Our Goal

Cecil McKnight was born and raised in Nebraska City, Nebraska. His love of sports began at an early age. In high school he was active in Football, Basketball, Track and Band. He held the school long jump record for many years. His nick-name in high school and college was “Rabbit” due to his speed. Immediately following his 1946 graduation at NCHS, he served 2 years in the Navy and returned to Nebraska to attend Peru State College. He played football and ran track through his college years, graduating from Peru in 1952 with an Education Degree to teach industrial arts and coach. He started his years at Plattsmouth High School in 1954. While he coached about every sport during his 38 years at PHS, he was well known across the State for his exceptional track and cross-country teams. The fact that his track teams were successful, when the school did not have a track to practice on or ever have a home meet until the Spring of 1972, is phenomenal! That track (now at the Middle School) was dedicated as “Cecil McKnight Field” in 1995.

Cecil’s track teams won 45 duals, 21 triangulars, 48 invitational championships, 13 conference championships, 13 district titles, was runner-up at the State Meet three times and State Champion Team in 1976. He had seven individual first place finishers at the State Meets and over the years, qualified 252 athletes for State, an average of 6.8 per year.

Cecil began coaching Cross-Country in the fall of 1972. During his years, his boys and girls teams racked up 31 invitational wins, 28 second place finishes, 6 District runners-up, been District Champion 7 times, State runner-up once and was State Champion for three consecutive years in 1973, 1974, and 1975. During his head coaching years the teams finished in the top ten, fourteen times in 20 years of running. Cecil retired from teaching and coaching in June 1992.

Cecil, was known as “Cap” by his students. He has been the recipient of many awards and honors over the years, a few of them, are: Nebraska School Activities Association Service Award, Peru State College Service Award, Honorary Starter at the Peru State Invitational Track Meet, 25-year Coaching Award from the Nebraska Coaches Association, 25-year Service Award from the Plattsmouth Booster Club, Games Committee member at Nebraska State Track Meet, Nebraska Coaches Association “Binnie & Dutch” Award, Peru State College Hall of Fame, Plattsmouth Hall of Fame, and the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame.

Cecil served his community very well. He was active in American Legion Post 56, Eagles Aire 365, and 40&8 Voiture Local 1218. A dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church in Plattsmouth. The activities of a busy family of 3 boys and 1 girl, gave him the opportunity to run the summer youth baseball program for many years. He helped with the actual construction of the Legion Baseball Field. He coached and played slow pitch softball. He taught driver’s education for 24 summers. His family kept him busy as a boy-scout leader, band parent and little league coach. He was honored by the community, for his service in 1984 when he was named King of Kornland at the Harvest Festival.

Cecil was not only a great coach, he was also a good spectator. He traveled with friends to almost all of the HUSKER Football Bowl Games, he was a regular at the College World Series, the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, Husker baseball and volleyball. He played golf as much as possible! He especially loved following his 10 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren in all their activities. Coach McKnight and his bride Lila of 63 years, spent a lot of time supporting the activities in all kinds of ways over the years and loved every minute of it!