Matthew
Lee Dugick | In-Depth Editor for THE MOUNT
DJ
Sokol, better known as David Junior to his family, is a name seen on several
buildings around town including: the DJ Sokol Arena, which is a student
recreational center for the students of Creighton University. But who is DJ Sokol?
 |
| DJ Sokol '99 |
DJ is a
Mount Michael alum, who graduated in the class of 1999 and soon his name will
be on another building, The DJ Sokol Learning for Life Building on the campus.
However it is a good bet most students don’t know much more than the name.
According
to his father, David Sokol, DJ had a mind of his own coming out of grade
school. He was invited out to Mount Michael to look at the school and he really
liked it, prompting him in April 1995 to attend Mount Michael.
After
being out at Mount Michael for a couple weeks his father remembers DJ coming
home, and saying “Oh my gosh, this is a disaster I should have not made this
decision.”
But
his parents believed that since he chose Mount Michael he should have to stick
it out. Come Thanksgiving break, David Sokol asked his son if he still wanted
to be at Mount Michael. He remembers clearly his son’s response. DJ looked at
his dad, “He gave me this unbelievable look which was ‘what are you talking
about, this is the best school ever, these guys are my brothers, and my friends
I would never leave this school...After four weeks, he was 100% sure this was
the place for him.” David Sokol said.
DJ
would be a typical high school student, until he began his battle with Hodgkin’s
disease. For almost 18 months he would keep this silent from his classmates and
teachers.
David
Sokol described DJ as caring person who invested himself in everyone else,
including less popular kids. He knew they would become more accepted amongst
his friends if he hung out with them.
“DJ
had two unique things about his personality. First, he was very easy to get to
know; he had an open personality and was always more interested in you, than he
was himself. He immediately was engaging himself in the other person. Secondly,
DJ had the kindest spirit out of anyone I have ever met.” David Sokol said.
There
were “numerous” times that the Sokol basement would be filed with five to ten
students from Mount Michael that didn’t have family in Nebraska. After many
basketball games, DJ would invite the whole team, fans and family of Mount
Michael out to his parents’ house to enjoy each other’s company.
He was
also a typical student; he had some favorite teachers such as Abbot Michael,
Fr. Louis, and Brother Mel. His first two years at Mount Michael he became a
better student and was molded to care more about his grades and his study
habits. He played football and basketball and admired Coach Kane.
During
his last two years he could not play sports so he helped with the football and
basketball programs. Especially his junior and senior year his classmates
became his brothers.
An
example of DJ’s love for Mount Michael and his brothers could be seen through
his unselfish acts. Because of the chemo, he was weak and could not attend
school the day after a treatment session. DJ would ask his mom to help make
cookies for all the boarders, coming out to school with a mouth mask to deliver
the cookies.
DJ did
reach his goal and graduate from Mount Michael, unfortunately about two weeks
after graduation he lost his battle with cancer, June 11, 1999.
True
to his passion for the school, when DJ went into his last treatment he asked
his dad that if he was to pass away, he wanted to be buried at Mount Michael.
DJ was
an amazing example of what Mount Michael is about. He was always looking out
for others and the betterment of those around him. He may be gone but his
legacy lives on. Once A Knight Always A Knight.
