Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, is one of the leading proponents of artificial intelligence in the world. Raised in St. Louis, Altman dropped out of college before founding social mapping company Loopt and launching a career as a venture capitalist. He co-founded OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, in 2015 with Elon Musk and others and became CEO in 2019. He remains in this role despite the company’s decision to briefly remove him in 2023. In addition to his work in AI, Altman is a successful investor and one of the richest people in the world thanks to stakes in companies such as Reddit and Stripe.
Quick Facts
FULL NAME: Samuel Harris Altman BORN: April 22, 1985 BIRTHPLACE: Chicago, Illinois SPOUSE: Oliver Mulherin (2024–present) CHILD: 1 son ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus
Early Life and Family
Samuel Harris Altman was born on April 22, 1985, in Chicago. He primarily grew up in St. Louis after his family moved there during his childhood.
Sam’s mother, Connie Gibstine, works as a dermatologist, while his father, Jerry Altman, was a real estate broker. Sam is the oldest of the couple’s four children; he has two brothers, Jack and Max, and a sister, Annie. According to New York Magazine, the close-knit family ate dinner together every night and bonded through games such as table tennis, billiards, and charades. The three Altman boys also played water polo.
While Connie is still a practicing doctor, Jerry died unexpectedly from a heart attack in 2018. His death deeply affected Altman. “I had to pick up the pieces of his life for a little while,” he said in an interview on the What Now? with Trevor Noah podcast. “And it wasn’t until like a week after that, that I really got a moment to just catch my breath and be like, holy sh––, I can’t believe this happened.”
As adults, Jack and Max developed an entrepreneurial spirit similar to their older brother. Jack co-founded the human resources platform Lattice in 2015 and served as CEO before stepping down in 2023. According to his LinkedIn profile, he now serves as a managing partner at Alt Capital. Max is a co-founder and managing partner at the investment firm Saga Ventures.
Altman is estranged from his sister, who has been candid about her mental health and financial struggles. Annie has said the family kept money left to her by her father, and she has supported herself financially through online and in-person sex work. Annie also created and hosts the All Humans Are Human podcast.
In January 2025, Annie filed a lawsuit alleging Sam had sexually abused her starting when she was 3 years old. Sam released a joint statement with his mother and brothers calling the claims “utterly untrue” and countersued his sister for defamation. Both legal proceedings are ongoing.
Education
Altman developed an interest in technology while in elementary school. At age 8, he received his first computer, an Apple Macintosh, and learned how to code and deconstruct its hardware.
“That was like the glory days of computing, you could immediately do whatever you wanted on the computer, and it was very easy to learn to program, and it was just crazy fun and exciting,” Altman told Stratechery. “Eventually my parents got me a computer or got us a computer at home, and I was always a crazy nerd, like crazy nerd in like the full sense, just science and math and computers and sci-fi and all of that stuff.”
That passion continued into his high school tenure at the John Burroughs School, a private college prep school in St. Louis. While there, Altman befriended a computer science teacher who shared an interest in the future of artificial intelligence.
After graduating from Burroughs in 2003, Altman enrolled at Stanford University to study computer science. However, he dropped out two years later at age 19 to create Loopt, an application allowing smartphone users to share their location with friends and colleagues. Altman later said he found the risks of leaving school—and knowing he could always return—worth the potential rewards of forgoing a traditional career path. “In what is now a very dynamic world, the risky thing is to not go try the things that might really work out,” he said.
Investor
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Sam Altman, seen here in 2015, became a tech entrepreneur and investor in his early 20s.
Altman eventually sold Loopt to banking company Green Dot in 2012 for $43.4 million. However, that was far from his only business project. That same year, Altman used the money from the sale to launch the investment firm Hydrazine, cleverly named after the chemical used in rocket fuel, with his brother Jack.
Since 2010, Altman has personally invested in 125 companies, according to TheWashington Post. They include Helion Energy, a nuclear fusion researcher; Retro Biosciences, a biotechnology company specializing in cell restoration; and Cruise, a self-driving car company.
In 2011, Altman became a partner at Y Combinator, a juggernaut among technology startup accelerators and venture capital firms, and was promoted to president in February 2014. YC has invested in more than 5,000 companies, with DoorDash, Airbnb, Instacart, Twitch, and Reddit among the most recognizable. By December 2015, Altman valued all YC companies at more than $65 billion. Altman eventually stepped down from his role as president in 2019 to focus on another burgeoning venture.
OpenAI Co-Founder
In December 2015, Altman became one of 11 co-founders of OpenAI, a nonprofit artificial intelligence research company whose goal is to “advance digital intelligence in the way that is most likely to benefit humanity as a whole, unconstrained by a need to generate financial return.” Altman took control as CEO in 2019 after leaving YC.
OpenAI is known for creating ChatGPT, a generative chatbot able to respond to written or spoken prompts and questions. As of August 2025, OpenAI has reported roughly 700 million weekly ChatGPT users and is reportedly seeking a valuation of $500 billion.
Temporary Removal as CEO
In November 2023, the OpenAI board announced it had fired Altman as CEO. In a news release, the company said Altman “was not consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities.” However, after more than 500 OpenAI employees signed an open letter threatening to leave the company and follow Altman to a new division at Microsoft, the board reached an agreement within five days of his firing for Altman to return to his leadership position.
Despite the controversy, Altman has solidified his status as a leading figure in the AI space. Following the creation of ChatGPT, Time included him on its 2023 list of the 100 most influential people. That same year, he testified before U.S. Congress and urged lawmakers to create regulations for the expanding industry.
Feud with Elon Musk
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Elon Musk and Sam Altman both cofounded OpenAI but, in recent years, have publicly feuded over their differing priorities for artificial intelligence.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk initially served as an OpenAI co-chair with Altman, but the pair became mired in a public rift over the latter’s direction for the company. Under Altman’s guidance, OpenAI began taking on investors and making money through a for-profit subsidiary—contradictory to the company’s for-the-greater-good mission. Musk stepped down from the board in 2018 and later created the xAI program, a direct competitor to OpenAI.
Then in 2024, Musk escalated his feud by filing two separate lawsuits against Altman and OpenAI, accusing the company of fraud, breach of contract, and reserving some of its most promising technology for private users. Musk also began derisively referring to the CEO as “Scam Altman.”
OpenAI has denied many of the claims in Musk’s litigation. “I wish he would just compete by building the better product, but I think there’s been a lot of tactics, many, many lawsuits, all sorts of other crazy stuff,” Altman said. “We’ll try to just put our head down and keep working.”
OpenAI ultimately abandoned plans to create a public benefit corporation, which would have taken control of the company away from its nonprofit branch, in 2025.
Net Worth
According to Forbes, Altman is one of the 2,500 richest people in the world with an estimated net worth of $1.9 billion as of August 20, 2025.
Although OpenAI was valued at $157 billion as recently as November 2024, the vast majority of Altman’s fortune doesn’t stem from the company. He didn’t take any equity upon its 2015 launch—which previously caused concern among investors over his confidence in the venture—and only makes $76,000 per year as CEO. “If I could go back in time, I would have taken [equity], just some little bit, just to never have to answer this question,” Altman said.
Instead, Altman owes much of his wealth to investments, including his stakes in Stripe, Reddit, and Helion. According to Fortune, the value of his Reddit shares alone climbed to $1.4 billion by October 2024.
Husband Oliver Mulherin and Personal Life
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Sam Altman married Oliver Mulherin in 2024.
Altman married Oliver Mulherin, an Australian software engineer, in January 2024.
The pair met at a party in 2015 and immediately connected despite dating other people at the time. Once Altman and Mulherin were a couple, they split their time between San Francisco and a ranch in Napa, California.
Altman has spoken about their future plans, telling The San Francisco Standard they hope to build a family with multiple children. “I am more excited for that than I think I’ve ever been for anything,” Altman said. “Let’s start with a few [kids] and see how it goes, but maybe a lot.” The couple welcomed their first son through a surrogate in February 2025.
Coming out as gay around age 17 was an unusually anxiety-producing experience for Altman. In addition to telling his parents, he shared his sexual orientation with his classmates during a high school assembly. “I don’t really get nervous for stuff, and I was so nervous to do this. Because I was like, mostly out. Most people knew about it, but it was not the kind of school where you would really stand up and talk about being gay and that was okay,” he told Mostly Human Media. “I got a long standing ovation out of it and, sort of all day at school that day, people telling me how much it meant to them.”
Altman considered running for governor of California in 2018 but eventually declined to seek the office. He affirmed his belief in “techno-capitalism” and has advocated for universal basic income but also described himself as “politically homeless” in 2025.
Quotes
The most expensive investing mistake in the world to make is to be a pessimist, and it’s a common one. I think that’s actually the most common mistake to make in life.
We can manage [AI], I am confident about that. But we won’t successfully manage it if we’re not extremely vigilant about the risks, and if we don’t talk very frankly about how badly it could go wrong.
We seem to be really great as a society, as individuals, as a species at dealing with change and with technological change. You know, think about how different the world was 20 years ago. We didn’t all have smartphones, and that seems unimaginable now.
I do think there’s something freeing about getting older and caring less what people think.
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Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor and is now the News and Culture Editor. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he’s not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.
Ball State vs. Trine University
Last Meeting: Ball State 3, Trine 0 (1/5/2025)
Series History: Ball State leads the series 2-0 Match History – Trine
These teams met for the first time in 2024 as the Cardinals swept the Thunder (25-16, 25-20, 25-19), holding them at a .077 hitting percentage. In 2025, Ball State completed a sweep once more (25-13, 25-13, 25-13) and held Trine to a .085 hitting percentage. Patrick Rogers led the effort that afternoon, leading the team in kills (10), aces (3) and blocks (2). Scouting Trine
Trine concluded the 2025 season 15-9 overall, including a record of 5-3 in the MCVL (Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League). The Thunder made it to the semifinals of the MCVL Tournament, falling 1-3 against eventual tournament champion Mount Union.
SETTING THE SCENE HEAD COACH IANDOLO: Mike Iandolo was officially named the Cardinals’ head coach on Dec. 16, removing the interim label he had held since last June. After joining Ball State as an assistant coach prior to the 2022 season, Iandolo helped the men’s program to a 23-4 record, MIVA regular season and tournament titles, and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002, earning the No. 2 seed and a semifinal bye. Since 2022, Iandolo assisted the Cardinals to three 20-win seasons from 2022-24 and three MIVA regular season championships. His promotion ahead of the 2026 season marks the second head coaching role of his career, following a three-year stint at the University of Charleston (W.Va.).
NEW-LOOK COACHING STAFF: Head coach Iandolo is joined on the coaching staff by newly acquired assistant coaches Brian Hogg and Charles Norman who were announced to the program in August of 2025. Hogg comes to Ball State after earning two-straight IVA (Independent Volleyball Association) titles and IVA Coach of the Year honors as head coach at Lincoln Memorial from 2024-25, totaling a record of 45-6. Prior to Ball State, Norman helped the women’s team at Barry University to a 24-5 record in 2024 and led the men’s program during its inaugural season in 2025, ranking fourth in the nation in blocks.
NEW AND FAMILIAR FACES: The 2026 roster brings 11 well-known returners and seven exciting new additions. Ball State returners include team captains Griffin Satterfield, Wil Basilio, Patrick Rogers and Eyal Rawitz, as well as impactful standouts such as Lucas Machado, Ryan Louis, Braydon Savitski-Lynde, Will Patterson, Marty Canavan, Peter Zurawski and Jason Harris. Entering their first seasons with the program are freshmen Tyler Windt, Adir Ben Shloosh, Daniel Günther and Dante Cayaban as well as transfers Nicholas Everett, Jacob Surette, and 2023 national dig leader (3.56 per set) Victor Scherer.
2025 SEASON: The Cardinals finished 2025 with a record of 17-13 along with a 9-7 mark in conference play, ranking fifth in the MIVA. The men ranked third in the conference in blocks with 2.36 per set and points with 16.00 per set. The 2025 season saw Ball State record notable victories over ranked opponents, including #13 Stanford (3-0, Jan. 10), #14 Lewis (3-1, Feb. 13), #16 Ohio State (3-2, Feb. 27), #19 Penn State (3-2, March 15), and #10 McKendree (3-1, March 29). The season concluded as the Cardinals fell 3-2 to #4 Lewis in the MIVA Quarterfinals (April 19).
PRESEASON All-MIVA: Outside hitter Patrick Rogers and setter Lucas Machado earned 2026 Preseason All-MIVA honors, with Rogers leading conference voting to be named MIVA Preseason Player of the Year after recording a team-high 363 kills in his second season with the Cardinals while averaging 3.18 per set on a .271 hitting percentage, adding 65 total blocks and a team-leading 33 service aces. Following the 2025 season, Rogers was named All-MIVA first team and an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention, then spent the offseason with the U.S. National Team, winning gold at the 2025 NORCECA Final Six and earning tournament MVP honors, as well as capturing silver with the Men’s U23 National Team at the 2025 NORCECA Men’s U23 Pan American Cup. Machado totaled a team-best 771 assists in 2025, averaging 8.38 per set, posted a career-high 54 assists against Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 26, reached 40 or more assists seven times, and added 117 digs, 49 total blocks and 22 service aces.
AVCA PRESEASON POLL: Ball State enters the 2026 season ranked #16 in the AVCA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Preseason Poll with a total of 144 points. The Cardinals will match up against seven other ranked opponents in the season, including #1 UCLA, #7 Loyola Chicago, #9 Stanford, #12 Lewis, #14 Ohio State, #15 McKendree, and #19 George Mason.
This volleyball skills program is geared towards providing a safe environment where young athletes can develop their skills in volleyball!
We will also work on the importance of sportsmanship and how to behave in a team environment. The goal of this program is to prepare our athletes to compete at the highest level all while making it affordable and creating the best experience for our participants.
Location: Biltmore Hills Date: Mondays and Wednesdays Time: 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. Ages: 10 – 14 Cost: $225 Monthly Fee / $30 Drop In Register on RecLink
PAPIO AND WESTSIDE FACE OFF IN THE NIGHTCAP. CREIGHTON VOLLEYBALL ADDS ITS THIRD HIGH PROFILE TRANSFER OF THE OFFSEASON. TRINITY SCHAD SERIES. SHE’S AN OUTSIDE HITTER FROM WISCONSIN. SHE’S FROM ONTARIO, CANADA, AND IS A STANDOUT TRACK ATHLETE AS WELL. HOW ABOUT THIS GUY? SHE PARTICIPATED IN THE OLYMPIC TRIALS FOR CANADA IN THE LONG JUMP IN 2014. BRIAN ROSSEN SAYS HER EXPLOSIVENESS, A BIG ASSET AND QUITE TRA
Creighton volleyball adds Wisconsin outside hitter to its roster
Updated: 6:30 PM CST Jan 2, 2026
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Creighton volleyball added an outside hitter from the transfer portal.Trinity Shadd-Ceres has joined the Bluejays after helping Wisconsin to the Final Four last season.Shadd-Ceres played in nine matches with Wisconsin, totaling 12 kills, six digs, four assists, and two blocks.Eight of the Ontario, Canada, native’s kills came during the NCAA Tournament.The 5-foot-11 outside hitter is Creighton’s third high-profile transfer, joining Ayden Ames from Texas and Katie Dalton from Kansas.”Everyone we have talked to about Trinity says she is the best teammate and hardest worker, so she is going to fit right in here at Creighton,” said Creighton head coach Brian Rosen. “She may also be the best overall athlete in any sport to come through! Trinity is so explosive off the floor, has a great arm, and ability to play six rotations. With experience in the Final Four this season, she can handle the big moments. With Angie’s training, there is no limit to her potential and we are all so excited to get her in the gym this spring!” The Bluejays finished the 2025 season with a 28-6 record with their 14th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, 12 consecutive Big East regular season title, sixth Big East Tournament title, and second straight Elite Eight.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
OMAHA, Neb. —
Creighton volleyball added an outside hitter from the transfer portal.
Trinity Shadd-Ceres has joined the Bluejays after helping Wisconsin to the Final Four last season.
Shadd-Ceres played in nine matches with Wisconsin, totaling 12 kills, six digs, four assists, and two blocks.
Eight of the Ontario, Canada, native’s kills came during the NCAA Tournament.
The 5-foot-11 outside hitter is Creighton’s third high-profile transfer, joining Ayden Ames from Texas and Katie Dalton from Kansas.
“Everyone we have talked to about Trinity says she is the best teammate and hardest worker, so she is going to fit right in here at Creighton,” said Creighton head coach Brian Rosen. “She may also be the best overall athlete in any sport to come through! Trinity is so explosive off the floor, has a great arm, and ability to play six rotations. With experience in the Final Four this season, she can handle the big moments. With Angie’s training, there is no limit to her potential and we are all so excited to get her in the gym this spring!”
The Bluejays finished the 2025 season with a 28-6 record with their 14th straight NCAA Tournament appearance, 12 consecutive Big East regular season title, sixth Big East Tournament title, and second straight Elite Eight.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
NORTHAMPTON — The Pioneer Valley Regional and Greenfield track and field teams faced off at Smith College in a Valley South matchup on Friday morning. The Green Wave boys delivered a 66-8 win over the Panthers. The Pioneer girls took a 46-41 win over Greenfield.
Pioneer’s Carter Berthiaume scored points for Pioneer and was first overall (5-8.0) in the high jump.
Mason Youmell grabbed a second place overall (8.33, PR) in the 55-hurdles for the Green Wave. Youmell took second overall (5-6.00) in the high jump as well. Youmell took the day off from the 600-meter event to participate in the relay. Shaving some seconds off his overall time in the 600-meter is a personal goal.
Mason Youmell of the Greenfield track and field team participates in a relay at Smith College, Friday in Northampton. Credit: RYAN AMES / Staff Photo
“I am really hoping to get 1:27 by the end of the season,” Youmell said. “That seems like a realistic goal. I’ve cut off seconds from all of my personal records. I’ve been doing better.”
In another personal best performance, Ryan Spofford placed second overall (2:57.35) in the 1000-meter.
Ryan Spofford of the Greenfield track and field team participates in the 1000-meter run at Smith College, Friday in Northampton. Credit: RYAN AMES / Staff Photo
For context, the overall winner (1:31.45) of the 600-meter event was Owen Platt of Amherst. Alex Scotera placed second overall (1:33.72) in the 600-meter for the Green Wave. The performance was a personal record for Scotera.
Dylan Breiwick placed fourth overall (3:05.23) in the 1000-meter for Greenfield. Breiwick also was fifth overall (5:07.87) in the mile for the Green Wave.
For the Pioneer girls, Harper Hake’s performances in distance events helped fuel the win over the Green Wave. In the mile, Hake scored and took seventh overall (6:29.79).
Harper Hake (left) of the Pioneer Valley Regional track and field team participates in the 600-meter run at Smith College, Friday in Northampton. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo
“I like where I am right now,” Hake said. “I am truing to get a sub six in the mile. I want to get a better time in the two mile too.”
To improve her time in distance events, Hake relies on good nutrition and does runs that are longer than her events. Hake was 10th overall (2:02.32) in the 600-meter. The performance was a personal record for the freshman. In the 2-mile, Hake placed third overall (14:30).
Kyra Tamsin led the charge for the Green Wave in the girls’ events. In the 55-hurdles, Tamsin took first overall (10.48, PR) for Greenfield. Tamsin set another personal record in the 300-meter, placing eighth overall (48.62.)
“My 300 and my 55 hurdles were good,” Tamsin said. “I want my numbers to improve. But as of right now they aren’t bad.”
Lucianne Burnap established a personal record in the 55-hurdles, finishing sixth overall (11.46) for the Panthers. In the field events, Gabby Warriner-Cardin scored points and placed eighth-overall (21-08.50) in the shot put for the Panthers.
Burnap and Addison Chapin both finished tied for fifth (4-4.0) in the high jump for Pioneer.
In the long jump, Holly Babineau scored points and placed eighth-overall (13-09.75) for the Green Wave.
Boys track & field
Athol 27, Commerce 23 — The Bears downed the Raiders in Valley South competition. Elijah Etienne scored points and placed tied for seventh (32-10.50) in the shot put for the Bears.
John Blanchard took 14th overall (2:02.36) in the 600-meter event.
Frontier 41, Mohawk 35 — Ezra Rich’s first place performance in the shot put helped the Redhawks get past the Warriors in Valley North play.
Luke Howard placed second (2:45.76) in the 1000-meter for the Redhawks.
Tanner Biagini placed first overall in the 300-meter for Mohawk. Biagini also scored and placed ninth (6.94) in the 55-meter for the Warriors. Rex Kuoppala placed fourth overall (5:02.19) in the mile.
Peter Healey (11:14.57, third) and Carson Richardson (11:34.70, fourth) impressed in the 2-mile for the Warriors.
Mahar 51, Southwick 22 — The Senators ran past the Rams in Valley North competition.
Danny Quigley was eighth overall (39.18) in the 300-meter for the Senators. Ronnie Stone scored points and placed 15th overall (4-10.0) in the high jump.
Girls track & field
Athol 52, Commerce 1 — In Valley South competition, the Bears cruised past the Raiders. Emily Abram snagged a personal record in the shot put, finishing sixth overall (22-3.25) for Athol.
Mahar 40, Southwick 22 — Stellina Moore helped the Senators to a win over the Rams in Valley North play.
Moore finished tied for fourth overall (14-03.5) in the long jump and tied for third (4-8.0) in the high jump. Moore added a third place finish (9.98) in the 55-hurdles.
Madilyn Moore scored in the shot put for the Senators, finishing seventh (25 feet) overall.
Frontier 78, Mohawk 13 —The Redhawks defeated the Warriors in Valley North competition.
Louise Flagollet placed third in the 300-meter for the Redhawks. Louise Flagollet also took second overall (4-10.0) in the high jump. Phoebe Radner was seventh overall (1:58.44) in the 600-meter. Liv Christensen placed (14:19.49) in the 2-mile for Frontier. Emmanuelle Flagollet took second (9.55) in the 55-hurdles and fourth in the long jump (14-03.50).
Virginia Krezmien scored some points and placed sixth overall (3:40.32) in the 1000-meter for Mohawk. In the mile, Krezmien placed second overall (6:05.67).
BATON ROUGE – LSU Beach Volleyball coach Russell Brock has announced the addition of two transfers – Emily Hellmuth and Zayna Meyer – who will join the Tigers for the upcoming season.
Hellmuth and Meyer come to LSU as grad transfers. The Tigers return 11 players from last year’s team. These two transfers join LSU in addition to six freshmen.
“Really excited about our two additions for this spring,” Brock said. “They are both athletic players with good size and great skills and are excited about the transition to beach. Both, are decorated indoor players who have been seasoned leaders for their teams. Their work ethic, positive attitudes and excitement will be fantastic additions to our culture and our team this year. Couldn’t be more excited to add them to our family.”
Hellmuth comes to LSU after a great four-year career playing indoor volleyball at Pepperdine and Texas A&M University. During her time playing indoor, she was a lethal outside hitter with over 1,000 career kills. Three of her four seasons she recorded at least 300 kills and during a match in her final season, she recorded a career high .667 hitting percentage. As a senior last year, Hellmuth helped lead the Aggies to the NCAA National Championship Title with 72 digs, 45 blocks, 12 aces and eight assists.
“Emily has been tested as a passer and has great skills as a blocker and hitter. Her offensive ability will transition really well to the sand. She’s faced the biggest challenges under the brightest lights and has excelled in those moments.”
Meyer is coming to LSU following a four-year career playing indoor volleyball in which she finished her final season at UCLA with a total of 187 assists, 62 digs and 11 blocks. During the 2023 season, Meyer was named Big West Setter of the Year while playing indoor at Long Beach State and averaged 10 assists per set.
“Zayna is quick and springy. As one of the elite offensive setters in the country, she brings excellent control of the ball both as a setter and a hitter. Her ability to play above the net will also be a great asset defensively.”
OMAHA, Neb. — Wisconsin outside hitter Trinity Shadd-Ceres has signed to join the Creighton Volleyball program later this month. Shadd-Ceres is Creighton’s third high-profile transfer this winter, joining Ayden Ames (Texas) and Katie Dalton (Kansas).
“Everyone we have talked to about Trinity says she is the best teammate and hardest worker, so she is going to fit right in here at Creighton,” said Creighton head coach Brian Rosen. “She may also be the best overall athlete in any sport to come through! Trinity is so explosive off the floor, has a great arm, and ability to play six rotations. With experience in the Final Four this season, she can handle the big moments. With Angie’s training, there is no limit to her potential and we are all so excited to get her in the gym this spring!”
Shadd-Ceres played in nine matches for Wisconsin’s Final Four team in 2025, finishing the season with 12 kills, six digs, four assists and two blocks. Eight of her 12 kills came during the NCAA Tournament, including four kills in the First Round vs. Eastern Illinois on Dec. 4th and three more in a Regional Final win at Texas on Dec. 14th.
That came after Shadd-Ceres played in four matches as a freshman in 2024, starting two. She finished her rookie campaign with 10 kills, seven digs and three blocks in four matches played. Among her teammates in 2024 was current Bluejay defensive specialist Saige Damrow.
The 5-foot-11 native of Ontario, Canada, was named the Senior Female Volleyball Athlete of the Year in 2023 and a member of Team Canada’s U19 Women’s National Team. She was also a track standout before enrolling at Wisconsin, as she was named Junior Female Track & Field Athlete of the Year in 2022 and Senior Female Athlete of the Year in 2023. She also partcipated in Canada’s Olympic Trials in the Long Jump in 2024.
Creighton finished the 2025 season with a 28-6 record, appearing in its 14th straight NCAA Tournament, winning its 12th consecutive BIG EAST regular-season title, earning sixth BIG EAST Tournament title in a row and reaching its second straight Elite Eight.
