Osborne Hall of Fame Inductee

Wednesday, Governor Jim Pillen spoke on behalf of the nomination of legendary former football coach, congressman, and youth advocate Tom Osborne for induction as the first living member into the state’s Hall of Fame. Commission members voted unanimously in favor of Osborne’s inclusion, where he will join 27 other distinguished Nebraskans whose busts are displayed inside the State Capitol.

Addressing members of the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission, Gov. Pillen summarized many of Osborne’s accomplishments throughout the years, including some that are less known, like his military service, earning a doctorate in educational psychology and serving as a tutor for former Husker Coach Bob Devaney.

What began in 1991 as a local initiative with just 22 Husker football players mentoring middle schoolers in Lincoln has expanded into the TeamMates Mentoring Program, becoming the largest school-based mentoring initiative in the nation. Co-founded by Osborne and his wife Nancy, the program now includes more than 140 chapters across 130 communities and has served more than 50,000 students across the Midwest.

Beyond the field and his mentorship program, Osborne served three terms representing Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives before returning to the University of Nebraska as its athletic director. 

No official induction ceremony date has been set. However, Gov. Jim Pillen said he would like to hold the ceremony at a location other than the traditional State Capitol, to allow the broader community to gather and recognize Osborne’s impact.