Athletics, TEDxUNO highlight special week
Five home wins for UNO Athletics and a sold-out TEDxUNO capped an exciting few days on campus.
- contact: Jason Buzzell - University Communications
- email: jbuzzell@unomaha.edu
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It was literally a five-star week on campus as thousands from across Omaha watched UNO’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams, as well as UNO Hockey, go undefeated at home on Pacific Campus, while UNO hosted its second annual TEDxUNO on Dodge Campus in front of a sold-out Strauss Performing Arts Center.
Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 10 and 11
Wednesday night Omaha was a buzz with the Men’s Basketball win over then conference-leading South Dakota State 96-92. If that wasn’t enough, the Women went out a night later and defeated Fort Wayne 71-64. Junior Mikaela Shaw paced the home team with her tenth double-double of the season, 23 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Friday, Feb. 12
Men’s Hockey triumphed 2-1 over the Western Michgan Broncos thanks to a stellar game by Edmonton Oilers' prospect Tyler Vesel who went 15 for 24 in the faceoff circle and netted a shorthanded marker in the first period. Austin Ortega found the back of the net for his eighth game-winning goal of the season and his 20th for his career.
Saturday, Feb. 13
Saturday was an even busier day on campus. First at Baxter with both Men’s Basketball and Hockey doubleheader planned. Baxter Arena staff would have to make a quick transition after the UNO Men’s Basketball team knocked off North Dakota State 76-69. Senior forward Jake White led the way with game highs of 23 points and seven rebounds while adding an assist and a steal.
Meanwhile right up the road on Dodge Campus more than 500 people from the community took in the second annual TEDxUNO, which sold out weeks ahead of time. The day ended with international speaker, business strategist, and author Stacey Flowers giving an inspiring speech on how to “catch happiness.”
UNO’s own Dr. Nick Stergiou, Distinguished Community Research Chair in Biomechanics, shared how variability in movement can help change people’s lives, including veterans, young babies or the elderly. Alumna Hannah Olson gave the most moving talk of the day with how she bravely battled bullying and succeeded despite of it. Videos of the talks will be shared in the next couple weeks here.
That might have been enough to celebrate a great week, but the UNO Hockey team dusted off the brooms to make it really special when later that night the team finished off the sweep of Western Michigan with a 6-3 victory. Vesel added two more goals, as did the team’s leader in points, Jake Guentzel.
The wins on the ice and court as well as a sold out TEDxUNO and smooth operations at all of the events were a testament to the staff working the events, the student athletes and coaches, as well as the incredible speakers. Equally impressive was how the community was able to enjoy the sporting action and different ideas were shared and exchanged that brought people together from all over the city to the heart of our campus - Omaha.
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- With files from omavs.com