At Nebraska Wesleyan’s annual football banquet, wide receiver John Klinker (Sr., Omaha, Neb., Ralston High School) earned the only team award given by the NWU football program when he was presented with the 2006 Chad Frisbie Award.

Though largely unheralded as a college player (Klinker had five receptions as a senior and 15 during his NWU career), the enthusiasm he brought to the field, sideline and locker room before, during and after games and practices was not lost on Nebraska Wesleyan’s coaches. He added toughness, and yet he kept his teammates loose, Head Coach Brian Keller said. Klinker helped the NAIA No. 23-ranked Prairie Wolves finish the season 7-3, their best record since 2000.

From serving as the public address announcer at home athletic events and JV football games to volunteering as emcee at NWU’s homecoming pep rally and Red Ribbon Day festivities with Huntington elementary students, Klinker’s personality and willingness to contribute in any way he could, will be missed after he graduates.

Klinker is the eighth player to receive the award, named in honor of Chad Frisbie, a former Nebraska Wesleyan football player from York, Neb., who died in 1998. The award is presented annually to the NWU football senior, who best embodies the spirit and courage Frisbie demonstrated during his long battle with cancer.

Chad Frisbie Award winners

1999 - Justin Stuart, SS

2000 - Christian Browning, SS

2001 - Travis Nisley, LB

2002 - Travis Andreasen, DB

2003 - Mike Bertschinger, WR

2004 - Ken Karel, DL

2005 - Scott Keller, LB

2006 - John Klinker, WR