March Madness for Halligan family: Akron (son's team) vs. Creighton (dad's alma mater)
Life always seems to play out in 360, especially when it comes to Dennis and Nancy Halligan of Green.
The couple sat in Rhodes Arena at a watch party on Sunday anxious to see who the University of Akron men’s basketball team and their son Zach Halligan would play in the NCAA Tournament.
It came up Creighton, of course.
The alma mater of Dennis, who played basketball for the Bluejays from 1990-94.
The family’s phone hasn’t stopped ringing since the selection and text messages have been flying in at an all-time high.
“When they showed who we were playing, honestly, my dad just popped into my head to be honest,” Zach said. “Some of us players knew the possible teams we could have played, and as the bracket went on, we knew it was narrowing down. When Creighton popped up and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this may happen.’ After they did their live segment with the team, Akron popped up and I was like, ‘Wait. This is really happening. This is awesome. It's a battle of the house.’”
Akron made the tournament as an automatic qualifier when it beat Kent State 62-61 to win the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
Creighton earned an at-large bid out of the Big East.
On most days it would be a battle of the house, but when the third-seeded Bluejays (23-9) play Akron (24-10) at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at PPG Paints Arena in a Midwest Regional first round match, it will be an all-Zips household.
“Sunday was unbelievable,” Dennis said. “I had the biggest smile on my face. We have been very big fans of Creighton ever since my days and my sister's days there. I cannot say enough about Creighton or the people that are there.”
Akron forward Zach Halligan knows all about Creighton ahead of Zips NCAA Tournament game with Bluejays
From the time Tyler, who plays for Western Colorado, and Zach were born they were schooled on the Bluejays.
Dennis averaged 4.1 points, 1.8 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 75 games for Creighton.
Aunt Kathy is the school’s all-time leading scorer (2,159 points, 1988-92).
Heck, the Halligans know Creighton coach Greg McDermott quite well and have pictures with the coach when the boys were in junior high.
Need more?
OK. Creighton director of basketball operations Steve Vanderloo grew up in Northwest Iowa where Dennis played during his days at West Sioux High School.
When Tyler and Zach played AAU, they were the Ohio Bluejays and wore No. 20 and 21, the same numbers Dennis had at Creighton.
“It’s thrilling for Zach and thrilling for the Zips,” Dennis said. “You're a parent first. A fan second, so while we sit there, we'll enjoy the moment for Zach and we'll enjoy the moment for his teammates, his coaches, and the Zips.”
It's family first when it comes to Halligans, Zips and Creighton
When Akron ends its shootaround Wednesday morning it wouldn’t be a shock to see Zach walk over to McDermott and reconnect for a bit.
“It's going to be an awesome experience for everybody because we're always family first,” Zach said. “Everybody loves and enjoys following everybody in the family, whatever sport it is. But I think it's just even more special that I'm at Akron right now and loving it. Everything's amazing. And my dad and aunt went to Creighton and loved it. It's like a full circle moment. My family essentially breathes Creighton. Then I got to Akron it’s the best thing that's ever happened to me. It's just been a pleasure to be at Akron and play for Akron.”
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Zach Halligan's Akron Zips play dad's alma mater Creighton
