2025 NEMFCA 8-Man Hall of Fame Inductee Salutes - Joe E. Svoboda, Lawrence High School

JOE E. SVOBODA – LAWRENCE HIGH SCHOOL

Joe was a stand-out ball carrier for Hall of Fame Coach Curt Johnson’s legendary Panther teams of the early 1980’s. His 1,477 yards helped carry the program to a 10-2 record and the 1980 Class D-1 State Finals. In the process, Joe became a foundational building block for the Lawrence Football Dynasty- one that would go on to win three state titles in the 1980’s and contend for and win several more in the decades to come. During his storied prep career, Joe was twice selected as a 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-Area, and 1st Team All-State player. He was also named the Honorary Captain of the All-State Team and Nebraska’s Eight-Man Player of the Year for 1980. Joe was later selected to play in the 1981 Eight-Man All Star Game, where his participation began a family tradition that included both of his brothers (Arnie in 1982 and Dan in 1985) as well as both of his sons (Chance in 2006 and Garret in 2010)- both of whom were named the Most Valuable Defensive players of their respective games. The NEMFCA is honored to now welcome him into the Eight Man Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

1000 Yard Guy sez: Joe E. was one tough hombre back in the late 1970's and 1980 as were his brothers and boys. Talk about a tough family!

Joe E. was a guy you just didn't want to meet head on if you were a linebacker and if you did you paid for it. You’ve seen the cartoons when you were a kid of somebody getting knocked cuckoo and the little birds flying around their head? Those were the consequences when you met Joe E . Svoboda head on back in that day. Man, those Lawrence kids were tough!