Coach. Sometime during an outstanding track career at Peru State, Cecil McKnight decided he wanted to be in the coaching profession. He started at Morrill and then moved to Plattsmouth as track and cross-country coach where he spent 38 years. His teams won four Class B championships, of which three consecutive wins were in cross-country in 1973, ‘74, ‘75 and the ‘76 state track and field championship. Also in those years he had 262 individuals qualify for the state meet and seven individual state champions.
The Blue Devil harriers finished in the top ten 14 times in 20 years at the state meet. Other coaching duties included assistant in football and basketball as well as junior high basketball coach at various times during his tenure. His retirement gift from the school: The track and field complex now bears his name, a great tribute.
