Athlete–In 1960 at Wilsonville High School, this lanky high school athlete completed the highest scoring record in Nebraska high school history in the sport of basketball. He scored a total of 2,748 points and was picked as an all-state player three years running. He was all-state for three straight years. He was the state’s leading scorer in 1959 (890). He averaged 27.9 points per game his senior year, 31.8 as a junior, 33.4 as a sophomore. Wilsonville played in two state tournaments in his time. His enthusiasm for and talent in athletics continued thereafter, leading Aurora High School to the 1976 State Championship as their basketball coach. He also mastered volleyball officiating, becoming the best in the state for a period of time and was chosen many times to work the state tournament.