LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska has fired athletic director Shawn Eichorst, citing his failure to improve “on-field performance” by the Cornhuskers.

Chancellor Ronnie Green announced the move Thursday. Eichorst joined Nebraska in October 2012, and has about $1.7 million remaining on a contract that runs through June 2019.

Green praised Eichorst but says his “efforts have not translated into on-field performance. Green says winning “can and often does happen in concert with well-run, quality college programs.”

Eichorst and football coach Mike Riley have been under increased scrutiny with the continued mediocrity of the program. Eichorst hired Riley in 2014, replacing Bo Pelini.

Riley is just 16-13 at Nebraska, a school that has won five national championships, went to bowl games every year from 1969-2003 but has not won a conference title since 1999. The Huskers are off to a second 1-2 start in three seasons.

Statement from Nebraska Chancellor Ronnie Green…

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has announced it has begun a search for a new director of athletics. The university has ended Shawn Eichorst’s employment, effective immediately.

“Shawn has led Nebraska Athletics in many positive ways, but those efforts have not translated into on-field performance,” Chancellor Ronnie Green said. “Our fans and our student-athletes deserve leadership that drives the highest levels of competitiveness, as well as excellence across all facets of Husker Athletics.”

Eichorst joined Nebraska in October 2012, and has about $1.7 million remaining on a contract that runs through June 2019. Green and President Hank Bounds decided to seek a new athletic director and met with Eichorst today. Green and Bounds also met with Husker coaches today to share the decision.

“I want to sincerely thank Shawn for his dedication to and care for our student-athletes, and for his commitment to their success here at Nebraska, and in life,” Green said. “He has positively influenced countless lives at this university, and I wish him and his family the very best going forward.”

In a statement, Eichorst said, “While I am deeply disappointed in the decision today, I am grateful for the wonderful years that my family and I have spent at Nebraska. I am proud of how our student-athletes, coaches and staff represented this great university and state, and I am confident that the future is bright for Nebraska Athletics.”

The search for a new director of athletics began today. The university expects to appoint an interim athletic director to oversee day-to-day operations of Nebraska Athletics until a new, permanent director of athletics begins.

The chancellor said the university will reach out to stakeholders knowledgeable of Nebraska Athletics, as well as those who have run successful college programs around the nation, for guidance and perspective in the search for a new permanent director of athletics. The search will focus on finding a director who helps put Husker teams into the best place of opportunity to compete and to uphold the athletic program’s outstanding academic achievement, Green said.

Green will hold a media availability at 2:30 p.m. at the Van Brunt Visitors Center, 313 N. 13th St., on the university campus.

“Winning can and often does happen in concert with well-run, quality college programs that work to ensure the success of the student,” he said. “That’s our expectation. We take pride here in doing things right and doing the right thing, and that won’t change. This is not an either-or equation. We can and should win in that kind of environment.”

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights volleyball team will be hosting the National Junior College Athletic Association third ranked team in Division II volleyball Central Community College Lady Raiders on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.

The Lady Raiders come into the contest with a 17-2 record having lost to #1 rated in Division II Parkland College and #2 in Division I Iowa Western Community College. The Lady Raiders are also the six-time defending Region IX Division II and District G champion.

Maeghan Pieper, who was National Player of the Week in week 2 leads the Lady Raiders in kills with 178 kills. Paxton Throne has 682 set assists, while Jessica Eurek has 273 defensive digs to lead the Lady Raiders.

Lady Knight Head Coach Alexa McCall said, “Mary, (Young) coach of the Lady Raiders, has them ready every time they step on the floor. They have a lot of confidence riding with them right now.”

“We have to serve aggressively and pass the ball efficiently.” McCall said.

Luisa Hernandez has 207 kills to lead the Lady Knights in kills. Hernandez also leads the Lady Knights in defensive digs with 262. Carlie Wytulka has 458 set assists and Taylin McNair has 205 set assists to pace the Lady Knights. Leading the Lady Knights in blocking are middle blockers Shaylee Johnson and Aly Camacho, who have 75 and 74 total blocks respectively.

The game is designated as “Girl Scout Night”. All girl scouts, leaders, and their families will be admitted free into the game.

ESPN 1410 radio will broadcast the game. It will also be on www.northplattepost.com. It will also be livestreamed on www.npccknights.com.

LINCOLN – U.S. Bank® and the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) are proud to announce the 2017-2018 Believers and Achievers. Believers & Achievers is a state-wide program designed by U.S. Bank and the NSAA to give recognition to Nebraska’s future leaders.

Beginning in October 2017 and continuing through March 2018, 48 Nebraska high school seniors will be honored as Believers & Achievers. From those 48 finalists, eight will receive $500 scholarships from U.S. Bank® to the college or university of their choice at a scholarship banquet to be held on April 29, 2018.

These students will be recognized at NSAA State Championships throughout the 2017-18 activities year and on bi-monthly posters sent to all NSAA member schools and U.S. Bank branches throughout the state.

All of the students nominated for the Believers & Achievers awards program represent the very best of Nebraska’s high schools. Continue reading “Nebraska School Activities Association & U.S. Bank Name 2017-18 Believers & Achievers”

Sterling, Colo. – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights volleyball team evened up their season record at 10-10 on the year after winning two games at the Pizza Hut Invitational on Friday.

In the first game the Lady Knights defeated the Williston State College Lady Tetons in four sets, 25-18, 22-25, 25-11, and 25-23.

Neci Sundquist had 10 kills. Jordynn Simpson had 20 defensive digs and Taylin McNair had 24 set assists to lead the Lady Knights against the Lady Tetons.

In the second game, the Lady Knights avenged an earlier loss by defeating the Northeastern Junior College Plainswomen in five sets, 25-23, 22-25, 25-23, 16-25, and 15-13.

”I’m really proud of our mental toughness and ability to finish against NJC after such a long week.” Lady Knights Head Coach Alexa McCall said. “They are a good team and we got them out of system and came out with a win. To go 4-1 this week was a big deal for us and I’m proud of how hard they worked.”

Luisa Hernandez had 16 kills and Sundquist added 10 to lead the Knights in kills. Carlie Wytulka had 22 set assists. Hernandez had 25 defensive digs, followed by Antonya Schaffert with 24 defensive digs for the Lady Knights.

The Lady Knights will face the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II number three team in the nation Central Community College Lady Raiders at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Thursday, September 21. The game is “Girl Scout Night” All Girl Scouts, Girl Scout leaders, and their families will be admitted free.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN 1410 radio and on the Internet at www.northplattepost.com. It will also be also livestreamed at

Teams are needed for a three-on-three basketball tournament Sept. 24 at North Platte Community College.

The event is open to the public. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on NPCC’s South Campus, followed by games at 2 p.m.

It’s the second year for the tournament, the purpose of which is to honor a former NPCC student and provide financial assistance to current and future students.

Proceeds will go toward the Samson Charles Scholarship Fund, created in memory of a Tanzania native and former NPCC student who died in a kayaking accident in 2016.

“Another former student, Antonia Villani, started the tournament last year,” said Janelle Higgins, associate dean of Student Life. “The sophomores wanted to continue it this year because they knew how much Samson meant to people at the college and in the community. They wanted to do something in his honor that was something he loved to do – play basketball.”

The Samson Scholarship Basketball Tourney will consist of six-player teams and 10-minute halves. A woman must be on the court at all times. Four games will be played simultaneously.

The cost to play is $35 if paid by the early registration deadline of Sept. 20. Registration at the door is $40 per team.

Admission to the game is $5 per person. A donation jar will also be set up.

There will be a balloon release in the parking lot prior to the tournament.

For more information, or to pre-register, contact Higgins at [email protected], or 535-3622.