Gibson Field at Niobrara County High School

School Board Votes to Name NCHS Gridiron Gibson Field
The Lusk Herald, March 17, 1960

Last Thursday night the Niobrara County School Board voted to name the NCHS football field the "Gibson Field" in memory of the late George Gibson and to allow the Lusk Lions Club to construct a memorial to Mr. Gibson on the grounds.

The field, which had never been officially named, was first used in the 1958 season, and is located just south of NCHS.

To date the Lusk Lions Club has received $1393.70 in memorial contributions with which to build a suitable memorial and improve the facilities of the field. Donations are still coming in at a rapid clip. Receipts for all donations are being issued and the names of all donors are being given to the family. C.E. Hollen is chairman of the Lions committee and James E. Barret is treasurer. Other members are: Arthur Dalgarno, Grady Criss, Gordon Kaan, Jim Griffith, Jr.

The type of facilities which will be built have not yet been determined but will be under the supervision of the Niobrara School board. The type of facilities will be determined primarily by how much the donations total.

Community Dedicates Field, Memorial to George Gibson

People of Niobrara County joined the Lusk Lions Club in dedicating Friday night a memorial to the late George Gibson and the Niobrara County High School athletic field that had been named for him. Governor J.J. Hickey and Secretary of State Jack Gage added significance to the occasion by their presence. A Crawford-NCHS football game was the appropriate feature event.

The handsome concrete memorial with inset granite which was presented by the Lions Club was itself evidence of the esteem in which Mr. Gibson was held, because contributions from the community and over the state had helped build it. But in a larger sense, the athletic field was the true memorial because its activity is the center of Mr. Gibson's great love--youth and sports--and its construction was the very epitome of what George stood for--community endeavor and cooperation, (The field was built with the cooperative effort of many individuals and organization.)

The granite plaque on the front of the memorial, which contains 16 yards of concrete , says, "To George Gibson and the Heritage he left us." Seven granite plaques on top tell a few of the events that meant so much to Mr. Gibson and the community.

The dedication ceremony was short and with an air of dignity.

The Seventh Cavalry Band, an organization which Mr. Gibson originated, furnished the music and never played better.

The Legion and the Elks, organizations to which Mr. Gibson belonged, presented the colors. Arthur Dalgarno, a past Lusk Lions president, served as master of ceremonies. Leslie Huff, Lions president, gave introductory remarks. Governor J.J. Hickey formally dedicated the memorial and presented it to the Niobrara County School District. Gordon Kaan, president of the Niobrara School District, officially accepted the memorial, saying, "The schools and the community are inseparable.....let this memorial be always a challenge to each of us to exemplify Mr. Gibson's faith in our community and our school system. "

C.E. Hollen, Lions Club Gibson Memorial Committee chairman said, "The many things that George Gibson did to make people happy are, and will be, for many years to come etched in our minds."

Mrs. Ethel Gibson, widow of Mr. Gibson, unveiled the memorial.

C.E. Marvin, a past president of the Lions Club and a long time close friend of Mr. Gibson, presented the flag to be flown over the memorial to NCHS. The school was represented by Karen Tyrrel, NCHS Student Council President, John Fernau, council vice president, and Randy Krekeler, Senior Class president.

Coye Jennewein designed and sculptured the memorial. It was built by Oscar Bostrum from funds that were contributed from all walks of life throughout this community and many from away.

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