Grow Omaha Sports

The International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF) has announced that John Cook, former head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball program and current general manager and co-owner of the Omaha Supernovas, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 IVHF Mayoral Award of Excellence.

The award will be formally presented on Friday, April 10, at the CHI Health Center during the Supernovas match versus the Grand Rapids Rise. The presentation will be made by Joshua Garcia, Mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts – the Birthplace of Volleyball – and George Mulry, Executive Director of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.

The IVHF Mayoral Award of Excellence recognizes individuals whose leadership has elevated volleyball as a powerful force within their community, driving civic pride, cultural connection and economic impact. John Cook exemplifies these qualities through his transformative leadership of Nebraska volleyball and his broader contributions to the sport’s growth across the state and beyond.

Over his distinguished career, Cook built Nebraska into one of the most successful and widely supported programs in collegiate athletics, helping to redefine the visibility and impact of women’s volleyball. His influence extends beyond championships and wins, fostering a culture that unites communities across Nebraska and elevates the sport as a central point of statewide identity.

In addition to his collegiate success, Cook has further invested in the future of women’s professional volleyball through his role as General Manager and Co-Owner of the Omaha Supernovas. The franchise has led the world in professional volleyball average attendance for the past two seasons, and finished 2025 with an average attendance of 10,925. Earlier this year, with Cook in the organization, the Supernovas set a new all-time U.S. professional volleyball attendance record, hosting a sellout crowd of 16,838 on March 14 in a five-set victory over the Indy Ignite, further reinforcing Cook’s impact and Nebraska’s position as a national leader in the sport. 

“John Cook represents the very best of what volleyball can mean to a community,” said Joshua Garcia, Mayor of Holyoke. “His leadership has shown how sport can unite people, inspire pride, and create moments that bring entire regions together. From Holyoke—the birthplace of volleyball—we are proud to recognize his incredible impact.”

“John has not only built one of the most successful programs in the history of the sport, but he has fundamentally changed how volleyball is experienced within a community,” said George Mulry, Executive Director of the IVHF. “From record-breaking crowds to investing in the professional future of the game, his vision has elevated volleyball as both a cultural force and a civic asset. This award recognizes the lasting impact he has made well beyond the court.”

“I’m incredibly honored to receive this recognition from the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. Nebraska has always been a special place for volleyball, and everything I’ve helped build has been driven by the passion of our players, staff, and fans,” said Cook. “What’s meant the most to me is seeing how deeply this sport has connected with people in Nebraska and united communities across the state. To watch volleyball continue to grow here and beyond, and to be part of that at both the collegiate and professional levels, is something I’m very proud of.”

The award presentation at the Omaha Supernovas match will celebrate Cook’s enduring legacy and his role in elevating volleyball as both a sport and a civic asset.

The Omaha Supernovas announced today that the team has parted ways with Head Coach Luka Slabe and promoted Thomas Robson to interim head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season. Blake Rawlins will remain on staff as assistant coach alongside Robson.

Following the season, Robson will resume his role as assistant coach after signing an extension with the franchise through the 2028 season.

“These decisions are never easy, but we felt a change was needed at this time to align with the expectations and direction of our organization,” Supernovas co-owner Kirk Thompson said. “We appreciate Luka’s contributions and wish him the best moving forward. As part of this franchise from the beginning, we have full confidence in Thomas as he steps in as interim head coach with a focus on reaching the MLV Championship in Dallas.”

“Thomas has been a big part of what we’ve built here, and we have full belief in him stepping into this role,” General Manager & co-owner John Cook said. “Seeing firsthand the way he works with this group has been impressive, and he embodies what the Supernovas culture is all about. He understands this team, has their trust, and brings a presence that fits exactly what we need right now. We’re confident in him leading this team, and we’re excited to have him continue as a key part of our staff moving forward.”

A rising figure in the sport, Robson has played an instrumental role in Omaha’s on-court success over the past three seasons, highlighted by the Supernovas winning the inaugural MLV Championship in 2024 and guiding a retooled roster to the 2025 MLV Regular Season Championship.

The Supernovas (11-11) return to Kiewit Court at CHI Health Center Omaha this Friday, April 10, for the team’s “Volleyball After Dark Showcase.” The event will feature a UNK–Wayne State spring exhibition at 5 p.m., followed by the Supernovas taking on the Grand Rapids Rise at 8 p.m. CDT. Omaha will then host the Dallas Pulse on Sunday at 4 p.m. CDT.

Both matches will be broadcast statewide on Nebraska Public Media and can be heard on the Supernovas Radio Network, led by flagship station KCRO 660 AM.

Creighton men’s basketball opens play in the College Basketball Crown Thursday night against Rutgers in a quarterfinal game tipping off at 9:30 p.m. CDT on FS1. The winner will advance to Saturday’s semifinal round and face the winner of Stanford and West Virginia. 

Greg McDermott will coach his final game at Creighton this weekend, after 16 seasons and 365 wins with the Bluejays. McDermott announced his retirement on March 23. Current Creighton associate head coach and head coach-in-waiting Alan Huss will take over for him at the conclusion of the season.

LOVB Nebraska denied Houston the regular-season championship on Wednesday, with a 3-1 victory in the LOVB Match of the Week. Nebraska (10-9) now sits in third place in league standings prior to the season finale on Saturday against LOVB Austin (8-10) at Baxter Arena, and can clinch one of the league’s four playoff spots with a Salt Lake victory over Austin tonight, or a win on Saturday. That match will not just be LOVB Nebraska’s final home game of the season, it will also be the final home match of Jordan Larson’s legendary 17-year professional career. The club will celebrate ‘Jordan’s Last Serve’ during the match.

Omaha Supernovas duo Brooke Nuneviller and Emily Londot faced off against each other at Saturday’s MLV All-Star Match as members of Team Launiere and Team Meskie, respectively. Londot helped lift Team Meskie to the win, recording six points on five kills and one block while adding four digs. The majority of her production – four kills and all four digs – came in the second set. Brooke Nuneviller started the final two sets of the three-set match for Team Launiere, finishing with five kills and six digs.

The Supernovas (10-10) sit in third place in MLV standings and will break an eight-day hiatus tonight when they travel to Atlanta to take on the Vibe for a 6 p.m. bout. Following tonight’s match, Omaha returns home to host the league-leading Indy Ignite on Saturday, April 4, at 3 p.m. Saturday’s match will feature the franchise’s Blue Out and the first-ever mascot reveal.

Omaha softball swept Kansas City over the weekend, outscoring the Roos 27-0 in three run-rule victories. Pitcher Alexis Wiggins was named Summit League Peak Pitcher of the Week, announced Tuesday, for her efforts in the Mavericks’ dominant showing. Wiggins allowed just three hits in 28 batters faced over two outings. 

Omaha (24-7, 6-0) will play its first Summit League road games this weekend, traveling to Grand Forks, N.D., to face the North Dakota Fighting Hawks (22-14, 0-3). The series will now be played as a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, and a single game at 12 p.m. on Monday, April 6, due to inclement weather.

Creighton softball lost to No. 8 Nebraska on Tuesday night in front of a sellout crowd of 604 at the Creighton Softball Stadium, 8-2. Nebraska jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, but Creighton answered in the bottom of the second to tie the game 2-2. Following scoreless third and fourth innings, the Huskers finally overpowered the Bluejays, scoring runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh to seal the victory. 

Creighton (18-9, 7-2) now returns to Big East play after nearly two weeks, traveling to face Butler (16-10, 8-1) for a series beginning Thursday, April 2 at 2 p.m. 

Creighton baseball also fell to its in-state rival, No. 19 Nebraska, on Tuesday night. The Bluejays were down 6-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, where they scored five runs to cut the deficit to one and attempt yet another come-from-behind victory this season. That attempt was thwarted by the Cornhuskers, who controlled the remainder of the game to secure a 6-5 victory and take the early lead in the season series. Creighton, now 13-13 on the season, will open Big East play today at 5:05 p.m. at Connecticut (15-15, 2-1). 

Omaha baseball pitcher Sam Beck was named Summit League Peak Pitcher of the Week, following his outing on March 29 at St. Thomas. Beck allowed one run on three hits over five innings in the Mavericks’ 11-7 win. Omaha took the series against the Tommies, 2-1. Omaha will travel to Brookings, S.D. on Saturday, April 4, for a game against South Dakota State at 12 p.m. The first two games of the planned series have been postponed due to inclement weather.

Creighton and Omaha volleyball held an exhibition match last Saturday that followed LOVB Nebraska’s match against LOVB Salt Lake at Baxter Arena. Creighton won the tightly contested match, sweeping Omaha 25-22, 25-16, 29-27. Creighton will play Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri in the UMKC Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday, April 11, prior to their home exhibition against Nebraska on Friday, April 17.

Earlier this week, LOVB Nebraska outside hitter Anne Buijs earned her second League One Volleyball Player of the Week honor of the 2026 season. Buijs was named Offensive Player of the Week, helping lead the charge offensively for Nebraska in last week’s pair of wins. She scored 41 points in eight sets, notching 36 kills on an impressive .469 hitting percentage. Buijs has reached double-digit kills in eight of her last nine matches.

Union Omaha defeated Corpus Christi FC on Saturday, 2-1, to improve to 2-1 on the young USL League One regular-season. Omaha narrowly escaped with the win, as Samuel Owusu scored what would be the game-winner in the 93rd minute. Omaha now heads to Lancaster, Calif. to face AV Alta on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. CDT.

The Omaha Storm Chasers began their 2026 season over the weekend at Louisville, dropping all three games to the Bats. Omaha is currently hosting its first home series of the season against the Buffalo Bisons. Buffalo took the opener on Tuesday, 6-4, but Omaha secured a 3-0 victory on Wednesday to bring it back to even. Tonight, $3 Thursday returns, where fans can enjoy select concessions, Busch Light cans and select tickets for just $3 each. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.

Upcoming Events

• Omaha Storm Chasers vs. Buffalo | March 31 – April 5 | 6:35 p.m. Thursday
• Creighton softball at Butler | April 2 – April 4 | 2 p.m. Thursday
• Creighton baseball at UConn | April 2 – April 4 | 5:05 p.m. Thursday
• Omaha Supernovas at Atlanta Vibe | Thursday, April 2 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha baseball at South Dakota State | Saturday, April 4 | 12 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas vs. Indy Ignite | Saturday, April 4 | 3 p.m.
• LOVB Nebraska vs. Austin | Saturday, April 4 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha softball at North Dakota | April 5 – April 6 | 1 p.m. Sunday
• Creighton softball vs. South Dakota | Tuesday, April 7 | 6 p.m.
• Creighton softball at Drake | Wednesday, April 8 | 5 p.m.
• Creighton baseball vs. North Dakota State | Wednesday, April 8 | 6 p.m.