The Omaha Supernovas will face the Los Angeles Thunder on Feb. 28, 2027, at John Cook Arena inside the Devaney Center in Lincoln, as Major League Volleyball stages the inaugural MLV John Cook Invitational. The matchup is designed to honor the legacy of the former Nebraska coach whose name now adorns the arena where Husker volleyball has drawn some of the largest crowds in the sport’s history.
Major League Volleyball will honor former Nebraska coach John Cook’s legacy with a special matchup in Lincoln, according to KETV. The league says the event will honor Cook’s lasting impact on volleyball, celebrate Nebraska’s passionate volleyball community, and spotlight the continued growth of women’s professional volleyball in the United States. Cook now serves as co-owner and general manager of the Omaha Supernovas, the station notes.
A Coaching Resume Built Over Three Decades
Cook announced his retirement from Nebraska volleyball in January after 25 years in Lincoln and 32 seasons as a college head coach, according to ProVolleyball.com. He led the Huskers to four national championships, 12 NCAA semifinal appearances, nine Big 12 titles and five Big Ten titles, the outlet reports. A University of Nebraska athletics page, meanwhile, describes Cook as the legendary head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers women’s volleyball program and general manager and co-owner of the Omaha Supernovas, a framing that differs from the retirement account given elsewhere.
In 2023, Cook helped orchestrate Volleyball Day in Nebraska, an outdoor match at Memorial Stadium that drew 92,003 fans and set a global record for attendance at a women’s sporting event, per the same ProVolleyball.com account. That record is separately confirmed by huskers.com, which also reports that Cook has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 International Volleyball Hall of Fame Mayoral Award of Excellence. The arena set to host the new invitational, John Cook Arena inside the Bob Devaney Sports Center, is being expanded to more than 10,000 seats, according to Huskers Athletic Fund.
What Cook and MLV’s Commissioner Are Saying
Cook said volleyball is integral to Nebraska, and that local fans have helped shape the sport. He added that the Supernovas build on Nebraska’s volleyball tradition, and that his involvement with MLV lets him help grow the game for the next generation. Cook also said bringing the two teams to Lincoln celebrates longtime supporters and athletes advancing volleyball…