Kearney, NE - 2003 Community Profile

The university offers 16 NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. These are football, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s track (indoor and outdoor), baseball, softball, volleyball, wrestling, men’s and women’s cross-country, and tennis and golf for both men and women. The Lopers compete in the 14-team Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and have won seven straight RMAC All-Sports Trophies, recognizing the best athletic program in the league.

A full range of intramural sports are available for every student, including flag football, indoor soccer, tennis, sand volleyball, volleyball, racquetball, water polo, basketball, wallyball and softball.

Athletes at all levels in Kearney schools have enjoyed a great deal of success in every sport. Each elementary, middle and high school gives students the opportunity to participate in such sports as football, basketball, baseball, softball, track and many more.

The Kearney area features five excellent golf courses where you can enjoy a relaxing round and test your golfing skills at the same time: Meadowlark Hills Golf Course, an 18-hole public course with lighted driving range; Prairie Hills Golf Course, a family-owned 18-hole Scottish links-style course; Buffalo Ridge Golf Course, established more than 30 years ago, offering custom club repair and fitting; Kearney Country Club, a private, 18-hole course at which guests are welcome (subject to the discretion of the club professional and availability of tee times); and Prairie Hills Par 3 Golf Course, an executive-style course located northeast of Kearney.

The Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League played their first game in Kearney on November 18, 2000. The USHL is the premier amateur hockey league in North America and a proving ground for future college players. The league consists of 11 teams in six states. Players range from 16 to 21 years of age and come from all over the country to compete.

The Storm play 31 home games from September to March in front of 4,500-seat capacity crowds in the Tri-City Arena, which is adjacent to Interstate 80. For further information, call 308-338-8809.

The Tri-City Diesel, of the 21-team National Indoor Football League, also make their home in the Tri-City Arena. The Diesel play seven games at home and seven on the road during the NIFL regular season, which opens in March and continues into July. The Locomotion dance team adds to the excitement when the Diesel are in Kearney on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. For ticket information, call 308-338-8011.

Each July, boys’ and girls’ high school all-star teams from 15–20 states come to Kearney for the Mr. Basketball Invitational and Miss Basketball Showcase tournaments. Alumni of Mr. Basketball are now playing in the NBA, the NFL and for a long list of NCAA Division I programs.

Kearney is the host of nearly a dozen events organized by Mr. Basketball, Inc. More than 600 teams from 19 states and Canada visit Kearney each year for a variety of youth and prep-age events. For more information on the events contact Doug Koster at (308) 237-4012 or visit www.misterbasketball.com.

The Nebraska State Senior Games, held annually in Kearney, are de-signed for people 50 years of age or older. Events include golf, swimming, track and field, racquetball, tennis, badminton, cycling, billiards, horseshoes, table tennis, bowling, free-throw shooting, archery, disc golf, walking, and three-on-three basketball. Participants compete in age groups set in five-year increments (50–54, 55–59, and so on).

In alternating years, participants in the Nebraska Senior Games may qualify for advancement to the National Senior Games. Generally, more than 12,000 athletes from all 50 states participate in the National Senior Games.

The Senior Games provide a great opportunity for seniors to stay active, compete, socialize and have fun. Competitions are relaxed and designed for all skill levels.

Please contact Scott Hayden, Nebraska State Senior Games coordinator, at (308) 233-3228 for more information, or check out the website at www. nebraskaseniorgames.com.

Kearney is also host to the Nebraska State Cross Country Meet, held annually at Kearney Country Club. Approximately 400 young runners from across the state gather here each year to test their running skills against their peers.