Dennis Smith – Papillion
Contributor. A huge, huge percentage of the credit for the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Foundation goes to Dennis Smith. He had a vision of this organization and served the board from the organizational days of 1993. He’s been the treasurer since 1996. His 32-year career at Papillion-LaVista schools that included a position […]
C. Dale Snook – Lincoln University High School
Coach. In the last assembly before Lincoln’s University High closed its doors forever, the athletes presented coach Dale Snook a plaque inscribed with: “To coach, who gave us reasons to win, not excuses.” His philosophy of rejecting excuses served University High well. In the 19 years he coached the school’s basketball and track teams, the […]
Gale Sayers – Omaha Central
Athlete–No one ever looked better on the gridiron wearing the purple and white football uniform of the Omaha Central Eagles than this backfield dancer who graduated in 1961. Wherever he played, spectators couldn’t forget his incredible ability to “shift gears” and leave all behind when he made his move for a touchdown. He was all-state […]
Chuck Sharpe – Omaha Westside
Athlete. One of the best high school swimmers in history, this 1977 graduate of Westside High School in Douglas County competed at a time when freshmen did not participate in high school sports and swimmers were limited to just two individual events plus relay. So Chuck Sharpe “maxed out” with nine state swimming titles in […]
Jodi Stineman Emsick – Lincoln Southeast
Athlete. Jodi Stineman Emsick had “champion” written all over her from the start of her career at Lincoln Southeast. She played and starred on state championship teams in cross country, basketball (twice) and track. She was the first Lincoln Southeast athlete to win 12 varsity letters along with these laurels: Female high school athlete of […]
Joe Silverman – Lincoln
Game Official. Joe Silverman was an established football and basketball referee in West Virginia before being stationed at the Lincoln Air Base during World War II. After service, Lincoln became his home. The Marshall University graduate worked the Nebraska state basketball tournament for the first time in 1943. He worked more tournaments later in the 1940s and 1950s, […]
George Sauer – Lincoln High
Athlete–One of many great high school football players to wear the red and black of Lincoln High School, in 1928 as a junior he scored four touchdowns in the state championship game, As a senior in 1929, all-state honors were awarded him as a fullback. He also did well in track, serving on a state […]
Kelly Stauffer – Rushville
Athlete. The picture of a poised quarterback comes to mind in describing this 1982 graduate of Rushville High School. He was named all-state in both football and basketball during his secondary education and was outstanding as a pitcher in the summer. During his senior year he led the Rushville High Longhorns to a basketball winning […]
Clarence Swanson – Wakefield
Athlete. A 1917 graduate of Wakefield High School where he played football, basketball and baseball. He was a freshman starter on the football team. At the University of Nebraska, Swanson was a four-year letterman on the football team. He set a school record for career touchdown receptions (17) that stood until after his death in […]
Reggie Smith – West Point Central Catholic
Athlete. Class of 1966 With eight carries, six touchdowns, 284 yards in a victory over a previously unbeaten team. Reggie Smith proved unstoppable at times. He led West Point Central Catholic to an undefeated season with 1,566 yards on 160 carries. A leader with a great attitude, he played with intensity and was a natural […]