University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Recognition: Athlete/Coach

Paul “Bernie” Forch was a three-sport athlete for the Antelopes in the 1950's and went on to be one of the most successful prep basketball coaches in Nebraska. An all-stater from Stratton, he competed in basketball, football and track for Kearney State before graduating in 1958. 

As head basketball coach at McCook High School from 1962-67, his teams won four West Big Ten championships and were the 1965 Class B state runners up. In 1967 he was named the first-ever basketball coach at Lincoln East High School. For the Spartans, his teams won the 1971 and 1978 state titles and were state runners up on four occasions. Coaching an up-tempo and fast-paced style, Forch led the program for 28 seasons and reached the Class A state tourney 13 times. 

He was named the Lincoln Journal State Coach of the Year in 1971 and, in 1990, became one of the first coaches to reaches the 400-win milestone. Finally, Forch is a member of the NSAA Hall of Fame.