Larry Jacobson – Omaha

Coach. Larry was a four year letterman at Homer High School participating in football, basketball and track.  He was his team’s leading rusher in football for two years and was selected to the all-state football team his senior year.  Graduating in 1956, he attended Kearney State College where he lettered in football and track all four years.  While playing football at Kearney he set records in rushing and was selected NAIA All-American.  Larry began his teaching career as a traveling physical education teacher for the Omaha Public Schools.  He later taught and coached at Monroe Junior High. During this time he also played for the Omaha Mustangs semipro football team.  In 1968 he was assigned to Burke High to teach physical education and coach gymnastics and wrestling.  In 1969 he became the head football coach for the Bulldogs and in his first year he produced Burke’s first winning season with a 6-3 record.  His overall record at Burke was 167-83-2 over a span of 26 years, 20 of which were winning seasons including a Metro championship, two undefeated regular seasons and two state runner-up teams.  Individual coaching and teaching honors include Shrine Bowl coach, Metro Coach of the Year, Burke High Teacher of the Year, and the 1991 Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award.  Larry was inducted into the Kearney State Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1988.  He also received the Johnny Appleseed Award from the Nebraska State Arboretum Society for his work in planting trees around Burke Stadium and the high school campus, honoring individuals who had contributed heavily to the Burke program.  He also received the AK-SAR-BEN Service to Sports Award in 1995.  Larry still acts as Head Field Judge at the state track meet, a job he has held for 30 years.