50 Years of Maverick Excellence

by JOHN FEY

The birth of UNO athletics dates to 1911 – Oct. 14, to be exact – when then-named Omaha University’s first football team debuted with a 24-0 win over Nebraska Deaf & Dumb Institute. The game, which took place on a field at 24th and Evans Streets, marked the start of 101 years of football, featuring more than 30 All-Americans. Many of them went on to play in the NFL.

That same year, the basketball program started its 114-year run. Over the years, the university added baseball, wrestling, cross country and track and decades later five more men’s sports with the move to Division I hockey. Women’s athletics began in 1969 — before Title IX — thanks to one person: Connie Claussen. Today, UNO offers nine women’s sports.

The Omaha Athletics Hall of Fame was created in 1975. This year marks the 50th anniversary, with 137 athletes, coaches and administrators inducted. In the inaugural 1975 class was Roger Sayers (brother of Gale Sayers). Fittingly, Roger Sayers sits on the 13-person Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

“As one of the inaugural inductees,” Sayers said, “I believe that my selection established the footprint and guideposts for subsequent inductees. I and the other initial inductees set the foundation for future selectees.”

Joining Sayers in that inaugural class was Marlin Briscoe, who enjoyed a distinguished pro football career. The first two hockey players to be enshrined were David Brisson (2010) and Scott Parse (2016).

In 1983, 14 years after softball became UNO’s initial women’s sport, Claussen became the first female inductee, an honor that she cherishes to this day.

“I was very humbled,” she said, “and happy that women’s athletics was being recognized.”

She added that she’s amazed at how many women (49) are now members of the Hall.

“We’ve come a long way over the past 56 years,” Claussen said.

The Hall of Fame process paused from 2019 until 2022 due to the pandemic. A year before that resumption, Anthony Flott, executive director of the UNO Alumni Association, became chair of the selection committee. As a former athlete, he’s proud to serve in that role.

“It is a great honor to steward this longtime program and a privilege to get to spend time with some of UNO’s greatest athletes ever,” Flott said. “With so many sports now, and with growing excellence within each sport, the decisions become more difficult every year as to who is left off the induction list. With that, you are starting to see superb induction classes composed of the best of the best top to bottom.”

Adrian Dowell, who became vice chancellor/director of athletics in 2021, quickly discovered the vast accomplishments of the Hall of Famers.

“I continue to be amazed by our Maverick student-athletes and coaches,” Dowell said. “They continue to experience unprecedented successes in the classroom, competitively and in the community making our alumni and community proud.”