Omaha Central has not been holding its usual athletic banquets to honor student-athletes for several years. The banquets post-Covid have not been re-established since the end of the winter season of 2019 through 2020.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic the athletic department would hold a banquet to honor all of the athletes that participated during that season. The athletic director would address all the student athletes and their hard work, then all athletes would go to designated rooms to receive their varsity letters or participation awards.
Since then, Central has not reinstated the banquets because “They were a lot to handle and quite a pain to put together, additionally our food venders had gone out of business,” Athletic Director Rob Locken said. When holding a banquet for all the athletic teams during a season “the athletic department is tasked with finding a time when all teams are available and able to attend” Locken said.
Sophomore softball player Nichole Palfini wants these banquets to return. “It’s a lot more enjoyable to get recognized in front of 60-70 people rather than the 12 people on the team and their immediate families,” she said.
Many teams at Central, like golf, tennis, and swimming do not receive the same amount of attention as other sports.
“We want our accomplishments to be spread throughout the different sports, it’s cool to hear what other teams are accomplishing as well,” Palfini said.
Coaches are also expressing their thoughts on banquets returning. Assistant golf coach Hannah Tyrey said, “I think that is would be nice, it would be cool to have all of the students in one area to show off accomplishments from each team.”
Many students know about the accomplishments of larger teams such as basketball, football and volleyball. Bringing banquets back would enable all the seasons’ teams to hear about the success of all Central athletics.
Varsity Swimming Coach Kristoff Berzins is on board as well. “Central should do a group banquet, address everyone in the beginning then have all teams go off separately to honor athletes and pass out awards,” he said.
