JEFF FIELDER Editor
CRAWFORD – Will Ackerman, a senior at Crawford High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Ackerman was a three-sport standout in high school. He started three years in football and was a four-year starter in basketball as a guard. He also competed in track and field. In addition to sports, Ackerman excelled in the classroom, achieving a 3.75 GPA and earning a spot in National Honor Society. He was also involved in FFA. He and his senior classmates graduated last Monday. Ackerman plans to go to school at Dickinson State University in Dickinson, North Dakota, where he’ll also play basketball. He wants to study construction management and architectural engineering. His parents are Sharon and Curt Ackerman.
Q: How excited are you to get an opportunity to play basketball at Dickinson State University?
ACKERMAN: “I’ve always wanted to play college basketball since I was a little kid. It’s been my dream to do that.”
Q: Why did you pick Dickinson State?
ACKERMAN: “I originally wanted to go to Wayne and play basketball there, but I was supposed to try out in April, and that never happened because of the coronavirus. But then the Dickinson State coach texted me, and he made me a scholarship offer. The school is really nice.”
Q: You also competed in football and track and field in college. Is basketball your favorite sport?
ACKERMAN: “Basketball is my favorite sport, for sure, but I also really liked football. I kind of did track just to stay in shape and to get faster.”
Q: How would describe the way your high school basketball career went overall?
ACKERMAN: “My first year we went 24-1, which set a school record for most wins in a season. We made it to the district finals almost every year but then lost in the district final or sub-state. Overall, we had a lot of success.”
Q: How did this past basketball season go for you and your teammates?
ACKERMAN: “We made it through one round of the sub-districts, but we lost the second one to go to sub-state.”
Q: How did things go for you individually during the basketball season?
ACKERMAN: “It went pretty good. I wish we would have made it to sub-state, but it was still a lot of fun. I think I had 69 three-pointers in a season, and that’s a record. I also have the record for most points in a season.”
Q: Talk about how your high school football career went.
ACKERMAN: “It went good. It was a lot of fun.”
Q: What events did you participate in during the track and field season?
ACKERMAN: “I ran the 100 and 4×800, and I did the long jump and high jump.”
Q: How disappointed were you when you found out the track and field season was cancelled this spring because of COVID-19?
ACKERMAN: “I was disappointed because I was really hoping to make it to state this year. We were getting a really good 4×800 team together.”
Q: Was it also really disappointing that you weren’t able to go to school the last few weeks of your senior year?
ACKERMAN: “Yes, it was. I enjoyed school and being around all my friends. The last few weeks we haven’t seen each other, so that’s been disappointing.”
Q: You were involved in National Honor Society. How important has it been for you to also be a standout in the classroom?
ACKERMAN: “My parents have really pushed me to do good in school. Being involved in National Honor Society is pretty cool because we do a lot of stuff for our community.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
ACKERMAN: “My dad has a ranch, so I like helping him on the ranch.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Crawford?
ACKERMAN: “It’s a really good, little town. Everybody is really nice, and it’s easy to make friends here.”
Q: Why have you decided to pursue construction management and architectural engineering?
ACKERMAN: “I’ve been doing a lot of stuff like that with my dad because he used to build homes and chicken barns and stuff. I just really enjoy it, and I’ve been taking construction classes every year, and I’ve enjoyed that, too.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
ACKERMAN: “The Tailgate. It has really good food, and it’s a nice place.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Crawford High School?
ACKERMAN: “Dennis Vogl. He always stands up for everybody else. If someone is getting picked on, he’s that guy who helps them out. He’s always doing the right thing.”
Q: What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
ACKERMAN: “I like a lot of different kinds of music, like country and rock and roll.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
ACKERMAN: “All American.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
ACKERMAN: “I would say Fort Robinson State Park. What I like the most about it is going fishing at Carter P Lake all the time.”
Q: Name one person who you feel is a big difference-maker in your community.
ACKERMAN: “Marge Rotherham because she’s always giving out food to people and is always doing other nice things for people.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC – American Family Insurance, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
