Nebraska Eight Man Football Coaches Association 2023 Hall of Fame Salutes - Ben Eisenhart

Memorial Day marks the beginning of my salutes to the Nebraska Eight-Man Coaches Association 2023 Hall of Fame inductees. I am so honored to be a part of the NEMFCA Hall of Fame selection committee, as we present our most recent Hall of Fame Class.

The induction ceremony will be held at halftime of the 46th annual Sertoma Eight-Man All-Star Game to be played at Hastings College. Kickoff for the game will be 6:00 p.m.

It is with great pleasure I present the first of our '23 inductees, the great Ben Eisenhart of Culbertson high school.

BEN EISENHART – CULBERTSON HIGH SCHOOL

From 1999 to 2002, Ben was an explosive offensive player that led the Bears to four consecutive state playoff appearances. In his final two seasons, Ben amassed over 4,200 rushing yards and 59 touchdowns at Culbertson. In that same span, he also toppled state playoff records (at the time) for both rushing yards (445), and touchdowns (7) in a game.

On the defensive side of the ball, he tallied 22 career interceptions and became a 4-time All-Conference honoree, as well as a two-time 1st Team All-State selection. After high school, Ben went on to play for the University of Nebraska, where he appeared in 41 career games. As a Cornhusker, he was a 3-time letter winner and in 2007, was awarded a coveted “Blackshirt” jersey as a member of the famed Husker Defense.

After his senior season, Ben also received the prestigious “Cletus Fischer Native Son Award”- given to the player that best exemplifies work ethic, leadership, and love for Nebraska. The NEMFCA is honored to now welcome him into the Eight Man Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

1000 Yard Guy sez;

I won't pull any punches here, Ben Eisenhart is one of my favorfite 8-Man football players of all time. His last name should be spelled "EisenHEART" Ben has great bloodlines, his grandfather Russell Eisenhart, being an All-Nebraska selection back in 1941.

Had Eisenhart not played behind All-State RB Brandon Hagan for the better part of his freshman and sophomorte seasons, Ben would have easily been surpassed the career 5000 yard rushing mark.

Ben Eisenhart also flashed his all-around athletic ability by lettering four times in basketball and four times in track and field. He closed his prep career by capturing his third consecutive Class D state long jump title. Eisenhart twice earned the all-class gold medal for the top leap at the state meet.

Ben later was one of the most feared head-hunters on Nebraska’s suicide squads, striking fear into every Husker opponent who dared to field a punt or kickoff.