Dan was an outstanding athlete for the Panthers and Coach Wayne Morfeld in the early 1980’s. In his junior year of 1983, he helped his team to a 10-2 record and a state semi-final appearance. Then in 1984, he led the Panthers all the way to an undefeated season and the Class D-1 State Championship. While amassing over 2,000 yards of total offense (39 TD’s), Dan was named 1st Team All-Area and 1st Team All-State. He also played safety of defense, where he tallied 20 career Interceptions and kicked both PAT’s and field goals for his team. Dan’s state-record (at the time) field goal in the 1984 semi- finals was the difference in an icy 3-0 victory that propelled Leigh into the state title game and an eventual championship. After his highly successful prep career, Dan was selected to play in both the Eight-Man All-Star game and the Nebraska Shrine Bowl. From 1985 to 1989, he became a successful 2-year starter and NAIA Academic All-American while playing safety for Kearney State College/University of Nebraska-Kearney. Dan fondly remembers all of the special moments in this era that he shared with his teammates, coaches, and family. The NEMFCA is honored to welcome him into the Eight-Man Hall of Fame Class of 2025.