University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Recognition: Athlete

Merlin Bachman, a 1956 graduate whose education was interrupted by the Korean War, lettered three times in both football and basketball and twice in track. When he was named All-American by the Helms Athletic Foundation in 1955, he was the first Antelope so recognized. During his senior year, the Antelopes won the conference championship and beat Northern State of South Dakota 34-13 in the first Botany Bowl.