VIDEO TRIBUTE
The Omaha Athletic department lost a giant with the passing of athletic director emeritus Don Leahy in February of 2018.
"It is difficult to overstate Mr. Leahy's impact, not only on our department, but on the campus as a whole," said Trev Alberts, Vice Chancellor of Athletics. "His long-time association with Omaha Athletics brought about profound change to the department and positively affected countless student-athletes, fellow administrators and staff.
"He was someone who very early on recognized the contribution UNO Athletics could make to both the campus community and to greater Omaha. He was a strategic thinker, a tireless worker and a warm and genuine person. No one was a more positive representative for UNO and while we are saddened by his passing, we also are fondly remembering his time with us."
Mr. Leahy began his association with UNO in 1974 when he became athletic director, the first of two stints at the position. He immediately moved to elevate the Mavericks to the North Central Conference, at the time one of the strongest Division II conferences in the country. The move, which was completed two years later, boosted the Mavericks in prominence and competition. UNO would go on to win or share the NCC Championship in football nine times and four times in men's basketball before the dissolution of the conference in 2008.
Remarkably, Mr. Leahy also served as the offensive coordinator of the football team for three seasons during the transition from independent to NCC membership.
Mr. Leahy's second stint as athletic director lasted just two years (1995-97), but he had an equally momentous effect on the fortunes of the athletic department in that short time. At the request of then Chancellor Del Weber, he was charged with starting a Division I hockey program at UNO. Mr. Leahy assembled a broad, influential committee of Omaha citizens who helped lay the foundation for Maverick hockey. Less than a year later, UNO announced that it would field a team beginning in the 1997-98 season.
"Don Leahy was my friend. We worked together closely for about 16 years," said Weber. "I have never met a more principled man. He was highly respected for his athletic knowledge, but even more so for the values by which he lived.
"Don was a Maverick through and through," Weber added. "He attended every basketball and hockey game long after he left as Athletic Director. We all have lost a real friend and valued colleague."
Mr. Leahy moved quickly to hire Mike Kemp as the hockey team's first head coach in June of 1996 and later oversaw a season ticket drive that netted almost 6,400 seats reserved in just 16 days.
"I always will be very grateful to Don for giving me the opportunity to come to Omaha and be a part of this remarkable campus," said Kemp, now Associate Athletic Director. "He hired me twice, first as the coach of our short-lived club team in the mid-70s and then as the head coach when we began to play at the Division I level. He was always a great supporter of the program as well as a valued mentor and friend."
Mr. Leahy had moved on by the time the Mavericks first took the ice in October of 1997, but he maintained his connection to UNO Athletics throughout, regularly attending Maverick games and events as a fan.
Mr. Leahy rejoined UNO Athletics for the last time in 2009, returning as athletic director emeritus at the invitation of Alberts. Mr. Leahy served in an advisory role during Alberts' transition into the job, a role he maintained until his passing.
An Omaha native, Mr. Leahy graduated from Creighton Prep and later attended college at Marquette University, receiving his bachelor of science degree in 1952 while also playing football there. He returned home and earned his master's degree from Creighton in 1958. He would work at Creighton Prep from 1952 to 1972, serving as a teacher, administrator and coach. In 17 seasons, he led the school to eight state football championships.
From 1972-74, Mr. Leahy was the director of coliseum activities at Ak-Sar-Ben in Omaha before becoming UNO's athletic director.
Mr. Leahy is a member of the UNO Athletics Hall of Fame, the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame and the North Central Conference Hall of Fame. He was named the Creighton Prep Alumnus of the Year in 1974. In addition, his name adorns the football practice field at Prep.
Mr. Leahy is pre-deceased by his wife, Carmen. Together, they had three children – Richard, John and Mary Leahy Bayne.
