Members of the legendary, undefeated 1954 Bronco football team return to Hastings College this weekend in celebration of 55-years since they led the Broncos through an undefeated season. They are one of only two teams to finish the season undefeated in HC Bronco football history.

The 1954 team members will attend various events on and off campus Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12, and they will watch the Broncos play Briar Cliff University at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Lloyd Wilson Field. The 1954 Broncos will be announced during half-time and end the weekend with a farewell dinner following the game.

The following is a quote by former Hastings Tribune sports editor, Bill Madden, from “The Making of a Championship Team: The story of the 1954 Broncos” by Ladd Cochrane and Bill Madden and quoted from a column by Madden in the Hastings Tribune in 1954.
 
“And after the game was over and HC a 20 to 14 victory, the joy of the Bronco faithful knew no bounds … They had a team to be proud of, one of a kind that comes along just about once in a lifetime … As I left the field, I thought what a wonderful way to have a story end ... The accomplishments of the 1954 Broncos will be filed in the category of the never-to-be forgotten.”

1954 Bronco Team Highlights
9-0 1954 season
Champions of Nebraska College Conference
Mineral Water Bowl winners
Nebraska State College Coach of the Year – Tom McLaughlin
Nebraska State College Athlete of the Year – Chuck Stickels
Mineral Bowl Outstanding Lineman – Hilly Beck
Nebraska College Conference Individual Scoring Champion – Bruce Edwards

All Nebraska College Conference First Team Awards
 Hilly Beck
 Veryl Borden
 Ladd Cochrane
 Ike Eisenhauer
 Bruce Edwards
 Gene Fleharty 
 Jim Sterup
 Chuck Stickels

Hastings College Athletic Hall of Fame
 1954 Team
 Chuck Stickels
 Hilly Beck
 Bruce Edwards
 Tom McLaughlin, coach
 Skip Udlock, trainer

Home of the Hastings Broncos, Hastings College is a private, four-year liberal arts institution, founded in 1882, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Hastings College received the 2009 GPAC All-Sports Trophy for the best overall performance in 19 conference sports, and 53 Broncos were named Academic All-American this year.