Project Overview
In September 2025, Creighton University completed the installation of its new Taraflex Sport M Plus volleyball court in Omaha, Nebraska. The project reflects the university’s commitment to creating a high-performance athletic environment while also prioritizing sustainability, athlete health, and long-term material stewardship.
The new court features Taraflex Sport M Plus in a Wood Grey finish with a Blue 6430 border and a custom feather design that highlights Creighton’s identity. The result is a competition surface that is visually distinctive, durable, and aligned with the university’s broader sustainability goals. The court was designed by GLGR of Portland, Oregon, in collaboration with Specialty Floors of Parkville, Missouri, which also managed the on-site installation.
Extending the Life of Existing Materials
A key part of the project’s environmental impact comes from Creighton’s decision to reuse its previous Taraflex surface. Instead of discarding the old court, the university relocated it to its practice facility. This decision extended the life of the existing material, reduced waste, and ensured that athletes now train and compete on the same high-quality surface.
The reuse strategy demonstrates a practical approach to circularity and resource efficiency within collegiate athletics, illustrating how existing materials can continue to deliver value while supporting institutional sustainability goals.
Sustainable Material Selection
The new Taraflex Sport M Plus surface contributes significantly to the project’s sustainability profile. The material is manufactured with an average of 41 percent recycled content and is composed of 82 percent sustainable raw materials. This includes 24 percent bio-based materials and 51 percent mineral raw materials.
The latest generation of Taraflex incorporates 58 percent bio-based and recycled content, including non-food soy waste that would otherwise be landfilled. The product is also manufactured through a fully phthalate-free process. Together, these attributes reduce the environmental footprint of the flooring and support responsible material sourcing.
The availability of both an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and a Health Product Declaration (HPD) provides transparent data on the product’s life cycle and ingredient profile, further supporting informed material selection.
Supporting Athlete Health and Performance
Human health and indoor environmental quality were central considerations in the selection of Taraflex Sport M Plus. The material is low-emitting, with TVOC levels below 100 micrograms per cubic meter after 28 days.
Its Protecsol surface treatment provides enhanced hygiene performance, including 99.7 percent inhibition of viral growth under ISO 21702 testing and 99 percent antibacterial performance under ISO 22196. The court is FIVB certified and meets the same standards used in international competitions such as the Olympics.
These features help create a cleaner and safer environment for athletes, staff, and spectators. The flooring’s engineered shock absorption and impact protection also support athlete well-being by reducing stress on joints and lowering the risk of injuries. By standardizing both practice and competition spaces with Taraflex, Creighton ensures consistent performance characteristics that benefit athletes throughout the season.
Creating a Court That Reflects Creighton’s Identity
The design of the new court plays an important role in the overall project impact. The custom feather graphic, combined with the Wood Grey and Blue color palette, creates a distinctive visual identity that enhances the atmosphere of the venue. The surface provides clear visual contrast for athletes and officials while also performing exceptionally well on broadcast.
According to Creighton’s coach, the court “looks great on TV and in person,” strengthening the program’s visibility and supporting recruitment. The coach described the new court as having an aesthetic unlike any other in the country and noted that it creates a better experience for players, recruits, and fans. When asked to summarize the new court in one word, the coach chose “perfection!”
Additional design elements further distinguish the installation. More than six-tenths of a mile of stencils were used to create the blue feather border, which incorporates more than a dozen hidden Easter eggs throughout the perimeter. These include heritage logos, a map of Nebraska, the year Creighton University was founded, the year the volleyball program was restarted, and donor acknowledgments.
The words Creighton and Bluejays appear in white lettering on the end lines. The east sideline features D.J. Sokol Arena and the BIG EAST logo in light blue. The phrase Fly Together marks the team’s entry point, and the C Bird logo appears in two corners of the court. Fourteen smaller Bluejay outlines along the west sideline contain years marking NCAA Tournament appearances, with room for future additions. A two-tone gray Bluejay head anchors the center of the court, while the matte finish improves visibility for officials and enhances the broadcast experience.
Innovation
Innovation is present throughout the project, from the material technology to the implementation strategy. Taraflex’s combination of bio-based content, recycled materials, low emissions, and advanced hygiene performance distinguishes it within the sports flooring industry. No other manufacturer offers the same blend of sustainability and athlete-focused engineering.
Creighton’s decision to relocate its previous court to the practice facility adds another layer of innovation by demonstrating how athletic programs can reduce waste and extend the life of existing materials without compromising performance or aesthetics.
Project Impact
The new Taraflex Sport M Plus court at Creighton University represents a thoughtful integration of sustainability, design, and athlete experience. Through responsible material selection, a commitment to reuse, and a focus on health and performance, the project demonstrates how flooring can play a central role in creating a more sustainable and engaging athletic environment.
By combining elite athletic performance with environmental stewardship and a design that celebrates Creighton’s identity, the project serves as a strong example of how institutions can align sustainability, athlete well-being, and long-term program goals.
