It was an emotional night for Sally Thalken.

“I can’t believe this,” Thalken said looking around at the people crammed into the Knights VIP room. “I wasn’t prepared for all this, but isn’t it fun?”

Thalken, who retired Nov. 30 after a 34-year career as head volleyball coach at North Platte Community College, was honored Tuesday night during halftime of the NPCC Knights men’s basketball game.

Ryan Purdy, president of Mid-Plains Community College, presented Thalken with a plaque for her service to NPCC, and Dwight Livingston, mayor, officially proclaimed Dec. 9 as “Sally Thalken Day” in North Platte.

Jody Tomanek, MPCC’s area vice-president of academic affairs, read a recognition letter sent to Thalken on behalf of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Members of the first team Thalken led to nationals announced they would purchase two bleacher seats in the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium’s “Knight’s Court” and name them after Thalken’s parents. The purchase is part of a campaign to replace the bleachers.

Although humbled and grateful for the accolades, it was the turnout for the reception that truly touched Thalken’s heart.

More than 100 of her former players attended the event to see old friends, share memories and, most importantly, pay tribute to the woman who will forever be a legend in their eyes.

“I love Sally. She’s a great lady,” said Renee Tatman, of North Platte. “I played basketball for her in 1981, and she looked as young as we did. She will always be ‘Coach’ to me. She taught my son, and he calls her ‘Coach,’ too. That’s just who she is – retiring or not.”

Carmen (Buckbee) Erickson, of North Platte, also played basketball for Thalken in ’81.

“It was an awesome experience,” Erickson said. “Sally wasn’t much older than us, which made her relatable. She was about 27, and we were 19. We all got really close.”

More recent players shared the same sentiment.

Kendra Nollette, of Hastings, played volleyball for Sally during the 2005-06 season as a libero.

“I will always remember pushing boards and conditioning on the sand volleyball court,” said Nollette. “But, my strongest memory will be of the relationships Sally built among the players. We became a family, and now we’re going to each other’s weddings and baby showers.”

Kristin Gewecke, of Kearney, played for Thalken during 2004-05 and was part of a team that qualified for nationals.

“Coach brought so many friends together and had a big role in our lives,” Gewecke said. “I remember the team playing twice at Columbus and hurting my wrist during the first game. Coach didn’t think it was a good idea for me to play the second game. She was always caring and had our best interests in mind.”

Thalken recruited Emily Hudson, formerly of Benkelman and now living in Trenton, after watching her compete at districts.

“I played for NPCC in the fall of 2005 and fall of 2006,” said Hudson. “I had heart surgery my sophomore year, so sat next to [Thalken] on the bench. She said if I wasn’t going to play, I was going to learn to coach. I’m a coach now, and it’s all because of her influence.”

Brenda (Schadegg) Smith, of Sidney, was on Thalken’s volleyball team in ’81.

“I will never get her passion and excitement out of my mind,” said Smith. “She genuinely cared about her players. When we were young and away from home, she was someone we could go to for support. Those are the kind of people you always want to keep in touch with, and we have.”

Dena (Weinman) Mills, of Arnold, played basketball in ’83 and ’84 and also traveled with Thalken’s volleyball team to nationals.

“She was a big influence,” said Mills, of Thalken. “She would drive through my town recruiting and stop to visit. It means a lot that she’s still vested in our lives and wants to know about our kids and grandkids.”

Lauri (Tomas) Blake, was on the same team as Mills. She is now a state district judge in Bonham, Texas. Blake said she owes a big part of her success in the professional world to Thalken.

“She took time to introduce her girls to people who could make a difference in their lives,” Blake said. “If there’s one word to describe her, it’s ‘selfless.’ She worked 24-7 and was concerned about improving us as people – not just as athletes.”

Jacqueline (Mecomber) Yenni, of North Platte, agreed with that statement.

“Sally was and continues to be an inspiration,” Yenni said. “I work as a mental health therapist. I own my own business and am an entrepreneur and a landlord. It all started with someone caring, and that person was Sally.”

Yenni was offered scholarships to play volleyball at NPCC.

“My family didn’t have the money for me to go to school,” said Yenni. “The scholarships got me the education I needed and provided a stepping stone for the rest of my life. Now, I have a master’s degree. The whole NPCC athletic experience wasn’t about what we did – it was about who we became in the process.”

Thalken only retired from coaching. She will continue to teach at the college and will remain area chair of the MPCC mathematics and science division