DON BENNING
For someone who sometimes had to be last in line, Don Benning built a heck of a career being first. In 1963 Benning was hired as Omaha University’s wrestling coach, becoming what is believed to be the first black coach at a predominantly white university. He was OU’s first black full-time faculty member. And he was the first coach — black or white — to win a national championship at UNO. It wasn’t always that way. Benning was a three-sport star at Omaha North High School but because he was black, didn’t have the opportunities he should have. He played for OU, but not without concern by some that if the team were bowl-eligible it wouldn’t get selected because Benning was on the roster. That’s no exaggeration; when playing New Mexico State in El Paso, Benning and two black teammates had to stay in segregated lodging away from the team. Benning persevered. He became one of the school’s greatest athletes, then one of its greatest coaches, leading UNO to the 1970 NAIA wrestling national championship. Later, he would have a long career with Omaha Public Schools, including time as an administrator. He passed away in 2017.