At every Creighton men’s basketball home game, there are at least two people keeping a scorebook: the official scorer and the lady sitting in Section 105, row 4.
Her name is Rosemary Gross, former Creighton professor and academic adviser for athletes and this year’s honoree of the Leader for Life Award, which “honors an individual whose actions have made a lasting impact on women’s sports at the University.”
She was the very first academic adviser for athletes and began going to games to support them in 1986.
“I felt like I needed to see the other, athletic, side of their lives,” Gross said. “I knew them academically, but it was fun to see the other side too.”
Gross and her husband Robert attend over 100 games a year, covering all sports. She said they have season tickets “to every sport that sells them.”
Her Creighton career began as a 17-year-old freshman in 1953, graduating four years later, then coming back as a math, chemistry and computer science professor.
When the men’s basketball program was interviewing candidates for the coaching vacancy in 1985, all applicants said they must have an academic adviser.
Thus began Gross’s tenure as academic athletic coordinator, a post she held until retirement in 2000.
“I didn’t think it would involve as much as it did,” Gross said.
“I originally only advised men’s basketball players, but eventually I was helping over 200 athletes with everything academic.”
Her job entailed helping athletes register for class if they were scheduled to be on the road (she notes that back then, registration wasn’t online), arranging for tutors and filling every other need, so athletes could succeed
as students.
Thanks to the base set by Gross, Creighton athletes today are among the top in the nation in GPA and graduation rates.
“Rosemary led the way in the University’s commitment to student athlete academic excellence,” Director of Athletics Bruce Rasmussen said.
“Her hands-on approach and unbridled passion for education and sports is legendary.”
Gross, who still volunteers with the Athletic Department, says it’s “phenomenal” how Creighton student-athletes have grown.
“I have especially enjoyed the growth of women’s sports at Creighton, the new Ryan Center [opening in the Fall] and more teams and scholarships are wonderful,” Gross said.
When she received a letter from Creighton president, the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., Gross said she was very surprised.
“I have been out of the department for a long time. I thought the back patting was over,” Gross said.
Gross will be honored at the Leaders for Life fundraiser luncheon for women’s athletics on May 1 at Morrison Stadium.
The fundraiser will begin at 11:45 a.m.
“They’ve been good to me and I am honored to receive the award.”