Charlie Foster – Kearney

Coach/Contributor--Much of the excellent reputation of the University of Nebraska at Kearney (formerly known as Kearney State) as a great track college is due to the efforts of this fine coach. Prior to his rendezvous with destiny at the county seat of Buffalo County, he coached at Clay Center High School and Ansley High School. Beginning in 1945, Coach Charlie Foster began building the athletic fortunes of Kearney State, at one time coaching football, basketball and track. Under his guidance Kearney had 16 track & field championship teams. He also hosted high school invitational and state championship track and cross country events at the Kearney facility.  According to the University of Nebraska-Kearney Hall of Fame, Coach Foster was the “Father of Nebraska cross country”. He featured girls’ track events in meets before the sport was approved by the state and was the first to add the triple jump. The college’s football field bears his name, Foster Field.