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University of Nebraska at Omaha

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Oct. 15, 2003

Contact: Anthony Flott

aflott@mail.unomaha.edu

(402) 554-2989

 

 

UNO Hall of Fame to add inductees

(OMAHA, NE) —Two former All-American athletes and a 27-year coach/administrator are the newest inductees into the University of Nebraska at Omaha Athletic Hall of Fame.

 

The trio was inducted at the 28th annual Hall of Fame Banquet, held Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Holiday Inn Convention Centre. The 2003 Hall of Fame class includes: former wrestling standout Brad Hildebrandt; volleyball star Amy Steffel; and Cherri Mankenberg, women's basketball coach for 22 seasons and the school's associate athletic director for five years before her recent retirement.

 

UNO began its Athletic Hall of Fame in 1975. This year's class brings the total number of members in the Hall to 80.

 

Cherri Mankenberg

The first full-time head women's coach in UNO history, Mankenberg led the Mavericks to three NCC titles and seven post-season tournaments during her 22-year career as the women's basketball coach. She compiled a 344-277 overall record. She is a member of the Iowa Girls High School Hall of Fame and was the first woman inducted into the Wayne State College Athletic Hall of Fame. She followed Connie Claussen as the associate athletic director at UNO in 1998 and retired in August 2003.

 

Brad Hildebrandt 

Hildebrandt was a three-time All-American during his 1983-88 career, compiling a 131-37-2 record. He holds the school record for wins by a 158-pounder with 131. Hildebrandt finished eighth, fifth and second during his career in the NCAA II National Tournament. He also was a two-time North Central Conference all-academic team selection.

 

Amy Steffel

A first-team AVCA All-American in 1996, Steffel was a two-time all-region and two-time all-North Central Conference player during her 1993-96 career.  She is the career set assists leader with 5,482 and the single-season record holder with 1,750. She helped lead the team to a 100-32 record during her career, including a 35-2 mark in the 1996 national championship season.  She was an academic all-NCC pick in 1996. As the starting setter on the 1996 national championship team, Steffel earned all-tournament honors at the 1996 NCAA II national tournament. Steffel was named the UNO female athlete of the year in 1996 and the Omaha World-Herald State College Athlete of the Year the same year.

 

Tickets for the banquet are $40 each or $400 for a table of 10. The event begins with a 6 p.m. social hour, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The program will begin at 8 p.m. For tickets and information, contact Geri Backora, 554-2506.

 

 

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