HOWARD SORENSEN

Class of 1930 / Coach
​Inducted in 1987

Howard was inducted into the SHSAA Hall of Fame in 1987 and in to the SHSAA Packer Sports Greats as a Coach in 2001.

Howard Sorensen wore many hats as he contributed to the sport of wrestling. He wrestled for Omaha South in the late 1920s and earned a state championship in 1929. Sorensen served as a coach at South from 1940 to 1942 entered the armed services for two years and then returned in 1944 to coach until 1955. To his coaching credits go three state titles, numerous tournament titles and individual champions.

Sorensen moved in to the administrative field but was still a guiding influence in athletics. He served on the NSAA’s Board of Control for 12 years where he was considered the expert in the sport of wrestling. He was a representative to the general assembly for 22 years. Besides his numerous administrative duties Mr. Sorensen found time to wear the referee’s whistle and stripes for some 20 years as he worked both high school and college matches including some in the Big 7 Conference.

Howard Sorensen is one of many South High students that just can't seem to leave school behind. Howard has taught and coached at Friend, Beaver City, and Omaha South High School, all in the state of Nebraska. He continued serving in the educational ranks as Director of Guidance, Dean of Boys, and Assistant Principal at South High; then moved to Omaha Benson where he was an Assistant Principal and later Principal. 

Howard has received numerous honors and awards including: athletic awards at South High and Omaha University, candidate for a Rhoades Scholarship, U.N.O. Order of the Tower and Distinguished Alumni Service Award, Omaha Public Schools Dedication to Teaching Award, American Legion Outstanding Service Award, Distributive Education Clubs of America Distinguished Service Award and selection to the Hall of Fame for U.N.O. Athletics, Benson High School, Nebraska and Metro Conference Wrestling Coaches. He has also been very active within the Omaha Community having been affiliated with the U.N.O. Alumni Board of Directors, U.N.O. Maverick Board of Directors, South Omaha American Legion, Lions Club, and the Boy Scouts of America. He has also been active in professional organizations such as Phi Delta Kappa, Nebraska Schoolmasters, OEA, NSEA, NEA and several Retired Teachers Associations.