Reminder: Entry Fees Increase After Wednesday, April 24

LINCOLN, Neb. (April 23, 2024) — Nebraska Sports Council officials announced today that Josiah and Rebekah Allick will light the caldron to kick off the 40th Anniversary Cornhusker State Games at Opening Night festivities July 11 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.

The Cornhusker State Games, Nebraska’s premier multi-sport event for athletes of all ages and abilities, will take place July 11-21 at sports venues in multiple communities across the state including Lincoln, Omaha, Columbus, Fremont, Grand Island, and North Platte.

Registration is open at CornhuskerStateGames.com, and all registrations include an athlete shirt and other sponsored perks valued at more than $50, provided they are registered by the June 19 shirt deadline. Athletes are encouraged to enter on or before this Wednesday to avoid a price increase that takes effect on April 25.

Nebraska Sports Council President Dave Mlnarik said the Allicks are the perfect choice to kick off the Games’ 40th edition. He noted that Rebekah played an integral role in the Husker volleyball team’s national runner-up finish, and Josiah came home to help the Husker men’s basketball team get back into the race for the Big 10 title and into the NCAA tournament for the first time in 10 years.

“We are thrilled to have Rebekah and Josiah represent all Nebraska athletes in this milestone year. Their skill and work ethic are undeniable, and their character, positive energy and team-first mentality have provided inspiration and pride for our entire state,” Mlnarik said

Rebekah Allick, in her sophomore Husker volleyball season, was named to the AVCA All-Region Team and All-Big Ten Second Team for the second year in a row. Her 1.5 blocks per set ranked second among Big Ten players and seventh in the nation and was the No. 2 mark in school history in the rally scoring era.

Josiah Allick, who joined the Husker men’s basketball team after three seasons at UMKC and one season at New Mexico, averaged 7.3 points per game on 55 percent shooting, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He was universally lauded for his leadership ability, passion and hustle as well as his athleticism and dedication to the game.

The Cornhusker State Games is conducted by the Nebraska Sports Council, a 501 c 3 non-profit organization with a mission of promoting healthy, active lifestyle choices. The organization is funded primarily by corporate sponsorships.

Platinum partners include: Farmers Mutual of Nebraska, the Nebraska Medical Association, Nebraska Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine and Pepsi-Cola of Lincoln.

Diamond partners include: ALLO Fiber, Alpha Media, Arby’s of Lincoln, CHI Health St. Elizabeth, Dormie Network, KOLN KGIN TV, Leadership Resources, Lincoln Sports Foundation, Midwest Tile, Marble and Granite, Nebraska Lottery, News Channel Nebraska, Revolution Wraps, Sampson Construction, and Sandhills Global.

Gold partners include: Casey’s, Electronic Contracting Company, Fremont & Dodge County CVB, Gateway Mall, Graduate Lincoln, Grand Island Independent, J & H Specialty Contracting, Kearney Visitors Bureau, Liberty First Credit Union, Lincoln Federal Savings Bank, Pillar Restaurant Group, redthread, Scheels – Lincoln, TMCO, Inc., Visit Lincoln, Visit North Platte, and Visual Edge IT.

Silver partners include: AKRS Equipment, Biggerstaff Plumbing, Heating & AC, Bison, Inc., Black Hills Energy, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, Bruning Law Group, Certified Piedmontese, Complete Weddings + Events, Cycle Works / Moose’s Tooth, Decision Logic / Aviture, Digital Sky, Empire Netting and Fence, Firespring, Grinnell Mutual, Hiland Dairy, Home Services, Honda of Lincoln, Kawasaki, Kidwell, Liberty First Credit Union Arena, Lincoln Pediatric Dentistry, Lincoln Pediatric Group, Lincoln Saltdogs, Morrow Collision Center, NE Textile & Supply, Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association, Nebraska State Fair, Nebraskaland Days, Norland Pure, Omaha Steaks, Paul Davis Restoration, Raising Canes, Rallis & Bonilla Orthodontics, Renaissance Financial, Runza, Scheels – Omaha, Single Barrel, Southeast Community College, Sysco – Lincoln, TELCOR, Unanimous, and Yankee Hill Brick.

Bronze partners include: AmericInn Lincoln South, Ameritas, Amigos / Kings Classic, Arby’s Of Omaha, BounceU, C.S. Guenzel Co., City of Columbus, Commonwealth Electric, College of Journalism and Mass Communications, Columbus Area CVB, Continental, Cox, Crete Carrier Corp. / Shaffer Trucking, Dial Senior Living, Enable Savings Plan, First Interstate Bank, Grand Island Tourism, Hohl Orthodontics, Hornady, IC energy solutions, IES Electric, Image Inflators, IMT Insurance, Jorgensen Physical Therapy Group, Kinkaider Brewing, Lincoln Premium Poultry, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Nebraska Sheriffs’ Association, Nightcap Management, Olsson, Pinnacle Bank, Play Sports Lincoln, Pratt Industries, Sowers Club of Lincoln Foundation, Speece Lewis – A Bowman Company, Super Saver, The Scarlet Hotel, TO Haas Tire & Auto, Triumph Home Health Supplies, UBT, Unico Group, Valentinos, Walmart / Sam’s Club, Wilkinson Companies, and Younes Hospitality.