Tom Osborne Inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame
Lincoln, NE - 09/18/2026 - Tom Osborne is officially the 28th member of the Nebraska Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony in the State Capitol Rotunda today included a proclamation by Governor Jim Pillen, remarks by Tom Osborne, remarks from Nebraska Hall of Fame Commissioner Jim Rose, and attended by Nebraska Hall of Fame Commissioners and other special guests.
“The Commission is honored to host the induction ceremony for Dr. Tom Osborne at the State Capitol,” said Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission Chair and Master of Ceremonies Dr. Sara Crook.
“Coach Osborne is widely known for his leadership, integrity, honor, and compassion,” said Crook. “His accomplishments include mentoring thousands of student athletes on and off the field, in the classroom, and devoting the past 33 years to the TeamMates Mentoring Program he and his wife Nancy founded in 1991.
“Following his legendary coaching career that included five national championships, three of them as head coach, TO, as he’s affectionately called by adoring Nebraskans, continued to serve his home state in the U.S. House of Representatives for three terms from Nebraska’s 3rd congressional district from 2000 to 2006. His service continued as Nebraska’s 13th athletic director from 2007-2013.”
“Tom is a humble son of our state who has dedicated his life’s work to our young people,” said Hall of Fame broadcaster and former voice of Husker football Jim Rose. “First as a legendary college football coach whose teams delivered not only just great victories, memorable moments and championships, but with them a rare loyalty that begot a pride of place that we Nebraskans had never before known.”
The Nebraska Legislature passed Legislative Bill 596 last April, updating state law to allow living individuals to be inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame for their extraordinary and lasting contributions to the state, including exemplary public service, leadership in collegiate athletics, and dedication to youth membership. Following the bill’s passage, the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission voted unanimously, 7-0, making Tom Osborne the state's first living Hall of Fame inductee and bestowing upon him prestigious recognition in Nebraska’s history as a great role model for all Nebraskans as a servant leader.
The bust of Tom Osborne, which will reside in the State Capitol along with the 27 other Nebraska Hall of Fame members’ likenesses, was designed and created by world-renowned artist and native Nebraskan Matthew Placzek. His work includes more than 200 sculptures that have become iconic landmarks and have been featured in numerous national art and architectural publications.
###
About the Nebraska Hall of Fame
The Nebraska Hall of Fame officially recognizes prominent individuals from the state of Nebraska. Twenty-eight busts located in the Nebraska State Capitol commemorate members of the Hall of Fame.
About the Nebraska State Historical Society (NSHS)
The Nebraska State Historical Society collects, preserves, studies and shares the state’s history for all Nebraskans. The agency was founded in 1878 by citizens who recognized Nebraska was going through great changes and sought to record the stories of both Indigenous and immigrant peoples. It was designated a state institution in 1883 and became a state agency in 1994. The NSHS has historical sites around the state including the Chimney Rock Ethel S. and Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center and Museum, the Fort Robinson History Center in the northwest Panhandle, Neligh Mill in Neligh, John G. Neihardt Center in Bancroft, Sen. George Norris House in McCook, Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center in Omaha, Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln, and more than 600 historical markers around the state. NSHS is also the administrative agency for the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission.