RICK BENAK

Educator
​Inducted in 2025

Mr. Benak was awarded the SHSAA Hall of Fame Distinguished Educator Award in 2025.

Mr. Benak taught at South for 33 years, from 1988-2021.  While not a South graduate himself, his mother, Bernadine, was a former SHS attendance clerk and his father, Dick was a 1957 graduate.  Rick graduated from Bryan High in 1984, attended Iowa State University, graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.  In 1995, he received his Master of Education in Technology from Lesley University.

His career accomplishments include teaching math, computer sciences and humanities at South.  He was the coach of the math team, was the book and statistician for the varsity softball and baseball teams, head clock keeper for basketball, director of the Beau Haizlip wrestling tournament, ran the South Omaha Classic staff bowling league, was the head of the FinishLynx team for all district track and field meets, including districts and state, he was the head coach of the Packer Hit Men boys volleyball team, was a network administrator, Academic Decathlon coach, athletic aide, and sponsor of numerous clubs including Senior Class Officers, Student of the Month and the Outdoor Club.

For the past two years, Rick has MC’d our Packer Sports Greats Athletic Hall of Fame induction event.  Rick has also been involved in his community by being part of the team that ran the National Youth Sports Program for underprivileged youth at Creighton University, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, working at the Holy Ghost’s June Jamboree, and volunteering at various activities with the Knights of Columbus.

Teaching at South meant “Everything” to him. In his words, “His life wouldn’t be one percent of what it’s been had he not been a part of the South High family.”