Clearwater native heads state sports council

SAM reporter Sonia Rittscher talked with Dave Mlnarik, executive director of the Nebraska Sports Council and the organization's connection to the Cornhusker State Games. Mlnarik attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, majoring in journalism and advertising.

SAM: You've been with CSG since the beginning, right? Talk to me about the conception of the idea, the vision of it. How has its mission changed over the years.

Mlnarik:The Cornhusker State Games began in 1985 and I joined the staff in 1991 so I wasn't in on the founding or formation.

The idea for State Games actually came from Canada in the 1970s. Their country was pretty miserable in the Olympics at everything but hockey and a few other winter sports, so they started provincial games to identify and develop Olympic talent. The events were successful enough, especially the economic impact they generated, that the idea spread to the US along the east coast first but across the nation throughout the 80s. I believe Florida and New York had the first State Games in 1978. As the concept spread to the Midwest, it became less-focused on elite athletics and built more for people of all ages and abilities.

We had three founders, O.W. "Bill" Smith, for whom the Hastings Softball Complex is named; Dr. Richard Hammer, a high-level swimming official at the time and Jerry McGann, who led Nebraska youth track athletes to several national championships in the 80s. They pulled things together for a 19-sport festival that drew around 3,000 athletes. These days, we offer more than 70 sports and, in a normal year, there will be 10,000 athletes. Our main mission has always been to get all Nebraskans more physically active and healthy.

SAM: What has been and currently is your role with the NSC?

Mlnarik: I was hired to coordinate the games' statewide Torch Run in 1991. Back then, we conducted it somewhat like the Olympic Torch Run, starting at the western border and winding throughout the state with stops in a couple dozen communities to create awareness of the upcoming games and to give locals a free opportunity to participate in their own area.

SAM: How did growing up in Clearwater prepare you for this role?

Mlnarik: Growing up in a rural/ag community prepares kids for anything really, because it requires work ethic. But for me personally, growing up in Clearwater made me a sports nut. My dad didn't get to do high school sports because he had to work on the farm, but he was a great athlete and for many years, he really enjoyed town team sports, especially in basketball and baseball. He had us out in the yard and driveway most every night after work and he made sure we had opportunities to play the sports we wanted. It also helped having siblings and friends who enjoyed competition. Anyway, when I learned about the Cornhusker State Games, I was instantly attracted because of the variety of sports and the melding of athletes from all areas competing in one big thing.

SAM: What are your favorite competitions and stories from your years with the Cornhusker State Games?

Mlnarik: There are just way too many to pick, so I'll direct you to the presentation videos for our Athlete of the Year last year (2022), especially those of Buck Wood from Minden (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idQbkF6H5u4) and Doug Trent from Louisville (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRVXDR7qtWo). I get to help facilitate and then witness these types of stories year after year and it never gets old. Keeps me going!