Shatel: Bruce Benedict should be in the UNO Athletic Hall of Fame

Former World-Herald colleague Paul Hammel alerted me to what he considers an egregious oversight.

Bruce Benedict isn't in the UNO Athletics Hall of Fame.

Benedict, who was a two-time all-star in 12 seasons for the Atlanta Braves, grew up in Omaha. He went to Millard High (South) then played three seasons (1973-75) for coach Virgil Yelkin at UNO.

Benedict was drafted by the Braves in the fifth round of the 1976 MLB draft. He didn’t graduate from UNO.

That’s a sticking point.

According to Hammel, who played briefly with Benedict at UNO, the UNO hall requires inductees to be graduates of the school.

I understand the idea behind that. And in this era of the transfer portal, it seems more pertinent.

But athletes — including baseball and hockey players — who left early because they turned pro ought to be given an exemption.

Benedict, a catcher, was the first player in UNO history to make the major leagues. And he starred for the 1976 team, which won a school-record (at the time) 33 games and was the first to make the NCAA regionals.

UNO Athletic Director Adrian Dowell said Monday, “As intercollegiate athletics continues to evolve, we need to also make sure that our HOF selection processes evolve with the times ... so we can hopefully recognize even more outstanding former Mavericks.”

Sounds like the perfect time to revisit those processes.

And Benedict is the perfect place to start.

Iowa investigations

There’s not much to say about the report that the Iowa Gaming Commission has opened an investigation into Iowa baseball and athletes from three Iowa State programs.

On the heels of Alabama firing its baseball coach over suspicious betting activity on his own team, these are stories nobody wants to see.

NU baseball stars: A strange Nebraska baseball season begins a climactic two weeks at Schwab Field on Tuesday, with the hope of being back there in two weeks for the Big Ten tournament.

This is where it helps to have stars.

Max Anderson and Brice Mathews, how strong are your backs?

K-State's chess move

Kansas State Athletic Director Gene Taylor is a pretty savvy boss.

Coming off a Big 12 football championship and Sugar Bowl berth, Taylor gave coach Chris Klieman an eight-year extension worth $44 million.

That’s a chess move against all the would-be suitors who figure to come after Klieman in the coming years, armed with more cash.

But Klieman isn’t a guy seeking bigger jobs. He’s a fit at KSU.

And now he’s locked up through 2030, probably with a hefty buyout.

Klieman, an Iowa native, would be a natural candidate for the Iowa job — if and when Kirk Ferentz ever decides to retire.

Now? He’s set to lead K-State into a Big 12 world without Oklahoma and Texas — and wherever else realignment takes them.

Ten years ago, Bill Snyder, the legendary coach whose name is on Kansas State' stadium, received a five-year extension worth $14.75 million.

Timing is everything. K-State appears to understand that.

Three-on-three hoops

The Creighton women’s team winning the USA Basketball 3x3 Nationals tournament brings up a good idea: Would the NCAA consider a spring or summer three-on-three season? And would fans show up?

I believe they would.

John Cook's Memorial memories

One more and I’m outta here: The Memorial Stadium responses and stories have been rolling in and I want to include one that volleyball coach John Cook gave me last week.

Cook said his favorite Memorial Stadium memory came when Alex Henery kicked a 57-yard field goal to help beat Colorado in 2008.

“That’s the loudest I’ve ever heard it,” Cook said. “It felt like Memorial Stadium was shaking. I just remember it was in the evening, a beautiful night. Just the whole ambience and atmosphere at night. That’s always stuck with me.”

Keep the stories coming. The email box will be open all summer.