Nothing attracts attention like walking around with a championship belt.
While the practice once was limited to boxers and wrestlers who hold world championships, it has spread to other competitions. In Nebraska, that includes an administrator in SkillsUSA who is presented each year with the President’s Award.
Wade Herley, a longtime Northeast Community College leader, laughs when he recalls all the attention the belt has brought. While Herley isn’t one to seek the spotlight, he gladly will take the additional attention the belt brings as it helps to promote SkillsUSA and its importance.
“We have a lot of people in SkillsUSA who love sports. I love sports. And I know we have had a few athletes who have gone pro and collect a paycheck. But every one of my students in SkillsUSA is going pro. They all are going pro,” Herley said.
Herley received the President’s Award for all his work to promote and enhance SkillsUSA. The belt is a traveling trophy, possessed for a year until the next winner is named next spring.
While the organization has been around for 60 years and Northeast has been arguably the top collegiate performer in Nebraska in recent years, there are still some people who are not familiar with it. For those unfamiliar, SkillsUSA is an organization that boosts workforce development skills, including holding competitions.
Herley is a strong supporter of SkillsUSA because it helps to bring attention to the skills needed in the workforce, especially among community college and high school students.
“They surprised me with this one,” Herley said. “I ordered the belt. I designed the belt (which was made at Northeast), but I didn’t really see myself winning it. And then they were surprised that I was surprised when I won it (earlier this year).”
Herley has seen SkillsUSA become more popular in recent years, including at the community college level. With all the attention it has received, including some legislators who have taken notice, Herley said he could see the number of students taking part doubling over the next five years.
“Northeast has done very well,” he said. “But with the right kind of support, we could be bringing 150 of our best students to the (state) competition. So could Southeast. So could Metro. We’re close to getting that spark.”
Just like a high tide raises all boats, growing interest and expanding the SkillsUSA competition will benefit all the colleges and universities, as well as the high schools that take part.
Northeast has been a heavyweight in SkillsUSA at the state level and a school that punches above its weight at the national level.
The state competition takes place each year at Fonner Park in Grand Island. The facility is the ideal place with plenty of buildings and room for the competitions, with easy access to and from the grounds.
Herley said he took the belt and walked around with it on the competition floor in Grand Island.
“All the students came up and asked, ‘What’s that?’ Then suddenly, you find yourself talking to students, and most of them are high school students. It’s a perfect tool to recruit,” Herley said. “They loved it.”
Herley credits Northeast’s strong technical and academic programs and faculty, as well as students who work hard, as the reason why Northeast has done so well over the years.
President’s Award Winner
Northeast Community College’s Wade Herley received this year’s President’s Award, given to an administrator who helps to promote and bring interest to SkillsUSA. (Northeast Community College)
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