Sociology teacher and assistant girls’ soccer coach Casey Denton is the first Central soccer player to be inducted into the Omaha Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame. The induction took place on Nov. 18 in a ballroom at the CHI Health Center where 10 athletes were honored.
“I am grateful and humbled to have this award,” Denton said. “This is such a great group of athletes, and I am honored to be inducted with all of them.”
Denton participated in three sports at Central: soccer, cross country and basketball.
She was a four-time state qualifier for cross country and an all-state selection her senior year. That year, she was also captain of the soccer team and received All-State honors. During her senior season she led the team with 27 goals, helping them to qualify and be the first team to make it to the state tournament.
“All three sports helped me to become a leader,” Denton said. “I learned mental toughness in cross country and the importance of being a good teammate in basketball.”
After high school, Denton went to the University of Nebraska at Omaha where she played soccer. During her freshman year, they won the NCAA Division II national championship. She started 76 games and during her junior year, led the team with the most goals. She was named the most competitive individual by the sports staff of the UNO newspaper, The Gateway. She was described by the staff as someone who “had a relentless drive for the ball and a passion that beamed on her face on game days.”
“Going to UNO gave me the opportunity to play soccer while still being close to my parents,” Denton said. “UNO also had a great teaching program which was important to me.”
She now is one of the district leaders in academic coaching, a program that helps athletes reach their academic and athletic goals. In 2022 she was named Central’s teacher of the year because of her dedication to the academic coaching program and her classes.
“With the academic coaching, she focuses on student athletes and works with them to help make sure they are ready for the next level,” Athletic Director Rob Locken said. “She is a great teacher and coach and is well deserving of this award.”
She has taught and coached at Central for 13 years and said she is glad she not only attended Central but works as a teacher and a coach.
“I am honored to be able to represent Central with this award,” Denton said. “All of my teachers and coaches at Central had a positive impact on my life and I hope I can impact these kids the same way.”
