Creighton will name its new fitness, health and recreation center for Athletics Director Bruce Rasmussen. The Rasmussen Center will be part of the Ryan Center and D.J. Sokol Arena project.

Rasmussen came to Creighton nearly 30 years ago, serving the last 15 years as AD. During his tenure, the school has seen success athletically and academically, winning 19 regular-season and 26 conference tournament titles and earning academic recognition from the conference and through the Academic Performance Program. Rasmussen was also instrumental in keeping the Men’s College World Series in Omaha.

The 65,000-square-foot Rasmussen Center will house a multipurpose field house with synthetic turf, a suspended two-lane running track, a rock-climbing wall, a fitness area, multipurpose rooms and a food preparation area. Work is expected to begin on the project this summer with completion set for August 2010.

“This expansive, two-phase fitness health and recreation center, which supports the city’s new master plan, is dedicated to nurturing the physical well-being of our students, faculty and staff,” Creighton President John Schlegel said.

The first phase of the project, scheduled for completion in August 2009, included a new gymnasium, coaches’ offices, locker rooms, ticket offices, training and meeting rooms and media workrooms. The Ryan Center and D.J. Sokol Arena will be used for campus and community events as well as for athletics activities.