By Julie Anderson

Copyright omaha

Creighton University on Thursday announced a new $300 million initiative — launched with a $100 million gift, the largest in its 147-year history — aimed at renovating and adding athletic facilities on the east side of its campus and strengthening the university’s ties to Omaha.

The Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, Creighton’s president, said the initiative, called Fly Together, will allow the university to reshape the eastern edge of its campus and realize a long-standing dream of connecting to North Downtown and the Builder’s District, the 10-block urban village rising east of 17th Street.

The initiative will reshape a 12-block recreational and athletic corridor on the east side of campus for students, student-athletes, faculty, staff, friends and fans.

Fly Together will encompass 11 new or upgraded recreation and athletic facilities and outdoor spaces spanning roughly 700,000 square feet of campus.

Additions and enhancements will include a new student fitness center, upgrades to the Rasmussen Fitness & Sports Center, and the creation of the Jaywalk, a new pedestrian thoroughfare that will connect Creighton to the Builder’s District, which is anchored by Kiewit Corporation’s headquarters.

The initiative also will include a new Sports Performance Center for Creighton’s 300 student-athletes; improvements to current athletics buildings; and a team facility to complement new baseball and softball fields.

The lead gift of $100 million comes from the Heider Family Foundation, a longtime supporter of Creighton led by trustees Scott and Cindy Heider. Scott Heider also is a member of the university’s board of trustees.

Hendrickson said the lead gift already has inspired an additional $105 million in pledges for a total of $205 million in commitments toward the initiative.

Other early lead donors to Fly Together include Don Scott, CL and Rachel Werner, and Larry and Linda Pearson. Fly Together will be entirely donor-funded.

“Their (benevolence) will challenge and change (the university), creating experiences for generations to come,” Hendrickson said.

Scott Heider recognized Hendrickson, who in July marked his 10th anniversary at Creighton’s helm, for his leadership, noting that Creighton’s growth during that time and in the coming years would not have been possible without it. He said he was thankful to continue the work started by his parents, Charles and Mary Heider.

The initiative, he said, will not only benefit Creighton students and student-athletes but also will serve the Omaha community.

“What I would say to you, Bluejay nation, what I would say to you, Omaha, Nebraska, and the state of Nebraska, I assure you, Fly Together will have this university flying at an absolutely new elevation,” he said.

Creighton athletic officials and Kiewit officials also hailed the initiative. Omaha Mayor John Ewing attended the announcement.

Marcus Blossom, Creighton’s athletic director, said the initiative would not only enhance the student experience but also make the university’s Division 1 athletic teams better.

“Investing in this project will, I believe, help us win and help us compete with some of the best programs in the country,” he said.

Hendrickson said the new initiative continues and builds on Creighton’s momentum over the past decade, including investments in new facilities, academic programs and scholarships.

Work currently is under way on new residence halls, athletic fields and facilities, and a new 5.7-acre central park near 21st and Burt Streets on land freed up by moving baseball and softball fields to the east.

Hendrickson has said that Creighton’s investments, including those involving public-private partnerships, in Omaha’s urban core since 2015 will reach $1 billion by the early 2030s.

Three compelling factors led the university to launch the new initiative now, he said. College admissions have never been more competitive, with enrollment at many colleges dropping due to a decrease in the number of students applying to them. Creighton this fall enrolled a record freshman class of approximately 1,250 students, up from 1,130 last year.

Students, he said, aren’t only seeking excellent academic programs but also a living environment that will support active lifestyles. More than 75% of freshmen lettered in at least one sport in high school and many are looking for a competitive outlet and a sense of community when they arrive.

Fly Together will offer top-tier spaces for student fitness, intramurals and Creighton’s premier club sports program, added this year. Participants in women’s and men’s ice hockey, women’s and men’s golf, and women’s and men’s lacrosse, now can compete at an intercollegiate level.

Attracting and retaining students is important not only to Creighton, he said, but also to Omaha. The new initiative likely will add to Creighton’s contribution of “brain gain” to the city.

Secondly, he said, the new initiative will connect Creighton to the Builder’s District, bolstering the university’s connection to downtown and to the greater Omaha community. The $650 million district is being developed by Noddle Companies and backed by Kiewit.

Trent Demulling, Kiewit’s senior vice president and chief financial officer, said the connection builds on the long-time partnership between the company and the university, going back to the firm’s modern day founder, Peter Kiewit.

Creighton women’s volleyball and basketball, softball and soccer will be just a short walk from dining, entertainment and retail options in the district, which will include a top-flight hotel, more than 600 apartments and green space. Jay Noddle, Noddle Companies’ president, also attended the announcement.

Hendrickson said the campaign also will enhance facilities for Creighton’s Division 1 student-athletes in an evolving era for intercollegiate athletics.

Greg McDermott, Creighton men’s basketball coach, said in a video that Creighton is competing with institutions and athletic conferences that have astronomical TV contracts that provide external support for student-athletes. Facilities enhancements are one way to make up the difference.

“That’s going to allow us to compete with the people that we’re trying to (go) toe to toe with every day,” he said.