1998: Greg Brecka Thedford
Greg Brecka Thedford A childhood farm accident cost him his right arm. Nonetheless, he made Central Eight all conference in football at East Butler and played basketball. At Concordia College, he had scholarships for both football and baseball, winning the school’s Most Inspirational Player award. He continues to be an inspiration as a teacher and […]
1999: Donny Nordhues Greeley
Donny Nordhues Greeley That anyone wins four state championships in his high school wrestling career is a rare accomplishment. That’s being a state champion from ninth grade right on through your senior year–every year; no losses in the state tournament. Donny Nordhues was the third person in the history of the sport to make the […]
2000: Joe Edmondson Omaha
Directing a wrestling club for years, Joe exposed countless Omaha youngsters to the benefits and lessons of competitive sports and provided the wrestling foundation for several state champions. He organized a national youth sports program, supervised the Kiewit Physical Fitness Center, coached the Blue Jay wrestling club. He has received no less than 13 service […]
2001: Bill Holliday Elm Creek
Bill Holliday Elm Creek After a lifetime of activity as an athlete inducted into the Hall of Fame’s first class in 1994 and as a coach with state championship credentials, Bill Holliday became a quadriplegic after a fall from a deer stand. This didn’t stop him from coaching. The work he went to to continue […]
2002: Grosvenor M. (Budge) Porter
Graduating in 1974 from Nebraska City High School, “Budge” earned 10 varsity letters in three sports for the Pioneers. He was a two time All Conference competitor in football, basketball and track and state honors in track for two years. He received a “full ride” to play football at UNL, making him the third generation […]
2003: Rich & Olinda Olson
After learning of Olinda’s diagnosis with Lou Gehrig’s disease some 20 years ago, Rich and Olinda just dug down deeper to raise their young children. Countless hours were spent at their kids’ activities, especially if it involved basketball, since Rich is varsity girls basketball coach at Millard South. Even after she couldn’t climb the bleachers, […]
2004: Matt Johnson (Omaha Bryan) & Allison Aldrich (Schuyler)
Both are cancer survivors, single leg amputees and athletes. Matt played football for Omaha Bryan High School. Allison played volleyball, basketball and soccer for Schuyler Central High School. Allison’s grit and determination gained one very elite step. She competed in the 2004 Para-Olympic Games in Athens as a member of the US National Women’s Sitting […]
2005: Neil Halford Fort Calhoun
Fort Calhoun 1992 and was a state qualifier in 1991. Neil Halford of Fort Calhoun placed fourth in the state wrestling meet in 1992 and was a state qualifier in 1991.Halford lost his sight at the age of two when he was kicked in the face by a horse. Despite blindness, he placed fourth in […]
2006: Sara Prenosil Omaha Roncalli graduate in 2003
Heart problems since birth forced a heart transplant in 2000 and she’s been on an inspirational pace ever since. She was a good swimmer when younger and came out for the swim team at Roncalli, mostly for exercise for her new heart, and that success and enjoyment took her into competition nationally in the US […]
2007: Drew Pope Chadron
Through three years of chemotherapy in Denver, Pope overcame acute lymphocystic leukemia at a young age and went on to letter in football, basketball and track at Chadron High School. He is a freshman at Nebraska Wesleyan where he lettered in football.
