streck Laboratories, Inc., began his career teaching at Creighton before pursuing his passion for research that led to the founding of his company. Wayne Ryan was also a Jaybacker and his daughter, Connie, serves on Creighton’s Board of Trustees.
Dave and Peggy Sokol honored their son, D.J., who died in 1999 following a battle with Hodgkin’s disease, by naming the gymnasium the D.J. Sokol Arena. Sokol is a former chairman and CEO of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, a global leader in the production, supply and distribution of energy from diversified fuel sources, and formerly served on Creighton University’s Board of Trustees.
“Visionary donors like the Ryans and Sokols make our dreams of an even stronger athletics program, championed by intensely loyal fans, more of a reality,” said Creighton’s former McCormick Endowed Athletic Director Bruce Rasmussen. “This Bluejay spirit is a unifying characteristic that enhances the institution’s visibility and reputation.”
Inside the Ryan Center, the Jensen Family Lounge features a theater-style viewing area for television, movies and game film, as well as a study area, kitchenette and gaming area. TV’s throughout the lounge give the student-athletes multiple viewing options. The lounge is also easily converted into a media room for the post-game press conferences for both volleyball and women’s basketball.
Top Volleyball Crowds at D.J. Sokol Arena (through 2025)
Att. Opponent Date
2,665 Ole Miss (W 3-0) 12/06/24
2,658 #4 Louisville (L 3-1) 09/12/25
2,653 Auburn (L 3-2) 12/02/22
2,578 #13 Kentucky (W 3-0) 09/01/17
2,570 DePaul (W 3-0) 10/20/24
2,569 NC State (W 3-0) 08/30/24
2,568 Minnesota (W 3-0) 12/02/23
2,563 Colgate (W 3-0) 12/01/23
2,554 Northern Iowa (W 3-1) 12/05/25
2,552 South Dakota (W 3-0) 11/30/18
Getting to D.J. Sokol Arena
Omaha, Neb., is located just west of the convergence of Interstates 29 and 80 on the west bank of the Missouri River. To get to D.J. Sokol Arena (701 Florence Blvd.), follow the directions below:
Going West on I-80
Traveling west on Interstate 80 from Des Moines as you approach the state line, take Interstate 29 North. Go 1.5 miles before getting in the left lane and exit left onto Interstate 480 West, crossing into Nebraska. Take the 14th Street exit (exit 3). Stay straight to go onto Cass Street. Turn right onto Florence Boulevard. Facility will be on your right.
From I-29 North
Traveling north on Interstate 29, take I-80 West at the convergence of the two interstates in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Follow the above directions from I-80 West.
Going East on I-80
Traveling east on Interstate 80 from Lincoln, take Interstate 480 North to downtown Omaha. Continue on I-480 North to I-480 East, taking the Capitol/Civic Auditorium exit. At the stoplight, turn left (north) on 19th Street. D.J. Sokol Arena will be on your right in about half a mile.
From Eppley Airfield
When leaving the terminal, turn left (south) on Abbott Drive and follow toward downtown Omaha. Abbott Drive will turn into Cuming Street. Take Cuming Street to 17th Street and turn left (south) one block. The facility will be one block away to your right (west)
Creighton is 209-34 (.860) inside D.J. Sokol Arena since its 2009 opening. The Bluejays have been near-unbeatable during regular-season conference matches at Sokol, going 140-8 (.946). That mark climbs to 109-3 (.973) since joining the BIG EAST.
CU has hosted 39 straight crowds of 2,000 fans or more at D.J. Sokol Arena (and 76 overall), including a facility-record 2,665 vs. Ole Miss on Dec. 6, 2024.
More than 182,000 bricks, 654 tons of steel and 30 miles of electrical wire were used during construction, which employed up to 115 workers at one time.
The height of the roof ridge is 78’-10” above the arena floor, with a ceiling fan measuring 20 feet in diameter spinning high above the playing surface.
In addition to a large locker room and team lounge at D.J. Sokol Arena, Creighton’s volleyball program also benefits from coaching offices and athletic training rooms in the Ryan Athletic Center. The Ryan Athletic Center houses the offices for most of Creighton’s support staff, including ticketing, athletic communications, marketing, compliance and athletic development.
A new Taraflex® surface was introduced on September 12, 2025, giving Creighton one of the most unique floor designs in the country.
Thanks to the generous donations of Wayne and the late Eileen Ryan and family, Dave and Peggy Sokol, and many others, D.J. Sokol Arena inside the Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center was dedicated on Aug. 28, 2009.
The 75,000-square-foot facility houses a gymnasium holding 2,500 fans, as well as coaches’ offices and locker rooms for volleyball, women’s
basketball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer and visiting teams and officials. It also houses areas for ticketing, athletic training, meeting rooms, media work rooms and hospitality functions. In addition, the arena is used for other campus and community events, including assemblies, coaching camps and clinics, concerts, speakers and high school graduations.
The Ryans and their family are longtime supporters of Creighton University. Wayne Ryan, BS’49, MS’51, chairman and CEO of Streck Laboratories, Inc., began his career teaching at Creighton before pursuing his passion for research that led to the founding of his company. Wayne Ryan was also a Jaybacker and his daughter, Connie, serves on Creighton’s Board of Trustees.
Dave and Peggy Sokol honored their son, D.J., who died in 1999 following a battle with Hodgkin’s disease, by naming the gymnasium the D.J. Sokol Arena. Sokol is a former chairman and CEO of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, a global leader in the production, supply and distribution of energy from diversified fuel sources, and formerly served on Creighton University’s Board of Trustees.
“Visionary donors like the Ryans and Sokols make our dreams of an even stronger athletics program, championed by intensely loyal fans, more of a reality,” said Creighton’s former McCormick Endowed Athletic Director Bruce Rasmussen. “This Bluejay spirit is a unifying characteristic that enhances the institution’s visibility and reputation.”
Inside the Ryan Center, the Jensen Family Lounge features a theater-style viewing area for television, movies and game film, as well as a study area, kitchenette and gaming area. TV’s throughout the lounge give the student-athletes multiple viewing options. The lounge is also easily converted into a media room for the post-game press conferences for both volleyball and women’s basketball.
Top Volleyball Crowds at D.J. Sokol Arena (through 2025)
Att. Opponent Date
2,665 Ole Miss (W 3-0) 12/06/24
2,658 #4 Louisville (L 3-1) 09/12/25
2,653 Auburn (L 3-2) 12/02/22
2,578 #13 Kentucky (W 3-0) 09/01/17
2,570 DePaul (W 3-0) 10/20/24
2,569 NC State (W 3-0) 08/30/24
2,568 Minnesota (W 3-0) 12/02/23
2,563 Colgate (W 3-0) 12/01/23
2,554 Northern Iowa (W 3-1) 12/05/25
2,552 South Dakota (W 3-0) 11/30/18
Getting to D.J. Sokol Arena
Omaha, Neb., is located just west of the convergence of Interstates 29 and 80 on the west bank of the Missouri River. To get to D.J. Sokol Arena (701 Florence Blvd.), follow the directions below:
Going West on I-80
Traveling west on Interstate 80 from Des Moines as you approach the state line, take Interstate 29 North. Go 1.5 miles before getting in the left lane and exit left onto Interstate 480 West, crossing into Nebraska. Take the 14th Street exit (exit 3). Stay straight to go onto Cass Street. Turn right onto Florence Boulevard. Facility will be on your right.
From I-29 North
Traveling north on Interstate 29, take I-80 West at the convergence of the two interstates in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Follow the above directions from I-80 West.
Going East on I-80
Traveling east on Interstate 80 from Lincoln, take Interstate 480 North to downtown Omaha. Continue on I-480 North to I-480 East, taking the Capitol/Civic Auditorium exit. At the stoplight, turn left (north) on 19th Street. D.J. Sokol Arena will be on your right in about half a mile.
From Eppley Airfield
When leaving the terminal, turn left (south) on Abbott Drive and follow toward downtown Omaha. Abbott Drive will turn into Cuming Street. Take Cuming Street to 17th Street and turn left (south) one block. The facility will be one block away to your right (west)
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