Honoring the Past to Inspire the Future

Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Foundation Newsletter — April 2003 10th inductee class named Induction ceremony scheduled for Sept. 28 in Lincoln

LINCOLN — The Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Tickets on sale now Foundation will induct 22 athletes, coaches, pioneers and an official dur- Tickets for the induction cere- ing its 10th annual induction ceremony mony are available by contacting Sept. 28 at the Lied Center in Lincoln. Lincoln Public Schools care of This year’s inductees include: Karen Hand, 5901 O St. Lincoln, — , DeWitt (1924): A NE., 68510. three-year letterman at halftback for the The cost of tickets are $20 for Nebraska Cornhuskers he led the nation adults and $10 for students. in total yards as a senior, and was All- Preschoolers will be admitted free. Missouri Valley twice. He played semi- Visa or MasterCard accepted. pro and pro football from 1928 to 1936, For more ticket information, call leading Detroit to the 1935 NFL title. His Hand at (402) 436-1811. 54-yard in 1932 (which beat Green Bay 3-0) stood as an NFL record Name (1952): A standout on UCLA’s for 19 years. A two-time All-Pro choice, 1954 co-national championship football he was NU’s in 1942. team, he had a three-sport career at — , Lincoln High Holy Name. In football, he was twice all- (1930): An All-Big Six back at Nebraska state and made the 1949 all-class team in 1933, he played football and basket- as he scored 92 points as a junior and ball for Lincoln High. A for 136 as a senior. Ramblers’ basketball the from 1934 to 1940, record with him was 60-3 with a state he played in three NFL championship title in 1950 and a runner-up finish in games. He returned to Nebraska as 1952. He was All-Nebraska as a senior head football coach in 1946 and 1947. and played baseball on the 1952 state — Les “Beanie” Witte, Lincoln High championship team. He went to UCLA (1930): A three-time All-America bas- after Santa Clara dropped football and ketball player at Wyoming, he was the was All-America as a senior. He played first collegian to score more than shortstop for the Bruins for two years. 1,000 points in a career (1,069). At Courtesy photo — Lyle Nannen, Syracuse (1954): Gene Harmon of Schuyler pulls down a rebound- Lincoln High, where he was a team- The Lincoln Journal-Star Athlete of the during his high school career. Harmon is one of 22 mate of Masterson, the Links went 23- Year in 1954, Nannen ended his 41-year 0-2 in football from 1927 to 1929. coaching career at Randolph with the pioneers, athletes, coaches, officials and contribu- — Bob Decker, Omaha Holy Name tors who will be inducted in the Nebraska High 2002 Class C-2 boys basketball champi- (1950): A three-time Class B all-stater onship. His career coaching records are School Sports Hall of Fame in September. in football and two-time all-stater in 468-223 for boys basketball and 171-96- basketball, he went on to become a 5 for football. He played on Syracuse’s and basketball stand- 27-0 Class C championship basketball Want to nominate someone? out. He went to Nebraska on a football team of 1954 and was an all-stater in scholarship, then transferred to Santa football and basketball. He was the 1953 Nomination forms are available by contacting the Clara to join his younger brother, Jim. Class C hurdles champion. He played Hall via e-mail at [email protected] or by checking our He played minor-league baseball. Web site at www.nebhalloffame.org. — James “Jim” Decker, Omaha Holy See ◆ INDUCTEES page 3 Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Newsletter Page 2 Hall to honor Olsons of Millard South, Bailey family of Schuyler Executive Director’s update LINCOLN — The Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Foundation will honor Millard South girls basketball coach Rich Olson This is the second of our biennial newsletters of and his wife, Olinda, with the Ron Gustafson Inspiration Award at the the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Hall of Fame’s induction ceremonies Sept. 28 at the Lied Center in Foundation. It has been a good sports year thus far Lincoln. in the state of Nebraska. The Hall of Fame has been The family of Ruth and the late Chester Bailey of Schuyler will be in attendance at the state cross country meet in presented with the Fischer Family Award. Kearney, and at the state volleyball tournament, Since Olinda Olson was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease state swimming, state wrestling, more than 20 years ago, the Olsons and their devotion to each other and to the players have been an inspiration to all who have state girls and boys basketball all learned more than basketball under the tutelage of Coach Olson. held in Lincoln. I am sure that there Now, unable speak and confined to a wheelchair, Olinda were some future Hall of Famers remains a strong supporter of her husband and his players. She who competed in these events. I am attends their games, communicating through her eyes or by of the opinion that the visibility of the mouthing words to an interpreter. She also writes letters of encour- Hall of Fame at these events was agement and instruction to the players. While her determination and courage offer inspiration to all who worth the effort of myself and those know her, Rich’s devotion to her is also an inspiration. He makes who helped. There seemed to be sure her health services are always in place and, if not, takes considerable interest from the fans care of her needs himself. and athletes. I would like to thank Dick Beechner For two generations, the Bailey family of Schuyler has had an the NSAA Board of Control for this window of oppor- immeasurable influence on high school athletics in Nebraska and Iowa. Sons Keith, Gary, Don and Steve — all graduates of tunity to be present at the mentioned events. We are Schuyler High School - have made their mark as successful ath- looking forward to the championships this spring. letes and coaches, while their children have succeeded at athlet- We are still continuing our efforts to secure a facil- ics and life. ity in Lincoln, but as of press time, we do not have a In 1978, Gary and Don became the first brother combination positive announcement to make in regard to the to coach football at the Class A level, Gary at Omaha Central progress of this project. and Don at Millard High School. Keith joined them at the large school level when he became the head football coach at Ames I believe that the selection committee has come Central High School in Ames, Iowa, in 1979. up with another well-documented class of inductees Keith earned eight letters at Schuyler, and went on to play to be brought into the Hall of Fame at the induction football at Wayne State. He was head coach at Ashland and a ceremony to be held at the Lied Center on the graduate assistant at UNO before becoming head football and University of Nebraska campus on Sunday, Sept. 28. wrestling coach at Osceola (Iowa) and Clarion. Make sure to mark your calendar for this outstanding Gary earned nine letters at Schuyler and went on to play football at Wayne State. His coaching and teaching career event marking the 10th year of induction cere- took him to Falls City, Weeping Water, Omaha Central, monies. Omaha South and Omaha Bryan. One of his sons, Mike, was The Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame a four-year letterman in football and soccer at Omaha Burke Foundation continues its effort to raise money for the and he is currently the head boys soccer and football coach building project and our duplication awards project. at Burke. All donations are welcome. Don won eight letters at Schuyler and went on to coach football at Millard High School. He also served as athletic Please, if you change your address, let us know director at York High School, where his sons Ty and Bret so we can make changes. Thank you. earned 11 letters in football and basketball. Until next time, be a good sport. Steve graduated from Schuyler in 1970, having earned nine letters. He played basketball at Platte Community College and football at Midland Lutheran. He coached foot- ball at Fremont Bergan, football and track at St. Edward and football at Arlington. His St. Edward team won the 1967 state championship.

February 2003: Tom Frette Eugene Littler Gene Haynes Recent Hoppy McCue Burke High School Central High School Donald Erway Roger Higgins Jim & Bonnie Glover Alan & Kristine Garey Al & Patricia Bahe contributors: Bus Whitehead Bill & Phyllis James NSIAAA Jerry & Pat Stine The Hall of Fame would Homer & Kathryn Smith Neil & Carol Nannen North High School Gene & Anne Suhr like to thank the following Bob Gates Ron & Nancy Lamberty Mr. & Mrs. W.H. Debus Jane & Jerry Neely people for their financial Cambridge C Club Robert & Jane Wahlstrom Creighton Prep John & Marilyn Petersen gifts from October 2002 to Bob Murray Ken & Alice Ritzdorf Buck & Shirley Edwards Russ & Annette Eisenhart Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Newsletter Page 3

INDUCTEES Still remembered (updated Feb. 1, 2003) basketball at Nebraska. points. His marks of 53 points class all-state as a junior and sen- The following is a — Francis Allen, Longtime against York in 1969 and 1,466 ior. She holds the state record with list of Nebraska High University of Nebraska men’s points in a career stand as school a 65-point game. She also earned School Hall of Fame gymnastics coach: A 1961 gradu- records. all-state honors in volleyball three members who are ate of Lincoln High, Allen led the — Bob Martin, David City times and was all-class all-state as deceased: Husker gymnastics team to eight (1972): The 1972 Omaha World- a senior. She went on to become Vince Aldrich NCAA national titles, including five Herald Athlete of the Year, he was Midland Lutheral’s all-time leading Richie Ashburn in a row from 1979 to 1983. He a Class C all-state selection in scorer in basketball with 2,567 Ralph Beechner was the U.S. Olympic coach in football in 1970 and 1971 and in points. Wayne Binfield 1980 and 1992 and the NCAA basketball in 1971 and 1972. He — Steph (Thomas) Clark, Don Boll Coach of the Year in 1979, 1980 started three years at Nebraska, McCool Junction (1988): A basket- Jug Brown and 1981. He was inducted into making All-Big 8 twice and All- ball and volleyball all-stater, she W.H. Brown USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame. America as a senior. He played set the Class D career scoring Lloyd Cardwell — Roy Katskee, Omaha linebacker with the New York Jets record of 1,743 points. She holds Guy Chamberlin Northwest: He coached the and San Francisco 49ers. the Class D state records in the Grover Cleveland Huskies to one state champi- —- Jeff Hayes, Lyons (1979): 300-meter low hurdles and high Alexander onship in boys gymnastics and five The leading scorer and rebounder jump. She played college basket- Ed Colleran in girls gymnastics, with eight com- for the 26-0 Lyons basketball team ball at Creighton. Archie Conn bined Metro Conference titles. He that won the 1979 Class C title and — Mallery (Ivy) Higgs, Omaha Cornie Collin had a dual record of 301-78 and finished third in the all-class rat- Central (1988): She holds the all- Sam Crawford coached boys track and girls soft- ings. He averaged 27.0 points in time Nebraska record with 11 indi- Joe DiNatale Gil Dodds ball. 1979 and 20.3 in 1978. He started vidual all-class gold medals at the Ruby Miller — Larry Jacobsen, Omaha at Hastings College for four years state track meet. In addition, she Vern Ekfelt Burke: He coached the Bulldogs in and played professional basketball ran on three gold-meal-winning Dr. Stephen Epler football from 1968 to 1995, posting in Australia. relay teams. She was a three-year Cletus Fischer a career record of 167-83-2. Burke — Zane Smith, North Platte starter on Omaha Central basket- Charlie Foster won the Metro championship in (1979): He earned All-Big Ten hon- ball team and lettered in track four Bob Gratopp 1974, reached the state football ors in basketball and football and years at the University of Ed Haenfler playoffs 10 years out of 20 and North Platte, then went on to a Tennessee. Lloyd Hahn twice made it to the Class A finals. major league baseball career, — Buford Grosscup, Official: A Mel Harder A 1957 graduate of Homer High pitching for the Atlanta Braves and graduate of Dorchester High Clint John School, he was an NAIA All- Pittsburgh Pirates. In 13 years, the School, he was the Supervised Ed Johnson American in 1961 at Kearney left-hander posed a 100-115 Officials for the NSAA in football Willis Jones State College. record with a 3.74 ERA. His best from 1968 to 1989 and in basket- Nile Kinnick — Jim Kane, Elkhorn Mount years were when he was 15-10 for ball from 1983 to 1989. He officiat- Michael: The 1983 World-Herald ed football for 37 years (1947-83), Jerry Lee Atlanta in 1987 and 16-10 with Fred Letheby coach of the year, he had seven Pittsburgh in 1991. encompassing 444 games. He state-championship teams in four officiated two Class A, one Class Verne Lewellen — Angie (Miller) Schnacker, Roland Locke sports: cross country, track, foot- Wilber-Clatonia (1983): She B and one Class C state champi- ball and basketball. His career onship games and numerous Bill Madden earned Class C and all-class all- Ike Mahoney coaching records are 547-236 in state honors in volleyball and bas- other playoff. Over the same years, boys basketball and 177-97 in he worked 1,850 basketball Rita Makovicka ketball as a junior and senior. The Gregg McBride football. The 1957 Wisner gradu- Wolverines were 27-0 and Class C games including 15 consecutive ate was the All-Big Seven catcher state tournaments. Tom Novak basketball champions her senior Skip Palrang at Nebraska in 1957 and 1958. year. She scored 1,581 points in a — Harold Scott, Contributor: A — Larry Wachholtz, North 1936 graduate of Lincoln High, he Scott Poehling four-year career at Nebraska. Bobby Reynolds Platte (1963): An all-state football — Darcy (Cudaback) White, published the Lincoln High Herman Rohrig player on North Platte’s 1962 Exeter (1986): The state’s consen- newsletter for 45 years, beginning George Sauer state-champion team, he also sus athlete of the year in 1986, she in 1957. A dilegent leader in docu- Frank Smagacz stood out in basketball for the was all-class all-state in volleyball menting track records and results. Billy Southworth Bulldogs. At Nebraska, he was and basketball. She averaged He was a three-year track letter- Chuck Stickels second-team All-America as a 19.6 points in basketball for a 24-1 man in high school and at the Joe Sukovaty defensive back as a junior and first club that won Class D-1. At University of Nebraska, where he team as a senior. Wyoming, she was All-Western graduated in 1941. He taught one E. Lee Todd — Gene Harmon, Schuyler Athletic Conference in volleyball in year at Fairmont before joining the Dazzy Vance (1970): A Creighton University 1988 and 1989. service. Returned to teach at Bill Vincent standout, he was one of — Cindy Hays, Osceola College View for one year before O.L. Webb Ed Weir Schuyler’s ‘Jolly Green Giants,’ (1988): She averaged 40.3 points joining the staff at Lincoln High Lyle Weyand along with Chuck Jura, on the a game in 1988, 30.0 in 1987 and where he was an assistant coach Dutch White 1968 Class B championship team. 25.1 in 1986 for a total of 2,077 in football, basketball and track. Dutch Zorn He was all-state the next two sea- points. She earned Class C all- Also a head coach in track and sons, averaging 23.0 and 24.3 state honors three years and all- cross country. Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Newsletter Page 4 Donation Form Other special awards: The Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame is a non- profit, tax-exempt (IRC Section 501(c)(3)) organization that Silver Anniversary Team: relies on contributions from individuals, organizations, foun- The unbeaten Lyons basketball team of 1978-79, dations, etc. Please consider making a contribution. You can coached by Greg Kamp, went 26-0 and won the Class C title, averaging 84.4 points per game. copy this form or simply send your donation to: Golden Anniversary Teams: Sports Hall of Fame The 27-0 Syracuse basketball team of 1954 which was 1123 Delmar Street led by Lyle Nannen, who averaged 18.8 points per game. The 10-0 Grand Island football team. Papillion, NE 68046 Great Moments: Make checks payable to the Nebraska High School Sports Hall — Kearney High boys winning nine straight Class A state track championships. of Fame Foundation — Closing down “The Old Barn,” as the Nebraska Coliseum was affectionately known. The Coliseum played Contribution enclosed for $______host to the state basketball tournament from 1926-76. In 1926, 339 teams competed in 22 classes. The 1976 Class C semifinal was the last game at “The Old Barn.” Walthill Name:______defeated Howells 56-54 Howells before a crowd of 3,421. Brian Blum of Howells scored the last basket. — Vern Plambeck of Kearney, who is approaching 50 Street:______years in stripes. A referee who has officiated football since 1954, he missed only the 1957 season while serving in the Army Reserve. He also officiated basketball for many years . City, State, Zip Code: ______— Four-time state wrestling champions Dirk Desmond of Hebron (136-3), Kasey Kohl of Omaha Skutt (139-1) and

Jake Rucker of Louisville (140-5 with 104 pins).

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