LAD NEMECEK
Class of 1960
Inducted in 2011 |
Lad was inducted into the SHSAA Packer Sports Greats in 2011.
Lad earned five letters, two in football and three in baseball. He was named All-City for baseball in 1960, and played on the Legion Ball Club team. He was selected to play football in the Shrine Bowl. After graduation Lad played on the Phillip’s Store American Legion baseball team coached by Cornie Collin which won the Omaha championship and was runner up for State. He received a baseball scholarship to Arizona State University where he received his bachelor’s degree, and helped his team win the Omaha College World Series. He received seven offers (St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Athletics and the Pittsburgh Pirates) to play professional baseball, but he turned them down to complete his education, planning to play pro ball later. However, a late season back injury sidelined his dreams and a resultant elbow injury ended his professional aspirations. He played football with the semi-pro Omaha Mustangs in 1965. He played baseball in Marescalco’s All-America League in 1973-76. He played in the National Baseball Congress of America, and was selected Nebraska All-State, both in 1974. He was selected for induction into the Nebraska Old Timer’s Baseball Hall of Fame in 1975. Lad taught at Marrs Jr. High in Omaha, a prep school in Phoenix, and then spent 30 years teaching at SHS during which time he received his master’s degree from UNO in education. He was named Outstanding Teacher at SHS in 1972. He was a member of the 1958 football team that was inducted into the SHS Packer Greats. |