Sports Stars from Omaha High Schools in the 1960s.

 

This information is from the Great Plains Black America Museum in North Omaha.  North Omaha produced some of the best athletes in the world during the civil rights era.  Most attended either Central High School or Technical High School in Omaha.  During the 60s seven athletes graduated who went on to major accomplishments in sport.  They all lived within a couple miles of each other growing up.  

Bob Gibson considered the best Omaha athlete ever.  He is a Hall of Fame baseball player.  He pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals his entire professional career.

John Rogers also graduated from Tech High School.  He played football for University of Nebraska and won the Heisman Trophy.

The Heisman Trophy

Gale Sayers and his older brother Roger Sayers both went to Central High School.  Gale Sayers is a Hall of Fame football player.  He is known for his roll in the Brian Piccolo story as he and Piccolo roomed together when Blacks and Whites generally did not room together.  Gale Sayers made some incredible runs.  

His older brother Roger also played football at Central High School.  However he is most known for his track and field accomplishments and at one time was considered the fastest man alive.  

Ron Boone attended Technical High School and played basketball.  He did not start until his senior year.  He played junior college level for a year and then played for Idaho State in Pocatello.  He had a very good pro career in both the NBA and ABA.  He won a championship with the Utah Stars.  He last played for the Utah Jazz and is the color commentator for them now.  He set an ironman record for playing the most consecutive games.  He played 1041 consecutive games with out missing a game in his 13 year career.  

Bob Boozer attended Technical High School where he played basketball with Bob Gibson.  He played collegiately for Kansas State.  He won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic team.  He is a collegiate Hall of Fame member, and his Olympic team is in the basketball Hall of Fame.  He won an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks.  

Marlin Briscoe attended Omaha South High School.  He played running back in high school and their team won the state championship.  He played quarterback for the University of Omaha (now University of Nebraska at Omaha.). He set many records and is inducted in the collegiate football Hall of Fame.  He was selected by the Denver Broncoes of the AFL where he started at quarterback, becoming the first African American starter at quarterback.  His rookie year he threw 14 touchdown passes, and Denver record which lasted until 2024.