Lincoln, Nebraska — This is the day for the annual Iowa versus Nebraska football game, known as the “Heroes Game.”
As part of the rivalry game, citizen heroes were selected from each state. Iowa’s hero teaches school in Paullina.
Agriculture teacher Eric Kumm was selected as Iowa’s Hero. Both recipients will be recognized Friday (today) at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
Officials at the University of Nebraska say the Heroes Game was created to honor the rich football traditions of the University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska football programs while also annually honoring community heroes in both states. The 2023 citizen heroes have positively impacted the community and stand as an inspiration to others.
Kumm’s nomination says he has been a vocational agriculture teacher and FFA advisor since 1997 in the South O’Brien school district. It says he has been an incredible influence on countless young minds. It goes on to say that there are many kids in rural Iowa who found their love and passion for agriculture under his tutelage. Without his guidance, many small towns in Northwest Iowa would be without veterinarians, agronomists, welders, ag teachers, farmers and many other ag related jobs that students found their passion for under Kumm, according to the nomination.
Josh Hicks is Nebraska’s Hero. His nomination says he is an HVAC technician accustomed to heavy lifts, and was at the right place at the right time, as he played a pivotal role in rescuing and pulling a man from a van that tumbled off a highway into a lake near Wichita, Kansas this past July.
