Nebraska-Omaha athletic director Bob Danenhauer announced his resignation Wednesday after seven years on the job. The resignation is effective Oct. 29.
Danenhauer, a Nebrask-Omaha graduate, is leaving UNO to become the Coordinator of Athletics and Supervisor of Physical Education for the Omaha Public Schools system.
“I will always love my alma mater, UNO,” Danenhauer said. “But you can never pick and choose when opportunities come up. I am looking to downsize my life and do what’s best for me and my family.”
Danenhauer became the UNO director of athletics July 1, 1997, after nearly two years as the assistant athletic director. In that span, the Mavericks added Division I ice hockey, which began play in October of 1997, and earned entry into the CCHA. UNO has consistently been an attendance leader since joining the D-I hockey ranks. The school won two Division II national titles (softball in 2001, and wrestling in 2004) under Danenhauer’s watch.
Also during his tenure, the $6.6 million Sapp Fieldhouse expansion/renovation project was completed on Sept. 18, 1998. The project added over 40,000 square feet and renovated the existing 71,664 square feet of space in the Fieldhouse.
“As UNO’s athletic director, Bob Danenhauer guided the program’s renaissance — overseeing UNO’s entry into Division I Ice Hockey, the expansion and renovation of the Fieldhouse, the development of both fan and donor bases, and the addition of new women’s sports,” UNO Chancellor Nancy Belck said. “He leaves the program strong, vital and well-prepared for future success. … Bob’s infectious enthusiasm, boundless energy, and team-player approach will be missed by the entire UNO campus community.:
Danenhauer was an all-North Central Conference defensive lineman with the Mavericks in 1980 and later went on to play for Seattle and Buffalo in the National Football League. After earning his degree in 1982, he was head wrestling coach at Millard North in 1985-88 and twice was named district coach of the year. He went on to become the head coach at Hays, Kan., High School from 1989-92 and earned a master’s degree from Fort Hays State in 1993.
A native of Omaha, Danenhauer’s father, Bill, was UNO’s head football coach from 1975-77.
