Omaha Honors Excellence in Athletics at the 2025 OSCAs
Omaha, NE, USA
OMAHA, NE – The lights were bright and the cheers were louder as the Omaha Sports Commission hosted its annual celebration of athletic excellence — the OSCAs — this week, honoring the region’s top athletes, coaches, teams, and media personalities. The event, often dubbed “Omaha’s Oscars of Sports,” brought the metro’s best and brightest under one roof to shine a spotlight on local talent that makes this city proud.
With a mix of glitz, heartfelt speeches, and roaring applause, eight major awards were handed out, culminating in the induction of this year’s Omaha Sports Hall of Fame Class — an exclusive club of the region’s greatest sports legends.
Award Highlights
🏅 Male Athlete of the Year nominees ranged from prep standouts to collegiate stars, including Omaha North’s Tyson Terry and Creighton’s towering Ryan Kalkbrenner. With a field this stacked, each nominee represented the grit and heart of Nebraska sports culture.
🏅 Female Athlete of the Year Presented by Renaissance Financial celebrated the powerhouse women driving success across multiple sports. From the spikes of Creighton volleyball’s Kendra Wait to the unstoppable speed of Westside’s track star Stella Miner, this category showcased Nebraska’s rising queens of competition.
🏆 Coach of the Year Awards for both male and female categories proved that leadership is just as crucial as athleticism. Coaches like Matt Turman (Skutt football) and Trish Siedlik (Bellevue volleyball) were recognized for elevating their programs and mentoring the next generation of champions.
👥 Team of the Year featured programs like the Omaha Supernovas — a rising pro volleyball force — and the Creighton University Volleyball team, who once again proved that Omaha is a volleyball town at heart.
⏱ Moment of the Year Presented by MECA brought out the crowd’s emotion and excitement. From Cade Haberman’s two-field-goal block that led NIU over Notre Dame to UNO Men’s Basketball going viral with a trash can skit, these unforgettable moments reminded fans why we love sports.
A Historic Win for Sports Media
While all awards celebrated excellence, one victory in particular stood out — the Steve Pivovar Sports Media Person of the Year, presented by the Omaha World-Herald, went to none other than Ana Bellinghausen of Hurrdat Sports and CBS Sports Network. Not only was Ana the first female ever nominated in this category, but she also took home the trophy — making her win a landmark moment in Omaha sports media history.
Ana has become a trusted and respected voice in sports broadcasting, covering everything from UNO athletics to national-level events with poise, passion, and a fierce dedication to storytelling. Her win wasn’t just about breaking a glass ceiling — it was about acknowledging the incredible work she’s put into shining a spotlight on Omaha’s athletic community.
And for our family in the audience, her win felt especially sweet seeing as she’s my wife’s cousin.
Honoring a Legacy
Rounding out the night, the Dr. Jack Lewis Sportsperson of the Year was awarded to Mike Cassling, a figure recognized not just for athletic contributions but for making a broader impact on Omaha’s sports community and youth outreach.
Finally, the 2025 class of the Omaha Sports Hall of Fame was officially inducted, immortalizing a new wave of local legends who have left their mark on the fields, courts, and arenas of our city.
From high school heroes to professional trailblazers, the 2025 OSCAs proved once again why Omaha is one of the Midwest’s best sports cities — full of talent, tenacity, and just the right amount of flair.
See you next year, and congrats to all the nominees and winners!