Ron Gustafson Inspiration Award
The Hall of Fame's desire to extend its variety of recognition and honors into the
inspiration category resulted in the introduction in 1996 of the Ron Gustafson Inspiration
Award. Click here for a newspaper article about Ron
Gustafson. See his own website by
clicking here.
We are determined to honor those involved in high school sports who, because of
their situation, made a tremendous impact on those around them by fighting right on
through what others might call a real problem.
Please submit nominations for this award to Hall of Fame, 3214 20th Ave
Kearney, NE 68845 or via e-mail to the Hall
of Fame.
Fitting, the Hall concluded, was that Mr. Gustafson himself should be the first
Inspiration Award Winner:
1996--Ron
Gustafson, Omaha. The Hall of Fame’s inspiration award is named after its first
recipient. Gustafson nearly died in a tractor accident at age 9 in his hometown of Lyons.
He lost an arm and a shoulder and nearly lost a leg. At one time, he was defying the odds
by just walking. Later, he played high school sports. He started for three years on the
basketball team, averaged 10 points a game and was the team's leading rebounder
as a senior. He played one year of football, ran track for four years and played
summer baseball. He graduated in 1984. His inspiration to others, including
opponents, was as noticeable to observers as his outstanding contributions to
the contests
|
2007 Winner
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.2006 Winner
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
Transplant Games where she has won two golds and two silver medals since 2002.
Back home, she became a speaker for the Nebraska Organ and Tissue Donor
Coalition. She’s been the subject of several printed articles and website
features “urging others to fight”. She volunteers as a mentor to other
transplant patients. A student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, she is
majoring in exercise science.
2005 Winner
Neil Halford of Fort
Calhoun placed fourth in the state wrestling meet in
1992 and was a state qualifier in 1991.
Neil 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 the state wrestling tournament in 1992 and
was a state qualifier in 1991. A self-proclaimed “huge” football fan,
Halford used athletics to build character and fuel a competitive nature.
After winning only a handful of matches during his freshman and sophomore
years, he turned hard work and dedication into a successful junior and
senior campaigns. His senior year, he practiced and worked out with the
football team and, although he didn’t play, was named a team captain. He has
written a book, "The Sound of Sight," about how his hearing has helped him
cope.
See his website.
2004 Winners
Matt Johnson
Allison Aldrich
Omaha Bryan
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 Volleyball Team.
|
2003
Winners -- Rich & OIinda
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, Olinda would sit on the bottom row offering her praise and
encouragement. Over time, as the disease took its toll, she became more
determined to see her children grow up, graduate, get jobs, and even marry.
Year after year she still makes the games sitting in her wheel chair unable to
walk or speak, but she still communicates with her eyes or by mouthing the words
to her interpreter. There is a lot of post-game analysis that takes place at
home, and she even writes letters of instruction and encouragement to many of
Rich’s players. Rich is always near by for Olinda, making sure her health
services are in place, and if not, he takes care of her needs himself. Rich
never complains because he admires the courage of his wife and draws inspiration
from her.
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 Porter to
play for the Huskers. This being the days of
frosh football, Budge was a starter at defensive cornerback for the freshman. Things were looking up in the spring of 1976 when
he came out of winter weights as the strongest defensive back in Husker history at that
time. However that ended on April 21st
of that year when during practice he made a tackle on I.M. Hipp that resulted in a broken
neck and total paralysis. That didn’t stop “Budge” with a strong heart and
many years of physical therapy he earned his degree in 1981 in Business and Distributive
Education, He still lifts weights daily and when not working he goes fishing with his wife
Diane in their six-wheel amphibious ATV which he also uses for hunting. Claire, the eldest of his three children, might
sum it up the best when said, “My daddy is real strong, did you know that?”
2001--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 his chosen profession inspired those around
him. He remains active today working with your children. And inspiring every one who
knows him.
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 awards for his work with outh from the local
to national level. He has a masster of sceience degree in criminal justice. Did we mention
that he did all this from a wheelchair?
1999--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 illustrious
4-title level, sweeping to championships from 1992 through 1995 at Greeley High School.
That he achieved this lofty status while battling an illness that severely diminishes the
very strength and stamina his sport demands, all the while being a perfect sport and
asking for no concessions, has been an inspiration to his family, coaches, teammates,
opponents and many, many others. He’s a great ambassador for his sport and an
outstanding citizen.
1998—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 coach at Thedford.
1997—Greg Wilcox, Omaha
RETURN
TO HOME PAGE