Drive comes easily to Jack Buddecke, Elkhorn High School graduate and Elkhorn Athletic Association (EAA) scholarship winner. “I get motivated by wanting to become a better version of myself every day. Every practice or offseason workout was an opportunity to improve skills and get faster and stronger.” Buddecke started out playing baseball, basketball, and football through EAA teams, and then went on to play football and basketball all four years at Elkhorn High, making the golf team his senior year as well. “I was fortunate to make state in all three sports during my senior year, including a football state championship and a basketball runner-up finish. It was a great experience playing with and against the best athletes in this state that are moving on to college football, basketball, and baseball careers.”
In addition to Elkhorn High athletics, Buddecke is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Dan Feickert, Elkhorn High Head Football coach said, “Jack Buddecke is an outstanding athlete and student because he is a great person. Jack is caring, kind, and has a tremendous work ethic that has led to his success both on and off the field.”
Buddecke is most proud of the run the basketball team made his senior year. “We went from a four-win team our freshman year to the highest expectations going into our senior year. We lived up to those expectations and finished runner-up at state. Even though we fell short in overtime, we improved tremendously over the four years we were there and competed for a state championship.” According to Benji Hoegh, Head Basketball coach at Elkhorn High school, “Jack worked really hard to put himself in position to contribute his senior year. His athleticism, toughness, and nose for the ball were qualities that really helped us. I am really proud of Jack and also want to recognize the teammate and person that he is.”
Buddecke plans to keep the focus on fitness in the future. “I am attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where I will be majoring in nutrition, exercise and health sciences and plan on pursuing a career in the medical field. Hopefully one day I have a family and little kids running around playing some sports so I can go to all their games.”
