College of Saint Mary to Honor Maurtice Ivy at Athletics Luncheon

College of Saint Mary (CSM) is hosting its first-ever Ignite the Flames fundraising event in support of women’s athletics on April 25. Omaha native Maurtice Ivy will be honored, and the event will showcase the achievements of Flames Athletics and athletes.

The first Ignite the Flame Community Impact Award will be given during the program, honoring an individual or organization in our community dedicated to supporting girls and women participating in athletics and health and wellness. CSM will present Maurtice Ivy with the award for her work with the Ivy League Youth Sports Academy. Ivy is founder and CEO of this organization, which is devoted to helping Omaha area middle school girls achieve success in sports while building character and life skills.

One of the most athletic players in Nebraska history, Maurtice Ivy was the first basketball player in Husker history to surpass the 2,000-point barrier. She became the second Husker in basketball to have her jersey retired in 2011. Ivy also became the second women’s basketball player inducted into the Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020. Ivy was one of five players chosen for Nebraska’s All-Century Team in February of 2000, and one of the “25 Women of Distinction” selected in 1999-2000 as part of the school’s silver anniversary of women’s athletics.

“Maurtice Ivy epitomizes what College of Saint Mary stands for by helping young women achieve success in sports and growing character traits and powerful leadership skills that athletic competition can provide for women,” said Jeff Johnson, CSM’s director of athletics. “We are honored to have a woman and leader like Maurtice in our community.”

The program will also include testimonials from current Flames athletes, as well as former CSM soccer alum, Jennifer Kros-Dorfmeyer, who is the vice president of marketing at Valmont Industries and this year’s honorary chair. Ellie French, sports reporter for KETV NewsWatch 7, will emcee the event.

This inaugural luncheon will take place on Tuesday, April 25, from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., at the Lied Fitness Center Fieldhouse on College of Saint Mary’s campus, 7000 Mercy Road, Omaha. Tickets for the event can be purchased online at CSM.edu/Ignite.