University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Recognition: Athlete

Gene Lawhead earned 11 letters in football, track, and basketball during his career from 1956 to 1960. A quarterback in football, the Cozad athlete earned Nebraska College Conference honors twice and was a two-time Little All-American honorable mention. As a senior, he also was the leading punter for coach Al Zikmund’s team. In the four years Lawhead played, the Lopers lost only three games. All four years as a track athlete, Lawhead was the team’s top high jumper, setting the school record. He also competed in the pole vault and the shot put. Lawhead also was a three-year letter winner as a guard for the basketball team.