The name D.J. Sokol is displayed around town on prominent buildings. It is attached to a popular fundraiser held each year. The name is also that of an incredible young man.
D.J. Sokol was known around town for being positive and committed to helping others as well as having a “can-do” spirit.
He was passionate about sports—especially basketball. When Creighton University hired Coach Dana Altman in 1994, his father, David Sokol, quickly procured tickets to Bluejays games. Altman, who former athletic director Bruce Rasmussen said was “D.J.’s favorite coach,” heard about this young man who convinced his UNO-supporting father to attend Creighton games and requested to meet for lunch. That started a long-time friendship between the Sokols and the Creighton coaches.
“After a few meetings, he said, ‘Would you like to have lunch with my mom and dad?’” Rasmussen shared. At the time, the men’s gym needed renovations, and D.J. knew whom he could rely on for help. While sitting down to lunch with the storied Creighton athletics duo, Rasmussen noted D.J.’s words as “Dad, these are my friends, and they need your help.” That prompted David and Peggy Sokol to donate the remaining 25% of the campaign to the practice arena (which has since been renamed the McDermott facility).
The Mount Michael Benedictine School student was known for being a friend to all, welcoming five to 10 students who didn’t live locally to the Sokols’ home on weekends and school breaks.
D.J. was a sophomore at Mount Michael in February 1997 when he received a blood test during a doctor’s visit due to a change in appetite and lingering cold symptoms. The results led to a chest x-ray, which revealed a mass. For two years, he battled with Hodgkin lymphoma, continuing to attend Mount Michael and keeping up with activities as best as he could. D.J. passed away on June 11, 1999, two weeks after turning 18 years old, and about three weeks after graduating from Mount Michael.
The family—and the community—grieved. Gene Spence, a friend of the Sokols and an Omaha philanthropist, saw opportunity to help through “Be a Hero,” a charitable event by the Salvation Army that started the year before D.J. passed. Its focus was to give scholarships to young people who overcame adversity and had a positive impact on the community.
David Sokol said, “It struck two chords: One, money could be raised for The Salvation Army…they help everyone who needs it. (And), as a family, we had always focused on helping kids that have adverse backgrounds.”
The family poured their grief—and funds—into a program that, in 2000, became known as D.J.’s Heroes. The Hero program celebrated 25 years as of May 2024. Over the years, the Sokols have given nearly $2 million to this program, which includes a luncheon that has boasted keynote speakers such as former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, singer Jewel, and many more. This year’s luncheon celebrated 16 students who received a $12,000 scholarship (10 of which were personally funded by the Sokols) as well as mentoring from TeamMates—and included a roundtable discussion between David and six Hero alumni that returned to Omaha for the event.
Viridiana Duran received the award in 2004 and was one of those who returned this past May. She noted that the Sokols have kept up with her and her children through the years.
“My son graduated from Mount Michael in 2023,” Duran said, noting that she contacted David soon after applying to the school and asked for a recommendation. “As Sebastian made it through Mount Michael, he would contact us, sometimes [just to talk] about life.”
David said being able to connect with the scholars is the greatest impact to the Sokols.
“They’re the kind of young men and women that D.J. was truly very proud of, you know, folks that have had a really rough start—many of them significant health issues, family issues, and yet, they maintain the perspective that they can accomplish in their life,” David said.
That theme of spring-boarding D.J.’s passion for giving has benefited the community in other ways. In January 2018, Mount Michael dedicated the David “D.J.” Sokol Learning for Life building, and in 2009, the Creighton women’s basketball center was dedicated as the D.J. Sokol Arena—bringing the Sokols’ philanthropy to D.J.’s favorite places.
“I don’t think I’ve met anyone his age who was more intelligent, more compassionate with others than D.J.,” Rasmussen said. “When I worked at Creighton his picture was on my desk. I still have it. It’s a great reminder of how to handle challenge and how to handle controversy.”
For more information on the D.J.’s Hero Awards, visit centralusa.salvationarmy.org/djsheroawards.
This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
