Creighton Mourns Death of Hall of Famer Ira Philson
3/20/2023 10:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer
Men's soccer standout and former women's soccer coach died on Friday morning
AURORA, Colo. – Ira Philson, a 2003 inductee into the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame, died late Thursday night in the Denver suburb of Aurora, Colorado. Philson was 50 years old.
Known to many as "Peanut," Philson was a key member of the Creighton men's soccer program that laid the foundation for success that continues to this day.
"I first met Peanut back in 1993 during my official visit to Creighton," said current Creighton men's soccer coach Johnny Torres. "It was pretty quick that I found out what a large personality and what importance he meant to this team and this community. To say that he's one of the pioneers of our program is an understatement because we've all been touched and affected in a positive light by Peanut and who he was as a person, as a friend, as a teammate and as a mentor."
Arriving in 1990 to help restart the men's soccer program that had been dormant for four seasons, the Baton Rouge native was part of a freshman class that ranks as one of the best in college history. By the time that group graduated four years later, they had played in two NCAA Tournaments, were ranked first nationally and won a pair of Missouri Valley Conference titles.
Philson started 70-of-75 career games while earning all-Valley accolades in both 1992 and 1993. Also a two-time all-Midwest Region selection, he was honored as the MVC Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. Playing for legendary coach Bob Warming, Philson's teams went a combined 57-14-6 while losing just one regular-season game in MVC play.
In addition to his performance on the field, Philson was also a fixture when it came time for CU student-athletes to visit elementary schools throughout the Omaha area, starting the popular Peanut Gallery program. He frequently led the children in song while stressing the importance of a positive attitude, staying in school and saying no to drugs and alcohol, all while mixing in soccer demonstrations. It's a program that Torres brought to the Milwaukee Wave during his own professional career.
"When I think of a perfect recruit, Peanut embodied everything that you're looking for," added Torres. "He's a great human being who went out of his way to make sure everybody feels important and wanted. When you were having a conversation with Peanut, you would have his undivided attention and you knew that by the eye contact he made with you and the ear that he would lend you. He was a team player. He made everybody feel important and went out of his way to make sure everyone was having a good time and smiling.
Â
"But he was also a fierce competitor who demanded the best out of you. He had this cool quality where he could do it in a way that you felt that you were on his side, were important, and that what you did mattered. There's a couple reasons why I came to Creighton and he was a big part of it."
After graduating Creighton with a bachelor of arts degree in May, 1994, Philson was an assistant coach with the Bluejay men's soccer team. In July, 1995, he was named head coach of the CU women' soccer team. In four seasons as head coach, Philson went 38-32-3.
Philson remained loyal to the Bluejays to the end, attending Creighton's College Cup game in December in North Carolina with his son, Miles. Philson had also made plans to attend CU's men's basketball games in the NCAA Tournament last weekend in Denver.
He is survived by his wife Carrie Eberly Philson, son Miles, and daughters Lauren, Olivia and Elle.
A service will be held in Aurora, Colo., at 10:30 a.m. MT on Saturday, March 25th at Highpoint Church (6450 S. Southlands Pkwy.), with a funeral service scheduled for the following week in Baton Rouge, La.
Known to many as "Peanut," Philson was a key member of the Creighton men's soccer program that laid the foundation for success that continues to this day.
"I first met Peanut back in 1993 during my official visit to Creighton," said current Creighton men's soccer coach Johnny Torres. "It was pretty quick that I found out what a large personality and what importance he meant to this team and this community. To say that he's one of the pioneers of our program is an understatement because we've all been touched and affected in a positive light by Peanut and who he was as a person, as a friend, as a teammate and as a mentor."
Arriving in 1990 to help restart the men's soccer program that had been dormant for four seasons, the Baton Rouge native was part of a freshman class that ranks as one of the best in college history. By the time that group graduated four years later, they had played in two NCAA Tournaments, were ranked first nationally and won a pair of Missouri Valley Conference titles.
Philson started 70-of-75 career games while earning all-Valley accolades in both 1992 and 1993. Also a two-time all-Midwest Region selection, he was honored as the MVC Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. Playing for legendary coach Bob Warming, Philson's teams went a combined 57-14-6 while losing just one regular-season game in MVC play.
In addition to his performance on the field, Philson was also a fixture when it came time for CU student-athletes to visit elementary schools throughout the Omaha area, starting the popular Peanut Gallery program. He frequently led the children in song while stressing the importance of a positive attitude, staying in school and saying no to drugs and alcohol, all while mixing in soccer demonstrations. It's a program that Torres brought to the Milwaukee Wave during his own professional career.
"When I think of a perfect recruit, Peanut embodied everything that you're looking for," added Torres. "He's a great human being who went out of his way to make sure everybody feels important and wanted. When you were having a conversation with Peanut, you would have his undivided attention and you knew that by the eye contact he made with you and the ear that he would lend you. He was a team player. He made everybody feel important and went out of his way to make sure everyone was having a good time and smiling.
Â
"But he was also a fierce competitor who demanded the best out of you. He had this cool quality where he could do it in a way that you felt that you were on his side, were important, and that what you did mattered. There's a couple reasons why I came to Creighton and he was a big part of it."
After graduating Creighton with a bachelor of arts degree in May, 1994, Philson was an assistant coach with the Bluejay men's soccer team. In July, 1995, he was named head coach of the CU women' soccer team. In four seasons as head coach, Philson went 38-32-3.
Philson remained loyal to the Bluejays to the end, attending Creighton's College Cup game in December in North Carolina with his son, Miles. Philson had also made plans to attend CU's men's basketball games in the NCAA Tournament last weekend in Denver.
He is survived by his wife Carrie Eberly Philson, son Miles, and daughters Lauren, Olivia and Elle.
A service will be held in Aurora, Colo., at 10:30 a.m. MT on Saturday, March 25th at Highpoint Church (6450 S. Southlands Pkwy.), with a funeral service scheduled for the following week in Baton Rouge, La.
Creighton Media Availability Men's Soccer - 11/5/25
Wednesday, November 05
Creighton MSOC Highlights & Postgame vs Seton Hall 11 1 25
Sunday, November 02
Creighton Men's Soccer Media Availability - 10/29/25
Wednesday, October 29
Creighton Men's Soccer Highlights at Butler -10-25-25
Saturday, October 25
