Dark clouds were in full force on Sunday threatening bad weather, yet that did not keep fans from flocking to Creighton’s annual fall sports open house. In the past, the fall open house allowed fans to select available season tickets at Morrison Stadium for men’s and women’s soccer. Different this year was the addition of the Ryan Center and D.J. Sokol Arena, where fans could purchase season tickets for women’s basketball and volleyball as well. It was also the first opportunity for the general public to see the new digs.
The open house started with a little rain shower as the carnival concourse was still being put together for kids to have fun at a couple kicking stations, a bounce house slide, and a climbing wall. Food and refreshments were also available for purchase. Since it was raining, it was a great opportunity to check out Sokol Arena.
The arena is pristine and has that nice new construction smell. There were still advertising panels to be placed around the video board and secondary scoreboards, but the openings most people cared about were the seats marked for available volleyball and basketball season tickets. Men’s and women’s soccer, women’s basketball, and volleyball players were mingling amongst the crowd. They were opening doors for people as they walked in the arena, signing autographs for kids, and running the children’s activities. They all noted what team they were on, so it was easy for kids and adults alike to identify what sport they play. Radio stations 94.1 FM and 101.9 FM were on hand doing some promotions as well.
Being in the arena answered some questions and sparked some new ones:
What about those windows on the south side of the arena? Won’t that distract the players? What happens the first time they run too fast and into the windows?
These are just a few of the questions that first arose when GoCreighton.com published the initial pictures of the Ryan Center and Sokol Arena. Well, if you look closely, the top two rows of windows are frosted over, which can block out some light. Also, each set of windows have blinds that can be drawn down to block out light if necessary. At the same time, the windows give the arena a bright and open feel. Plus, there are windows that run the length of the ceiling on the east and west sides of the space.
As for the players crashing out of the glass and onto the courtyard, there is a small 3-row set of bleachers placed in front of the windows. Might that be the new Birdcage?
What is the deal with the big ceiling fan in the Arena?
The ceiling of Sokol Arena includes a huge ceiling fan adorned with a Jays logo. During the open house it was running really slowly, but it threw some questions into our minds about what exactly it will be used for and when it will be used. If it generates enough air when spinning faster, something like that could possibly have an effect on the court. So maybe it is something used during timeouts, halftime, or when play is not going on. If anyone has more input on what the idea is for the ceiling fan, please leave a comment.
Over at Morrison Stadium, the soccer teams were holding a Bluejay Buddies session from 5-6 p.m., where kids that signed up for the program got to participate in a soccer clinic put on by the men’s and women’s soccer players. Being a Bluejay Buddy also gives the kids special privileges throughout the season: they get general admission season passes to the games, they get to participate in the Rally Tunnel and starting lineups, they get their own Bluejay Buddy Membership Card, and their parents get other types of discounts.
I’d estimate 1,000-1,300 fans showed up for the open house, and other than the weather I’d say they couldn’t have left disappointed. One downer, the only real disappointment of the day for me, was that the locker rooms were not open like they have been during past open house events at the Qwest Center. I think they were still being worked on.
Check out Flickr slideshow at the top of the post for more pictures of today’s festivities. If you were one of those in attendance, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section about the event, the new building, and any stories from the day..