Former CSC Football Star, Hall Of Fame Member Dies

By Con Marshall

              Michael Sorensen, a Chadron State College graduate who was an outstanding football player for the Eagles and was a member of the CSC Athletic Hall of Fame, died unexpectedly on Thursday, Aug. 4 at Imperial, Neb.

              Sorensen, 54, had been the principal at Chase County High School at Imperial, but this fall was to become the principal at nearby Wauneta-Palisade. He also was to serve as that school’s activities director and boys’ basketball coach. 

              His wife, the former Nancy Schnell of Alliance, also graduated from CSC, was an outstanding volleyball player for the Eagles and is the elementary school principal of the Perkins County Schools at Grant.

              A native of Wheatland, Wyo., Sorensen was a three-year starter at offensive right guard for the Eagles 1988-90. The team finished the 1989 and ’90 regular seasons undefeated and advanced to the NAIA playoffs both years.  He was placed on the Omaha World-Herald’s NAIA State College All-Star Team both seasons.

              At the end of the ’90 season, Head Coach Brad Smith was quoted as saying that Sorensen may have been the best guard for his size (6-foot, 220 pounds) in the nation. 

              “He played like a 250-pounder,” Smith said. “What he got done was amazing. He’s been a great worker and a great technician.”  It also was noted that Sorensen had 4.6-second speed in the 40-yard dash.

              Besides teaching, coaching and serving as principal at Chase County High during two stints, the first one from 2006 through 2015, he had been the assistant principal and activities director at Northwest High School at Grand Island during his career.

Funeral services will be Saturday afternoon, August 13, at 2:00 P.M. (MT) at the Imperial Berean Church with Pastor Matt Maxwell officiating. Visitation will be Friday afternoon from 3-6:00 P.M. (MT) at Liewer Funeral Home in Imperial.

Memorials in Mike’s memory have been suggested to the Sorensen family for a future designation. Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com