Patriots in the MSHS Hall of Fame

Congratulations to the following Athletic figures inducted into the Millard South Hall of Fame:

David M. Anderson - 2017 Inductee

(1980 Millard High Graduate) Dave was born and raised in the Millard area and is a 1980 graduate. He was a member of the 1980 state champion baseball team and state playoff football team. Dave received his BSBA with honors from UNO and an MBA from the University of Arizona. Dave is a Certified Public Accountant and spent 16 years as Vice President, Treasurer, & CFO with Millard Lumber, 7 years with KPMG in Omaha and 5 years with Hughes Aircraft Company in Tucson, AZ. He is the current Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska. He is currently Vice President of the Millard Public Schools Board of Education and past President. Dave is the past President of the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Association of School Boards. He was inducted into the Millard Public Schools Foundation Community Booster Hall of Fame in 2005 and inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2004. He also received the 2005 Millard Education Association ‘Friend of Education’ award and the 2005 Millard Business Association ‘Citizen of the Year’ award.

Dr. Thomas J. Beeson - 2009 Inductee

(Associate Professor & Chairman of Creighton University Medical Center - 1976 Millard High Graduate) After winning three athletic letters in tennis and two in baseball, Tom graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center with a specialty in endodontics. He had a 22-year career in the Air Force where he specialized in root canal procedures and capped off his career as Chief Military Consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General. He later joined the Creighton faculty and now has a private endodontics practice in Omaha.  In addition, Tom has been active as a volunteer youth coach and holds several leadership positions in his church.

Bruce Benedict - 2004 Inductee

Assistant General Manager-New York Mets.  Catcher for the Atlanta Braves from 1978 through 1989.  Two-time Major League All-Star.  1973 graduate.

Brian Duensing - 2017 Inductee

(2001 Millard South Graduate) In high school, Brian received numerous baseball awards including, 2nd Team All-State, 1st Team All- District, and 1st Team All-Metro. While attending UNL, he also received numerous awards including: Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, NCAA Lincoln All-Regional Team, Big 12 All-Freshman Team, and Academic All-Big 12 First Team. Brian was pursuing a degree in English Education upon being selected into the Major League Baseball first year player draft. He has played 12+ years of professional baseball with the Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, and is currently pitching for the Chicago Cubs. Brian was a member of the Gold Medal USA World Cup Team, and the Bronze Medal Beijing Olympic Team. Brian has given back to his community in numerous ways. He is the sponsor of Millard South’s Legion Baseball P52’s team and has sponsored the Brian Duensing Big League Bowling Event to benefit the Millard South Athletic Booster Club. For years, Brian has helped raise awareness and funding for various organizations during Pediatric Cancer Awareness month.

Craig Holz - 2017 Inductee

(Retired Faculty & Millard South Head Athletic Trainer) Craig has been employed with Millard Public Schools since 1976. He was a physiology educator for 25 years, biological science educator for two years, and physical education teacher for five years.  In 1976, Dr. John Lammel allowed Craig to demonstrate athletic training for free in order to show the need for the program. In 1982 he started a student athletic training program, developed a basic athletic trainer course, and an internship athletic training course worth 3 college credits. Many of Craig’s students have gone on to pursue careers in the health sciences. Craig served as trainer for numerous sporting events: U.S. Pan American Women’s Basketball team, U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball team trial camp, National Sports Festivals, National Junior Olympic Volleyball tournament and many others. Craig traveled internationally with the Olympic Handball team in 1990 & 1991. He was inducted into the Mid America Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, Nebraska State Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, and was presented the National Athletic Trainers Association Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer award. Craig has given back to the Millard community in numerous areas and is still serving as a Millard South Athletic Trainer. 

Don Klosterman - 2006 Inductee

Don is a graduate of Benedictine University and UNO.  As a teacher, soccer coach, and PE department chair at Millard South 1987-1999, he led the men’s soccer team to seven state tournament appearances. He was UNO’s first and only girls’ soccer coach - leading the team every year to the Division II playoffs. Don is a two-time national “Coach of the Year” and holds a United States Soccer Federation A License and an NSCAA  Advanced National License.

Don Kraft - 2005 Inductee

1970-Millard High head baseball coach & PE teacher.  1972-1994 Athletic Director. During his time as athletic director, Millard High/Millard South won 16 state championships in 8 sports. 

Dr. John A. Lammel - 2004 Inductee

Millard High School/Millard South High School Principal from 1970 until 1993.  Became Executive Director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals in 1993. Graduate faculty member in Educational Administration at UNL.

Richard (Dick) Lewis - 2008 Inductee

Dick Lewis came to the Millard Public Schools in 1960 as Principal of Millard Jr-Sr High until 1970 when he became Assistant Superintendent for Business. He served in this capacity until his retirement in 1994. During Dick’s 34 years, the Millard School District experienced major and incremental growth in students, faculty, staff, academic & activity programs. Dick supervised the planning, designing and construction of Millard High at this current site, which opened in 1970. The Millard School District has received positive recognition in many ways because of Dick’s leadership.

Dr. Thomas Ohrt -2006 Inductee

Tom is a 1974 graduate of Millard High School,  staff physician at Methodist Hospital and partner of Anesthesia West P.C.  Tom helped develop special medical care locally and internationally, playing an instrumental part in building and equipping a hospital. Tom was an outstanding athlete for Millard High along with being a starting offensive lineman for UNL.

Mike McGuire - 2008 Inductee

(Science Teacher, Assistant Activities Director) Mike McGuire was hired in 1968 by Dr. John Lammel and retired from Millard in 1998. He loves teaching, and he puts his heart and soul and all his energy into it.  He cares about kids and works hard to help them succeed.  He was the recipient of the Millard Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator Award in 1973, the Texas Christian University Outstanding Teacher Recognition Award, and was nominated by a colleague for the CMA Catalyst Award.  Letters from that nomination commented that he “constantly helps students learn chemistry and learn to enjoy chemistry” and that his “greatest qualities are integrity & professionalism.” 

Ron Park - 2005 Inductee

Began his career at Millard High in 1963 as basketball coach & history teacher.  Helped open Millard South as head guidance counselor & registrar in 1970 until 1981.  Athletic Director at Millard North in 1981 until his retirement. Served on a panel of experts for the White House Conference for Drug-Free America & member of the Millard Public Schools Foundation Hall of Fame.

Victor Lyle Reed - 2004 Inductee

Social Studies Teacher at Millard High School/Millard South High School for 34 years from 1960-1994.  Instrumental in the development of what is now the Millard Public Schools Ethnic Studies Curriculum.

Gary E. Reimers - 2009 Inductee

(1954 Millard High Graduate) An all-state basketball player in high school and also an all-tournament team member in baseball, Gary attended UNL where he was a starter in basketball and baseball in each of his four years of eligibility. In total, he earned two freshman and six varsity letters. In 1996, he was inducted into UNL’s Basketball Hall of Fame. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Gary returned to Millard and spent 37 years with Western Electric/AT&T as an industrial engineer. He has been active in community service and has been a 47-year member of the Millard Lions Club. A former president of that organization, in 2007, Gary was presented the Lions International Foundation’s highest honor – the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. Additional community work includes 20 years as a member of the Millard Fire & Rescue volunteer & seven years of service on the Millard Airport Authority board.

Larry D. Ribble - 2015 Inductee

(Retired Social Studies Teacher & Coach) Larry began teaching and coaching at Millard/Millard South in 1977. As the Boys Basketball coach, “Ribbs” compiled an overall record of 509 wins and 280 losses. Thirteen of his Millard teams qualified for the State Basketball tournament where five of them were crowned state champions and one was runner up. The 1989 team was undefeated and ranked 23rd in the nation by USA Today. Larry was named Omaha World Herald’s Coach of the Year in 1988, Lincoln Journal Star’s Coach of the Year in 1989. Larry is a three-time Nebraska Coaches Association Nebraska Coach of the Year, and a six-time Metro Basketball Coach of the Year. Larry also coached Track & Field at Millard South for 25 years. During that time, Millard South took two state championships and two state runner up finishes. Eleven school records were established and twenty All Class gold medalists were crowned under his coaching. In 2006, Larry was selected as the KEFM Teacher of the Year. 

Gene Starmer - 2015 Inductee

(Retired Math Teacher & Coach) Gene began his career in Millard in 1970. He taught at Central Junior High for eight years and Millard/Millard South for twenty-five. Gene was listed three times in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.” In 1970, Gene started the Boys Tennis team, and one year later, the Girls Tennis team. Those teams combined for a total of 381 dual wins along with numerous conference & invitational championships. The Boys team earned two State Championships and nine State Runner Up titles. Gene has received several coaching honors including NCA and OTA Tennis Coach of the Year, NCA Level 4 and 25 Year Awards. Gene is a three-time Top 8 Finalist for the National Coach of the Year, and has been inducted into the Metro Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 2006, he established the criteria for the Nebraska All-State Tennis Teams. 

Dr. Donald Stroh - 2004 Inductee

Superintendent of Millard Schools from 1955 until 1989.  Responsible for the construction of Millard High School/Millard South High School at its current location in 1970.

Pam Sweeney - 2009 Inductee

(Executive Director Omaha Football Club - 1972 Millard High Graduate) After graduating as Pam Utterback and marrying and starting a family, Pam began assisting as a volunteer supporting her children’s interest in soccer. Her “passion” for the game and opportunities to grow youth athletic programs, along with a bevy of community volunteers, enabled the growth of recreational soccer into Millard Star Soccer. This grassroots organization grew from 500 youth to more than 2,500 members and has recently undergone a merger and name change to become the largest youth soccer program in Nebraska, operating   under the umbrella name of Omaha FC.  Pam, as club administrator, runs the demanding administrative functions of the growing organization of 4,000 participants from her home. She has been commended for her strategic insights, infusion of technology into daily management activities and diversifying competitive activities to involve physically and mentally challenged children.

Barb Wagner -2009 Inductee

(Teacher/Administrator) Barb came to Millard shortly after her 1972 graduation from the University of Iowa. She taught American History and Civics and coached the varsity volleyball team from 1974-85. She was named Nebraska Coaches All-Star Volleyball Coach in 1985 and was president of the Metro Coaches Association in 2002-2003. Barb also led the Millard Education Association as its co-president during the 1986-87 school year. After years of challenging students to reach for higher goals and helping them understand the role of an activist government, she left the classroom in 1995 to become activities director, a position she held until her retirement in 2005.  Barb put her knowledge of government and strong advocacy for citizen participation in leadership to use beginning in 1991 with her three years of service on the Papio-Missouri National Resource District board. She also serves as a lay minister at St. Stephen the Martyr Church.

Dr. Ron Witt - 2004 Inductee 

Teacher, Coach, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent in the Millard Public Schools from 1958 until 1996.  Known for his leadership in education as well as in the community for his work in numerous charitable organizations.